Celebrate Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s 20th Anniversary on Earth Day, April 22, 2018. I was invited to the 2018 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. I paid a nominal conference fee to attend and received discounted and complimentary items from Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, and their sponsors. All celebratory opinions are my own.
photo credit: Gene Duncan
Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s 20th Anniversary Celebration!
Can you believe that Disney’s Animal Kingdom will soon be celebrating its 20th anniversary?! Two whole decades. Such a commemorative milestone! Of course being Disney, Animal Kingdom will be celebrating in a BIG way! The 500-acre adventure park will offer animal encounters, family-friendly activities, specialty desserts and more during an expanded Party for the Planet celebration April 22-May 5th. Here are a a few highlights of what’s to come.
Rafiki’s Planet Watch
During the two week celebration, Rafiki’s Planet Watch will offer backstage experiences with experts. Guests can learn about animal nutrition, visit the veterinary hospital, and hear how Disney promotes global wildlife conservation.
New Baby Hippo
Did you know there’s a brand new baby hippo at Animal Kingdom? It’s a BOY, and his name is Augustus! He is way too cute! Guests will see Augustus on Kilimanjaro Safaris and also during the Wild Africa Trek. I was looking for him on our last safari ride, but no luck. Our tour guide told us hippos are mostly nocturnal animals, but I was still hoping to catch a glimpse of him!
Wilderness Explorer Program
Something that will surely appeal to the kids, is the chance to earn a limited-edition badge as part of the Wilderness Explorer program. My children LOVE earning their badges throughout the park. I just know they’ll enjoy earning their very own limited-edition badge!
UP! A Great Bird Adventure
Fan favorites From Disney Pixar’s “UP,” Russel and Dug will debut in a brand new show! UP! A Great Bird Adventure will include encounters with exotic birds from around the world. This show will be performed multiple times daily.
A Dino-Tastic Celebration!
Join Donald in his friends Memorial Day weekend in DinoLand, U.S.A. During this celebration, special character meet-and-greets will be available, as well as a DJ-powered dance party!
Pandora – The World of Avatar
Memorial Day 2018 commemorates the one-year anniversary of Pandora – The World of Avatar. And you know what? It’s still popular as ever! This epic land truly transports you into a whole new universe. Enter a mystical world of floating mountains, bioluminescent rain forests, and breathtaking new experiences. Enjoy the peaceful Na’vi River Journey, or soar on the back of a Banshee for the ride of your life, on Flight of Passage.
While you’re at Animal Kingdom, don’t miss out on favorites Rivers of Light, and the Tree of Life Awakenings! Catch showtimes on your My Disney Experience app. For more information on Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s 20th Anniversary Celebration, visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/animal-kingdom/
I remember when they opened this park! I can’t believe it’s been 20 years already!
I can’t believe Animal Kingdom has been around for 20 years. I remember when it opened and it doesn’t feel like it was 20 years. I would love to go see Animal Kingdom. I know Disney would do such a wonderful job with that.
I can remember when it opened! I can’t wait to take the kids and show them the magic of Disney at the Animal Kingdom!
It is so great how Disney keeps reinventing itself and the parks. The Pandora also looks amazing. I was at Disney but never took in the Animal Kingdom. The baby hippo is too cute.
That baby hippo Augustus is just too adorable! I would love to go through the Wild Africa Trek.
Aww, that baby hippo is too cute! It is funny to think that the baby probably weighs more than me..haha!
I think they said he weighed 164 pounds at birth! Can you imagine?!
Those photos are so amazing. I’ve never even been to Disney before. I’ve always wanted to go to the animal kingdom. I think my girls would really love it there.
Animal Kingdom is definitely one of my favorite parks now! I love that light show at night on the water!
I agree. Animal Kingdom has really jumped up to one of my most favorite parks. There’s SO much to do and see!
Animal Kingdom is such an amazing part of the experience. I love that they have so many different things to see.
We haven’t been able to go to the Animal Kingdom yet. I hope we can this year. It’s always so much fun going during the anniversaries!