Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates its 20th anniversary on Earth Day, April 22, 2018, with new adventures for the entire family.
In honor of the milestone year, an extended Party for the Planet takes place from April 22 – May 5 and offers animal encounters, family-friendly activities, specialty desserts and more. Over the two-week celebration, guests can learn from animal-care experts during conservation talks and participate in enhanced interactions with some of the 2,000+ animals who live in the park.
Party for the Planet will also include six different Tiffins Talks – themed dinners hosted by animal experts at Tiffins, the theme park’s signature, full-service restaurant.
Rafiki’s Planet Watch, home to educational exhibits and activities, takes center stage for the year-long 20th anniversary. Throughout the celebration year, Rafiki’s Planet Watch offers backstage experiences with experts, where guests can learn about animal nutrition, visit the veterinary hospital, and see how Disney promotes global wildlife conservation.
Special photo opportunities include an oversized picture frame celebrating the park’s 20th anniversary and another frame supporting Disney’s “Reverse the Decline,” an initiative created to help protect 10 threatened animal species. One recent success of the program was the birth of two critically endangered Sumatran Tiger Cubs at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Kids can earn a limited-edition badge as part of the Wilderness Explorer program, one of many badges children can obtain by completing fun activities throughout the park.
Here are other fun experiences celebrating Disney’s Animal Kingdom anniversary throughout 2018:
- April 22 marks the debut of a brand-new show, “UP! A Great Bird Adventure” featuring Russell and Dug from the Disney-Pixar animated comedy-adventure film “UP.” The show gives guests the chance to see Senior Wilderness Explorer Russell and his fuzzy friend Dug in a new adventure that includes encounters with exotic birds from around the world. This free-flying show will be performed multiple times daily.
- A “dino-tastic” celebration with Donald and his friends premieres Memorial Day weekend in DinoLand, U.S.A. This dinosaur-themed party celebrates Donald Duck’s discovery that his bird ancestors were actually dinosaurs. DinoLand U.S.A. will feature colorful new décor and playful character greetings with rarely seen pals like Scrooge McDuck, Launchpad McQuack and more. A DJ-powered dance party will mix tunes from the truck-o-saurus stage, capping the nighttime festivities.
- Memorial Day 2018 commemorates the one-year anniversary of Pandora – The World of Avatar. Here, travelers are transported to a mystical world of floating mountains, bioluminescent rainforests, and breathtaking new experiences. Inspired by the blockbuster film, “AVATAR,” the epic land invites guests to explore a glowing landscape, encounter a larger-than-life Na’vi Shaman of Songs and soar on the back of a banshee.
The 20th-anniversary fun also includes a commemorative adventure guide, limited-edition merchandise, and a special-edition print created by renowned Walt Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde. He will be available on April 22 from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM to sign prints at Discovery Trading Company. Quantities are limited.
For more information on Disney’s Animal Kingdom, head over to the Walt Disney World website.