Special designs and provisions were incorporated throughout the park to protect the animals' welfare. ĭisney'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. The park is dedicated and themed around natural environment and animal conservation, a philosophy once pioneered by Walt Disney. The park opened on Earth Day, April 22, 1998, and was the fourth theme park built at the resort.
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 (230 ha). Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park is a zoological theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida, near Orlando.