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{{Template:Infobox amusement park | image=TreeOfLifeday.jpg| caption=History'''The Tree of Life is the icon of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.'''| theme=Animals, nature, conservation| opening_date=April 22, 1998| icon=The Muppets Present.. Great Moments Tree of Life}}Disney's Animal Kingdom is a theme park located in American History was originally announced by Walt Disney on September 23, 2016 World.==Conception <refname= "book"> https://disneyparksMalmberg, Melody.disneyThe Making of Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park.goNew York: Hyperion, 1998. Print.com/blog/2016/09/the-muppets-present-great-moments-in-american-history-debuts-october-2-at-magic-kingdom-park/ </ref>. Located above the Heritage House in [[Liberty Square]]==A theme park about animals was not high on Disney’s list of ideas, the new show features town crier James “J.J.” Jefferson but surveys showed that Disney and Sam the Eagle retelling some animals tested well, and Disney had a lot of America's greatest momentsintellectual properties that showcased animals. Joining Because of this, Michael Eisner sent the duo idea for an animal theme park to "help" put on Imagineering. In 1990, Imagineer Joe Rohde met with Eisner to discuss the show are Muppets: Kermit new park. Rohde’s vision for the Frogpark was threefold, Miss Piggyit would feature traditional theme park components, Gonzo, Fozziean Epcot Center syle pavilion, and morea nontraditional zoo. The Muppets Present... Great Moments in American History debuted on October 2, 2016 <ref> https[[Image://disneyparksAnimalKingdomConcept.disney.go.com/blog/2016/10/jpg|400px|thumb|Concept art for Disney's Animal Kingdom]] Eisner agreed to the basic premise of the-muppets-present-great-moments-in-american-history-opens-at-magic-kingdom-park/ </ref>, commenting that like the Magic Kingdom, Disney should also have an Animal Kingdom. With this objective in mind, Rohde and has not seen any major changes sincehis 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.

==Plot=====Signing In July 1990, Joe Rohde and his team flew to Africa to get first hand experience of The Deceleration the type of Independence===The show beings with town crier James Jefferson gathering everyone around him. "JJ" and Sam the Eagles (who is located in a window overhead) then discuss what story environment that they are going wished to be sharing from American historycreate. In total, which Sam proudly states is during the story development of the signing of the Declaration of IndependenceDisney’s Animal Kingdom, Rohde and his Imagineers visited Africa six times. The duo then begins to sing Using these trips as inspiration, the backstory team eventually used much of the signing of the document, before JJ announces that they are bringing out some friends to help themtheir experience when creating [[Kilimanjaro Safaris]].

In As plans for the windows above his right shoulderpark continued to develop, Kermit, Gonzo, Miss Piggy and Fozzie appearMichael Eisner wondered if simply encountering animals would be a big enough draw for guests. The group then sings Great Moments in History (But Only the American Parts). After To prove that this was not the songcase, Sam announces that as the official Liberty Square historian Joe Rohde brought a 400 pound Bengal tiger into a meeting he has created tributes to every important moment in American historywas having with Eisner and Frank Wells. The eagle then begins to recite the Deceleration of Independence from memoryAs Rohde gave his presentation, before he is interrupted by Kermit, who says that the rest of tiger sauntered around the gang has some ideas to me Sam's show more entertainingroom. After feeling the audience votes that effect of being so close to a tiger, Eisner and Wells relented and live animal encounters would be the Muppets should help (over Sam's objections), Kermit assures him that they always "do things with dignity"focal point of Animal Kingdom.

At this momentDuring another meeting with Eisner and other executives, Gonzo appears in the window to announce Disney CEO told Imagineers that he wanted a DinoLand. Other ideas stemming from these meetings included the all chicken chorus is ready to perform "The Cluck Heard Round Oasis (which would serve as the World". After Kermit rejects entryway) Safari Village (the idea parks hub) and chases the chickens off stageDiscovery River. By 1992, he regretfully informs Miss Piggy that since the show is about basic layout of the Founding Fathers, there is no role for herpark was in place. Miss Piggy responds by saying "weGuests would enter through the Oasis before arriving at [[Safari Village]]. From there, guests could explore the park'll see"s other lands including DinoLand, before Kermit throws [[Africa]], Asia, and the show back land dedicated to JJimaginary animals.

Finally beginning to tell his story, Sam the Eagle then informs guests that the scene is being set in 1776 Philadelphia. He then introduces Thomas Jefferson (Kermit), John Adams (Gozno) and Benjamin Franklin (Fozzie). Sam says that the delegates are debating the idea after years of separation from England. After Fozzie and Gonzo say things like "debatedevelopment on June 21, debate" and "argument". Gonzo (still as John Adams) eventually gives reasons for America to declare her independence, Jefferson asks if there is are any arguments in favor of England. As the audience begins to chant "no King George", Miss Piggy appears on stage as King George/Queen Georgette. When Sam objects that King George 1995 Disney’s Wild Animal Kingdom was not at Congress, Miss Piggy dryly points out that a bear is playing Benjamin Franklin. After the Founding Fathers list their objections, the audience votes to declare independence from Queen Georgetteofficially announced. When Piggy is informed that England looses in discussing the American Revolutionnew park, she disappears offstage, only to return seconds later as George Washington. Michael Eisner stated:

Following her return, Jefferson (Kermit) {{Quotation|“This is chosen to write the Deceleration of Independence. Fozzie, Piggy and Gonzo then begin traditional zoo as the motion picture was to make a series of ridiculous demands, and the chickens appear on stage to sing again. After Kermit yells at everyone to be quietplay. He explains A leap forward that keeps the deceleration was more then a list concept of demands, but instead that it was about things that "we all believe in, things that were worth fighting combining education and entertainment alive and well. The need for". He then quotes the beginning awareness of the Deceleration (with the chickens clucking God Bless America behind him)endangered animals and their environments has never been greater.{{Quotation} We hold these truths are in a unique position to be self-evident: that promote deeper understanding and love for all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happinessanimals."|Michael Eisner}}

Sam ==Construction==Construction on Disney's Animal began in August of 1995. Like other Disney theme parks, Animal Kingdom was to be made up of various "lands". When designing the Eagle is so park, 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 to represent three groups of animals: current living animals, extinct animals, and mythological animals. [[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 parks 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 performance spring of 1996 to get all the plants in place <ref> http://allears.net/ae/issue863.htm </ref>. This deadline was met, and the fall of 1997 the animals were brought in to the park <ref> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2011/01/kilimanjaro_safaris_at_animal_1.html </ref>. They 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 continued, funds for the new park began to dwindle. Eventually it was decided that he begins Animal Kingdom would have to cryopen in three phases. After JJ remarks The first phase would consist of The Oasis, [[Safari Village]], [[Africa]], [[Conservation Station]], and an unfinished [[Asia]]. Also included in phase one 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 to be released in 2000 <ref name= "jim"/>. Phase II was planned 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 is now 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 town criermassive 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, Sam says while being able to withstand hurricane level winds<ref name= "just ring tree"/> . On top of that, the belltree would also have to house the attraction [[It's Tough to be a Bug!]] (the attraction was chosen over an earlier idea of having a restaurant inside the tree)<ref name= "tree"/> . With Eventually however, Imagineers came up with a ringing fairly simple solution.  First, they took the structure of an oil rig for the bellbase<ref name= "tree"/> . 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 group sings Great Moments structure was complete, 20 artisans carved over 300 animals into the tree<ref name= "tree"/> . When the Tree of Life was completed it stood 145 feet tall and looked as if the animals themselves were making up the tree's trunk<ref name= "tree"/> . ==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 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 ending 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 changes. 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 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 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"/>.  The next set of majorchanges came to Animal Kingdom in 2006. In DinoLand USA, Finding Nemo- the Musical replaced Tarzan Rocks, which had been there 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 roller 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 showopened 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>.  ===Watch 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 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 announcement of a land based on Avatar it looks 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 Showwater 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 '''Click below 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”. '''[[Oasis Exhibits]]'''- This walking trail allows guests to see many animals including: the Deceleration giant anteater, wallabies, exotic boar and more. ===[[Discovery Island]]===Main Article: [[Discovery Island]] Originally called Safari Village, Discovery Island is the hub of Independence version 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 The Muppets Present Great Moments Life” can be found in American HistoryDiscovery Island, inside which guests can find the [[It's Tough to be a Bug!]] attraction. ===[[Africa]]===Main Article:[[Africa]]{{#evHome 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. [[Image:youtubeAnimalKingdomGuideMap2017.png|WNXysMxk8Bothumb|420}}350px|The 2017 Animal Kingdom map (click to enlarge)]] ===[[Rafiki's Planet Watch]]===Main Article: [[Rafiki's Planet Watch]] Rafiki's Planet Watch was originally 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]]===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, Asia 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. ==Former Lands=====Camp Minnie-Mickey===Initially intended to be a temporary land, Camp Minnie-Mickey was located where Beastly Kingdom was originally supposed to be built. Here, 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 a new land based on James Cameron's Avatar. Following Camp Minnie-Mickey's closure, Festival of the Lion King was relocated to the Africa section of the park.

* The show's song Straws, balloons and cup lids are not used inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom to protect the animals from potential choking hazards <ref name= "Great Moments in Historyguide" was written > 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 Alerie Vigoda 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 Brendan Milburn [[Disney's Hollywood Studios]] inside of it <ref name= "D23guide"/>. *In the early 2000s Disney promoted Animal Kingdom with the phrase NăHTăZū!(pronounced "not a zoo") <ref> https://www.mouseplanet.com/10581/Its_Nahtazu </ref>.

* Tara Anderson serves as Disney’s Animal Kingdom features the show's set director largest groups of Nile hippos and African elephants in North America <ref name= "D23trivia"/>.

* Walt Disney Imagineering worked closely with Muppet Studios during the creation There are 27 million gallons of The Muppets Present... Great Moments water in American History Discovery River <ref name= "D23trivia"> https://d23.com/the-muppets-make-history-at-magic-kingdom-park/ </ref>