On this very day in April 1998, Animal Kingdom opened its doors to the public for the first time. This spectacular theme park showcases and celebrates wildlife and all of the beauty of our world, so it was only fitting that Earth Day was the day chosen for its debut. In addition to providing outstanding entertainment, thrilling attractions, and exceptional dining, for the past 25 years, Animal Kingdom has also aimed to educate guests about conservation and inspire them to join efforts worldwide to protect our planet. To celebrate this historic milestone, I’ve gathered a handful of fun trivia questions to test your knowledge of this extraordinary theme park!
1. In what year did the newest land, Pandora – The World of Avatar, open?
a. 2017
b. 2016
c. 2018
d. 2019
Construction for Pandora began early in 2014 and was finally completed in May 2017. Director James Cameron and Walt Disney Imagineers worked together to bring this land to life.
2. What species was the first to arrive at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park?
a. Elephant
b. Giraffe
c. Lion
d. Rhino
On April 26, 1997, two 2-year-old reticulated giraffes became the first animals to call Animal Kingdom home.
3. How tall is Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain?
a. Nearly 1000 feet
b. Nearly 200 feet
c. Nearly 300 feet
d. Nearly 400 feet
At 199.5 feet, Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain is Walt Disney World’s tallest attraction. To create an experience for guests that was as authentic as possible, Imagineers traveled to Nepal, Tibet, and China to spend time learning about their architecture and culture.
4. On Kilimanjaro Safaris, you explore the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. How large is the reserve?
a. 140 acres
b. 110 acres
c. 20 acres
d. 75 acres
An open-air truck will guide you through 110 acres of savanna on your tour of Kilimanjaro Safaris. There are 34 animal species roaming freely in this incredible attraction, including crocodiles, lions, black and white rhinos, and cheetahs.
5. How many animals are carved into the Tree of Life?
a. 98
b. 1000
c. 337
d. 622
Ten artists and three Walt Disney Imagineers spent 18 months carving 337 animals into the Tree of Life. Located on Discovery Island, this awe-inspiring icon of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park pays homage to all of Earth’s creatures.
Happy Earth Day and Happy 25th Birthday to Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park!
