As part of the festivities set to begin soon at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, guests will be able to interact with ‘Merry Menagerie’ puppets and performers on Discovery Island. Disney recently gave a behind-the-scenes look at the work taking place to bring these puppets to life!

When you visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom this holiday season, you’ll find festive new entertainment and holiday décor in every land. It all begins on Discovery Island, where you’ll be surrounded by a celebration of winter. The village is filled with sparkling white holiday decorations and colorful, animal-inspired luminaries, and throughout the day, the area springs to life with a Merry Menagerie of winter animals, accompanied by serenading musicians as they create a playful atmosphere of festive fun.

The team at Disney Parks Live Entertainment realized this collection of reindeer, foxes, polar bears, penguins and more in the form of life-size, artisan-sculpted puppets, each designed and hand-crafted using natural materials and fabrics. The animals were then brought to life through a variety of theatrical techniques that will allow them and their performers to interact directly with guests like never before.

You’ll be able to meet this Merry Menagerie for yourself, when the spirit of the holidays comes alive with magic, starting November 8 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!