Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — One of Walt Disney World Resort’s theme parks celebrated a milestone on Saturday, the same day as Earth Day.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

Disney’s Animal Kingdom marked its 25th anniversary this year with a ceremony and a meet and greet with Moana at Discovery Island Character Landing for the first time.

Photos: Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 29

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day Walt Disney World Resort celebrated the 25th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park on Earth Day, April 22, 2023, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. A celebratory ceremony near the Tree of Life featured remarks from Walt Disney World Ambassadors, executives as well as Disney’s Animal Kingdom performers, music and entertainment. The ceremony was capped off by a flyover of more than 40 macaws. (Mark Ashman, photographer) (David Roark/David Roark, Photographer)

The park opened on April 22, 1998.

Guests can purchase food, drinks and other merchandise that honor the park’s history.

The most recent addition to Disney’s Animal Kingdom was the world of Pandora in 2017.

Read: Disney’s Animal Kingdom spotlights opening-day heritage animals

As the park has grown, and even before it began, Disney World has supported conservation and special animal care.

The Disney Conservation Fund started in 1991 and has helped protect endangered and at-risk species.

Read: Florida student art contest celebrates Earth Day, see this year’s winners

Mark Penning, vice president of Animals, Science and Environment at Disney Parks, said he is proud of the cast members who take care of the animals with compassion.

“At Disney, we believe building a brighter, more sustainable future starts with imagining what’s possible,” Penning said. “Through our conservation and sustainability programs, we take tangible actions to inspire change around the globe,”

Video: Disney’s Animal Kingdom spotlights opening-day heritage animals (Walt Disney World Resort)

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2023 Cox Media Group