Fab animals, food at Disney's Animal Kingdom

While Walt Disney World's other theme parks in Orlando typically get much more attention -and attendance - than Animal Kingdom, this park is definitely underrated. It features two Broadway-quality shows: Finding Nemo and The Lion King, as well as fabulous animal sightings, activities for kids and high quality food.

Even though we went on the Safari Tour in Africa around noon, most of the animals were active! We saw three lions, hippos, zebras, elephants and many more native African animals that we had never seen before. We also did walking tours to see more animals - monkeys, snakes, beautiful birds and much more!

The Finding Nemo show was very entertaining - for adults and children alike.

While we wanted to eat at Yak & Yeti for lunch, the wait was too long. Instead, we checked out the new Harambe Market in Africa, where you can get grilled sausage along with African and Indian dishes and African sodas and a few varieties of beer. My husband had the Beef Gyro, which was delicious and filling, and I had the Chicken Masala. Since I have not had this classic Indian dish before, I can't legitimately compare Disney's masala to others. I can only say I really enjoyed the flavor, as well as the accompanying rice and pita bread.

Meanwhile, we saw cranes and other construction equipment for the planned Avatar Land, which will draw many more visitors to this park! Also going on right now is the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Don't miss the beautiful character greenery designs, the food, and the music!

Related: 

Top reasons to visit Disney's Hollywood Studios

Top 10 favorites at Epcot Food and Wine Fest

Kids Live the Movies at New Disney Resort

Finding Nemo Wing

If I was a kid, I think my dream hotel stay would be at Walt Disney World Orlando's new Art of Animation Resort. The resort- which opens in phases starting May 31 - features rooms and special suites around four different Disney movies: Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid.

You can tell that the resort is unlike any other Disney property as soon as you walk up to the Finding Nemo wing: a mammoth Nemo sculpture greets visitors and the exterior is painted to represent an under-the-sea feel. In the Cars wing, a "freshly paved" road leads to the Cozy Cone Motel that includes a pool and cone-shaped cabanas. The rooms and suites represent each movie's storyline too, with details such as bubble ceiling lights in the Finding Nemo rooms and Zazu headboards in The Lion King suites.

Finding Nemo Suite

The new resort also features Walt Disney World's largest resort swimming pool at 11,859 square feet. Of course, the pool area stays true to the move themes with a giant-sized Mr. Ray and a Squirt statue in the children's play area.

Rates at the new Art of Animation Resort start at $248 per night for a suite that sleeps up to six people. If you are looking for another Disney hotel option this summer, check out Disney's Florida resident rates at select hotels here: http://di.sn/19I. For example, Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort is available for $104 per night from from June 14 – August 4.