Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the youngest of the Walt Disney World collection of theme parks. Even then it’s about to turn 15 years old on April 22nd, which is, of course, also Earth Day. The park has announced that there will be a small party with a few events to celebrate:
- Special opening ceremony – Meet at the Tree of Life at 8:40 a.m., to hear from Josh D’Amaro, Vice President of Disney’s Animal Kingdom; Dr. Jackie Ogden, Vice President of Animals, Science and Environment; and Joe Rohde, Senior Vice President of Walt Disney Imagineering Creative.
- Earth Day “Party for the Planet” festivities – Special interactive activities that focus on animals and nature will take place throughout the park from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Artists and other vendors will present their work on in Africa and on Discovery Island, with their work available for purchase.
- Opportunity to purchase special 15th anniversary merchandise, available in limited quantities.
- Special food & beverage.
I was there for the 10th Anniversary. The highlight for me was a talk on the creation of Disney’s Animal Kingdom by Joe Rohde. I hope there will be something similar again this time.
What do you think of this line up? Do you think Disney should to more to celebrate it’s park’s five year anniversaries?
Absolutely think they should do more … especially for Animal Kingdom. Being the less busiest of the parks and what’s quoted as being a “half day park”, maybe they could have either planned for a new attraction or a one of a kind end of day show.
Don’t get me wrong but I love Animal Kingdom but you always walk out feeling that there could have been that extra something to bring it in line with the other parks.
I think that anniversaries are important and they should celebrate by having maybe a special souvenir for every guest who enters the park that day, as a momento. That being said, I really like Animal Kingdom because it is definitely possible to explore most (if not all) of the events and attractions it has to offer while still not feeling like you are standing in huge lines or trekking around so much that you frequently need breaks. It has a nice rhythm and flow to the way the park was designed. My husband isn’t such a huge fan of Disney but he enjoyed Animal Kingdom the best out of each of the parks we visited on our honeymoon in 2011 (Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios). :)
more is always better, but this is appropriate in my mind. Acknowledge the park’s history, offer some keepsakes, and maybe announce something new. That enough for me.
My husband & I were there very early in the A.M. of opening day. It was very exciting to be there for a park opening. I still have some never used collectibles from that day. I even saw Joe Rohde that day shortly after I had purchased the book that his wife wrote and he signed it for me. We are an older couple but we do enjoy the Animal Kingdom Park and all that it has to offer. I am surprised that it has been 15 years already.
i think any disney anniversary should at least last for the whole year.
i love animal kingdom and more animal exhibits would be great along with another new stage show.
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