Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened in Walt Disney World on April 22, 1998.
Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life
And even though we can’t be in the park to celebrate its 22nd Anniversary, we still think it fitting to celebrate all that Animal Kingdom has given Disney World guests throughout the years.
And this year brings even more significance as April 22nd is also the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and the 25th Anniversary of Disney’s Conservation Fund. So we hope you’ll join us for a wild time today as we CELEBRATE Disney’s uniquely beautiful –and truly MAGICAL — Animal Kingdom!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
We’d like to bring you around the park with some of our favorite videos and photos so you can tour along with us as you please.
Safari Mickey
Timon and Rafiki
Donald’s Dino-Bash!
The lush greenery that envelopes guests as they enter the park sets the scene for a one-of-a-kind adventure.
Macaws in The Oasis
After strolling through The Oasis, the pathway to Discovery Island is revealed — and with it, the first views of the park’s stunning icon, the Tree of Life.
The Tree of Life
It’s beautiful by day…
Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom
… as the sun sets…
… and at NIGHT!
Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life at night
You can see more of Discovery Island in our Food Tour below.
Africa Entrance
Africa
We’ll start with the village of Harambe in Africa, which is home to many of the park’s star residents — the ANIMALS! — at Kilimanjaro Safaris.
Kilimanjaro Safari sign
Elephant on Kilimanjaro Safaris
Some of our favorite Disney pals at Tusker House Restaurant are all geared up for a safari of their own!
Daisy
Donald
Goofy
There’s so much to see…
Festival of The Lion King
Festival of the Lion King
And so much to TASTE!
Where to next?
Rafiki’s Planet Watch
From here, you can board a train and head to Conservation Station for Rafiki’s Planet Watch where you can learn about how the park cares for the animals…
Rafiki’s Planet Watch sign
… and even draw a Disney pal at The Animation Experience!
The Animation Experience
Drawing Timon at The Animation Experience
Once the train brings you back to the village of Harambe, you can set off towards Asia.
Asia
Asia is where you can face THE YETI on Expedition: Everest, enjoy UP! A Great Bird Adventure Show, or even Find Nemo in one the park’s musical productions!
Expedition Everest
Up! A Great Bird Adventure
Finding Nemo The Musical
You might even toast your accomplishments afterwards with a Triple Yeti Blast at Warung Outpost.
Triple Yeti Blast
Or have a friend join you for your meal at Yak & Yeti Local Foods Café 😉 .
This birdie found a seat by the water (please do not feed the birds)
Speaking of dining while in Asia…
View from Animal Kingdom’s Asia
It’s beautiful, isn’t it?
Asia atmosphere
Asia at Night
And just when you think you understand what Animal Kingdom is all about…
DinoLand U.S.A.
… you’ll encounter the UNEXPECTED at the roadside attraction street carnival that is DinoLand U.S.A.!
Welcome!!
DinoLand USA
DINOSAUR (It’s Fast! It’s a Blast! It’s IN THE PAST!)
TriceraTop Spin
Let’s not forget to say “Hi” to a few friends while we’re here…
Donald Duck at the Dino-Bash
Scrooge McDuck
Dale
Be warned, though… if you see Chip and Dale (donning their Dino costumes, of course) you have to be careful… they might steal your DinoLand FOOD!
Pandora
Of course, we can’t forget the truly amazing addition of Pandora — The World of AVATAR, which opened in May of 2017.
Pandora
This new land delivered the headliner Avatar Flight of Passage attraction along with the lovely Na’vi River Journey, new eateries like Satu’li Canteen, Pongu Pongu, and more — all in a setting like no other.
Pandora
Inside Na’vi River Journey
Animal Kingdom’s Pandora at Night
More Magic at Animal Kingdom
Nothing reaches the age of 22 without some change along the way, but we’ve got some terrific memories of some Animal Kingdom adventures from the past, including Camp Minnie-Mickey and Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade.
Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade
Jammin Jungle Parade
Jammin’ Jungle Parade
But in addition to Pandora, other noteworthy arrivals over the past few years have included the debut of the evening production, Rivers of Light, in 2017.
Rivers of Light Ampitheater
Rivers of Light
Rivers of Light
This show was joined by the Tree of Life Awakenings, and together they brought NIGHT LIFE to Animal Kingdom!
The Lion King Tree of Life Awakening
The Lion King Tree of Life Awakening
And 2019 brought a brand new Holiday Celebration to the park, ringing in the season in a way only Animal Kingdom can!
Merry Menagerie Puppets in Animal Kingdom for the Holidays
Polar Bear Puppet
Holiday Puppets
Merry Menagerie Polar Bear
It’s also true that the above only scratches the surface of all the adventure that awaits us in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. And for that, we say “Cheers!”
African Mojito at Dawa Bar
Non-alcoholic Night Blossom in Pandora
Orange Blossom Cocktail from Dawa Bar
And once again, we say…
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, ANIMAL KINGDOM!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Simba Pretzel
African Sunset Wall
Cotton-Top Tamarin Cupcake
Fichwa Fellow at Harambe Market
Safari Mickey
Thank you for 22 magical years… and we truly CAN’T WAIT to see you again soon!
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Great review!!! My fav park by far. They have adapted/updated as the 22 yrs have gone by some with technology like projections and Rivers of Light, and a lot with building Pandora and oh the food/drink. All around imho this park has the most to offer including culture, amazingly diverse food/drink, nature, great rides and a surrounding resort to also includes animal interaction. Truly a full day park now with something for everyone!
Wow – 22 years ago we first brought our children to Walt Disney World. We actually got in at Animal Kingdom, for a soft opening, on April 21st. That whole vacation was magical and Animal Kingdom brought us some wonderful memories.