Disney's Animal Kingdom, Zoological theme park in Bay Lake, Florida, United States
Disney's Animal Kingdom is a 580-acre zoological theme park at Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida. Its centerpiece is the Tree of Life, a 145-foot-tall artificial baobab tree with a carved trunk, standing on Discovery Island and linked by bridges to lands including Africa and Pandora – The World of Avatar. The entrance is marked by a dark stone and wood facade with yellow "ANIMAL KINGDOM" lettering and a sculpted elephant head.
Imagineer Joe Rohde pitched the park by bringing a 400-pound Bengal tiger to a meeting with CEO Michael Eisner; plans were announced in 1995 at an estimated cost of $600–800 million. It opened on April 22, 1998, after 2,600 workers planted 40,000 mature trees and laid 60 miles of underground utilities. Pandora – The World of Avatar followed on May 27, 2017.
Buildings in the park carry thatched roofs assembled by Zulu workers from South Africa, and about 1,500 wooden horses were hand-painted in Bali under Disney supervision. Safari roads were given artificial potholes and boats were dented and rusted on purpose so the scenery looks aged.
Visitors can observe more than 2,000 animals from 300 species while experiencing attractions like Expedition Everest. Biodegradable materials are available throughout the grounds.
The Tree of Life is an artificial baobab, not a real tree: it is 145 feet (44 m) tall and 50 feet (15 m) wide, and its trunk and roots carry carvings of animals. It stands on Discovery Island at the center of the park, where bridges lead to the other lands.
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