Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a sprawling wildlife theme park located in Florida, is a lush paradise that is home to millions of plants and trees. This breathtaking theme park officially opened its gates on Earth Day, April 22, 1998. Interestingly, the park’s first real tree, an authentic Acacia xanthophloea (Fever Tree), was ceremoniously planted on December 5, 1995. It is worth noting that this date also coincided with what would have been Walt Disney’s 94th birthday.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Construction
Here are two breathtaking aerial photographs capturing the construction progress of Disney’s Animal Kingdom as it prepares for its grand opening in 1998. The park’s focal point, Kilimanjaro Safaris, spans an area roughly equivalent to that of Magic Kingdom. The concept of establishing an animal-themed park had been in the pipeline for quite some time, with Joe Rohde and his team embarking on journeys to Africa and Asia in search of creative inspiration. The park’s groundbreaking ceremony was conducted in August 1995.
The Tree of Life, a prominent symbol of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, rises to a height of 145 feet and boasts more than 325 intricately carved animals. During a research visit to Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival, the design team drew inspiration from a bonsai tree on display, which ultimately influenced the creation of the Tree of Life. The construction photo above provides a glimpse of the remarkable inverted oil rig structure that is being transformed into the iconic “tree.”
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If we can dream it, we really can do it – And that’s the most exciting part! – Horizons at Epcot