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/* FastPass + */
Disney's Animal Kingdom is a theme park located in Walt Disney World.
==Conception <ref name= "book"> Malmberg, Melody. The Making of Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. New York: Hyperion, 1998. Print. </ref>==
The genesis of Disney's Animal Kingdom began when Disney noted that the idea of an animal theme park tested well on surveys. This feedback, combined with the fact that Disney owned several intellectual properties that featured animals, convinced Disney CEO Michael Eisner to send the idea of an animal theme park to Walt Disney Imagineering. In 1990, Imagineer Joe Rohde met with Eisner to discuss the new park. Rohde’s vision for the park was threefold, it would feature traditional theme park components, an Epcot Center style pavilion, and a nontraditional zoo.
[[Image:AnimalKingdomConcept.jpg|400px|thumb|Concept art for Disney's Animal Kingdom]]
Eisner agreed to the basic premise of the park, commenting that like the Magic Kingdom, Disney should also have an Animal Kingdom. With this objective in mind, Rohde and his team of six Imagineers (Kevin Brown, Zofia Kostyrko, Kevin Brown, Christopher West, Tony Marando and Patsy Tillisch) set out to create a basic outline for the new park.
In July 1990, Joe Rohde and his team flew to Africa to get first hand experience of the type of environment that they wished to create. In total, during the development of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Rohde and his Imagineers visited Africa six times. Using these trips as inspiration, the team eventually used much of their experience when creating [[Kilimanjaro Safaris]].
As plans for the park continued to develop, Michael Eisner wondered if simply encountering animals would be a big enough draw for guests. To prove that this was not the case, Joe Rohde brought a 400 pound Bengal tiger into a meeting he was having with Eisner and Frank Wells. As Rohde gave his presentation, the tiger sauntered around the room. After feeling the effect of being so close to a tiger, Eisner and Wells relented and live animal encounters would be the focal point of Disney's Animal Kingdom.
During another meeting with Eisner and other executives, the Disney CEO told Imagineers that he wanted a [[DinoLand]] in the new park. Other ideas stemming from these meetings included the Oasis (which would serve as the entryway) Safari Village (the parks hub) and Discovery River. By 1992, the basic layout of the park was in place. Guests would enter through the Oasis before arriving at [[Safari Village]]. From there, guests could explore the park’s park's other lands including [[DinoLandUSA]], [[Africa]], [[Asia]], and the land dedicated to imaginary animals.
Finally, after years of development , on June 21, 1995 Disney’s , Disney's Wild Animal Kingdom was officially announced. When discussing the new park, Michael Eisner stated:
{{Quotation|“This is to the traditional zoo as the motion picture was to the stage play. A leap forward that keeps the concept of combining education and entertainment alive and well. The need for awareness of endangered animals and their environments has never been greater. We are in a unique position to promote deeper understanding and love for all animals."|Michael Eisner}}
==Construction==
[[Image:TreeofLifeConstruction3.jpg|400px|thumb|Disney's Animal Kingdom under construction]] Construction on Disney's Animal Kingdom began in August of 1995. Like other Disney theme parks, Animal Kingdom was to be made up Four million cubic yards of various dirt were moved and nearly 40,000 plants were added during the park's construction <ref name= "landstrivia"/>. When designing the park, During this process it was decided that the lands plants in Disney's Animal Kingdom were going would need to be: The Oasisin the ground for two growing seasons before the animals arrived. This meant that the horticulture team, Safari Villageled by Disney Legend Bill Evans, Africa, Asia, Conservation Station, DinoLand USA and Beastly Kingdomhad until the spring of 1996 to get all the plants in place <ref> http://allears. Through these lands Animal Kingdom net/ae/issue863.htm </ref>. This deadline was to represent three groups met, and in the fall of 1997, the animalswere brought into the park <ref> http: current living //land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2011/01/kilimanjaro_safaris_at_animal_1.html </ref>. These animals, extinct came from various zoo's or wildlife preserves around the world. A few animalswere also from the wild, and mythological but were too injured to be re-released. In total Animal Kingdom is home to over 1,700 animals.
==Opening Day==
Disney's Animal Kingdom opened on April 22, 1998 (Earth Day). At the opening of the park, the song “The Circle of Life” from Disney's The Lion King played as guests were showered with rose petals <ref> http://allears.net/tp/ak/ak_opn.htm </ref>. A half hour after the park had opened; the parking lot was filled to capacity, while 45 minutes later the park itself was filled to capacity <ref name= "day"/>. The first official guests to Disney's Animal Kingdom were Brenda Herr, her husband Damon Chepren, and their son Devon <ref name= "day"> http://thisdayindisneyhistory.homestead.com/apr22.html </ref>. They were greeted by Roy E. Disney and given lifetime passes. Unlike previous theme park openings, the event was not a star studded one , although Michael J. Fox, Drew Carey, Stevie Wonder , and David Copperfield did appear <ref> http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1998-04-20/news/9804190408_1_walt-disney-animal-kingdom-disney-theme </ref>. Some 5,000 reporters were also on hand as Disney CEO Michael Eisner read the park’s park's dedication:
{{Quotation|Welcome to a kingdom of animals… real, ancient and imagined: a kingdom ruled by lions, dinosaurs and dragons; a kingdom of balance, harmony and survival; a kingdom we enter to share in the wonder, gaze at the beauty, thrill at the drama, and learn.|
==History After Opening Day==
[[Image:ExpeditionEverestAtday.jpg|400px|thumb|Expedition Everest opened in 2006.]]Although relatively young compared to the other Disney Parks, Animal Kingdom has gone through several changesthroughout its history. The first major expansion of the park came in 1999 , when [[Asia ]] was finally completed <ref> http://allears.net/tp/ak/ak_asia.htm </ref>.Added at this time were the popular attractions [[Maharajah Jungle Trek]] <ref> https://touringplans.com/animal-kingdom/attractions/maharajah-jungle-trek </ref> and the [[Kali River Rapids]]. The [[Discovery River Boats]] (which were located had a dock in Asia) closed with the opening of the new attractions <ref>http://waltdatedworld.com/id55.htm</ref>.
In 2000 and 2001 many of Animal Kingdom's lands were renamed. The former Safari Village became [[Discovery Island ]] <ref> http://waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/id131.htm </ref> and Conservation Station became [[Rafiki's Planet Watch ]] <ref> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2009/07/rafikis_planet_watch_the_forgo.html </ref>. The change in name to Discovery Island coincided with the closing of the Discovery Island attraction on Bay Lake. Also changing its name at this time was the popular [[DinoLand USA ]] attraction [[Countdown To Extinction]]. That ride was re-named after, and slightly altered , to tie into the 2000 Disney movie [[Dinosaur]] <ref> https://www.mouseplanet.com/10881/Remembering_the_Magic_Countdown_To_Extinction__DINOSAUR </ref>.
2001 also saw another expansion in Disney's Animal Kingdom. At this time, [[Chester and Hester’s Hester's Dino-Rama ]] was added to DinoLand USA. This mini land housed Midway Games (later renamed [[Fossil Fun Games]]) and the [[TriceraTop Spin]] <ref name= "d23"> https://d23.com/a-to-z/chester-hesters/ </ref>. The following year on March 31, 2002, [[Primeval Whirl]] was added to the area <ref name= "d23"/>.
In 2014 Camp Minnie-Mickey was closed in order to make way for a new area of the park based on James Cameron's 2009 film “Avatar” <ref name= "attractions"> https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=Festival+of+Lion+King+closed+Avatar </ref>. Following the land's closure the [[Festival of the Lion King]] attraction was relocated to a new section of [[Africa ]] called “New Harambe” <ref> https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/07/a-new-home-for-festival-of-the-lion-king-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/ </ref>. In 2015 the Harambe Marketplace opened to guests. The new area was themed around a “Colonial-era train depot design complete with a 1960s water tower”. Inside the Harambe Marketplace guests can visit various food vendors who sell African inspired quinine <ref> https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/04/fun-new-tastes-at-harambe-market-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/ </ref>.
2016 saw several new experiences come to Animal Kingdom. The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic stage show opened as a temporary offering based on the Disney live-action film The Jungle Book. Also debuting at this time was the [[Kilimanjaro Night Safaris]] and the Tree of Life Awakens, a nighttime event where magical fireflies make animal spirits come alive on the Tree of Life. Although delayed, a new nighttime show called Rivers of Light is expected to debut later in 2016 <ref> https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/04/update-on-nighttime-experiences-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/ </ref>. On February 17, 2017, Rivers of Light, Disney's Animal Kingdom's new nighttime show, opened to guests <ref> https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/02/rivers-of-light-officially-opens-february-17-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/ </ref>. Finally, on May 27, 2017, [[Pandora- The World of Avatar]] opened to guests <ref>https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/02/just-announced-pandora-the-world-of-avatar-will-open-may-27-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/</ref>. Based on the 2009 James Cameron film, Pandora- The World of Avatar transports guests to the planet Pandora and features the attractions [[Flight of Passage]] and [[Na'vi River Journey]]
===Beastly Kingdomme===
==Current Lands==
To see the current Animal Kingdom map [https://wdpromediasecure.disneyparksandresorts.gowdpromedia.com/media/wdpro-assets/parks-and-tickets/destinations/animal-kingdom/Disneys_Animal_Kingdom.pdf '''Click Here'''.]
===Oasis===
Located at the front of the park, the Oasis is the first land that guests encounter. Guest services and the Rain Forest Cafe are located here. The Oasis leads to the park's hub, “Discovery Island”[[Discovery Island]].
'''[[Oasis Exhibits]]'''- This walking trail allows guests to see many animals including: the giant anteater, wallabies, exotic boar and more.
===[[Discovery Island]]===
Main Article: [[Discovery Island]]
Originally called Safari Village, Discovery Island is the hub of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. From Discovery Island guests can get to all the park’s other lands except for [[Rafiki's Planet Watch]]. Animal Kingdom's icon “The Tree of Life” can be found in Discovery Island, inside which guests can find the [[It's Tough to be a Bug!]] attraction.
===[[Africa]]===
Main Article: [[Africa]]
Rafiki'''s Planet Watch was originally called Conservation Station from 1998 until October 2000. It is the only land not accessible from [[Habitat Habit!Discovery Island]]. In order to get to Rafiki'''- This short walking trail features various exhibits that teach s Planet Watch guests how they can help conserve must board the environment. The trail is also home to a small group of Cotton-top Tamarin monkeys[[Wildlife Express Train]] which travels between [[Africa]] and the Planet Watch.
Perhaps the most popular land in Disney'''s Animal Kingdom, Asia was not complete until 1999. Set in the township of Anandpur, the land is home to the popular [[Affection SectionKali River Rapids]] and [[Expedition Everest]]'''- This small petting zoo features domesticated animals from all over the world.
===Asia[[DinoLand USA]]===Perhaps the most popular land in Disney's Animal Kingdom, Asia was not complete until 1999. The land is home to Main Article: [[Expedition EverestDinoLand USA]].
Pandora – The World of Avatar transports guests to the land of James Cameron'''s Avatar. On Pandora guests can travel on the [[Kali Na'vi River RapidsJourney]] attraction, or take flight on a Banshee on [[Flight of Passage]]'''- This raft ride takes guests down the Chakranadi River in true whitewater fashion. Pandora – The Kali River Rapids also shows guests the danger World of illegal logging and habitat destructionAvatar was constructed on the land formally occupied by [[Camp Minnie-Mickey]].
===DinoLand USA=FastPass +==DinoLand USA is home to the [[Dino Institute]], which allows guests to travel back in time and come face to face with dinosaursImage:AnimalKingdomfastpass. In 2001 the land was expanded to include Chester jpg|350px|thumb|Flight of Passage and Hester’s DinoNa'vi River Journey-Rama. This new area is themed like a roadside attraction which was built to capitalize on the success of the nearby institute. Disney's Animal Kingdom's Tier One FastPass + options]]
The FastPass + attractions at Disney'''s Animal Kingdom are broken up into two tiers. Guests may choose one experience from Tier One and two experiences from Tier 2.===Tier One===Guests may choose ONE of the following attractions:{| style="padding-bottom:0px; padding-top:0px;"|-| * [[DINOSAURFlight of Passage]]| * [[Na'''vi River Journey]]||- Housed inside the Dinosaur Institute, this dark ride allows guests to board Time Rovers and travel back to the Cretaceous period, where they come face to face with various dinosaurs. The attraction was known as Countdown to Extinction from 1998-2000.|}
==Fun Facts and Trivia==
*Straws, balloons , and cup lids are not used inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom to protect the animals from potential choking hazards <ref name= "guide"> http://www.guidetothemagic.com/animalkingdom/animalkingdom5.htm </ref>.
* Animal Kingdom features 250 species and 1,0000 different animals <ref name= "trivia"/>
*Two Micronesian Kingfisher chicks were hatched at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, raising the world population of these birds by 3 percent <ref name= "trivia"> http://allears.net/tp/ak/ak_fact.htm </ref>.
*Disney’s Animal Kingdom contains live plants from every continent on Earth except Antarctica <ref name= "trivia"/>.
*There are over 61,000 costume pieces worn by Animal Kingdom cast members.
*At over 500 acres, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is large enough to fit the [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Epcot]], and [[Disney's Hollywood Studios]] inside of it <ref name= "guide"/>.
*In the early 2000s 2000's Disney promoted Animal Kingdom with the phrase NăHTăZū!(pronounced "not a zoo") <ref> https://www.mouseplanet.com/10581/Its_Nahtazu </ref>.
*Disney’s Animal Kingdom features the largest groups of Nile hippos and African elephants in North America <ref name= "trivia"/>.
* There are 27 million gallons of water in Discovery River <ref name= "trivia"/>
==References==