Photos: Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day Walt Disney World Resort celebrated the 25th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park on Earth Day, April 22, 2023, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. A celebratory ceremony near the Tree of Life featured remarks from Walt Disney World Ambassadors, executives as well as Disney’s Animal Kingdom performers, music and entertainment. The ceremony was capped off by a flyover of more than 40 macaws. (Mark Ashman, photographer) (David Roark/David Roark, Photographer)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day Walt Disney World Resort celebrated the 25th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park on Earth Day, April 22, 2023, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. A celebratory ceremony near the Tree of Life featured remarks from Walt Disney World Ambassadors, executives as well as Disney’s Animal Kingdom performers, music and entertainment. The ceremony was capped off by a flyover of more than 40 macaws. (Mark Ashman, photographer) (David Roark/David Roark, Photographer)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day Walt Disney World Resort celebrated the 25th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park on Earth Day, April 22, 2023, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. A celebratory ceremony near the Tree of Life featured remarks from Walt Disney World Ambassadors, executives as well as Disney’s Animal Kingdom performers, music and entertainment. The ceremony was capped off by a flyover of more than 40 macaws. (Mark Ashman, photographer) (David Roark/David Roark, Photographer)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day Walt Disney World Resort celebrated the 25th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park on Earth Day, April 22, 2023, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. A celebratory ceremony near the Tree of Life featured remarks from Walt Disney World Ambassadors, executives as well as Disney’s Animal Kingdom performers, music and entertainment. The ceremony was capped off by a flyover of more than 40 macaws. (David Roark, photographer) (David Roark/David Roark, Photographer)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day Walt Disney World Resort celebrated the 25th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park on Earth Day, April 22, 2023, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Moana from the popular Disney animated feature made her debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and guests can experience the special character encounter at Discovery Island Character Landing. (Mark Ashman, photographer) (David Roark/David Roark, Photographer)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day Walt Disney World Resort celebrated the 25th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park on Earth Day, April 22, 2023, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. A celebratory ceremony near the Tree of Life featured remarks from Walt Disney World Ambassadors, executives as well as Disney’s Animal Kingdom performers, music and entertainment. The ceremony was capped off by a flyover of more than 40 macaws. (David Roark, photographer) (David Roark/David Roark, Photographer)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day Celebrating 25 years in 2023, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park introduced a new way for guests to appreciate, enjoy and be inspired by the magic of the natural world around them. The freshly reimagined “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” debuts June 10, 2022. (Steven Diaz, photographer) (David Roark/David Roark, Photographer)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day Celebrating 25 years in 2023, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park introduced a new way for guests to appreciate, enjoy and be inspired by the magic of the natural world around them. On Kilimanjaro Safaris, guests can set off in an open-air vehicles for a guided tour of a lush African savanna and spot real animals roaming free. (Amy Smith, photographer) (David Roark/David Roark, Photographer)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day Celebrating 25 years in 2023, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park introduced a new way for guests to appreciate, enjoy and be inspired by the magic of the natural world around them. Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain opens on April 7, 2006, taking guests on a high-speed journey through the Himalayan Mountains while avoiding the clutches of the mythic Yeti. (David Roark, photographer) (David Roark/David Roark, Photographer)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day Celebrating 25 years in 2023, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park introduced a new way for guests to appreciate, enjoy and be inspired by the magic of the natural world around them. On April 22, 1998, the gates of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park opened to guests for the first time. (Kent Phillips, photographer) (David Roark/David Roark, Photographer)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day Walt Disney World Resort celebrated the 25th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park on Earth Day, April 22, 2023, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Moana from the popular Disney animated feature made her debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and guests can experience the special character encounter at Discovery Island Character Landing. (Mark Ashman, photographer) (David Roark/David Roark, Photographer)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day Celebrating 25 years in 2023, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park introduced a new way for guests to appreciate, enjoy and be inspired by the magic of the natural world around them. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park was dedicated on April 21, 1998, featuring a musical salute to animals. (DISNEY) (David Roark/David Roark, Photographer)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day Celebrating 25 years in 2023, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park introduced a new way for guests to appreciate, enjoy and be inspired by the magic of the natural world around them. Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain opens on April 7, 2006, taking guests on a high-speed journey through the Himalayan Mountains while avoiding the clutches of the mythic Yeti. (David Roark, photographer) (David Roark/David Roark, Photographer)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day Walt Disney World Resort celebrated the 25th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park on Earth Day, April 22, 2023, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Moana from the popular Disney animated feature made her debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and guests can experience the special character encounter at Discovery Island Character Landing. (Mark Ashman, photographer) (David Roark/David Roark, Photographer)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day Celebrating 25 years in 2023, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park introduced a new way for guests to appreciate, enjoy and be inspired by the magic of the natural world around them. The park icon – the towering Tree of Life – features 337 sculpted animals in its trunk. (Kent Phillips, photographer) (David Roark/David Roark, Photographer)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day Celebrating 25 years in 2023, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park introduced a new way for guests to appreciate, enjoy and be inspired by the magic of the natural world around them. On Kilimanjaro Safaris, guests can set off in an open-air vehicles for a guided tour of a lush African savanna and spot real animals roaming free. (Amy Smith, photographer) (David Roark/David Roark, Photographer)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day Celebrating 25 years in 2023, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park introduced a new way for guests to appreciate, enjoy and be inspired by the magic of the natural world around them. In March 1999, Kali River Rapids opened, sending guests swirling on a whirling white-water raft ride. (David Roark, photographer) (David Roark/David Roark, Photographer)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day Celebrating 25 years in 2023, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park introduced a new way for guests to appreciate, enjoy and be inspired by the magic of the natural world around them. On May 27, 2017, Pandora – The World of Avatar opens as the largest addition in the history of the park, allowing guests to step into the world of “Avatar.” (DISNEY) (David Roark/David Roark, Photographer)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25th anniversary on Earth Day Celebrating 25 years in 2023, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park introduced a new way for guests to appreciate, enjoy and be inspired by the magic of the natural world around them. Festival of the Lion King, the popular, high-energy live musical performed inside the Harambe Theatre combines music, puppetry and pageantry inspired by Disney's animated film classic, "The Lion King." (Ryan Wendler, photographer) (David Roark/David Roark, Photographer)

April 23, 2023 at 7:54 pm EDT

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