Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Map and Brochure (1998 - 2023)

Location: Orlando, Florida

Years Active: 1998 – Active

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is a zoological theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida, near Orlando. Owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its Parks, Experiences, and Products division, it is the largest theme park in the world, covering 580 acres. Disney’s Animal Kingdom, consistently ranked among the best theme parks in the US, offers a unique blend of animal experiences, thrilling rides, and live shows.

The park opened on Earth Day, April 22, 1998, and was the fourth theme park built at the resort. The park is dedicated and themed around natural environment and animal conservation, a philosophy once pioneered by Walt Disney himself.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom distinguishes itself from the rest of Walt Disney World’s theme parks by featuring traditional attractions as well as hundreds of species of live animals. Due to these sensitive conditions, special designs and provisions were incorporated throughout the park to protect the animals’ welfare.

The park is located on the western edge of the resort, and is isolated from the other theme parks and properties to minimize external disruptions to the animals; as a result, the park’s nighttime show doesn’t feature fireworks that would otherwise disturb the animals.

The park uses biodegradable paper straws and prohibits plastic straws, lids, and balloons to be more eco-friendly. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, indicating they have met or exceeded education, conservation, and research standards.

In 2019, Disney’s Animal Kingdom hosted 13.888 million guests, ranking it as the third-most-visited theme park in North America and the sixth-most-visited theme park in the world. The park’s icon is the Tree of Life, a 145-foot-tall, 50-foot-wide artificial baobab tree.

The park is the second-most-visited at Walt Disney World Resort, behind Disney’s Magic Kingdom.

Is Animal Kingdom worth going to at Disney World?

Animal Kingdom at Disney World is definitely worth visiting for anyone interested in a unique and immersive theme park experience. It offers a one-of-a-kind blend of entertainment, education, and conservation. Visitors can explore various themed areas, such as Pandora – The World of Avatar and Africa, while enjoying thrilling rides, live shows, and encounters with exotic animals. The park’s commitment to wildlife conservation and its dedication to providing both entertainment and education make it a must-visit destination for families and Disney enthusiasts alike.

What is the Animal Kingdom about?

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a theme park located at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. It is dedicated to the themes of nature, wildlife, and conservation. The park is divided into different areas, including Africa, Asia, Pandora – The World of Avatar, and Discovery Island, each with its own unique attractions and experiences. Visitors can enjoy thrilling rides like Expedition Everest and Avatar Flight of Passage, as well as encounter a wide variety of animals, from exotic species to familiar favorites. The park’s overarching message is one of environmental stewardship and the importance of protecting and preserving the natural world.

What is the difference between Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios?

Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are two distinct theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort. The primary difference lies in their themes and attractions. Animal Kingdom focuses on nature, wildlife, and conservation, with a strong emphasis on animal encounters and themed lands inspired by different continents and ecosystems. In contrast, Hollywood Studios is centered around the world of entertainment and showbiz, featuring attractions related to movies, television, and popular culture. Hollywood Studios is known for its iconic attractions like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, while Animal Kingdom offers unique experiences like Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safaris. Each park provides a distinct and immersive experience, catering to different interests and preferences among visitors to Disney World.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park Map 2023

Let’s delve into the exciting changes that graced Disney’s Animal Kingdom between 2022 and 2023:

Overall Layout:

The general layout of the park remains very similar. Oasis, Discovery Island, Pandora – The World of Avatar, Dinoland, U.S.A., and Africa all retain their familiar locations.

50th Anniversary Tweaks:

The most noticeable changes are related to the park’s 50th anniversary celebration, which ran from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2023.
The 50th-anniversary logo has vanished from the compass in the bottom right corner.
The section showcasing 50th-anniversary offerings like snacks, merchandise, entertainment, and more is no longer present.
The previous map’s top read “50th Anniversary Celebration.” The current map simply states “Alive with Magic.”

Showtime Removals:

Beacons of Magic, a nighttime projection show on Discovery River, has bid farewell. Its showtimes are no longer listed on the map.
Notably, the map no longer displays specific showtimes for any attractions. This information is now primarily accessed through the My Disney Experience app.

Minor Adjustments:

The “Guest Relations” and “Lost & Found” icons have swapped positions near the park entrance.
The “First Aid” symbol at the park’s bottom has been shifted slightly to the right.

Beyond the Map:

It’s important to note that the 50th anniversary also ushered in temporary experiences like character meet-and-greets in special outfits and limited-edition food and beverage offerings. These are no longer available.
However, the park continues to evolve! Dinoland, U.S.A. is currently undergoing renovations, potentially hinting at exciting additions in the future.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park Map 2022

The general layout of the park remains very similar between 2021 and 2022. Oasis, Discovery Island, Pandora – The World of Avatar, Dinoland, U.S.A., and Africa all retain their familiar locations.

50th Anniversary Additions:

The most noticeable changes in the 2022 map are related to the park’s 50th anniversary celebration, which ran from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2023. These additions include:

A 50th anniversary logo compass is in the bottom right corner of the map.
A section showcases 50th-anniversary offerings like snacks, merchandise, entertainment, and more. This section is located in the top right corner of the map, just below the park’s name.
The words “50th Anniversary Celebration” at the top of the map.

Other Changes:

Beacons of Magic: A nighttime projection show on Discovery River was added between 2021 and 2022. The map now includes showtimes for Beacons of Magic.
Showtimes: The map now displays specific showtimes for several attractions, including Kilimanjaro Safaris, Na’vi River Journey, and the Affection Section petting zoo.

Tweaks and Removals:

Tiffins Restaurant: The map now shows Tiffins Restaurant open for lunch and dinner, while the 2021 map only showed it open for dinner.
Expedition Everest restaurant: The restaurant’s name has changed from “Yak & Yeti Restaurant” to “Satu’li Canteen” between 2021 and 2022.
Dwinya: This character dining experience is no longer listed on the 2022 map.