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Disney’s Animal Kingdom To Celebrate its 25th anniversary and Earth Day on April 22, 2023

Disney's Animal Kingdom Tree of Life

Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened at Walt Disney World April 22, 1998, which means this April 22, the park will not only be celebrating the annual Earth Day, but its 25th anniversary!

To celebrate, there will be limited-time treats, special merchandise, celebratory Magic Shots, and more.


Commemorative Treats

New items debuting throughout Disney’s Animal Kingdom exclusively on April 22 include the Colossal Elephant Roll, and the 25th Anniversary Alive with Magic Cupcake.

DAK 25th anniversary - food
DAK 25th anniversary - food

Guests can also enjoy a 25th Anniversary Dessert Platter at Tiffins Restaurant, or they can dig into a 25th Anniversary Earth Tart at Tusker House Restaurant.

Additional Earth Month-themed sweets and sips will be available in the park throughout April, like the Bee Hive Mousse Dome and Flamingo Cupcake, as well as the Bubbling Pink Lagoon and Viva Gaia Tonic drinks.

DAK 25th anniversary - food

25th Anniversary Merchandise

A new Disney’s Animal Kingdom 25th Anniversary collection will be available starting April 21 for a limited time at Island Mercantile, Discovery Trading Company, and Mombasa Marketplace inside the park.

Items in this collection include everything from a commemorative Spirit Jersey to a tumbler, plus a 25th Anniversary Mini Loungefly Backpack and bucket hat:

DAK 25th anniversary - merch
DAK 25th anniversary - merch
DAK 25th anniversary - merch

Guests can also find a limited-edition commemorative Earth Month pin available for purchase now at select retail locations in the park.


Pumba Popcorn Bucket

To celebrate the park’s 25th anniversary, a new Pumba-shaped popcorn bucket will be available on April 22. You can find it at Trek Snacks and popcorn carts throughout the park.

Pumba popcorn bucket

Limited-Time Disney PhotoPass Ops

This week, Disney PhotoPass Service will offer photo ops in celebration of Earth Month and the park’s 25th anniversary

Guests can enjoy special props, Magic Shots and more to celebrate when you visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

DAK 25th anniversary - photopass
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DAK 25th anniversary - photopass

It should be noted, in the spirit of sustainability, the 25th anniversary sign prop is made completely out of recycled materials, including upcycled sign backers as well as cast member costumes and patches.

DAK 25th anniversary - photopass

Special Experiences

From April 16 to April 23, Wilderness Explorers have the opportunity to earn a special badge by completing a limited-time nature challenge.

Also through the end of April, guests who visit The Animation Experience at Conservation Station can learn to draw characters like Dumbo, Terk from “Tarzan,” Crush or Bruce from “Finding Nemo,” Tigger from “Winnie the Pooh” or Simba from “The Lion King.”

Conservation Station

Animals Who’ve Been at the Park 25 Years

Not only is Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrating 25 years, but there are 45 animals who’ve been at the park since it opened on Earth Day in 1998.

Some of these long-term residents of the park include Gino the Western lowland gorilla, Mac the African elephant, Tuma the Nile hippopotamus, Johnny the White stork, Sid the Rhinoceros iguana, and Jack and Jill, two Miniature donkeys in the Affection Section at Rafiki’s Planet Watch.

Here is a video introducing some of these beautiful animals that guests can see in the park:


Muppets Tour Animal Kingdom

Is it Disney’s Animal Kingdom or Disney and Animal’s Kingdom? Find out as Kermit and Animal from The Muppents get to tour the park after hours:

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