Disney’s Animals, Science, and Environment (ASE) cast members take center stage with Walt Disney Imagineering in the new signature restaurant Tiffins, located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as they invite guests to join them in their travels around the world.
Restaurant and lounge guests can get a peek at the travels and collaborations, including photos and field notes from our very own Disney/ASE conservationists.
One of the conservationist featured is Joseph Soltis, PhD, Science Manager, for his work with Elephants and Bees. “I was very excited and proud to be up there with so many conservation champions that I admire,” Dr. Joseph said. “I think it was very cool to have ‘real’ pictures of our very own conservationists in action around the world.”
Conservation Director Anne Savage, PhD, is also featured. “I have to say I was thrilled first of all to be asked by the Walt Disney Imagineering team to contribute … It’s so exciting to see the guests look at all the photos from our conservation programs in Africa and Asia and hear them make such positive comments about how Disney is making a difference in the world.”
Animals and conservation also play a role in the restaurants décor. Look at the walls in the various galleries within Tiffins, and you may notice the 10 animals that we are working to save through The Disney Conservation Fund’s “Reverse the Decline, Increase the Time” initiative. One piece of art is inspired by Zoological Manager Chad Harmon, and his Horns and Heroes Project. The sculpture of a Sumatran rhino was carved in Bali, and then Portfolio Creative Executive Joe Rohde, collaborated with Dr. Anne to find the exact DNA of the Sumatran rhino to place behind the sculpture. The DNA slowly fades away as a symbol of the species fading into extinction.
The Nomad Lounge helps further immerse guests into Disney’s conservation stories and allows them to join our cause in multiple ways. Guests can purchase hanging tags for $1 that they can personalize with their own stories of animals and travel. The tags are hung around the Nomad Lounge. Proceeds from drinks like Snow Leopard Salvation and Painted Wolf ‘The Den’ Pinotage also go toward the conservation of those species.
Dr. Anne said, “Whether guests are seeing the photos from our various ASE conservation projects around the world or reading about some of our experiences in the field with wildlife as they look through the Nomad Lounge menu, it is thrilling to be able to share these stories with our guests. It is these types of experiences that can inspire our guests to join Disney in helping to protect wildlife.”
Tiffins and Nomad Lounge open every day at 11:30 a.m.