Don’t Miss Animal Kingdom’s Merry Menagerie
I make no apologies for loving Disney’s Animal Kingdom as much as I do. No, it doesn’t have many rides. Nor does it stay open past 6 or 7 most nights. But it has a baby elephant, floating mountains, and a Carnotaurus (at least for another year). And during the late fall, it has the greatest non-IP addition to any Disney park: the Merry Menagerie.
The Merry Menagerie is a troupe of animal puppets and their puppeteers. Characters include an Arctic fox, birds, penguins, polar bears, reindeer, and seals. For me, these animals are the best of Disney’s holiday offerings. They engage guests in a way you rarely see in today’s theme parks. We all love character meet-and-greets, sure, but this one feels more spontaneous than most. The Menagerie descends on Discovery Island and immerses itself in the crowd. The scene is beautifully chaotic. The performers won’t let you passively participate. They’ll seek you out.
Musicians add to the vibe. We encountered two violinists roaming through the crowd the day we visited. The group’s steel drummer was absent, but you can see him in a video I filmed two years ago.
The puppets
Many of the Menagerie’s animals are crafted from white wooden shells, intricately detailed with painted swirls and snowflakes. The panels give the impression of being stitched together with string, a design element echoed in the patterns on their handlers’ clothing. The penguins have a softer look and are adorned with long blue and white “feathers.” The seals are the softest of the bunch. They’re basically oversized plushes. The birds are attached to poles, allowing their handlers to fly them over the crowds. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any during our last trip.
The puppets are controlled in a variety of ways. The smaller penguins zoom around the crowd, connected to their handlers by long poles. Puppeteers stand directly behind the adult penguins, controlling the head and wing movements. The smaller land mammals’ controls can be found on their backs and behind their heads. Finally, the largest animals — a polar bear and reindeer — require their handlers to wear the costumes.
The performers
The puppeteers’ clothing matches their characters. The light-colored fabrics are accented with the same blues, purples, and golds found on the animals. Some Cast Members wear beanies while others sport hats made of oversized flower petals.
The Merry Menagerie animals and their handlers are beautiful, but it’s the Cast Members’ talent that brings these creatures to life. Each puppet feels unique, with its own distinct personality, thanks to the performers. You’ll find yourself believing they’re real, and that’s what makes them so special. I can’t recommend the Merry Menagerie enough. Flight of Passage and Kilimanjaro Safaris can wait. Take your time hanging out on Discovery Island when they’re out and about. They are quintessential Animal Kingdom.
Merry Menagerie photo gallery
The photos from our first Menagerie hangout feel a little flat thanks to it being overcast the day we visited. But the nighttime shots make up for it. Yep, we got to see the Merry Menagerie during Moonlight Magic. Those photos are some of my favorites of our recent week at Disney World.
I also included several pics of Discovery Island’s holiday decorations. Bird sculptures, garlands, and dozens of luminaries decorate the storefronts. The lanterns at night create beautiful lighting.
The Merry Menagerie can be found on Discovery Island at various times from 9:45 AM to 5 PM throughout the holidays.
