Merry Menagerie Returns for the Holidays 2024 at Disney World. Three Parks here at Disney World have started the 2024 holidays. Magic Kingdom is fully decorated and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party all have begun, over at Hollywood Studios Jollywood Nights & daytime Holidays at Hollywood are ongoing. Now, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is fully decorated with daily Santa Claus meet & greet plus Merry Menagerie. Just waiting on you Epcot!
Starting November 12, join the Merry Menagerie puppeteers at the Tree of Life. Surround yourself with artisan-sculpted wintry animal puppets like reindeer, penguins, and seals…oh my! These delightful animals create the perfect moment to capture unforgettable photos that can be shared with family and friends.
Strolling around Discovery Island in front of the Tree of Life are puppet animals featuring Polar Bear Mom and Cub, Reindeers, Seals, Mom Penguin, and her three babies, Birds in flight, and a sly Artic Fox (who could have the best reaction to people). Each set of animals that comes out are accompanied by a cast member playing an instrument like the ukulele, steel drum, or violin.
Normally the pairings are bears with the arctic fox and the seal, steel drum player, and violinist.
The reindeer, momma penguin with her three babies, possibly the arctic fox, with ukulele player.
This year there is Merry Menagerie merchandise for sale, including a Spirit Jersey, Tee Shirt, Light-up ornaments, plus two plush a polar bear and the penguin. There is also a pin for 2024.
You can also meet the holiday hosts with the most, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, dressed in their festive finest together at Adventurers Outpost. And, after a full day of shopping for your gift list (Merry Menagerie merch, anyone?) and sampling delicious goodies, stop by after dark for sensational, seasonal Tree of Life Awakenings that bring the spirits of winter animals to life.
The Merry Menagerie comes out to perform and interact with guests on Discovery Island every day between 9:45 AM and 5:00 PM. You can find them in front of the Tree of Life, typically right around the area between Island Mercantile and Discovery Trading Company. You can sit back and enjoy the performance, or you can interact with the puppets and performers if you want to!
The performers do take short breaks, but they will be there performing pretty much the entire day between the times I mentioned above. The animal puppets do rotate, so if you don’t see the one you’re looking for at first, just wait a bit or come back later in the day to find them! Be sure to take lots of pictures because these are memories you’re going to want to keep forever.
