Happy 20th Anniversary to Disney’s Animal Kingdom!
Encounter exotic animals and exciting adventures at one of the largest animal theme parks in the world!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom officially opened on 22nd April 1998 and this year celebrates its 20th anniversary with lots of special events and activities. Celebrations will of course begin on 22nd April, which is also Earth Day:
Party for the Planet: The park will have two weeks of festivities from 22nd April - 5th May 2018. Connect with nature and wildlife in this event that celebrates both the anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Earth Day. Guests will be able to attend conservation talks by animal-care experts and have enhanced interactions with some of the park’s animals. Rafiki’s Planet Watch will take centre stage for the celebration.
UP! A Great Bird Adventure: An exciting new show inspired by the heart-warming film Up is coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom on 22nd April. It will replace the park’s Flights of Wonder show. Don’t worry though, you’ll still have the chance to get up close to some incredible winged creatures from around the world, as Russell the Wilderness Explorer and the adorable golden retriever Dug set out on a fun-filled adventure to discover some beautiful species of birds.
Donald's Dino-Bash!: From 25th May Donald Duck will take over DinoLand U.S.A. in a “dino-tastic” celebration, where he discovers that his bird ancestors were actually dinosaurs! The prehistoric shenanigans will include a DJ dance party with Donald Duck, Scrooge McDuck, Launchpad McQuack and more.
20th Anniversary merchandise is now available in stores around the park for those that would like to take a little something home from the celebrations.
Pandora – The World of Avatar: On Memorial Day 2018 (28th May) Animal Kingdom will also celebrate the one-year anniversary of Pandora - The World of Avatar. It’s an experience unlike any other, as you see the extraordinary blockbuster come to life. You don't need to be an Avatar fan to appreciate the revolutionary attractions here. Pandora is filled with unforgettable expeditions, floating mountains, winged creatures you can fly, rivers that glow, an illuminating forest and more. It's a cinematic experience you won’t want to miss!
Along with all the wild celebrations, you can’t miss all the wonderful animals and attractions that can be found at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It is home to more than 1700 animals across 250 different species, and is is divided into seven themed areas; Oasis, Discovery Island, Africa, Rafiki's Planet Watch, Asia, DinoLand U.S.A. and Pandora: The Land of Avatar.
Take a tour on the Kilimanjaro Safaris, embark on a thrilling adventure through the Himalayan mountains and hang on tight in a whitewater adventure! Share in the wonder and gaze at the beauty of all the exotic animals here.
The Tree of Life
Celebrating all living creatures, this iconic centrepiece is the symbol of Disney’s Animal Kingdom park. The Tree of Life is hand-carved with a swirling tapestry of over 300 detailed animal images! Walk around the tree and see how many of the different animals you can name.
Watch Animal Kingdom come alive at night
Up until 2016 Animal Kingdom would close in the late afternoon. Now guests are able to visit the park into the night and watch nature come alive. As the sun goes down, encounter Pandora - World of Avatar glow in magnificent colours, and the Tree of Life will awaken during a mesmerising showcase of colour and light. You can also experience the Rivers of Light show, which fuses water, sound and light. With captivating special effects, it’s quite unlike anything you’ve experienced before. It’s fascinating seeing the park at night, and gaining an insight into the animal’s nocturnal behaviours too.
Animal Kingdom Fun Facts:
- Animal Kingdom is the largest Disney park in the world at more than 500 acres.
- The first birth at Disney’s Animal Kingdom was a kudu, a large African antelope. The number of species that have reproduced since the park opened is 116.
- Spoiler alert! There are climate-controlled rocks on the Kilimanjaro safari, to encourage the lions to sit in view of the safari vehicles.
- The most expensive roller coaster in the world, Expedition Everest, was built at this park. It is listed in the 2011 Guinness Book of Records.
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