Disney’s Animal Kingdom at 27 – Celebrating Earth Day and Looking Toward the Future
April 22, 1998 — Earth Day — marked the grand opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the fourth theme park at Walt Disney World Resort. Designed as a celebration of nature, wildlife, and conservation, Animal Kingdom quickly set itself apart with its immersive storytelling and commitment to honoring the natural world.
Disney Marketing was Clear “It’s Nahtazu”
Back in 1998, then-CEO Michael Eisner and legendary Imagineer Joe Rohde introduced Animal Kingdom with a very clear message — this was not a zoo. The opening day tagline, repeated often by Rohde, was: “It’s nahtazu” — a playful way to emphasize that this park would deliver something far more immersive and thematic than a traditional zoo. From the moment guests crossed the Oasis and laid eyes on the Tree of Life, they knew they were entering something extraordinary.
A New Species of THeme Park
To help explain this bold new park to the public, Disney also released a special behind-the-scenes featurette titled “A New Species of Theme Park.” This promotional film introduced audiences to the creative philosophy behind Animal Kingdom. Joe Rohde, known for his signature earring and passion for environmental storytelling, was front and center. In one memorable moment, he brought a live Bengal tiger into a pitch meeting with Eisner — a move that drove home the park’s authenticity and ambition. The featurette explored early concept art, Imagineering field trips, and Animal Kingdom’s conservation-driven mission.
Today, April 22, 2025, we celebrate the 27th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which first welcomed guests on April 22, 1998 — fittingly, Earth Day. The park debuted with a unique mission: to combine the magic of Disney storytelling with a deep respect for nature and wildlife conservation. Unlike any other Disney theme park, Animal Kingdom was intentionally designed to focus on real animals, prehistoric life, and fantasy creatures.
While today marks a milestone — 27 years since opening — if you visited the park on this Earth Day in 2025, you might not even realize it. There was little, if any, fanfare to commemorate the anniversary: no special signage, no celebratory merchandise, and no formal events. For a park that celebrates the natural world and its unique legacy, it feels like a missed opportunity to honor the journey and evolution of one of Walt Disney World’s most ambitious projects.
The Early Years: Opening Day and Camp Minnie-Mickey
When the park opened, guests could explore Discovery Island, Africa, DinoLand U.S.A., and Asia (which was only partially complete). One of the original lands was Camp Minnie-Mickey, a wooded area designed as a summer camp for character meet-and-greets. It was home to the beloved Festival of the Lion King show, which would later move to a new theater in Africa.
The Early Years: Opening Day and Camp Minnie-Mickey
When the park opened, guests could explore Discovery Island, Africa, DinoLand U.S.A., and Asia, which was only partially complete. One of the original lands was Camp Minnie-Mickey, a wooded area designed as a summer camp for character meet-and-greets. It was home to the beloved Festival of the Lion King show, which would later move to a new theater in Africa.
The Rise of Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama!
While Camp Minnie-Mickey was entertaining guests on one side of the park, another corner of Animal Kingdom was beginning to tell a different kind of story. On opening day in 1998, Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures opened its doors in DinoLand U.S.A. Styled to look like a roadside gas station-turned-souvenir shop, it introduced guests to the quirky, fictional duo of Chester and Hester—local entrepreneurs cashing in on the nearby Dino Institute’s discoveries.
In 2001, Disney expanded this backstory with the creation of Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama!, a whimsical subland meant to resemble a roadside carnival. It featured colorful signage, carnival games, and TriceraTop Spin, a gentle, family-friendly spinner ride. In 2002, the area expanded further with the addition of Primeval Whirl, a twin-track spinning coaster. Themed as a time-travel experiment gone wild, it combined cartoonish visuals with Wild Mouse-style drops and turns.
Despite its charm, Primeval Whirl became known for its bumpy ride and persistent maintenance issues. It shifted to seasonal operation in 2019 and was permanently closed in 2020. Demolition began the following year, quietly ushering in the end of an era and clearing the way for what’s next.
2006 – Expedition Everest Rises in Asia
The first major expansion arrived in 2006 with the opening of Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. This thrilling coaster took guests deep into the Himalayas in search of the mythical Yeti. With its towering 199.5-foot peak, impressive storytelling, and surprise track reversal, Expedition Everest helped elevate Animal Kingdom to a true full-day park.
2014–2017 – Camp Minnie-Mickey Closes, Pandora Emerges
In 2014, Camp Minnie-Mickey officially closed to make way for a bold new land. Three years later, in May 2017, Pandora – The World of Avatar opened to critical acclaim. Inspired by James Cameron’s blockbuster film, Pandora transported guests to a glowing, bioluminescent rainforest filled with floating mountains, out-of-this-world creatures, and groundbreaking attractions like:
- Avatar Flight of Passage – A breathtaking 3D flight simulator that puts guests on the back of a banshee.
- Na’vi River Journey – A serene, visually stunning boat ride through a glowing alien jungle.
Pandora remains a cornerstone of Animal Kingdom’s evolution, especially when experienced after dark.
2020s – Nighttime Shows and Dinoland U.S.A. Winds Down
As Animal Kingdom expanded its offerings, it also experimented with nighttime entertainment. Rivers of Light, an ambitious lagoon-based show, debuted in 2017 but ended in 2020. Meanwhile, Dinoland U.S.A., one of the original lands, began showing signs of transition. In early 2025, Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama officially closed, signaling the start of something new.
The Future – Tropical Americas Expansion
Announced at Destination D23 in 2023, the Tropical Americas expansion will replace Dinoland U.S.A. and bring entirely new adventures to the park. Inspired by the rich landscapes and cultures of Central and South America, this new land will include:
- A new Indiana Jones attraction (rethemed from Dinosaur).
- A vibrant new area themed around Encanto, including the Casita and interactive experiences.
Construction walls are already up, and anticipation is building for what will be one of the most immersive expansions in Disney Park history.
