Earth Day is a special day at Walt Disney World Resort — not only because it's a day to celebrate our planet's beautiful flora and fauna, raise awareness about the importance of protecting the planet and promote conservation and sustainability ... but because it's also the birthday of Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Disney World's youngest theme park opened April 22, 1998, which means, this year, it's joining the quarter-century club! Animal Kingdom's silver jubilee is sure to be one wild party, with many new, fun and delicious offerings. Whichever celebration you're commemorating, here's everything you need to know about what's hoppening on Earth Day at Walt Disney World!
Character Sightings and Disney PhotoPass Service Offerings
As of April 16, frogs utilizing Disney PhotoPass Service can enjoy special props, Magic Shots and more at Animal Kingdom. In the spirit of sustainability, the park's 25th-anniversary sign prop will be made completely out of recycled materials, such as upcycled sign backers, as well as cast member costumes and patches. How cool is that?
Additionally, frogs will find a National Geographic photo spot at the entrance of the park in celebration of the second season of "Magic of Disney's Animal Kingdom" on Disney+.
We also have heard that limited-time character sightings will appear in the park during the month of April. One character we already know about (and are beyond frogcited to meet) is Moana, who will greet fellow voyagers on Discovery Island, beginning April 22!
Commemorative Wilderness Experiences for Earth Month
Frogs bitten by the art bug will get to sketch some beloved characters at The Animation Experience in Animal Kingdom during the month of April. Take the Wildlife Express Train to the Conservation Station and try your hand at drawing characters such as Dumbo, Terk from "Tarzan," Crush or Bruce from "Finding Nemo," Tigger from "Winnie the Pooh" or Simba from "The Lion King."
Plus, from April 16 to 23, Wilderness Explorers will have the opportunity to earn a special badge by completing a limited-time nature challenge!
Earth Month-Themed Sips and Sweets at Walt Disney World
The culinary experts at Walt Disney World Resort are bringing the beauty of planet Earth to the plate with delicious food and drink offerings throughout the month of April, available at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Disney Resort Hotels.
Creature Comforts (available March 28 through April 30)
- Bee Hive Mousse Dome: Honey mousse on top of a brownie base with sugar bees and white chocolate honeycomb
- Rum and Pineapple Cocktail: Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Blue Curaçao Liquor, sour mix, pineapple juice garnish with pineapple wedge showcasing the ocean. The drink takes its name "bahari" from the Swahili word for "ocean."
Flame Tree Barbecue (mobile order available)
- Flamingo Cupcake: Strawberry cake, strawberry compote filling, guava buttercream, pink crispy pearls, sugar flamingo and white chocolate wings (available starting March 28)
- Bubbling Pink Flamingo: Strawberry lemonade, Sprite and kiwi flavoring (also available with glow cube and available with vodka for guests 21 and over) (available March 28 through April 30)
Nomad Lounge (available March 31 through April 30)
- Gin and Bitters Cocktail: Cruxland Gin, bitters and soda water garnished with a lemon wheel and honey simple syrup (inspired by the use of strategically placed beehives to protect the crops of African farmers from elephants)
Pizzafari (available March 28 through April 30; mobile order available)
- Elephant Cupcake: Graham cracker cake, pineapple filling with matcha buttercream, crispy pearls and a stunning white chocolate elephant celebrating Earth Month
- Viva Gaia Tonic: Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade, Sprite and cotton candy flavor with mint leaves (also available with glow cube and available with vodka for guests 21 and over)
Restaurantosaurus (available March 28 through April 30; mobile order available)
- Elephant Cupcake: Graham cracker cake, pineapple filling with matcha buttercream, crispy pearls and a stunning white chocolate elephant celebrating Earth Month
Tamu Tamu (available March 28 through April 30)
- Gorilla Galls Exploration Trail Sundae: Brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and trail crunch mix topped with a white chocolate image of Kejana
- Roasted Mushroom & Leek Pizza: Plant-based offering with IMPOSSIBLE Meatballs, roasted mushrooms, braised leeks and a dash of truffle oil
- Bee Mini-cupcake included with the buffet
- A variety of plant-based items including Cauliflower Bunny Chow, Black-eyed Pea Salad, IMPOSSIBLE Bobotie, Feisty Green Beans, Tandoori Tomatoes, Carrot and Chickpea Salad, Jolly Rice with Plant-based Sausage, Garlic-leek Hummus and Harira Soup
Available at Isle of Java, Terra Treats, Thirsty River Bar and Outdoor Ice Cream Carts (available March 28)
- Tiger Eye Gold: Refreshing, light golden ale brewed with a blend of malt and rice and finished with hops from the Pacific Northwest that impart a hint of citrus flavor and the aroma of mandarin orange blossoms
Available at Dawa Bar, Eight Spoon Cafe, Restaurantosaurus Lounge, Thirsty River Bar, TriloBites and Warung Outpost (available April 2 through 30)
- Honey Bee Citrus Ale: Celebrating our pollinators, this ale is a light, slightly sweet, honey ale with a crisp clean finish
The Mara at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (available April 22 only; mobile order available)
- Cactus Cake: Chocolate Cake, peanut butter filling, strawberry jam and buttercream
Sanaa at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (available April 1 through 30)
- Chaat: Seasonal vegetables from The Land at EPCOT and potato croquette with chana masala, kale pakora, tamarind, coriander chutney and coconut raita
Available at Various Table-Service Restaurants and Disney Resort Hotel Lounges including California Grill, Jiko: The Cooking Place, Boma: Flavors of Africa, Victoria Falls, Flying Fish, Belle Vue Lounge and AbracadaBar (available April 1 through May 31)
- Honeycomb Cocktail: A tribute to global conservation through bee pollination featuring Four Roses Bourbon, lemon juice, and honey garnished with dehydrated blood orange and honeycomb
Available at Various Pool Bars Across Disney Resort Hotels (available April 1 through May 31)
- Cucumber Gimlet: Inspired by bright, refreshing flavors of spring and garden vegetables — cucumber, lime juice and simple syrup topped with soda water and a chili-lime rim and cucumber garnish
25th Anniversary Inspired Merchandise at Animal Kingdom
Starting April 21, head to Island Mercantile, Discovery Trading Company or Mombasa Marketplace to stock up on items from Disney's Animal Kingdom 25th Anniversary collection — only available for a limited time! Frogs will find commemorative spirit jerseys, tumblers, pocket tees and more, PLUS a limited-edition commemorative Earth Month pin available for purchase at select retail locations in the park.
Also, coming soon is a 25th Anniversary Mini Loungefly Backpack will surely go with any outfit and a cute bucket hat that would provide some much-needed sun protection on hot theme park days!
What are you most excited to experience during Earth Day at Walt Disney World? Let me know in the comments below!
Related: What Not-to-Miss at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Hoppy planning!
