Celebrate Animal Kingdom’s 25th anniversary with Moana, merch, and more
Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s 25th anniversary is on April 22, 2023. The park fittingly shares its birthday with Earth Day, and will roll out limited-time festivities to mark the occasion.
Throughout April, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park will “honor the magic of nature through family-friendly experiences and specialty offerings.”
On April 22, 2023, the park’s programming will include “a very special moment in front of the Tree of Life,” but details have not yet been announced. That day, the park is open 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., with early entry for Disney resort guests beginning at 7:30 a.m.
Moana and More Characters Arrive For the Celebration
Moana will finally host a daily meet and greet at Walt Disney World beginning April 22, 2023, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
“Moana” is a huge hit for Disney. In 2022, six years removed from the film’s debut, it was the #4 top-streamed movie on any streaming service. Despite this, Moana herself has seldom been available to greet park guests, and while she appears in the new heroes segment during Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios and the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade at Magic Kingdom, her meet and greet status has been limited to a temporary photo-op when her film first debuted in 2016 and sporadic sightings at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Luckily for “Moana” fans, that will all change when the wayfinder arrives at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as a permanent addition to the park. Moana will appear daily somewhere on Discovery Island, though Disney has yet to announce her specific location.
At D23 Expo 2022, Imagineers also teased the possibility of “Moana”-themed attractions as a potential option for a future re-imagining of DinoLand U.S.A.
Additionally, from April 16 to 23, 2023, “unique character appearances” will join the regular lineup of Disney pals who travel the Discovery River via flotillas.
Animal Kingdom’s 25th Anniversary Merchandise
What would a Disney anniversary be without commemorative merch? New items celebrating Animal Kingdom’s 25th will drop April 21, 2023, at Island Mercantile, Discovery Trading Company, and Mombasa Marketplace.
Among the 25th-anniversary items will be a new, mint-colored Spirit Jersey featuring Kevin from “Up,” with the back of the shirt declaring, “More adventure is out there!”
A limited-edition Earth Day 2023 pin — featuring Bambi and Flower — is already available.
Animal Kingdom’s 25th Anniversary Food and Drinks
Foodies can also enjoy several new items rolling out just for the anniversary celebration. Here’s what’s on the menu and where to find them.
- Rum and pineapple cocktail at Dawa Bar (Africa)
- Honey bee citrus blonde ale at Dawa Bar (Africa), Thirsty River Bar (Asia), Trek Snacks (Asia), Warung Outpost (Asia), Eight Spoons Café (Discovery Island), and Restaurantosaurus Lounge (DinoLand U.S.A.)
- Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail brownie and ice cream at Tamu Tamu Refreshments (Africa)
- Tiger eye gold beer at Thirsty River Bar (Asia), Isle of Java (Discovery Island), and Terra Treats (Discovery Island)
- Fizzy Flamingo — strawberry kiwi lemonade with Sprite and with or without vodka — at Flame Tree Barbecue (Discovery Island)
- “Flamingo” strawberry cupcake at Flame Tree Barbecue (Discovery Island)
- Viva Gaia Tonic — Sprite with lemonade and flavors of cotton candy and mint — at Pizzafari (Discovery Island)
- “Elephant” graham cracker pineapple cupcake at Pizzafari (Discovery Island)
- Roasted mushroom and leek pizza with Impossible Meatballs at Terra Treats (Discovery Island)
- Szechuan Noodles at Tiffins (Discovery Island)
- “Bee hive” honey mousse and brownie at Creature Comforts (Discovery Island)
- Gin & Bitters cocktail at Nomad Lounge (Discovery Island)
Photo Ops
As part of the anniversary offerings, guests can find special Disney PhotoPass photo ops throughout Animal Kingdom throughout April, including a limited-time Earth Day Magic Shot that make guests appear to pose alongside WALL-E and EVE. There’s also a WALL-E PhotoPass lens for selfies.
Guests can also discover in-person photo ops created from recycled materials, as well as an oversized National Geographic yellow photo frame to take a photo inside.
More Birthday Fun
Rounding out the special offerings, the Play Disney Parks app has a new trivia challenge all about Animal Kingdom, available now.
Apr. 16-23, guests who participate in the park’s Wilderness Explorers activity can earn an exclusive nature badge.
Throughout April, The Animation Experience at Conservation Station will host drawing classes featuring a wider selection of Disney animal friends than is typically offered. Among the new characters joining the roster for the free, 30-minute lessons are Dumbo, Tigger, Simba, Terk, Crush the sea turtle, and Bruce the shark.
