Disney To Host ‘Party for the Planet’
Disney’s Animal Kingdom will mark its 20th anniversary on Earth Day, April 22, with new wild adventures – kicking off spring and setting the stage for a summer filled with special events and experiences at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
Commemorating the milestone year, 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 5.
Over the two-week “Party for the Planet” celebration, guests can attend conservation talks by animal-care experts and participate in enhanced interactions with some of the more than 2,000 animals that make their home at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited park.
Rafiki’s Planet Watch will take centre stage for the year-long 20th anniversary. It’s home to fun educational exhibits and activities that help create awareness of animal issues. Planet Watch will offer backstage experiences with experts where guests can learn about animal nutrition, visit the veterinary hospital and hear how Disney promotes global wildlife conservation.
Guests can also commemorate their visits to the theme park with special photo opportunities. They can step into an oversized picture frame celebrating the park’s 20th anniversary. Other photo frames support Disney’s “Reverse the Decline,” an initiative created to help protect 10 threatened animal species. One recent success of the program was the birth of two critically endangered Sumatran Tiger Cubs at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Just for kids is the chance to earn a limited-edition badge as part of the Wilderness Explorer program. The badge is one of many that youngsters can earn by completing fun activities throughout the park.
Party for the Planet will also include six different Tiffins Talks – themed dinners hosted by animal experts at Tiffins, the theme park’s signature, full-service restaurant.
The 20th anniversary fun also includes a commemorative adventure guide, limited-edition merchandise and a special-edition print created by renowned Walt Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde. He will be available on April 22 from 1-4 p.m. to sign prints at Discovery Trading Company.
April 22 will also mark the debut of a new show, UP! A Great Bird Adventure (pictured) featuring Russell and Dug from the Disney•Pixar animated comedy-adventure film “UP.”
A “dino-tastic” celebration with Donald and his friends will also premiere Memorial Day weekend in DinoLand, U.S.A.
