All the major milestones at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom marks its 20th anniversary on Earth Day, April 22, 2018. During those years the theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort has had a number of milestones.
These run the gamut from its groundbreaking to the birth of the first animal to the first parade to the debut of the first Audio-Animatronics figure capable of walking and moving independently.
Here’s a look back at all of the major milestones:
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 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.
