Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park Celebrates 25 Years Showcasing the Magic of Nature

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

On Earth Day, April 22, 1998, Walt Disney World Resort invited guests to discover a unique theme park where the natural world’s magic could inspire them. The opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park introduced a whole new way to appreciate, enjoy and interact with animals while delivering incredible new stories celebrating our relationship with the environment. The fourth Walt Disney World theme park was also Disney’s largest, spreading over 500 acres and adding a new draw to Central Florida as a top tourist destination in the world. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is celebrating its 25th Anniversary on April 22, 2023.

“Disney’s Animal Kingdom, like the world itself, will evolve and grow. It’s truly a living thing.” – Roy E. Disney at the park’s official dedication ceremony on April 21, 1998

1 – An Entirely New Kind of Theme Park

Disney’s Animal Kingdom combined Walt Disney’s love of real and imaginary animals with exciting attractions, spectacular stage shows, and entertaining characters.

True, there were – and are – breathtaking animal encounters, from an African safari adventure to a meandering, mystical trail that leads guests on an exciting search for tigers, to live shows highlighting animal behaviors and beauty much more. But this park was also a way for Disney to inspire people with the spectacular breadth and beauty of nature and animals through the power of entertainment and attractions, including a hysterical 3D journey into the world of insects (It’s Tough to Be a Bug!), a larger-than-life musical celebrating the circle of life (Festival of the Lion King), and encounters with beloved characters.

2 – Taking Inspiration From Nature

Everything in Disney’s Animal Kingdom takes inspiration from nature and the animal world. For example, the park icon – the towering Tree of Life – features 337 sculpted animals in its trunk. Similarly, building architecture, light poles, benches, and countless other elements feature animal designs that range from subtle to dramatic. Nowhere else are animals so richly and creatively celebrated.

3 – Cast Members at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

More than 5,000 cast members at Disney’s Animal Kingdom continue the park’s mission today, from scientists and animal care experts, to critical frontline cast members who work in operations, entertainment, merchandise, food and beverage, and guest services. They are among the 75,000 cast members who are the heart of Walt Disney World.

4 – A Rich History

Over the last 25 years, the park has continually evolved with new attractions, entertainment, and even entirely new lands such as Asia and Pandora – The World of Avatar, giving guests new reasons to visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom and all of Central Florida again and again.

Expansions introduced new wild adventures that send guests swirling on a whirling white-water raft ride (Kali River Rapids), rocketing on a runaway-train adventure (Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain), diving into another stellar musical stage show (Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond!), taking flight on a banshee (Avatar Flight of Passage) and exploring a bioluminescent rainforest (Na’vi River Journey).

5 – Celebrating the Park’s 25th Anniversary and Earth Day

In celebration of the park’s milestone anniversary and Earth Day, guests can enjoy new limited-time sweet and savory treats, specialty merchandise, and a character sighting. Visitors can dig into tempting treats such as the Colossal Elephant Roll, a jumbo cinnamon bun with banana caramel, milk chocolate crispy pearls, and the 25th-anniversary logo available at Isle of Java and Kusafiri Bakery on April 22 only. The 25th Anniversary Alive with Magic Cupcake Vanilla cake featuring chocolate toffee mousse, chocolate buttercream, white chocolate crispy pearls, and an Alive with Magic 25th anniversary chocolate logo is also available. Taking the magic of the celebration home is easy with commemorative items like the 25th anniversary mini Loungefly backpack, special pins, shirts, a tumbler, and more.

More surprises will be on April 22, when the park officially turns 25. And, just in time for the festivities, Moana will begin greeting guests at Discovery Island Character Landing for the first time that day.

6 – Helping the Animals It Celebrates

Over the past 25 years, Disney has made significant contributions to the preservation and well-being of animals not only at the theme park but also around the community, state, and globe.

“At Disney, we believe building a brighter, more sustainable future starts with imagining what’s possible. Through our conservation and sustainability programs, we take tangible actions to inspire change around the globe,” says Dr. Mark Penning, vice president, Animals, Science and Environment, Disney Parks. “I’m proud of our animal care cast members who are the most passionate conservationists I know and who put their hearts into taking care of the animals at Walt Disney World every day.”

As an accredited institution of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Disney’s Animal Kingdom has also collaborated with other AZA members to help increase populations of endangered and extinct in the wild species, such as the Guam rail and Guam kingfisher birds. Following AZA Species Survival Plans, the park has welcomed a variety of animals from endangered species into the world, including Sumatran tigers, western lowland gorillas, African elephants, cotton-top tamarins and okapi to name just a few. In fact, Disney’s Animal Nutrition Center has served as a model kitchen for a number of other AZA-accredited facilities who have adopted many of the nutritional diets developed specifically for the animals here at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Today, 45 animals that have been at Disney’s Animal Kingdom since opening day or before still reside at the park.

7 – The Disney Conservation Fund

Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Disney Conservation Fund are deeply rooted in Walt Disney’s passion and the respect he displayed for animals and nature throughout his life. Together, they are engaged in research and conservation efforts involving at-risk animal populations and species.

Through the generous support of Disney’s Animal Kingdom guests, the Disney Conservation Fund has worked with leading conservation organizations around the world to stabilize and increase populations of at-risk animals, including butterflies, corals, monkeys and sea turtles. Since its creation in 1995, the Disney Conservation Fund has directed $125 million and the expertise of dedicated Disney teams to support organizations working with communities to save wildlife, inspire action and protect the planet.

Disney Cast Member Arrested for Taking “Up the Skirt” Photos of Guests

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

Every year, millions of Disney fans travel to Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort to experience wholesome, family-friendly entertainment. So many Guests love the sense of safety and harmony that exists within the “Disney Bubble,” and it is a big reason why Guests continue to come back to the Parks year after year.

This is the reason why it is so terrifying to learn of some incredibly criminal behavior that has been occurring at Walt Disney World Resort. It has been announced that Orange County deputies have arrested a Disney Cast Member after it was revealed he had taken hundreds of nonconsensual lude photos of Guests at Walt Disney World.

Visiting Walt Disney World Resort should be a safe experience for every Guest. Unfortunately, hundreds of Guests have unknowingly been the victim of a Cast Member. Jorge Diazvega, 26, has been working at Walt Disney World for at least six years. At the time of the arrest, Diazvega was working at Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities. This shop is located within Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

On March 31, 2023, one Guest was visiting Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities when they witnessed Diazvega record an “upskirt video of a female Guests.” This report was immediately taken over by the Orange County deputies, who arrived at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to interview Diazvega.

It was revealed that Diazvega has over 5oo videos up the skirts or dresses of Walt Disney World Resort Guests on his device. He described his recordings as a “guilty pleasure” that he used for “sexual gratification.”

This information was enough for police to arrest Diazvega in late March. He was charged with video voyeurism and was released on a $2,500 bond days after his arrest. As of now, Diazvega is out of prison, and his case is still pending. The Walt Disney Company has confirmed that Diazvega does not work for the company anymore.

FIRE Breaks Out During Popular Disney Show

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Fantasmic! is a classic nighttime show at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. With showings nightly this beloved show is a staple for many Disney Park visitors. The show follows the iconic Mickey Mouse on a  journey into his dreams where he meets familiar friends and fearsome foes. 

The show opened at Disneyland in 1992 was developed after Walt Disney Creative Entertainment was asked to create a nighttime spectacular involving water and fireworks to reinvigorate the space in front of the Rivers of America. Fantasmic! was then duplicated and brought to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando in 1998. 

The show features an epic battle against a massive dragon. Mickey must battle the forces of darkness to make it through his dream journey. Saturday night, Mickey’s nightmare became everyone’s nightmare at Disneyland when the dragon fire. 

One video captured a PA announcement telling visitors that the performance could not continue due to “unforeseen circumstances.” The theater was then evacuated. There were no injuries reported. Deadline reports, “Disneyland theme park representatives confirmed that “during the final showing of Fantasmic at Disneyland park on Saturday evening, the dragon caught fire. Anaheim Fire & Rescue quickly responded and the fire was extinguished.”

It is unknown at this time what caused the fire. Disneyland has stated that “All cast members were safely evacuated from Tom Sawyer Island. Due to smoke and wind, attractions near the island were safely evacuated of any guests, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time.” 

Festival of Fantasy Parade

This isn’t the first time a dragon has caught fire at a Disney Park. Several years ago the Maleficent dragon caught fire at Magic Kingdom’s Festival of Fantasy Parade. The float was out-of-commission for more than a year as repairs were made. It is not clear at this time if Fantasmic! will reopen soon with a modified show excluding the dragon or if the show will he dark until repairs are made and the investigation is concluded. 

Leaked Image of Stitch Freaks Out Fans

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

For the last 100 years, the Walt Disney Company has been responsible for bringing so many incredible characters to the hearts of fans everywhere. Of all the Disney characters, one of the most beloved is Sitch, the adorable alien from Lilo & Stitch. It was Stitch’s mischievous and adorable personality that won over the hearts of Disney fans everywhere. Today, Stitch is still one of Disney’s most popular characters, and his fanbase is stronger than ever.

When Disney announced that they were doing a live-action Lilo & Stitch, the Disney community immediately felt very divided on the idea. Some fans are thrilled at the idea of seeing these iconic characters come back to life in such a big way. Others feel burnt out by all of the live action remake movies and question how well the film will be executed. A new leaked image of the upcoming film has left fans feeling more worried than ever. 

The last few weeks have been rocky for Lilo & Stitch from a PR standpoint. The film cast reveal has sparked a massive debate over the ‘white washing’ of the character Nani. On top of that, many fans began to get concerned over how Disney would CGI the film’s alien characters like Stitch, Pleakley, and Jumba Jookiba.

This is why fans were horrified to see what appeared to be a leaked picture of Stitch from the upcoming film. The internet exploded with fans demanding Disney change the “horrific” design.

live action lilo and stitch

It turns out that this image was actually created using Artificial Intelligence. Thankfully, this is not the version we will be seeing in the upcoming film. Hopefully, Disney is still using this as an opportunity to hear the fan’s critics before they release their version of Stitch.

As of now, the live action Lilo & Stitch is set to release sometime in 2024 or early 2025. The Disney live action remake will star Chris Sanders, Zach Galifianakis, newcomer Maia Kealoha, Courtney B Vance, Sydney Agudong, Billy Magnussen, and more.

Disney World Makes New Restrictions For All Guests, Effective Immediately

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

Walt Disney World Resort has a new rule in place that is mandatory for all Guests.

While visiting “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” Disney World Guests are treated to all kinds of magic and entertainment that simply can’t be experienced elsewhere. No matter if you’re visiting Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, you’re sure to have a magical time experiencing some of your favorite attractions, parades, snacks, and offerings.

When the day comes to an end, Disney Park fans know all about boarding transportation and making the way back to their favorite Disney Resort. With your feet tired and heart full, there’s nothing else to do than relax on the ride back to the hotel and then make your way back to your room, ready to do it again the next day. Disney Guests staying on-site can use Disney Transportation such as Skyliner, Buses, Ferry, and Monorail to get from one spot to the other.

However, if you’re visiting one particular Disney Resort, you need to be aware of major changes that are making their way to the area. Disney’s All-Star Music Resort now has signs around the area reminding Guests about “quiet hours,” which are between 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.

“Hey there, Musicians! We hope that you are enjoying your stay! Please remember that quiet hours are between 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.,” the signs read.

The All-Star Resorts are considered “Value Resorts” at Walt Disney World Resort. These Resorts oftentimes bring in groups, like cheer groups and marching bands, who are at Disney World for certain events.

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort pays homage to some of the world’s most popular music genres, including country, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, calypso, and Broadway-style show tunes. Large-sized, music-inspired icons outside and subtle song-and-dance surprises inside provide a harmonious setting for music lovers of all ages.