Hey everyone, I’m Mike, she’s Sophie, that’s Brenda, and he’s Grogu, and we’re On the Road with Mickey! This is episode 261 and this week our feature topic is March Madness – Animal Kingdom! This week we conclude our #MarchMadness competition in the parks with the Animal Kingdom tournament! Here’s what we talked about:

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• Cheddar from the Big Cheese:
  
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  • Sophie: Say hello to Tucker, the new Masai giraffe born to Mom Mara! He is quite strapping and was recently seen with her on the Savana as part of Kilimanjaro Safaris!
    
  • Brenda: The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is getting a lobby renovation! In store, the new Grand Floridian Lobby Bar, designed like the iconic birdcage. Additionally, new carpeting, new furniture, and a mix of botanical accents and inviting colors will create an airy, garden-like atmosphere, while keeping the Victorian charm that we all know and love. Here’s an artist rendition of what it will look like:
    
  • Mike: Remembering my brother in Christ, JP Archer.
    
  
  
  
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• Feature Topic: March Madness – Animal Kingdom!
  
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  • For the next five weeks, we are going to be going through the March Madness of Walt Disney World. The best part of this – the winners are selected by you, the listeners! This week, we’re looking at Animal Kingdom!
    
  • First Round Matchups:
    
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    • 1)Avatar: Flight of Passage vs. 8) Maharaja Jungle Trek
      
    • 2)Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain vs. 7)Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond
      
    • 3)Kilimanjaro Safaris vs. 6)Kali River Rapids
      
    • 4)Festival of the Lion King vs. 5)Na’vi River Journey
      
    
    
    
  • First Round Results:
    
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    • 1)Avatar: Flight of Passage 29, 8)Maharaja Jungle Trek 3
      
    • 2)Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain 22, 7)Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond 11
      
    • 3)Kilimanjaro Safaris 29, 6)Kali River Rapids 4
      
    • 4)Festival of the Lion King 21, 5)Na’vi River Journey 9
      
    
    
    
  • Final Four Matchups:
    
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    • 1) Avatar: Flight of Passage vs. 4) Festival of the Lion King
      
    • 2) Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain vs. 3)Kilimanjaro Safaris
      
    
    
    
  • Final Four Results:
    
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    • 1)Avatar: Flight of Passage 22, 4)Festival of the Lion King 10
      
    • UPSET: 3)Kilimanjaro Safaris 22, 2)Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain 12
      
    
    
    
  • The Finals:
    
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    • 1)Avatar: Flight of Passage vs. 3)Kilimanjaro Safaris
      
    
    
    
  • AND THE WINNER IS:
    
  •  Avatar: Flight of Passage won with 17 votes to 11 for Kilimanjaro Safaris
    
  
  
  
• This Day in Disney History for 4/14/2025:
  
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  • 2007: Heritage Auctions auctions very unique items from Walt Disney’s collection.
    
  
  
  
• Stump the Soph!
  
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  • Sarge from Cars
    
  
  
  
• A little bit of Walt
  
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  • “Next to his own most intimate self-concerns, man is most fascinated by creatures of the animal kingdom. They have been close to his interest and his fate from time beyond the Ark.” – Walt Disney
    
  
  
  
• Coming next week: March Madness – Final Four!
  

As always, thank you for listening. We are having a lot of fun talking Disney, and I’m glad you are enjoying it as well! Remember, you can reach us in many ways — by email to info@ontheroadwithmickey.com. You can also talk to us on our Facebook Page, On the Road with Mickey or in our On the Road with Mickey Group. Feel free to join us! Have a great week, and we’ll be back to talk with you again next week!