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 – 20th 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
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