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Disney Has Officially Decided the Future of Its Newest Baby Giraffe
Walt Disney World officially named its newest baby Masai giraffe and revealed what comes next for the adorable calf, who has been bonding with her mother behind the scenes since her spring arrival.
Her name is Ivy.
The female Masai giraffe calf was born earlier this spring at an impressive 120 pounds and standing nearly six feet tall at birth. Since then, she has been spending time behind the scenes with her mother, Willow, strengthening their bond and developing the confidence she needs before stepping onto one of the most famous savannas in any theme park.
Animal care experts confirm that Ivy is thriving, and her debut on the Kilimanjaro Safaris savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is coming very soon.
What That Means for Guests
A baby giraffe on the Kilimanjaro Safaris route changes the safari experience in a way that is genuinely difficult to overstate. The attraction is already one of the most unique rides at Walt Disney World because the animals on the route are real, the landscapes are authentically designed, and the encounters feel genuinely unpredictable in the best possible way. Adding a young giraffe who is still figuring out her legs and staying close to her mother introduces a dimension of tenderness and novelty, turning a great safari into an unforgettable one.
Guests visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the near term should keep an eye on the giraffe area of the Kilimanjaro Safaris route for Ivy’s appearance. Early morning rides typically offer the best animal activity across the savanna.
The Baby Animal Season at Walt Disney World
Ivy is the latest arrival in what has been a remarkable stretch of baby animal news at Walt Disney World this spring. An Ankole cattle calf was born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge in March 2026, marking the first Ankole cattle birth at the resort in over twenty years. The female calf and her mother have been bonding before their savanna debut at the lodge.
Three red river hog piglets were also born backstage at Animal Kingdom Lodge earlier this year. Red river hogs are visually striking animals with distinctive reddish coats and dramatic facial markings, and the piglets are expected to join the rest of the herd on the savanna once the animal care team determines they are ready.
How to See All of Them
Ivy will be visible on the Kilimanjaro Safaris route at Disney’s Animal Kingdom during regular park operating hours. The Ankole cattle calf and the red river hog piglets are at Animal Kingdom Lodge rather than at the park itself.
Guests do not need a room reservation to visit Animal Kingdom Lodge. The lodge is accessible via complimentary bus from Disney Springs. Dining reservations at Jiko, Boma, or Sanaa are another option, with Sanaa offering direct savanna views from the dining room, where guests can watch wildlife, including the Ankole cattle family, while dining.
Ivy is coming to Kilimanjaro Safaris very soon. The name has been revealed. The debut is next.
