Animal Kingdom® Theme Park Features
these attractions discribed in detail below:
* Oasis
* Camp Minnie-Mickey
* Safari Village
* Africa
* DinoLand USA
* Asia
* Expedition EVEREST
An Overview
It was no accident that Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
opened to the public on Earth Day, April 22, 1998. Concern for the earth and its' creatures is the focus
of WDW's fourth theme park. Some of the world's leading zoologists and conservationists were asked
to be part of the advisory committee that offered its expertise and played an integral part in the development of Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, the conservation information programs and its animal management policies.
The park's layout is similar to that of a wheel with a hub in the centre and spokes leading out to the different lands. At the hub, in the Safari Village is the majestic landmark of Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, the The entranceway leads you through the Oasis, which sets the stage for you as you meander past the lush tropical plants and flowers interspersed with small animals and exotic birds.
Finding Nemo — The Musical
"live new stage show" Dinoland U.S.A. ®:
This saltwater spectacular will have you submerged in music, puppetry,
acrobatics and dance. The show features fresh and clever lyrics as well
as memorable melodies. Your family will watch in amazement as the
Theme Park's newly enclosed Theater in the Wild is magically transformed
into a spectacular underwater stage show through the use of special
effects, animated backdrops, and sound design. You will laugh with
delight Soak it all in as they dance, splash and spin to an underwater
melody of music. The show will be performed several times daily.
Admission to Theater in the Wild is included with regular Disney's Animal
Kingdom Theme Park admission.
Guests are transported to a distant world of exploration and the mythical
village of Serka Zong. Your journey starts at Norbu and Bob's booking
office, to obtain permits for the runaway train adventure. Then to Tashi's
General Store and Bar for all the supplies needed for their journey. All
of this leads up to coaster-like thrills aboard the Anandapur Rail
Service – the 34-passenger industrial railway that once was used to
transport tea, but is now destined for Mt. Everest. Aboard these
out-of-control railcars racing forward and backward, adventurers will
swoop into the unknown, braving twists, turns and drops inside and
outside a mighty mountain, The train rolls through thick bamboo forests,
past thundering waterfalls, along shimmering glacier fields and climbs
higher and higher through the snow-capped peaks, all leading up to
an unforgettable showdown with the yeti and an 80-foot plummet to
escape his wrath.
Expedition EVEREST will be located in the Asia section of the theme
park. At nearly 200 feet high, it is the tallest mountain in Florida.
The height restriction is 44 inches.
Tree of Life.
With more than 325 different animals carved into it, you're bound
to spot something new each time you see it. 14 stories above
Safari Village is the Tree of Life. 170 feet in diameter at its root
base and surrounded by shimmering pools and greenery filled
with a host of birds and small mammals. The trunk of the tree
is intricately carved with a swirling tapestry of animal forms that
symbolize the richness and diversity of animal life on Earth.
It's Tough To Be a Bug!®
Disney's newest 4D attraction, "It's Tough To Be a Bug!®" is
housed inside the tree and is sure to fright and delight you. The stars of the show are the insects. They creep crawl an show why they may someday inherit the world. When "Flick" the emcee (star of A Bugs Life) first appears he dubs the audience honorary bugs. The he introduces his not so mild-mannered friends, Chilean tarantula, Dung beetles, and the silent but deadly member of the bug world the Stink Bug. What follows is a delightful and hilarious show. FASTPASS Ride
Note: It's Tough To Be a Bug!® can be frightening to small children.
Oasis
As you stroll through this walk-through area, take note of the animal paw imprints on the cane lamp post-lined pathways. This serene area truly is an oasis and features a canopy of tropical plants and trees, a small waterfall and a pond that houses brightly colored flamingos. Viewing areas are dotted amidst the lush landscape where you can see a giant anteater, a two-toed sloth, wallabies, tree kangaroos and exotic birds. Cast members are nearby to assist guests with questions about the wildlife here. Take a close look at your surroundings, while the animals and plants are real, the rocks are synthetic, as are the termite mounds that will often hide water feeders for birds. These are more examples of Disney's goal to appear authentic, and yet remain functional.
Camp Minnie-Mickey:
Offers one of the most spectacular shows at WDW in "The Festival of the Lion King" [ photos ]. You can see Pocahontas and her live animal presentation in "Pocahontas and her Forest Friends" at Grandmother Willow's Grove.
"The Festival of the Lion King" [ photos ]
Plunge right into the middle of the action in this cleverly staged in-the-round production featuring songs from the film and a cast of familiar faces, including Simba, Timon and Pumbaa. Combining the pageantry of a parade with all the excitement of a tribal celebration, this is a lavish, high energy spectacle created through song, dance and specialty performances.
Africa:
Harambe is Swahili for "come together". Interestingly enough, this village is a combination of a number of some of the favorite places in Africa found by Disney Imagineers whilst on a scouting trip for Animal Kingdom's Africa. Some of these snippets include a fortress found in Zanzibar and a faux water-stained, crumbling old building and private home that were originally seen in Kenya.
Ying and Yak Animal Kingdom's Asia
The restaurant will be themed as a rural village in the Himalayan foothills. Ying and Yak will have a decor to blend in with Anandapur, the fictional village that is home to Expedition Everest, The pan-Asian establishment will house both a table service restaurant that seats 300 and quick-service eatery that can hold 200 guests.
The safari will take you on a journey chasing poachers as you cross
the savannah dotted with 34 different species of birds and animals.
Following your safari, tour the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and
be entertained by the silverback gorillas. The Wildlife Express
steam-powered train cuts through the savannah to Conservation
Station where you'll find an interactive center designed to educate as
well as entertain. Points of interest along the train route include the
buildings where the animals are kept at night so that they may be
checked out medically and fed. The 1.2-mile train ride is wheelchair
accessible. Assistive Listening Devices are available for guests who
are hearing impaired, check with Guest Services for more information.
Or you can follow the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and watch
the silverback gorilla family at play. Hop on the Wildlife Express to
Conservation Station and learn about how the 1000+ animals are fed
"DINOSAUR"
Offers the thrill ride "DINOSAUR" where you'll have an exciting journey back in time to try to bring back a live dinosaur. See an actual dinosaur skeleton being reconstructed at the Fossil Preparation Lab or let the kids play and explore in the Boneyard.
Hester & Chester's Dino-Rama!
A fun fair complete with wacky midway games and rides. At this corny carny, guests can play Ringosaurus, toss beanbags into dinosaur jaws or have a wild ride on Triceratop Spin and Primeval Whirl.
Triceratop Spin:
A hub-and-spoke style attraction (similar to Dumbo @ Magic Kingdom® Park). Guests in 4-person vehicles (16) move up, down and around in a ride that magically becomes a giant spinning toy top. The top rises to reveal -- what else? -- a dinosaur!
Primeval Whirl: (fastpass)
Features 13 cars that whirl past flying asteroids and depictions of dinosaur cut-outs that spin and pop-up along the track. The spinning coaster takes guests on a time warp back to the prehistoric era on a twisting track of with tight loops and short drops . . . with a final drop into the gaping jaws of a giant dino fossil. FASTPASS Ride
Boardwalk-type games:
Dino-Whamma, a classic mallet strength game.
Mammoth Marathon, a racing derby.
Comet Crasher, a goblet toss game.
Fossil Fueler, a water-squirt game (a prehistoric gas station).
Bronto-Score, a basketball game.
Asia:
See amazing birds in free flight at the "Flight of Wonder". The "Maharajah Jungle Trek" is a walking tour where you can see Komodo Dragons and Bengal tigers. The Kali River Rapids offer an exciting, wild ride that is bound to cool you off on a hot day! Lush vegetation, crumbling ruins and mysterious temples were borrowed from countries such as Nepal, Mongolia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand and India, to form the cultural melting pot that is the mythical kingdom of Anandapur. Disney used many nations that were not culturally specific, as opposed to one actual country, in the birth of Anandapur, which means "place of all delights". According to the "Disney history" of Anadapur, it was established in 1544 as a royal hunting reserve. A village evolved from this base and thrived, while the reserve has found itself in a state of ruin and decay. The "current" royal family converted the crumbling reserve into its current state as a conservation area.
The focus on wildlife conservation and preservation led Disney to initiate a Species Survival Plan program. This program is an international co-operative breeding project whose goal is to manage populations of endangered species and inform people about the importance of animal conservation and the preservation of their habitats. The Walt Disney Company Foundation established the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund to encourage global wildlife conservation. Funds have been distributed to more than 160 field projects to enable them to study the protection of endangered species and their habitats.
Disney's FASTPASS® is an option on this popular attraction. Be
sure to wear a poncho, your sure to get wet. This is a GREAT way
to cool off in the hot months! You must be 42 inches tall to ride the
rapids. The theme behind this attraction describes Disney's attempts
to educate the public on conservation and preservation issues. The
story of how the malicious destruction of a rainforest area by an
outlaw logging company threatens the ecological balance of the area,
is the premise behind this ride. Contrary to popular belief, Kali River
Rapids was designed to be a fun, family adventure ride as opposed
Shows:
"The Festival of the Lion King" Camp Minnie-Mickey
"Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends" (at 350-seat Grandmother Willow's Grove/Camp Minnie-Mickey)
"Flights of Wonder" (at 1,000-seat Caravan Stage/Asia)
Attractions:
The Boneyard (Dinoland U.S.A. ®)
DINOSAUR (Dinoland U.S.A. ®)
Cretaceous Trail (Dinoland U.S.A. ®)
Character Greetings (Camp Minnie-Mickey)
Kali River Rapids (Asia)
Maharajah Jungle Trek (Asia)
Kilimanjaro Safaris® (Africa)
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail (Africa)
Wildlife Express (Africa/Rafiki's Planet Watch)
Rafiki's Planet Watch (near Africa)
"It's Tough to be a Bug!" (Discovery Island)
Tree of Life (Discovery Island)
Where To Eat:
Yak & Yeti Restaurant: The land of Asia in Disney's Animal Kingdom is open. Offers table-service dining and a full-service bar, as well as quick-service food and beer-garden options, plus retail offerings from Pan-Asia ranging from silk purses, incense and saris to fine teapots.
Flame Tree Barbecue: - Discovery Island - Specialties: Smoked meats, barbecue sandwiches, salads and platters. Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery: - Africa - Specialties: Sweet snacks and beverages Meals: Breakfast and Snack
Pizzafari - Discovery Island: - Specialties: Breakfast pizzas, waffles and fruit. Lunch and dinner selections include hearth-baked pizzas, hot deli sandwiches and Caesar salad. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snack
Rainforest Cafe: - Entrance Plaza - Specialties: entrées like Tuscan Chicken, Tree Top Filet, Cedar Wood Salmon, Rasta Pasta, Mojo Bones, and many more exotic selections. Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Sundowner Terrace - Africa - Specialties: cocktails
Tamu Tamu Refreshments - Africa - Specialties: snack shop
Tusker House Restaurant - A buffet service restaurant. Offering a character breakfast buffet, Donald's Safari Breakfast, featuring Donald, Daisy, Mickey and Goofy (may change). Also available are non-character buffets for lunch and dinner. Hours breakfast 8 - 10:30 a.m.; lunch and dinner 11:30 a.m. until park closing The Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery will operate from the outdoor window only.
Services:
Baby Care Center (Discovery Island)
Banking ATM (Entrance Plaza)
First Aid (Discovery Island)
Guest Services (Entrance Plaza)
Kennel (Entrance Plaza)
Lockers (Entrance Plaza)
Lost and Found (Discovery Island)
Lost children (Discovery Island)
Package pickup (Entrance Plaza)
Stroller rental (Entrance Plaza)
Wheelchair rental (Entrance Plaza)
