Changes

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 pedalspetals <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 the Werikhas familyBrenda 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 (however although Michael J. Fox, Drew Carey , Stevie Wonder and David Copperfield did make an appearance in Camp Minnieappear <ref> http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1998-Mickey to film a television clip for ABC)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 dedication: