Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened on Earth Day, April 22, 1998, at Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida. Spanning 580 acres, it was the largest theme park in the world at the time of its debut. The park blends a fully accredited zoological collection with immersive themed entertainment, anchored by the iconic Tree of Life — a 145-foot-tall artificial baobab tree etched with more than 325 animal figures that serves as the park’s visual centerpiece.
Home to approximately 2,000 animals representing around 200 species, Animal Kingdom is both a major tourist destination and a working conservation facility accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In 2024, the park welcomed 8.8 million guests, ranking it 15th among the world’s most-visited theme parks and, as of 2019, the most-visited zoo on the planet.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Bay Lake, Florida (Walt Disney World Resort)
- Opened: April 22, 1998
- Size: 580 acres (230 ha)
- Animals: ~2,000 animals, ~200 species
- Park Icon: Tree of Life — 145 ft (44 m) tall
- 2024 Attendance: 8.8 million guests
- Signature Coaster: Expedition Everest — opened 2006, top speed 50 mph
- Pandora – The World of Avatar Opened: 2017
Wildlife and Conservation
At its core, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a fully accredited zoological park, home to the largest groups of Nile hippos and African elephants in North America. The flagship Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction takes guests on an 18-minute open-vehicle journey through a vast African savanna habitat where wildlife roam in naturalistic settings. The experience is timed to animal behavior — the safari closes earlier than the rest of the park because the animals retire at dusk.
More than 150 species have successfully reproduced within the park since its 1998 opening. Disney supplements the on-site collection with field conservation programs funded through the Disney Conservation Fund, working to protect threatened wildlife and ecosystems worldwide. The park holds dual accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Thrills and Themed Lands
Animal Kingdom delivers marquee coaster thrills alongside its wildlife mission. Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, a steel coaster built by Vekoma and opened in April 2006, reaches a top speed of 50 mph through and around a 199.5-foot man-made Himalayan mountain. At the time of its opening, the Guinness World Records cited it as the world’s most expensive roller coaster, costing $100 million.
The 2017 addition of Pandora — The World of Avatar reshaped the park’s entertainment landscape. Avatar Flight of Passage, a 3D flying simulator in which guests soar on the back of a banshee, is consistently ranked among the best theme park rides in the world and regularly draws standby waits exceeding 90 minutes. After dark, Pandora’s bioluminescent plants and floating mountain scenery transform the land into a completely different visual experience, included with standard park admission.
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Disney’s Animal Kingdom FAQs
When did Disney’s Animal Kingdom open?
Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened on April 22, 1998 — Earth Day — at Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida near Orlando.
How many animals live at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?
The park is home to approximately 2,000 animals representing around 200 species, making it the most-visited zoo in the world as of 2019 according to attendance data.
What is the best ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?
Avatar Flight of Passage in Pandora — The World of Avatar is widely considered the park’s signature experience and one of the top-rated theme park attractions in the world. Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safaris are also perennial favorites.
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Photo: Jedi94 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.