Walt Disney World Resort - Disney's Animal Kingdom, Part 1

The Tree of Life at night from Africa

Animal Kingdom opened it's gates on April 22, 1998, making it the fourth and newest park at Disneyworld. It's like no other park Disney has, due to its namesake ingredient, Animals. And I don't mean the guests, either.

Of course, it also has it's share of thrill rides and Disney Magic; from live action stage shows to a trip back in time to rescue a dinosaur. Disney has tried very hard to distinguish Animal Kingdom from a Zoo, even going as far as to give the park the slogan of "NaHTaZu!" (Well, yes a zoo, but I won't argue the point.)

It's also Disney's largest park, some 500 acres of converted swampland. Most of this was due to a single attraction, Kilimanjaro Safaris, that takes you on an African savanna in a truck. It is Animal Kingdom's premier live animal exhibit, with a dumb storyline, but a decent animal viewing experience. You can see the video here.

I think the most amazing part of the park, isn't the giant mountain that holds a roller coaster (or any of the attractions for that matter,) but the detail that went into the park. If you just slow down and look around, the themeing of this park is incredible, right down to the lamp posts and benches. There is an artistry here that none of the other parks have.

It's even better after sundown, when Disney can highlight what they want you to see. As I've said before, there's just something about the parks at night. During the summer months, that might only be accomplished during Extra Magic Hours, and you can only do that if you're staying at an on-site hotel...

Entrance

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The Oasis is sort of the Main Street USA of Animal Kingdom, but rather than be lined with stores, it's a lush walk through a tropical refuge, filled with plants and animals. The stores are on Discovery Island...

Oasis

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Originally opened as Safari Village, the central hub of Animal Kingdom was renamed in the early 2000's as part of a Disney makeover. Safari Village was renamed "Discovery Island", originally an island on Bay Lake near the Contemporary Hotel. The island on Bay Lake was closed, and most of the animal exhibits there were moved to Animal Kingdom.

Discovery Island also holds the icon of Animal Kingdom, the Tree of Life. This 145 foot tall icon is visible almost anywhere in the park, and has 325 animal carvings on it's bark and root system. Within the tree is the Tree Of Life Repertory Theater, which holds the 3-D movie, It's Tough to be a Bug!

Like the hub in Magic Kingdom, all the lands in Animal Kingdom branch off Discovery Island...

Discovery Island

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Camp Minnie-Mickey is the main Character meet 'n greet area of the park, along with the centrally staged musical, "Festival of the Lion King"...

Camp Minnie-Mickey

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Africa is set in a fictitious country of Harambe, and contains the largest attraction Disney has, called "Kilimanjaro Safaris", where guests board a bus for a two week safari in the Harambe Reserve. There are also animal viewing areas along the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail.

Africa

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End Disney's Animal Kingdom - Part 1
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05/15/2010 - Page rewritten, images added and upgraded