On Earth Day, April 22, 1998, Walt Disney World Resort welcomed guests to explore a unique theme park that celebrates the wonders of the natural world. The opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park marked a new way of experiencing and appreciating animals, while also presenting compelling stories that showcase our relationship with the environment. As the fourth theme park of Walt Disney World, it covers over 500 acres and has become a top tourist attraction in Central Florida.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park offers a variety of attractions that combine Walt Disney’s love of animals, both real and imaginary, with spectacular stage shows and entertaining characters. It features breathtaking animal encounters, such as an African safari adventure and a mystical trail that takes guests on a thrilling search for tigers. In addition, live shows highlight animal behaviors and beauty, while attractions like “It’s Tough to Be a Bug!” and “Festival of the Lion King” bring entertainment to life. The park’s architecture, light poles, benches, and other elements also showcase animal designs, ranging from subtle to dramatic.
In honor of the 25th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Earth Day, guests will be able to indulge in new sweet and savory treats, as well as purchase specialty merchandise and meet a beloved character. On April 22, visitors can enjoy limited-time treats such as the Colossal Elephant Roll, which is a large cinnamon bun with banana caramel, milk chocolate crispy pearls, and a 25th-anniversary logo available only at Isle of Java and Kusafiri Bakery.
The 25th Anniversary Alive with Magic Cupcake, made with vanilla cake, chocolate toffee mousse, chocolate buttercream, white chocolate crispy pearls, and an Alive with Magic 25th-anniversary chocolate logo, is also available. Commemorative items, including a 25th-anniversary mini Loungefly backpack, special pins, shirts, and a tumbler, can be purchased to take home as mementos of the occasion. Additionally, Moana will make her first appearance at Discovery Island Character Landing, greeting guests and adding to the excitement of the festivities.
Over the past 25 years, Disney has made significant contributions to the preservation and well-being of animals and their environments, not only at the theme park, but also throughout the community, state, and the globe. Recently, Disney announced a $500,000 donation to five conservation organizations in Florida to promote a happier and healthier planet for all. These organizations include Conservation Florida, Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Trout Lake Nature Center, and Wekiva Wilderness Trust, each receiving $100,000.
These grants have made numerous projects possible, from expanding land protection initiatives to ensuring healthy tree canopy coverage in underserved communities, finding solutions to provide clean drinking water for those in need, and funding educational opportunities for youth in the community.
Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President of Animals, Science, and Environment at Disney Parks, states, “At Disney, we believe building a brighter, more sustainable future starts with imagining what’s possible. Through our conservation and sustainability programs, we take tangible actions to inspire change around the globe. I’m proud of our animal care cast members who are the most passionate conservationists I know and who put their hearts into taking care of the animals at Walt Disney World every day.”
As an accredited institution of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Disney’s Animal Kingdom has collaborated with other AZA members to help increase populations of endangered and extinct in the wild species, such as the Guam rail and Guam kingfisher birds.
The park has welcomed a variety of animals from endangered species into the world, including Sumatran tigers, western lowland gorillas, African elephants, cotton-top tamarins, and okapi, to name a few, following AZA Species Survival Plans. Additionally, Disney’s Animal Nutrition Center has served as a model kitchen for many other AZA-accredited facilities that have adopted the nutritional diets developed specifically for the animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Currently, 45 animals that have been at Disney’s Animal Kingdom since opening day or before still reside at the park.
A look back at 25 milestone moments in the park’s 25-year history is presented. On April 22, 1995, the Disney Conservation Fund was established to support the protection of wildlife and wild places worldwide. On June 20, 1995, plans for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park were announced, featuring thrilling rides, exotic landscapes, and close encounters with wild animals. Groundbreaking for the park took place on August 4, 1995.
The first animals to arrive at the park were two two-year-old reticulated giraffes, Miles and Zari, on April 26, 1997. The first animal born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom was a baby kudu on October 5, 1997. Roy E. Disney joined Disney Chairman and CEO Michael Eisner at the park’s dedication ceremony on April 21, 1998. The park officially opened on Earth Day, April 22, 1998, with a colorful ceremony celebrating animals real, ancient, and imagined.
The park received accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in September 1998. On March 1, 1999, the Grand Opening of Asia took place, including Kali River Rapids and Maharajah Jungle Trek. Dino-Sue, an exact replica of the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil found up to that time, went on display in DinoLand U.S.A. on May 17, 2000.
Conservation Station became Rafiki’s Planet Watch in October 2000. Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain opened on April 7, 2006. The park’s first “Party for the Planet” event, an annual Earth Day celebration, took place on April 22, 2007.
The Wilderness Explorers program debuted on June 1, 2013. Tiffins Restaurant and Nomad Lounge opened on May 27, 2016. Pandora – The World of Avatar, the largest addition in the history of the park, opened on May 27, 2017. The park’s 20th anniversary was marked with a “Party for the Planet” event on Earth Day, April 22, 2018.
New holiday offerings debuted on November 18, 2019. Character flotillas arrived on Discovery River on July 11, 2020. “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom,” an eight-part docuseries, debuted on Disney+ on September 25, 2020. Ranger was born, the first of three white rhino calves born at the park in a 13-month period, on October 26, 2020.
On September 15, 2021, Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment began participating in a multi-year research project with the American Institute of Rhinoceros Science. The project is designed to ensure that rhinos thrive in managed care.
On June 10, 2022, an updated musical stage production titled “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” made its debut.
On January 1, 2023, the second season of “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom” premiered on National Geographic, with all episodes available for streaming on Disney+ starting on January 4.
On April 22, 2023, Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrated its 25th anniversary on Earth Day with a special event.
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