From April 18 to 24, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will celebrate Earth Month, by focusing on awareness about wildlife conservation efforts at the theme park.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened on Earth Day in 1998 and has incorporated the theme of nature into its attractions and lands since then.
The month of April is a good time for everyone to reflect on our ecological footprint and what we can do to care for our beautiful planet. At this event, Disney hopes you inspire you to connect with the magic of nature and leave better informed about how to care for all we share.
In 2021, Earth Day events will feature limited-time experiences including unique Disney Characters, specialty merchandise and food, a new Wilderness Explorer activity, and plenty of opportunities to learn about conservation and nature.
Disney Characters
You’ll be able to see your favorite Disney pals and some of their more rare friends as they cruise around the Discovery River on specially themed boats. This is a fun socially distanced way to spot Mickey, Minnie, and all their pals.
The Animation Experience
The Animation Experience at Conservation Station will feature new characters for Earth Week. Follow along as a Disney Artist teaches you how to bring favorite characters to life by using animals for inspiration. For the Earth Week Celebration, guests can learn to draw characters – including Dumbo, Terk, Squirt, Shere Khan, Simba and Scar – whose real-life counterparts represent amazing stories of conservation work around the globe.
Wilderness Explorer
Take your pledge to be “a friend to all, be it plans or fish or a tiny mole” then set out to earn a special Wilderness Explorer limited-time Earth Day Nature Badge. The self-guided nature-themed challenge is only available during Earth Week.
Food and Drink
Celebrate Earth Week with special themed treats, including a selection of limited-time specialty cupcakes: the Creature Comfort’s Honey Bee Cupcake, the strawberry-flavored Flamingo Cupcake at Flame Tree Barbecue or the Sea Turtle Graham Cracker Cupcake. Specialty beverages include The Red Crowned Crane, a frozen Coke topped with frozen Cherry Coke and strawberry cotton candy; adults can spice it up with Captain Morgan Rum.
Earth Day Moana Pin and merchandise
Be on the lookout for the Earth Day 2021 limited-edition Te Fiti Moana trading pin. You can also support the Disney Conservation Fund by purchasing a cuddly plush inspired by the species that call Disney’s Animal Kingdom home; or check out Island Mercantile’s eco-friendly water bottles, tumblers and reusable bags that promote sustainability.
New Animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris
Disney’s Animal Kingdom participates in the AZA species survival plan, which means there’s always a new baby to be seen. Most recently, the park welcomed the birth of Ranger, and you can often get a glimpse of the rambunctious 5-month-old calf and his rhino family on a journey aboard Kilimanjaro Safaris. While on safari, also keep an eye out for two young Masai giraffe who were born a few months ago, and playful Nigerian dwarf goats that hang out at the warden’s outpost.
Sand Sculpture
Beginning April 2, watch as artisans transform 40 tons of sand into a detailed sculpture celebrating National Geographic’s “Secrets of the Whales,” an original series streaming on Disney+ on Earth Day. The intricate sculpted masterpiece will be located on the Discovery Island Stage until April 30.
The Earth Day events are always a popular time to be at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The park is fun to visit all year around, but extra fun from April 18-24. Will you be there?