The History Of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park

Disney World’s latest addition to their theme parks in Florida is Disney’s Animal Kingdom. A park with a highly ambitious goal of providing guests with a nature-filled zoo experience, alongside a Disney theme park. Disney’s Animal Kingdom park opened its gates on Earth Day in 1998, and has been entertaining and impressing guests ever since. This park is so much more than a typical theme park. With 580 acres, it is the largest theme park in the world. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is also passionate about conservation efforts for animals, and its animal habitats feature the best of the best care. This park is centered around its animals, and by prohibiting straws, balloons, and fireworks, its passion for its animal residents really shows. Guests have loved Animal Kingdom for over 25 years. Let’s take a look at the history of this unique park.

Planning and Imagineering

Imagineer Joe Rohde first came up with the idea of Animal Kingdom in the mid-1990’s. Disney had previously entertained the idea of animals in their parks with Discovery Island, but Joe Rohde saw an even bigger vision. In 1996 construction began by filling in landscaping with shrubs, trees, and grass from several different countries throughout the world. Imagineers traveled to Asia and Africa to conduct research on creating the park. Authentic buildings were created by bringing in workers from the respective countries in which the buildings represented. Animals were acquired, and the best zoologists in the country were hired. The park opened on Earth Day in 1998 to much excitement.

Opening Day and Original Attractions

Animal Kingdom opened with a television special on NBC and many celebrity guests. The opening day attractions for the park were The Affection Section petting zoo and The Conservation Station education area, The Boneyard, Dinosaur, Festival of the Lion King, Flights of Wonder (now closed), Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, It’s Tough to be a Bug, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Pocahontas and her Forest Friends ( now closed), and the Wildlife Express Train. Discovery Island Trails opened a little over a month after the park’s opening day.

Major Additions and Changes

Animal Kingdom has seen a few major additions and changes throughout the years. Pandora- The World of Avatar, opened in 2017 and brought with it two major attractions: Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey. The addition of Expedition Everest in 2006 brought Animal Kingdom its first thrill ride and roller coaster.

Conservation and Animal Residents

Animal Kingdom has always had a passion for conservation. Seven elephants have been born in the park since its opening, and one white rhino was born in the park as well while another was transferred to an animal sanctuary in Uganda in hopes of saving the population. Several animals are born in Animal Kingdom including four new zebras this year (2024).

The Park Today and the Future

Animal Kingdom today still keeps true to its original mission of educating guests and helping animals. In 2024 it was announced that there are plans to close both Dinoland U.S.A. and the Dinosaur attraction, as well as It’s Tough to be a Bug.  Exact dates for these closures have not yet been given.

What is your favorite memory of Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments below!

Featured Photo: Emily Murray.