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