Credit: Disney Fans are going wild for this viral animal encounter at Walt Disney World.
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Walt Disney World and the rest of the Disney parks are known for their immersive rides and attractions, interactive live shows, tasty snacks, and stunning ambiance. Whether you’re riding your favorite ride or meeting your favorite character, there’s truly magic to be found all around the Disney theme parks.
However, part of what makes places like Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, and EPCOT so magical is how unpredictable they can be. Each day at Walt Disney World will prove to be its own adventure, with Disney employees, called cast members, working extra hard to ensure guests have as perfect of a day as possible.
While guests can work hard to maximize their time at Disney, some experiences are just down to luck, with a recent chance encounter going viral online.
Fans Go Wild Over Rare Moment with Turtle in Walt Disney World
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Reddit user TheLastGunslinger recently shared their experience of watching a turtle endure a CT scan at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a post that has since gone viral. “I got to see a SEA-T scan at Animal Kingdom today,” reads the guest’s caption.
The photo shows an adorable turtle equipped with what appears to be medical tape inside a BodyTom 64, a type of CT scanning device.
The guest explained that this moment was captured while they were visiting Rafiki’s Planet Watch, which houses several different species of animals.
“It was at Rafiki’s Planet Watch. I did Kilimanjaro Safaris and our truck driver said there was a procedure happening this morning, so I went to check it out.
I got to see a SEA-T scan at Animal Kingdom today
byu/TheLastGunslinger inWaltDisneyWorld
Fans were absolutely enamored with the idea of such a cute and tiny animal undergoing a CT scan, prompting hundreds of reactions to the post.
“I want to hug that turtle,” said one user. “I love the idea that a CT scan of a turtle would reveal a cozy little turtle home in there,” said another.
While guests have the opportunity to see and spot dozens of different animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, watching one undergo a medical scan such as this one is quite a bit rarer and undoubtedly makes for an unforgettable Disney memory.
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Disney’s Animal Kingdom is an especially interesting park to discuss in 2025, as it is set to undergo some of its largest and most significant updates ever. Starting with what is perhaps Animal Kingdom’s most divisive land, guests already saw half of DinoLand U.S.A. close down at the beginning of the year, with the second half set to close in 2026.
TriceraTop Spin, along with the entirety of Chester & Hester’s DinoRama, has since closed, with crews demolishing the carnival-inspired area over the last several weeks. DINOSAUR, the land’s “E-ticket” thrill ride, is still dishing out time-traveling tours for the time being.
However, 2025 will be DINOSAUR’s last year, with Disney confirming the attraction will become extinct in 2026. This is all being done to make way for a brand-new land inspired by South America, which will eventually take over the footprint DinoLand leaves behind.
This new area will serve as a hub for three new attractions, one of which will be themed to Disney’s Encanto. Disney will close DINOSAUR but will keep the ride’s bones, giving the attraction an Indiana Jones-inspired makeover.
In addition, a new carousel will be built in the center of this new land.
Also closing this year is It’s Tough to be a Bug, which will hold its final performance this weekend. This 4D experience has long been a divisive part of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, though it’s grown a dedicated base of fans over the last 25+ years. The attraction will officially close on March 17, 2025, making way for a new show inspired by Zootopia to take over later this year.
Will you be taking a trip to Walt Disney World this year?