15 photos from the 1998 opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom is celebrating its 25th anniversary this week on Earth Day.
It was on Earth Day, April 22, 1998, when the Walt Disney World Resort opened its fourth and largest theme park. This theme park is more than just rides, with over 2,000 animals in residence representing 300 different species.
The park is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Here’s a look at what the park looked kije during its opening:
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty ImagesRoy E. Disney, former vice chairman of The Walt Disney Company, speaks during the opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty ImagesLittle Red is safe. When the Kilimanjaro Safaris began there was a story line that went with the safari and it centered on Little Red being taken by poachers. While on the safari ride you helped corner the poachers and save Little Red.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhen Animal Kingdom first opened there was a boat road. The Discovery River Boats was a short-lived boat ride that took people close to the Tree of Life with the skipper pointing out animals. However, everything you could see on the boat you could also see on land, there was nothing exclusive about the ride. Guests were so disappointed by the ride that is closed just 16 months after opening.
Embed from Getty ImagesMicheal Eisner, who was Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company from 1984 until 2005 speaks at the opening of Animal Kingdom.
Embed from Getty ImagesJoe Rohde of Disney Imagineering is the lead designer of Animal Kingdom.
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