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 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: