Disney’s Merry Menagerie Blends Holiday Magic with Wildlife Conservation. The holidays are here, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom is celebrating with festive cheer and a huge Christmas tree. Before you even walk in, a towering 55-foot tree greets you. It is covered in ornaments shaped like animals. That’s taller than stacking three giraffes on top of each other! But right inside, past the tree, a truly special experience is waiting. It is called the Merry Menagerie.
The Merry Menagerie happens at select times during the day on Discovery Island now through December 31. The exact animals you see may change as they move in and out to say hi.
What is the Merry Menagerie?
The Merry Menagerie is a fun daytime experience on Discovery Island. It brings the area to life with beautiful, hand-made animal puppets.
Disney Live Entertainment created these life-size arctic animals. You can see polar bears, reindeer, foxes, and penguins. Skilled puppeteers make them walk, blink, and even float in the air for guests.
“What makes Merry Menagerie special is how up close and personal it is. Guests aren’t just observers; they really can interact with these puppets,” said Chris Iannuzzi, Disney Live Entertainment Puppetry Director. “When someone reaches out to pet a polar bear, even though you can see the puppeteer right there, the puppet still feels so alive in that moment. Creating that believable interaction is a testament to not only the skill of our performers, but the power of puppetry.”
Say Hello to Wintry Friends
Guests can get close to these winter animals for some one-of-a-kind moments:
- Take a selfie with a reindeer.
- Give a polar bear a gentle chin scratch.
- Greet a playful penguin.
- Say hello to a friendly fox.
- Watch a baby seal dance.
Skilled musicians play holiday tunes. You might hear violinists or steel pan performers playing music that mixes with the puppet interactions.
Take the Magic Home
Want a souvenir from your visit? You can find special Merry Menagerie merchandise at the Island Mercantile shop on Discovery Island.
This year’s collection includes a wintry blue spirit jersey, a T-shirt, pins, and ornaments. They all feature the cute puppets from the park. They are available while supplies last.
Right outside the shop, be sure to see the new artwork by artist Rob Kaz, titled “Merry Moment.” It shows Mickey Mouse celebrating with the Menagerie animals in front of the Tree of Life.
“The puppeteers are truly so talented in making the moment between the Guest and the animal so special,” Rob said. “Wintry lighting and colors, sounds of the holidays… It’s just pure joy. That’s what I hoped to show in Merry Moment.” See if you can find Rob’s signature frog, Beau, hidden in the painting.
More Than Fun: It’s About Conservation
The Merry Menagerie adds magic to the holiday season. It also spotlights a bigger mission. The Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) works to protect animals in the wild. This includes some of the same species featured as puppets.
For 30 years, DCF has been a leader in protecting wildlife and their homes around the world. DCF has helped organizations like Polar Bears International to protect polar bears and their sea ice home. They have also helped with penguin conservation across Argentina, Chile, and New Zealand.
The holidays at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are full of wild beauty and wonderful moments. You can celebrate the season, find unique gifts, and even learn ways to help wildlife.
To learn more about all the holiday fun at the resort, visit DisneyWorld.com/holidays.
