Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened on Earth Day, April 22, 1998.

Encompassing more than 500 acres, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the largest theme park at Walt Disney World Resort (in comparison, Disney’s Magic Kingdom occupies 107 acres).

At 199.5 feet tall, Expedition Everest is the tallest artificial mountain at Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

The 14-story Tree of Life, Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s 50-foot-wide icon that boasts more than 300 animal carvings.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the fourth most popular U.S. theme park (behind Magic Kingdom, Disneyland and Epcot), drawing approximately 9.9 million visitors annually.

The unofficial mascot of DinoLand U.S.A., Dino-Sue is an exact replica of the largest Tyrannosaurus Rex discovered to date.


The first birth at Disney’s Animal Kingdom was reportedly a large African antelope called a kudu.

The original name for the theme park was actually “Disney’s Wild Animal Kingdom.”

Defunct Animal Kingdom attractions include Discovery River Boats, Tarzan Rocks! and Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends.