Animal Kingdom Celebrates 23 Years

Today we not only celebrate Earth Day but also Disney's Animal Kingdom's Birthday!

Animal Kingdom opened in 1998 and has gone through major changes throughout the years. Even in its planning phase it experienced a lot of change, going from a theme park based on real animals and ones from fantasy, to being solely focused on real live animals and conversation. The park’s original was supposed to be Beastly Kingdom. I’m not sure I can picture that said along with all the other parks. In a way though the idea of fantasy creates finally found its way into the park with addition of Pandora.

Animal Kingdom is quite different now than it was when I was growing up. Here are just a few of the things that Animal Kingdom has lost throughout its 23 years.

1. Tarzan Rocks- I miss this so much!! The music, the skating made me want to skate just like them! I did skate but not as intense.

2. Camp Minnie Mickey- I never did this, but I know a lot of people loved it.

3. Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends- Again, I never did this, but it was located at Camp Minnie Mickey. It apparently it featured Pocahontas, Grandmother Willow and lots of forest friends. From what I’ve read and seen it’s basically like Up: A Great Bird Adventure but better and with more than just birds.

4. Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade- I loved this parade so much! It had characters from Lion King, Tarzan, Jungle Book, and such colorful stilt walkers! I really wish they still did this parade! Or even a show in daytime somewhere around animal kingdom similar how they do castle stage shows (Before YOU KNOW WHAT).

5. Discover River Boats- again, not something we ever did, but apparently you could take a boat tour around Animal Kingdom. It was supposed to be more elaborate than it was, and it slowly started losing bits and pieces until it finally was ended all together.

There are other things that have disappeared from Animal Kingdom, but I want to focus more on what it is and what its importance for Disney.

Animal Kingdom is one of those parks we used to call a “half-day” park, because it just felt like there wasn’t much to do. Sort of like Hollywood Studios during all the construction and remolding. However, during my college program I fell in love with it! I think that’s partly due to that my best friend worked there and my other friends enjoyed visiting it as well. It’s also one of the first parks I went to with my Cast Member pass. So, what changed my mind exactly? I’d give these top 10 reasons:

1. The open concept- I love how open everything is, it feels large and ready to be explored.

2. Details- the tree itself when you enter the park and cross the bridge, is full of animal details intricately carved into its trunk and roots. I love walking around the tree’s base and looking it at up close and personal.

a. There are also amazing details on the ground, especially in DinoLand where you can find Dinosaur prints on the ground.

b. This out of all the parks is honestly the most detailed and that’s thanks to imagineers like Joe Rhode who went and visited the places they would be aiming to recreate for Animal Kingdom. That’s why it looks so amazing! Even Pandora has details from the movie that makes you feel like you’re truly on a different planet. Near Everest you’ll notice flags that mirror the prayer flags hanging in the real-life location.

3. The greenery- I love all the greeneryaround the park, I truly feel like it’s a jungle!

4. The Animals- I love all the different animals you get to see! Especially the ones you’d never get to see if it weren’t for the park. The safari is one of my favorites and one time I even got to hear the lion roar, though as cool as it was it also a little daunting. To be so close to such a powerful animal.

a. My favorite is when you get a great view of the Elephants and the sky is shining from a blue sky over the savannah. It really feels like you’re in a completely different place than Orlando Florida.

b. Otters- the otter exhibit is back open and I can’t wait to visit it on my next trip!

5. The rides- Flight of Passage is amazing, the safari, Everest, and even Dinosaur are some of my favorite Disney rides at any park.

6. Maharaja Jungle Trek- it’s such a detailed trail where you can see over 50 species of birds, tigers, Gibbons, Elds deer, Blackbuck, Komodo dragon, Malayan flying fox, Water buffalo. I also love the pretty details which create great photoops!

7. Performances- back before 2020 there were amazing street performers in

Africa, and the Festival of the Lion King was one of the best shows on property. Yes, I know there’s a Finding Nemo show, but I didn’t list it for a reason.

8. The food- I loved Tusker House Restaurant which used to be a buffet character meal which is sadly still closed. But my second favorite is Satuli’s Canteen! My favorite is the chopped wood grilled chicken bowl. I haven’t tried the dessert there but people say it great. A lot of people also love the cheeseburger steamed pods.

9. The atmosphere- the overall atmosphere of the park is relaxing to me. I think it’s fun to just go and walk around, and I always find something new every time I visit.

10. The shopping- I think the shopping is nice because they have two buildings flanking the path to the Tree of Life, then there’s Chester’s and Hester’s in DinoLand that is very unique, the shops in Africa have unique items that make the market area feel even more authentic. I also think the Everest Gift shop is one of my favorites because it has items you can’t get anywhere else.

Animal Kingdom’s impact isn’t just entertaining us as guest, it also helps the animals and works towards caring and rehabilitating animals. According to ConservationCenter.org:

“As a zoological park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is engaged in research and conservation efforts involving its animal species. Since the park’s opening in 1998, the resident elephant herd has produced seven calves, with births in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2016. In 2008, the park’s giraffe herd produced four newborns, raising the total number of giraffe births since opening to eleven. In 1999, one of the park’s white rhinoceros gave birth to a female calf named Nande. In 2006, Nande and Hasani, another of the park’s rhinos, were transferred to Uganda’s Ziwa animal sanctuary, in the first attempt to re-introduce white rhinos to the country.”

If you want to know what’s it’s like to work at Animal Kingdom attractions make sure you check out our Podcast Episode 5 where I interviewed my friend Megan to hear her experience. I also highly recommend National Geographic’s The Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Disney Plus.

This really just touches the surface of Animal Kingdom! It’s such an amazing park, and if you’re like I used to be and you feel like it’s not the best park, can be skipped or made into a half day park, I recommend you give it a second chance, and let it be the park you really take your time and enjoy the atmosphere. You should do that at all the parks but this park especially!

I also asked our followers on Instagram to share their favorite part of the park and Katie from Pixie Dust Mom said her favorite is,

“Gorilla Falls, such a gorgeous walk and you get to see amazing animals!”

You can follow Katie and her blog on Instagram by clicking the link in this description , she is @pixie.dust.mom. She is also a travel agent now Travelmation so if you’re headed back to the magic make sure to contact her!

Make sure to follow us on Instagram check out our dedication to Animal Kingdom!