WDW Daily News

From creatures wild and whimsical to Broadway-caliber shows, from unparalleled adventures and experiences to award-winning conservation efforts, from exotic lands to cuisine that celebrates a global park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is marking an anniversary of 20 unforgettable years. And the best is yet to come!

Here’s a look back at a few of the milestone dates in the evolution of Disney’s adventure park at Walt Disney World Resort:

June 20, 1995                         Plans for “Wild Animal Kingdom” announced

August 4, 1995                      Groundbreaking for Disney’s Animal Kingdom

December 5, 1995                 The first tree, an authentic African acacia xanthophloea, is planted

June 12, 1996                         Miles the giraffe is the first animal to arrive

October 5, 1996                     A baby kudu is the first animal to be born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

November 4, 1997                 Hope, a 14-year-old gorilla, gives birth to a male named Jabari

April 22, 1998 (Earth Day)  Grand Opening for Disney’s Animal Kingdom

January 1999                         Accreditation from Association of Zoos and Aquariums (formerly American Zoo and Aquarium Association)

March 1, 1999                        Grand Opening of Asia, which includes Kali River Rapids and Maharajah Jungle Trek

July 1999                                Tarzan Rocks! debuts

May 2000                                Reproduction of Dino-Sue, the rare 65 million-year-old tyrannosaurus rex, on display in DinoLand U.S.A.

October 2000                         Rafiki’s Planet Watch premieres

December 2000                     Safari Village renamed Discovery Island

June 4, 2001                           Colobus Monkey Habitat Opens on Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail (formerly Pangani Forest Trail)

October 2001                         Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade premieres

November 2001                     First phase of Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama opens with TriceraTop Spin attraction and midway games

April 18, 2002                         Primeval Whirl opens at Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama

April 22, 2003                         Plans announced for Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

May, 2005                                Lucky the Dinosaur, the first Audio-Animatronics figure capable of walking and moving independently, makes special appearances

April 7, 2006                           Expedition Everest opens

April 2006                                Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund achieves $10 million milestone since its 1995 creation

January 2007                          Grand opening for “Finding Nemo – the Musical”

April 22, 2007                         Inaugural “Party for the Planet” event takes place on Earth Day

February 16, 2008                 Paws in the Park event. Disney’s Animal Kingdom/Animal Programs and Environmental Initiatives raises more than $13,000 for SPCA of Central Florida

April 22, 2008                         Jane Goodall Global Youth Summit visits the park on Earth Day

January 16, 2011                   Wild Africa Trek opens

June 1, 2013                           Wilderness Explorers program debuts to guests

June 1, 2014                           Festival of the Lion King debuts in its new home, the brand new Harambe Theatre.

May 2015                                Harambe Market opens.

May 27, 2016                          Tiffins restaurant and Nomad Lounge open, nighttime experiences debut – Harambe Wildlife Parti, Discovery Island Carnivale, Tree of Life Awakenings and nighttime version of Kilimanjaro Safaris

May 28, 2016                          The Jungle Book – Alive with Magic live show debuts

December 2016                       Lion-tailed Macaques debut

February 17, 2017                 Rivers of Light debuts

May 27, 2017                           Pandora – the World of Avatar opens

August 2017                            Sumatran tiger cubs, Jeda and Anala, are born,

January 2017                          Augustus, a baby hippo, is born

March, 2018                            Contributions to Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund total $70 million since 1995

April 22, 2018                         20^th Anniversary milestone marked with Party for the Planet Earth Day Celebration, premiere of UP! A Great Bird Adventure and debut of the Pandora Utility Suit

Disney’s theme park of exploration is a place unique in all the world. Here Walt Disney World guests can venture to the snowy flanks of Mt. Everest, raft down a rainforest river, view wildlife on an African savannah and travel light years to an alien planet where banshees fly and mountains float.

Fittingly as the world celebrates Earth Day 2018 — Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates its 20^th anniversary in a ceremony marking two decades of magical adventures and unforgettable experiences.

Gathered at the Harambe Theater, set of the popular Festival of the Lion King stage show, drummers, dancers, stilt performers and Disney characters joined Disney executives in a ceremony observing the 20^th anniversary and the kickoff of the two-week Party for the Planet celebration, on now through May 5.

Joe Rohde, Creative Portfolio Executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, led the creation of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and reflected on its 20-year history.

“We created this park out of a set of ideals that we believed were relevant and meaningful,” Rohde said, “and as the years have passed, those ideals have only become more relevant and more meaningful. Our lives are bound to the lives of all creatures.”

Djuan Rivers, vice president of Disney’s Animal Kingdom noted how the park has grown over the last two decades, and its profound impact on guests and conservation efforts around the world.

“Since 1998, we have been extremely conscious that what we have here is a new species of theme park,” said Rivers. “And while it has undergone an amazing transformation in the past few years, it will always be dedicated to helping our guests create a personal connection with the natural world.”

Rivers also called out the success of the Disney Conservation Fund, aimed at reversing the decline of imperiled creatures in the wild. To date, he said, the fund has directed more than $70 million to save wildlife, inspire action and protect the planet.

Maribeth Bisienere, senior vice president of Walt Disney World Parks, noted today was more than an anniversary, it was a day of firsts.

“’UP! A Great Bird Adventure’ has its official debut in the park today,” she noted. “On Pandora – The World of Avatar you’ll be able to interact with a scientist who explores in a Pandora Utility Suit.”

In their lush surroundings, more than 2,000 animals – some endangered, all unique and colorful – call Disney’s Animal Kingdom home. Commemorating the milestone year, the 500-acre adventure park will offer animal encounters, family-friendly activities, special photo opportunities, backstage tours at Rafiki’s Planet Watch, specialty desserts and other activities during the Party for the Planet. Tiffins, a signature restaurant, will host themed dinners hosted by animal care experts.

On May 26 Disney’s Animal Kingdom will debut even more entertainment with Donald’s Dino-Bash! Guests can join Donald Duck and friends in DinoLand, U.S.A. for playful character encounters and a DJ-powered dance party. It’s all part of the Incredible Summer of fun that kicks off across the Walt Disney World Resort Memorial Day weekend.

For more information about the 20^th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, guests can visit www.Disneyworld.com/AnimalKingdom

There’s a new show in the wilderness! Senior Wilderness Explorer Russell and his furry pal Dug from Disney•Pixar’s animated hit film UP join bird experts on a new adventure featuring encounters with birds from around the world. UP! A Great Bird Adventure makes its onstage debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Earth Day, April 22, coinciding with the theme park’s 20th anniversary.

Here are six wild facts about the new 25-minute show:

• Led by an avian enthusiast and bird experts, this unique experience features a close-up look at bird species from South America, North America, India, Africa, and other locations around the globe.
• More than 15 species of birds make appearances, including toucans, parrots, macaws, and an African fish eagle with a magnificent 7-foot wingspan.
• This is the first time that Russell and Dug from DisneyPixar’s UP appear onstage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
• An original, authentic Indian musical score features themes from DisneyPixar’s UP.
• Twenty animal trainers were involved in the training and rehearsal that brought the show to the stage. Four trainers work with the birds and the actors during every performance.
• The production team’s goal is to showcase beloved Disney characters and the amazing natural behavior of birds to inspire guests to connect with nature.