Special Sub-Topic: Disney's Animal Kingdom Click Here To Play: Disney's Animal Kingdom

What was the opening date of Disney's Animal Kingdom?

April 22, 1998. The Animal Kingdom was the fifth major theme park built in the United States! The other dates are the opening dates of Epcot (October 1, 1982), Disney-MGM Studios (May 1, 1989), and Euro Disney (April 12, 1992).

Disney's Animal Kingdom is approximately how large?

500 acres. The Animal Kingdom Park is large enough to fit the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and The Disney-MGM Studios combined!

The section or "land" designed to represent Africa is a fictitious village known as Harambe. What is Harambe Swahili for?

"coming together".

The main attraction of Africa is the "Kilimanjaro Safari." What is the significance of this name?

It is named for a mountain in Tanzania. At over 100 acres, "Kilimanjaro Safari" is the largest attraction ever created by Disney. In fact, the entire Magic Kingdom Park can fit inside!

At the heart of the Animal Kingdom you'll find the "Tree of life." Approximately how tall is this structure?

145 feet. The "Twilight Zone Tower of Terror" at the Disney-MGM Studios is 199 feet tall and, if it were any taller, they would need to add aircraft warning lights. "Cinderella Castle" at the Magic Kingdom is 189 feet tall. Disney often uses forced perspective in the parks, 77 feet is actually the height of Sleeping Beauty's Castle in Disneyland.

Approximately how many animals does the "Tree of life" have carved into it?

325. The "Tree of Life" has over 8,000 branches and 103,000 vinyl leaves. The entire tree took a team of 3 Imagineers (Disney's engineers) and 10 artists over 18 months to create.

The central "hub" of the park, which contains the "Tree of Life," was named after this Disney nature park which closed on April 8, 1999. What is the name of the nature park that closed?

Discovery Island. Safari Village was the original name for this section, and Treasure Island was actually the original name for Discovery Island.

What was the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail originally called?

"Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail". Pangani is Swahili for "place of enchantment"

On March 18, 1999, a new land opened in Disney's Animal Kingdom. What is the name of this land?

Asia. Discovery Island was not a new land, it just went under a name change on December 10, 2000. Dinoland and Camp Minnie-Mickey have been in the park since opening day.

Which land, symbolized by a dragon on the park logo, has been shelved (put on-hold) indefinitely?

Beastly Kingdom. This one should be easy. Beastly Bazaar is a shop in the park. Australia is a rumored expansion, but it certainly wouldn't be symbolized by a dragon. Medieval Times is a dinner show just minutes away from Walt Disney World, where you can eat with your hands and watch knights joust.

In Asia you can take a wild water rapid ride through the endangered rainforest on Kali River Rapids. You would be traveling on the fictitious Chakranadi river. What does Chakranadi translate to?

"river that runs in a circle".

During the first year of operation, what show could be found at the "Theater in the Wild?"

"Journey into the Jungle Book". The Theater in the wild, located in Dinoland, currently houses "Tarzan Rocks!" which replaced the "Journey into the Jungle Book" show on July 9, 1999. "Festival of the Lion King" is found in Camp Minnie-Mickey.

In November 2001 Dinoland added a new "mini-land" in Dinoland. The theme is of a tacky, tourist trap-like carnival run by local couple Chester and Hester. What is this new "mini-land" called?

Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama!. Primeval Fair was the working title for this section, so bonus points to you if you knew that!

The Dino Institute houses the main attraction of Dinoland, "Dinosaur!". What was this attraction originally called?

"Countdown to Extinction". I thought I'd throw you a bone. The name was changed just weeks before the movie "Dinosaur" was released. Promoting an upcoming movie through the theme parks dates back to the opening of Disneyland. Walt had initially announced on TV that the park would contain Snow White's Castle. By the time the park opened in 1955, the name had been changed to Sleeping Beauty Castle. The movie, "Sleeping Beauty" premiered in 1959.

Which kind of dinosaur is not found in the "Dinosaur!" attraction?

Tyrannosaurus Rex. Dinosaur decided to use a lesser-known, and newly discovered, meat-eating monster for their attraction. Disney probably wanted to limit the similarities between "Dinosaur" and the "Jurassic Park River Adventure" found at Universal Studios.

The "Dinosaur!" attraction utilizes a ride system known as the "Enhanced Motion Vehicle" (EMV) system. For what attraction was this technology originally designed?

"Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye". The EMV ride system was designed for the Indiana Jones ride found in Adventureland at Disneyland. If you like "Dinosaur!" you have to see Indy!

Much like Harambe in Africa, Asia is represented by a fictitious village known as Anandapur. What does this name mean?

"city of delights". Asia has influences from Nepal, Thailand, India, and Indonesia.

Where can you walk among plant species that have survived since the age of the dinosaurs?

"Cretaceous Trail". On the "Cretaceous Trail" you will find specimens of mosses, conifers and broadleaf plants dating back millions of years. The Maharaja Jungle Trek is the walking trail in Asia where you can see tigers.

You could take the Wildlife Express Train to what was once known as Conservation Station, but this area has been renamed after which of these Disney characters?

Rafiki. On October 15, 2000 Conservation Station was renamed Rafiki's Planet Watch.

In Dinoland there is a modified mouse trap style rollercoaster in which the ride vehicles spin individually. What is the name of this rollercoaster?

Primeval Whirl. I hope you enjoyed this little adventure!