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Disney’s Animal Kingdom Will Mark 20th Anniversary With A ‘Party For the Planet’ April 22-May 5

Jennifer Fickley-Baker

by , Editorial Content Manager, Walt Disney World Resort

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will celebrate its 20th anniversary on Earth Day, April 22, with an expanded “Party for the Planet” celebration April 22-May 5.

Rafiki’s Planet Watch will take center stage for the celebration, which will offer backstage experiences that allow guests to learn about animal nutrition, visit the veterinary hospital, or hear how Disney promotes global wildlife conservation.

Guests can also commemorate their anniversary visit to the theme park with special photo opportunities, and kids can earn a limited-edition badge as part of the Wilderness Explorer program. Six different Tiffins Talks, themed dinners hosted by animal experts at Tiffins full-service restaurant will be available to guests who want to learn more about the animal residents at the park. And limited-edition merchandise will also be available for purchase, with one piece being a special-edition print created by renowned Walt Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde. (He will be available to sign prints on April 22 from 1-4 p.m. at Discovery Trading Company. Quantities are limited).

Other experiences coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom this spring include:

  • April 22 will mark the debut of a brand-new show, UP! A Great Bird Adventure featuring Russell and Dug from the Disney•Pixar animated comedy-adventure film “UP.” The show will give guests the chance to see Senior Wilderness Explorer Russell and his fuzzy friend Dug in a new adventure that includes encounters with exotic birds from around the world. This free-flying show will be performed multiple times daily.
  • A “dino-tastic” celebration with Donald and his friends will also premiere Memorial Day weekend in DinoLand, U.S.A. This dinosaur-themed party celebrates Donald Duck’s discovery that his bird ancestors were actually dinosaurs. DinoLand U.S.A. will feature colorful new décor and playful character greetings with rarely seen pals like Scrooge McDuck, Launchpad McQuack and more. A DJ-powered dance party will mix tunes from the truck-o-saurus stage, capping the nighttime festivities.
  • Memorial Day 2018 commemorates the one-year anniversary of Pandora – The World of Avatar. Here, travelers are transported to a mystical world of floating mountains, bioluminescent rainforests and breathtaking new experiences. Inspired by the blockbuster film, AVATAR, the epic land invites guests to explore a glowing landscape, encounter a larger-than-life Na’vi Shaman of Songs and soar on the back of a banshee.

For more information on the 20th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, visit Disneyworld.com/PartyforthePlanet.

Comments

  • Happy Anniversary Animal Kingdom! Can’t wait to go in June 🙂

  • Any more information on Joe Rohde signing the prints on April 22 from 1-4 p.m. at Discovery Trading Company? Do we need to be there early to purchase the print?

  • Looking forward to the Party! Any details on the Tiffins lunch?

    Thanks

  • I am so excited for the 20th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. As an opening crew cast member, I have wonderful memories of being a part of the opening and all the wonderful experiences I got to have, which I still think about and talk about to this day. Even though I go back a couple of times a year, it holds a very special place in my heart and I cannot wait to celebrate on the 22nd.

  • do you know how long Launchpad McQuack will be out? The entire summer?

  • We will be in DisneyWorld from the 30th of March 2018 to 2nd April 2018.
    We were planning to visit Animal Park on the 1st April, but we see less activities on the 1st of April rather thant the 31st march, why??

    I would like to know, so I can make changes on our plans.

    Thank you so much.

  • hmmm might have to redo my itinerary for our upcoming stay during that time frame.

  • Any word or idea on Jiminy Cricket for Earth Day?

  • Will the Animal Kingdom 20th anniversary merchandise be available past these dates?

    • Checking…

  • it says “Scrooge McDuck, Launchpad McQuack and MORE” will meet. Does the more mean Huey, Dewey, and Louie or Ludwig Von Drake will meet?

    • We hope to have more details closer to time.

  • How long will launchpad be in animal kingdom? A few days or a few weeks? Coming June 5th.

  • So excited that we will be there to celebrate!!

    • 🙂

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