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Disney's Animal Kingdom

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/* History After Opening Day */
{{Template:Infobox amusement park | image=TreeOfLifeday.jpg| caption=Coneption'''The Tree of Life, the icon of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.'''| theme=Animals, nature, conservation| opening_date=April 22, 1998| icon=The Tree of Life}}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>==
Although the plans for The genesis of Disney's Animal Kingdom in 1989, 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 can be traced back to Walt Disney himselfImagineering. When designing the attraction the [[Jungle Cruise]] for DisneylandIn 1990, Walt wanted guests Imagineer Joe Rohde met with Eisner to see real animalsdiscuss the new park. Walt felt that being close proximity to real animals would give guests a unique and exciting experience. Eventually howeverRohde’s vision for the park was threefold, it was decided that real animals would be too unpredictable and each ride on the attraction would not get feature traditional theme park components, an even experience.When the Jungle Cruise opened it featured Audio Anamatronic animalsEpcot Center style pavilion, who were much more predictable and consistent than live onesa nontraditional zoo. Although Walt never got to see it, [[Image:AnimalKingdomConcept.jpg|400px|thumb|Concept art for Disney's Animal Kingdom took his ]] Eisner agreed to the basic idea premise of the park, commenting that like the Magic Kingdom, Disney should also have an Animal Kingdom. With this objective in mind, Rohde and expanded it his team of six Imagineers (Kevin Brown, Zofia Kostyrko, Kevin Brown, Christopher West, Tony Marando and Patsy Tillisch) set out to create a much larger scalebasic outline for the new park.
When Walt Disney World was ready to expanded again in 1989In July 1990, Michael Eisner (the CEO of Disney) tasked Joe Rohde and his Imageneers with creating a theme park based on animals. In 1990 a team flew to Africa to get first hand experience of Imageneers led by Joe Rohde began brainstorming different ideas for the parktype of environment that they wished to create. In 1992 the park layout was finally adopted. It was decided that the park would be part zoo and part theme park. The idea for a new animal theme parktotal, was put on hold during the early 1990s. A recession had hit the countrydevelopment of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Rohde and theme parks were hit hardhis Imagineers visited Africa six times. Also complicating matters, Disney's newest park-Disneyland Paris, was not doing Using these trips as well as expected. However in 1994 with the economy picking upinspiration, and the recent success team recalled many of the Disney movie The Lion King, plans for a new theme park were once again put in motion. From 1992-1995 Disney Imageneers studied wild animals in their natural habit (focusing on Africa)experiences when creating [[Kilimanjaro Safaris]].
Within Disney however, their was much debate on whether As plans for the new park was a good idea. Many worried that the public continued to develop, Michael Eisner and Frank Wells wondered if simply encountering animals would not want to visit be a zoo when on vacationbig enough draw for guests. Besides the fact To prove that there were zoos all over this was the countrycase, Disney worried that people thought of zoos as Joe Rohde brought a depressing place 400 pound Bengal tiger into a meeting he was having with caged animalsEisner and Frank Wells. Joe As Rohde and gave his Imageneers howeverpresentation, believed in their ideathe tiger sauntered around the room. They explained that After feeling the animals would be living in effect of being so close to a re-creation of their natural habitat. Their tiger, Eisner and Wells relented and live animal encounters would be no fences, but natural boundaries (such as moats or rocks) that the animals would not cross. focal point of Disney's Animal Kingdom would not be a zoo, but a place of conservation, that taught guests the importance of nature.
Although the idea of the park was eventually seen as feasible, Michael During another meeting with Eisner and other executives worried that simply seeing animals would not be exciting enough for guests. Joe Rohde and his Imageneers however felt, like Walt the Disney, CEO told Imagineers that being in such close proximity to wild animals would be thrilling to guests. To prove his point, Joe brought a 400 pound tiger into a meeting. While he was giving wanted a speech, to persuade the company to build [[DinoLand]] in the new park, . Other ideas stemming from these meetings included the Tiger walked around Oasis (which would serve as the tableentryway) [[Safari Village]] (the parks hub) and Discovery River. The tiger went right next to Michael Eisner before eventually exiting By 1992, the roombasic layout of the park was in place. After Guests would enter through the demonstration Eisner had to agree with Joe Rohde[[Oasis]] before arriving at [[Safari Village]]. He announced From there, guests could explore the park in June 's other lands including [[DinoLand USA]], [[Africa]], [[Asia]], and a land dedicated to imaginary animals called Beastly Kingdomme.  Finally, after years of development, on June 21, 1995 and , Disney's Wild Animal Kingdom was green lit 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 constructionawareness 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. Four million cubic yards of dirt were moved and nearly 40,000 plants were added during the park's construction <ref name= "trivia"/>. During this process it was decided that the plants in Animal Kingdom would need to be in the ground for two growing seasons before the animals arrived. This meant that the horticulture team, led by Disney Legend Bill Evans, had until the spring of 1996 to get all the plants in place <ref> http://allears.net/ae/issue863.htm </ref>. This deadline was met, and in the fall of 1997, the animals were brought into the park <ref> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2011/01/kilimanjaro_safaris_at_animal_1.html </ref>. These animals came from various zoo's or wildlife preserves around the world. A few animals were also from the wild, but were too injured to be re-released. In total Animal Kingdom is home to over 1,700 animals.
 
As construction on Disney's Animal Kingdom continued, funds for the new park began to dwindle. Eventually it was decided that Animal Kingdom would have to open in three phases. The first phase would consist of The Oasis, [[Safari Village]], [[Africa]], [[Conservation Station]], and an unfinished [[Asia]]. Also included in Phase I would be either [[DinoLand USA]] or Beastly Kingdomme <ref name= "jim"> http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2001/01/01/309.aspx </ref>. Disney eventually decided to build DinoLand USA, possibly due to the new movie “Dinosaur” that was set to be released in 2000 <ref name= "jim"/>.
 
Phase II of Animal Kingdom was to be the completion of [[Asia]], along with the construction of Beastly Kingdom. Due to the park not being completed on opening day, Camp Minnie-Mickey, a place where guests could meet various Disney characters, was created as a temporary land. Camp Minnie-Mickey was to be essentially a place holder until Beastly Kingdom could be built <ref> http://www.yesterland.com/campmm.html </ref>.
 
Like the other Disney parks, Imagineers knew that Disney's Animal Kingdom would need a "weenie" or icon to draw guests into the park. The first icon considered for the park was the Animal Carousel <ref name= "book"/>. This three tiered structure would have featured birds, animals and fish that guests could ride on, as they went around the carousel. Michael Eisner eventually rejected this idea because he though it was "too frivolous"<ref name= "book"/>, and Imagineers came up with a new icon- The Tree of Life.
 
Initially, Imagineers had a tough time figuring out how to create the massive icon <ref name= "tree"> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2012/06/tree_of_life_at_disneys_animal.html </ref>. The tree had to look authentic, while being able to withstand hurricane level winds<ref name= "tree"/> . On top of that, the tree would also have to house the attraction [[It's Tough to be a Bug!]] (the show was chosen over an earlier idea of having a restaurant inside the icon) <ref name= "tree"/>. Eventually however, Imagineers came up with a fairly simple solution. First, they took the structure of an oil rig for the base<ref name= "tree"/>. Next, 45 secondary branches were then added to the tree, followed by 756 tertiary branches and finally 891 end branches. The tree was then covered with 102,583 man-made leaves. After the structure was complete, 20 artisans carved over 300 animals into the structure's branches and trunk<ref name= "tree"/>. When the Tree of Life was completed, it stood 145 feet tall <ref name= "tree"/>.
 
==Opening Day==
Disney's Animal Kingdom officially 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, and 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 to Walt Disney World. Unlike previous theme park openings, the Grand Opening of Disney's Animal Kingdom was not a star studded affair, 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 Michael Eisner read the 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.|
Michael Eisner <br> April 22, 1998}}
 
==History After Opening Day==
[[Image:ExpeditionEverest3.jpg|400px|thumb|Expedition Everest opened in the Asia section of Disney's Animal Kingdom in 2006.]]
Although relatively young compared to the other Disney Parks, Animal Kingdom has gone through several changes throughout 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 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.com/id131.htm </ref>, while [[Conservation Station]] was renamed [[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 saw another expansion of Disney's Animal Kingdom. At this time, [[Chester and 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 April 18, 2002, [[Primeval Whirl]] was added to the area <ref name= "d23"/>.
 
The next set of major changes came to Animal Kingdom in 2006. In DinoLand USA, Finding Nemo- the Musical replaced Tarzan Rocks, which had been operating since 1999 <ref> http://allears.net/tp/ak/nemo.htm </ref>. Also in 2006, the “E-Ticket” roller coaster [[Expedition Everest]] was built in [[Asia]]. The attraction is a high speed coaster set in the Himalayas, and it includes a close encounter with the fabled Yeti. By including the Yeti in the attraction, Disney's Animal Kingdom finally featured a mythical creature (which had been promised since the park’s dedication).
 
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. <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]].
 
On July 16, 2020, Disney announced that Rivers of Light would not reopen with the park, and would be permanently discontinued <ref> https://wdwnt.com/2020/07/breaking-stitchs-great-escape-rivers-of-light-and-primeval-whirl-officially-closed-forever-at-walt-disney-world/ </ref>.
 
At the 2022 D23 Expo, Disney Parks chairman Josh D'Amaro showcased Blue Sky concepts for a new land inspired by Disney's Moana and Disney's Zootopia. Based on the concept art, as well as comments made at the Expo, the new land would replace [[DinoLand USA]]. At the time of the announcement, no further details were given and plans for the new area remain in flux <ref> https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/animal-kingdom/news/11sep2022-disney-parks-head-josh-damaro-share-some-zootpoia-blue-sky-concepts-for-disneys-animal-kingdom.htm </ref>.
===Beastly Kingdomme===
One change that has yet to (and may never) come to Animal Kingdom is the addition of Beastly Kingdomme. Despite a dragon being featured on the park's original logo, there are currently no plans to build the land. Camp Minnie-Mickey proved to be popular with guests, and thus the land set aside for Beastly Kingdom remained in use. With the creation of [[Pandora- The World of Avatar]] it is unlikely that Beastly Kingdomme will be built. Despite this, remnants of the planned Beastly Kingdom can still be found including:
 
*The parking lot contains a section named "Unicorn" <ref> http://www.yesterland.com/avatarkingdom.html </ref>.
 
*A detailed dragonhead statue sits atop one of the ticket booths at the park's entrance <ref> http://www.wdwinfo.com/columns/walt-disney-world-never-built.cfm </ref>.
 
*In the first couple years of the parks existence, blasts of fire would be spewed from a cave at the edge of the water near Camp Minnie-Mickey <ref name= "hill"> http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2004/10/19/479.aspx </ref>. Also debuting at this time
 
*Burnt suits of armor were located just outside the cave entrance, and when the Discovery Boats passed this scene, guests were told by the boat's captain that the fire was created by a fire-breathing dragon inside the cave <ref name= "hill"/>.
 
==Backstory==
According to The World According to Jack the backstory for Disney's Animal Kingdom states
{{Quotation|'Once upon a time, no vegetation would grow on Discovery Island. There were no trees, no shrubs, no flowers, nothing. It was a barren piece of land. Then, one day, a tiny ant planted a seed and made a wish. He asked for a tree to grow – a tree large enough to provide shelter for all the animals. Magically, the ant’s wish came true and a tree began to grow -- and it kept growing until there was room beneath its limbs for all the animals from A (ants) to Z (zebras). And as the tree continued to reach for the heavens, the images of all the animals that took shelter beneath its shade appeared on its trunk, roots, and branches.<ref> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2012/06/tree_of_life_at_disneys_animal.html </ref>}}
 
==Current Lands==
To see the current Animal Kingdom map [https://secure.parksandresorts.wdpromedia.com/media/wdpro-assets/parks-and-tickets/destinations/animal-kingdom/Disneys_Animal_Kingdom.pdf?16052017140623'''Click Here'''.]
===Oasis===
[[Image:AnimalKingdomGuideMap2020.jpg|thumb|400px|The 2021 Animal Kingdom map (click to enlarge)]]
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]].
 
'''[[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]]
 
Home to the popular [[Kilimanjaro Safaris]], the Africa section of the park takes place in the fictional village of Harambe. According to the land's backstory, Harambe was once a colony before gaining its freedom in 1961 after a peaceful revolution. Harambe is currently home to a wildlife reserve, where tourists can see some of Africa's most interesting animals. In 2014 the Africa section of the park was expanded to house the relocated [[Festival of the Lion King]].
 
===[[Rafiki's Planet Watch]]===
Main Article: [[Rafiki's Planet Watch]]
 
Rafiki's Planet Watch was called Conservation Station from 1998 until October 2000. It is the only land not accessible from [[Discovery Island]]. In order to get to Rafiki's Planet Watch guests must board the [[Wildlife Express Train]] which travels between [[Africa]] and the Planet Watch.
 
===[[Asia]]===
[[Image:MickeyandRafikijpeg.jpeg|thumb|400px|Mickey and Rafiki in front of the Tree of Life]]
Main Article: [[Asia]]
 
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 [[Kali River Rapids]] and [[Expedition Everest]].
 
===[[DinoLand USA]]===
Main Article: [[DinoLand USA]]
 
DinoLand USA is home to the [[Dino Institute]], which allows guests to travel back in time and come face to face with dinosaurs. In 2001 the land was expanded to include Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama. This new area is themed like a roadside attraction which was built to capitalize on the success of the nearby institute.
 
===[[Pandora- The World of Avatar]]===
Main Article: [[Pandora- The World of Avatar]]
 
Pandora – The World of Avatar transports guests to the land of James Cameron's Avatar. On Pandora guests can travel on the [[Na'vi River Journey]] attraction, or take flight on a Banshee on [[Flight of Passage]]. Pandora – The World of Avatar was constructed on the land formally occupied by [[Camp Minnie-Mickey]].
 
==Former Lands==
===Camp Minnie-Mickey===
Initially intended to be a temporary land, Camp Minnie-Mickey was constructed where Beastly Kingdomme was originally intended to be built. At Camp Minnie-Mickey, guests could meet their favorite Disney characters including Mickey, Minnie, and Donald. The main attraction located in Camp Minnie-Mickey was the Broadway style show [[Festival of the Lion King]]. In 2014 Camp Minnie-Mickey closed in order to make room for [[Pandora- The World of Avatar]]. Following Camp Minnie-Mickey's closure, Festival of the Lion King was relocated to the [[Africa]] section of the park.
 
==Disney Genie +==
[[Image:AnimalKingdomfastpass.jpg|350px|thumb|Flight of Passage and Na'vi River Journey in Disney's Animal Kingdom's Pandora]]
{| style="padding-bottom:0px; padding-top:0px;"
|-
|
* [[Kali River Rapids]]
|
* [[Kilimanjaro Safaris]]
|
* [[DINOSAUR]]
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* [[Feathered Friends in Flight!]]
|
|-
|
* [[Na'vi River Journey]]
|
* [[It's Tough to be a Bug!]]
|
* [[The Animation Experience]]
|
* [[Festival of the Lion King]]
|-
|
|}
 
===Lightning Lane===
Disney's Animal Kingdom's two Lightning Lane exclusive attractions are:
{| style="padding-bottom:0px; padding-top:0px;"
|-
|
* [[Flight of Passage]]
|
* [[Expedition Everest]]
|
|-
|}
 
==Fun Facts and Trivia==
* Plastic 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 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"/>.
Construction on Disney's Animal Kingdom began * There are 27 million gallons of water in August of 1995. Like other Disney theme parks, Animal Kingdom was made of of various Discovery River <ref name= "landstrivia". The lands in Disney's Animal Kingdom were going to be: The Oasis, Safari Village, Africa, Asia, Conservation Station, Dinoland USA and Beastly Kingdom. Through these lands, Animal Kingdom was supposed to represent, three groups of animals, Current living animals, extinct animals, and mythological animals. />
Animal Kingdom cost nearly 1 billion dollars to built. Four million cubic yards of dirt were moved and 40,000 plants were added. It was decided that the plants in Animal Kingdom would need to be put in for two growing seasons before the animals arrived. This meant that the construction team had until the Spring of 1996 to get all the plants in place. This deadline was met, and the fall of 1997 the animals were brought in. Animals were brought from various places throughout the world, including a gorrila who arrived on a first class plane from Chicago.==References==
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