Hello, and welcome to Dateline Disney World! This week, we’re taking a quick look at the 24 hour day at the Magic Kingdom and also the opening of the new Harambe Market at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

First, let’s take a look at a beautifully uncrowded Magic Kingdom during a 24 hour day. Nothing quite like a sunrise at the Magic Kingdom!

The Magic Kingdom was open for 24 hours this past week. I was lucky enough to attend the first sunrise and capture some fun photos.
The Magic Kingdom was open for 24 hours this past week. I was lucky enough to attend the first sunrise and capture some fun photos.

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Pretty amazing to see, even if they have done this every year now for quite some time.
Pretty amazing to see, even if they have done this every year now for quite some time.

 

Now for something completely different . . .

Welcome to Animal Kingdom!
Welcome to Animal Kingdom!
New building going up right near Discovery Island.
New building going up near Discovery Island.
Not every day that you see a giant crane near the Tree of Life!
Not every day that you see a giant crane near the Tree of Life!
Flame Tree BBQ still not reopened.
Flame Tree BBQ still has not reopened.
A little peek at Rivers of Light construction.
A little peek at Rivers of Light construction.

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This new path has opened up at the end of the Everest area that helps guests cut through to the Kali River Rapids entrance.
This new path has opened up at the end of the Everest area that helps guests cut through to the Kali River Rapids entrance.

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It also creates a new view of the Gibbon exhibit.
It also creates a new view of the Gibbon exhibit.
Very nicely done.
Very nicely done.

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Time to head to Harambe!
Time to head to Harambe!

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Down this pathway lies the new Harambe Market, which fully realizes the idea of Harambe as a theme park land.
Down this pathway lies the new Harambe Market, which fully realizes the idea of Harambe as a theme park land.

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The entrance!
The entrance!
There are many different food options here, including ribs, kabobs, curry corn dogs, and drinks.
There are many different food options here, including ribs, kabobs, curry corn dogs, and drinks.

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As always at Animal Kingdom, there is a ton of detail here.
As always at Animal Kingdom, there is a ton of detail here.

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There are quite a few Mickey references here.
There are quite a few Mickey references here.

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I love all these details.
I love all these details.

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Advertising the Harambe theater on the other side of town.
Advertising the Harambe theater on the other side of town.
More MIckey.
More Mickey.

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General idea of what is being served.
General idea of what is being served.

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One more Mickey reference.
One more Mickey reference.

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It feels like this has been part of the park forever already.
It feels like this has been part of the park forever already.

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I really love what Disney did here. They are starting to really flesh Animal Kingdom out to be a park people will want to spend more time in. It is right up there with MK in terms of recent quality, and really leaves Epcot and the Studios in the dust.
I really love what Disney did here. They are starting to really flesh Animal Kingdom out to be a park people will want to spend more time in. It is right up there with MK in terms of recent quality, and really leaves Epcot and the Studios in the dust.

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New DVC kiosk going up.
New DVC kiosk going up.

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The new Starbucks should be opening somewhat soon.
The new Starbucks should be opening soon.
The photo may not show it, but a lot of land has been cleared at the entrance to Pandora, which is now only about 2 years away.
The photo may not show it, but a lot of land has been cleared at the entrance to Pandora, which is now only about 2 years away.
Time to escape the heat!
Time to escape the heat!

That does it for this week’s column. What do you all think of the new Harambe Market? Let us know in the comments below!!

If you appreciate what we do here and would like to support Dateline Disney World, you can shop at Amazon.com, Harambe Market Opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and 24 Hours at the Magic Kingdom, using my link (please CLICK HERE, Harambe Market Opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and 24 Hours at the Magic Kingdom before you do). It won’t cost you any extra, and it’ll help out the column!!

For more photos and tutorials on Disney photography, please check out my photo site, Disney Photography Blog. And if you like listening more than reading, you can hear us talk about Disney and photography on my podcast, ISO5571

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Cory Disbrow
Cory likes Walt Disney World so much, he recently packed his bags and moved to Orlando. Cory is a photographer and writes MiceChat's Dateline Disney World columns every Friday.