As Animal Kingdom’s 20th Anniversary festivities officially kick off today, Disney is celebrating by highlighting some of the theme parks major milestones over the last few years. From incredible attractions to award-winning conservation efforts, join us on this walk down Memory Lane as we celebrate one of Disney’s most amazing theme parks.
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 at Animal Kingdom
October 5, 1996- A baby kudu is the first animal to be born at the theme park
November 4, 1997 – Hope, a 14-year-old gorilla, gives birth to a male named Jabari
April 22, 1998 (Earth Day) – The Grand Opening of Animal Kingdom
January 1999- Animal Kingdom Earns 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 – The Tarzan Rocks! stage show debuts at Animal Kingdom. Do you remember this production?
May 2000 – A reproduction of Dino-Sue (the rare 65 million-year-old tyrannosaurus rex) goes on display in DinoLand U.S.A.
October 2000- Rafiki’s Planet Watch premieres
December 2000 – The Safari Village is renamed as Discovery Island
June 4, 2001 – Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail unveils a Colobus Monkey Habitat
October 2001- Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade makes its debut
November 2001 – Tricera Top Spin and midway games open as part of Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama.
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 to guests
April 2006 – Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund achieves $10 million milestone since its 1995 inception.
January 2007 – Grand opening performance of “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 officially opens.
May 27, 2016 – Tiffins restaurant and Nomad Lounge open, nighttime experiences debut – Harambe Wildlife Parti, Discovery Island Carnivale, Tree of Life Awakenings and a 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 evening spectacular 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
We here at Chip and Co. wish Animal Kingdom a magical 20th birthday and look forward to another 20 years of incredible Disney milestones. Readers are encouraged to keep following along with Chip and Co. for the latest in news and updates regarding Animal Kingdom’s 20th Anniversary celebrations.
Click here for your FREE no obligation quote!
Find articles like this helpful? Then why not consider booking with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to help you with everything from finding your perfect package to nabbing those hard-to-get dining and Fastpass reservations. Best of all, my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.800.801.4025, via email at mroden@mickeytravels.com or follow along on Facebook.
Images copyright Disney.
Let our friends at Destinations to Travel help you book your next Disney Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.
Get started below for your FREE No Obligation Quote.
Book With our friends at Destinations to Travel
For the BEST in Disney, Universal, Dollywood, and SeaWorld Theme Park News, Entertainment, Merchandise & More follow us on, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Don't forget to check out the Chip and Company Radio Network too!
