Disney's Animal Kingdom facts for kids

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Disney's Animal Kingdom
The Tree of Life, the icon of Disney's Animal Kingdom
Location	Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, U.S.A.
Coordinates	28°21′29″N 81°35′24″W / 28.358°N 81.59°W / 28.358; -81.59
Opened	April 22, 1998
Owner	The Walt Disney Company
Operated by	Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
Theme	Animal conservation

Disney's Animal Kingdom is a fun theme park located at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, United States. It was the fourth park built there. It first opened its doors on April 22, 1998.

This park is the largest Disney theme park in the world. It covers more than 500 acres (200 hectares). It is also the first Disney park to focus on animal conservation. This idea was very important to Walt Disney himself. Disney's Animal Kingdom is approved by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This means they meet high standards for Education, Conservation, and Research.

When the park first opened, Disney used a made-up word, "nahtazu," in its ads. This word is pronounced "not a zoo." It was meant to show that the park is much more than a regular city zoo. Disney stopped using this word in 2006.

The main symbol of Disney's Animal Kingdom is The Tree of Life. This is a huge, man-made tree that is 14 stories tall (145 feet or 44 meters). It is also 50 feet (15 meters) wide. Its leaves are made from a special material called resin. Visitors can walk around the tree to see all 325 animals carved into its bark.

In 2009, about 9.59 million people visited the park. This made it the fifth-most visited amusement park in the U.S. and the eighth-most visited in the world.

Explore Disney's Animal Kingdom
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Explore Disney's Animal Kingdom

The park has seven different areas, each with its own special theme.

Oasis: Park Entrance

The Oasis is where you enter the park. It has a guest services center. You can also see some animal homes here. Look for muntjacs, spoonbills, ducks, wallabies, and giant anteaters. The main paths from the Oasis lead you deeper into the park, towards Discovery Island.

A Rainforest Cafe restaurant is also at the entrance. It is just outside the park's main gates. You can eat there without needing a park ticket. If you enter from inside the park, you will need to show your ticket again to go back in.

Discovery Island: The Heart of the Park

Discovery Island is right in the middle of the park. It is surrounded by the Discovery River. This area was first called Safari Village. It was renamed Discovery Island in 1999.

This island is the "central hub" of Disney's Animal Kingdom. It connects almost all the other parts of the park. The famous Tree of Life is here. It is surrounded by homes for animals like kangaroos, black crowned cranes, and lemurs. You will also find the park's biggest gift shops and two major restaurants here. Each place has unique decorations, like designs based on night animals or insects. Another popular attraction is It's Tough to be a Bug!. This is a 4-D film starring Flik and Hopper from Disney·Pixar's A Bug's Life.

Camp Minnie-Mickey: Meet Your Favorite Characters

Camp Minnie-Mickey is designed to look like a summer camp. Here, you can meet many Disney characters. These include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy. The main theater in this area hosts Festival of the Lion King. This is a live stage show with amazing acrobatics and music. It is inspired by the movie The Lion King.

Africa: Wild Adventures in Harambe

This area is set in a made-up East African village called Harambe. It has many animal exhibits. Disney's story says Harambe became independent in 1963 after a peaceful change. Today, Harambe is a starting point for visitors. They come to see Africa's animals in their natural homes.

The Africa area has an exhibit of Silverback Gorillas

The village is the home of the Harambe Wildlife Preserve. This is where Africa's main ride, Kilimanjaro Safaris, takes place. Guests ride in open-sided safari vehicles. They travel through acres of savanna, rivers, and rocky hills. You can see giraffes, hippos, African elephants, and lions roaming freely. Nearby, on the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, you can walk through a forest. You might spot gorillas, Nile hippos, birds, and fish.

Rafiki's Planet Watch: Learn About Conservation

This part of the park is not connected to Discovery Island. Instead, you reach Rafiki's Planet Watch from the Africa area. Guests ride the Wildlife Express Train for a short trip. Planet Watch has three different sections. First, you'll see Habitat Habit!. Here, you can watch cottontop tamarins. You also learn how to protect these endangered primates. You can even learn how to create animal habitats in your own yard.

Conservation Station shows the conservation work supported by the Walt Disney Company. It also gives you a look behind the scenes at the park's animal care places. This includes a veterinary exam room. The vet staff can even answer your questions through a special system. Outside, Affection Section is a petting zoo. You can pet goats, sheep, and other domesticated animals there.

Asia: Mystical Lands and Thrilling Rides

The mountains of Expedition: Everest.

Asia was the first new area added to Disney's Animal Kingdom after it opened in 1999. Like Africa, this section is set in a made-up place. It is the kingdom of Anandapur, which means "Place of many delights." Anandapur has two villages: one by the river and Serka Zong, in the Himalayan Mountains. You can see pictures of Anandapur's royal family, the Maharajah and his wife, in many shops. A map of the kingdom is also on a wall. Anandapur is now a center for animal research and tourism. At the Caravan Stage, you can watch Flights of Wonder. This live bird show teaches about bird behaviors and conservation. You might see Black Crowned Cranes and American Bald Eagles.

The Maharajah Jungle Trek takes guests through forests and old ruins. These are home to many animals. You might see Komodo dragons, fruit bats, tapirs, and tigers. Nearby, Kali River Rapids is a river rapids ride. You float down the Chakranadi River through a rainforest. You'll pass an illegal logging area and go down a waterfall. Behind Anandapur is the Forbidden Mountain. This is where Expedition Everest, a thrilling roller coaster, is located.

DinoLand U.S.A.: A Prehistoric Adventure

DinoLand U.S.A. is all about dinosaurs. The made-up Dino Institute attracts people who love science and these long-extinct animals. Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama reminds visitors of the fun roadside attractions from the past. You can also see live animals here.

These animals, like the American Crocodile and Asian brown tortoise, are related to dinosaurs. Other plants and animals that have been around since the dinosaur era can be found on the Cretaceous Trail. At the "Theater in the Wild," you can watch Finding Nemo - The Musical. This is a live musical show based on the Disney·Pixar movie Finding Nemo.

The Dino Institute is home to DINOSAUR. This is a thrilling ride that takes you back in time to the Late Cretaceous Period. Just outside the Institute is "Dino-Sue." This is a copy of a Tyrannosaurus rex fossil. It is the most complete dinosaur skeleton found so far. At the nearby Boneyard, kids can play in a multi-level playground. They can even help uncover a mammoth fossil.

Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama is all about having fun with dinosaurs. The TriceraTop Spin is a colorful ride for families. Primeval Whirl is a spinning roller coaster for those who like thrills. This area also has carnival games and gift shops. You can also meet Disney characters here.