Exploring Animal Kingdom: 20 Cool Facts

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of the most fascinating theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort, blending the magic of Disney with the wonders of the natural world. There is so much to do in Animal Kingdom, here are 20 cool facts about Animal Kingdom:

1. Animal Kingdom is the largest of all the Disney theme parks worldwide, covering over 500 acres. That is more than 83 football fields!
2. The park’s iconic Tree of Life stands 145 feet tall and features over 300 meticulously carved animal sculptures. It isn’t a real tree but is an iconic piece of Disney history. 
3. Over 1,700 animals representing more than 250 species live in Animal Kingdom.
4. To protect the animals, Animal Kingdom does not use plastic straws or lids in the park. Balloons are not permitted in the park either, but can be held at the front for you. 
5. Kilimanjaro Safaris spans 110 acres, making it larger than the entire Magic Kingdom. This ride will get you close to many types of animals but home to the endangered white rhinos makes it even more special. 
6. The landscapes in Animal Kingdom are designed to closely mimic the natural habitats of the animals, with authentic plants imported from around the world. 
7. The floating mountains in Pandora were achieved through clever engineering and forced perspective techniques. It is truly a place like no other! It feels like you are on a set for the movie.  
8. Animal Kingdom actively participates in global wildlife conservation efforts and has its own dedicated conservation fund. Walt Disney said, ‘Conservation isn’t just the business of a few people, it’s a matter that concerns all of us.” There is more information here: https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/how-disneys-animal-kingdom-became-a-beacon-of-conservation/
9. Rafiki’s Planet Watch area offers educational experiences about animal care and conservation, including a visit to a working veterinary center. This veterinary hospital if on of the leading clinics in North America. They specialize in imaging, radiology, ultrasound and endoscopy.
10. Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail is a walking trail offers up-close views of gorillas and other African wildlife in a naturalistic setting. There are researchers alone the path to give you more information about the animals. 
11. Expedition Everest is a thrilling roller coaster that takes riders through the Himalayas, complete with a Yeti encounter, but did you know the Totem poles are authentic. Carved in Nepal by local woodcarvers.
12. The Harambe and Anandapur villages in Africa and Asia areas feature authentic architecture, food, and entertainment from their respective regions giving a small taste of culture from around the world.
13. The park offers a variety of educational programs and tours, such as the Wild Africa Trek, which gives a behind-the-scenes look at animal care. You can even become a Wilderness explorer, set out on your nature theme challenges to collect 25 different badges.
14. Animal Kingdom utilizes various green practices, including extensive recycling, composting, and the use of solar power to reduce its environmental footprint. Choosing reusable items instead of single use where ever possible.
15. The park has a large aviary with hundreds of exotic birds, allowing guests to observe and learn about various species. Some older birds are given fake eggs to sit on so they can help to show younger birds how to navigate the best places to nest. 
16. Over 4 million plants, trees, and shrubs from all over the world were planted to create the park’s lush environments. Animal Kingdom has plants from every continent except Antarctica. One tree was replanted into Harambe Village weighing 90 tons!
17. The Festival of the Lion King is a Broadway-style musical show featuring acrobatics, puppetry, and live music from the beloved Disney film. One of our favorite shows at Disney World and the longest running attraction in Animal Kingdom! The floats were repurposed from the Disneyland’s Lion King Celebration parade. 
18. The park regularly features live cultural performances, such as African drumming and Bollywood-style dancing, enhancing the immersive experience. The Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe dress in authentic wardrobe and will encourage you to join in with African styles of dance. 
19. Maharajah Jungle Trek is a self-guided walking tour in the Asia section of the park allows guests to see animals like tigers, bats, and Komodo dragons. The Rodrigues flying foxes are a type of fruit bat that are another endangered species that you are have a close encounter with. 
20. There are over 5,000 animals at Animal Kingdom and they consume about 10,000 pounds of food each day! The Animal nutritionist prepare more than 1,200 meals every day. 

There are so many cool things to learn about at Animal Kingdom! We love to explore all of the different animals. The lands truly make it feel as though you have ventured out of Florida to another world! The imaginers that worked on designing Animal Kingdom have left a lasting impression on anyone who enjoys the park. We love the Safari and our Disney World vacation isn’t complete without at least one trip around the Safari! Let us know what your favorite thing about Animal Kingdom is!