8 Magical Ways to Celebrate Earth Day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

With Earth Day officially happening on April 22, 2024, Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park is offering a variety of ways for you to celebrate this annual event.

Here you’ll get to see an array of special Disney characters, participate in an all new Wilderness Explorer activity made just for the celebration, chow down on special food and grab Earth Day inspired merchandise.

Disney takes you through a majestic adventure through the natural wonders of the world through family-friendly experiences and special offerings. 

You’ll learn the park’s conservation story and interact through learning about the animal species in the Disney Conservation Fund.

Let’s go through a few of the unique experiences you can partake in on your visit to Walt Disney World.

Animal Kingdom African Safari with Momma and baby giraffe
Animal Kingdom African Safari

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1. The Animation Experience at Conservation Station

During this week’s celebration, you will get the chance to illustrate some of your favorite animal Disney characters such as:

  • Dumbo
  • Terk from Tarzan
  • Bruce from Finding Nemo
  • Tigger from Winnie the Pooh
  • Simba from The Lion King

You will be able to enjoy this springtime experience from April 1 through April 30, 2024.

Rafiki's Planet Watch Conservation Station at Disney Animal Kingdom artist sketching turtle in animation experience for Earth Day at Disney

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2. Say Hi to Your Favorite (but rare) Disney Earth Day Characters

As you make your way throughout Animal Kingdom, be sure to grab a photo of some the rarest Disney characters that will be gliding along the Discovery River Character Cruises.

Animal Kingdom Character Cavalcade on water

You will see these characters from April 21st to April 28th.

3. Try the Sweet Treats

One of the best parts of the Earth Week Celebration is trying out all of the delicious dishes offered at Animal Kingdom such as:

Creature Comfort’s Honey Bee Cupcake (Kent Phillips, photographer) for Earth Day at Disney Animal Kingdom
Creature Comfort’s Honey Bee Cupcake (Photo Courtesy of Disney Co. Kent Phillips, photographer)
  • Bee Honeycomb Mousse at Creature Comforts
  • Strawberry-flavored Flamingo Cupcake at Flame Tree Barbecue
  • Elephant Cupcake, the Gnocchi Primavera and The Loggerhead at Pizzafari
  • Honey Bee Citrus Blonde Ale available at multiple locations throughout the park

You can get the full menu here.

Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!

4. Become a Wilderness Explorer for Earth Day

Take on the challenge of becoming a Wilderness Explorer with the adventurous self-guided challenge that allows you to earn a special Wilderness Explorer limited-time Earth Day Nature badge.

Earth Day Animal Kingdom strawberry-flavored Flamingo Cupcake at Pizzafari and Flame Tree Barbecue
Strawberry-flavored Flamingo Cupcake at Pizzafari and Flame Tree Barbecue. (Photo Courtesy of Disney Co. Kent Phillips, Photographer)

5. Find the Limited-Edition Disney Earth Day Trading Pin and Merchandise

On your Earth Day trek, be sure to check out the exclusive trading pins.

You can also supports the Disney Conservation Fund by buying a cute animal plush or other Earth Day inspired merchandise.

6. Meet the Newest Rhino at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

On the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction, you’ll get to meet the calf and his rhino family. Also look for two more baby rhinos and the two young Masai giraffe.

Recently born Ranger the rhino, viewable on Kilimanjaro Safaris. (David Roark, photographer)
Recently born Ranger the rhino, viewable on Kilimanjaro Safaris. (David Roark, photographer)

7. Take Photos of the Animal Sandcastle Sculpture (2024 Details Pending)

One of the most unique things to see at Animal Kingdom for Earth Day is the sand that is sculptured into animals.

Animal Kingdom Sandcastle for Earth Day at Disney
2021

Disney does this every year and this year you’ll get to see talented artisans transform 40 tons of sand into a detailed sculpture.

Monkey Kingdom Disneynature Sand Sculpture
2015 (Photo Copyright: Disney Co.)

In previous years Disney has celebrated through Disneynature’s “Polar Bear,” “Whales,” and “Monkey Kingdom.”

Don’t forget to get a photo in front of the National Geographic Photo Frame!

8. Get a Magical Pic with Your Disney PhotoPass

During the Earth Day Celebration, you’ll be able to take some of the most enchanting shots to encapsulate your experience celebrating our wonderful planet during this event.

Earth Day Animal Kingdom Magic Shots that frame guests with a whimsical Wall-E and Eve from Disney and Pixar’s animated feature “Wall-E.” Thanks to Disney PhotoPass Lens
Earth Day Animal Kingdom Magic Shots that frame guests with a whimsical Wall-E and Eve from Disney and Pixar’s animated feature “Wall-E.” Thanks to Disney PhotoPass Lens. (Photo Courtesy of Disney Co.)

This year’s Magic Shots will feature Wall-E and Eve from Disney and Pixar’s animated feature “Wall-E” using the Disney PhotoPass system.

Ready to make your trip out to Walt Disney World Resort, then get your no obligation, FREE Quote by filling out the form with The Park Prodigy by Clicking HERE!

My Final Thoughts on Earth Day at Disney Animal Kingdom

As you can see, there’s something that everyone can participate in for Earth Day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Earth Day at Disney Animal Kingdom
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For more information on how Disney cares for animals and helps protect species in the wild, visit DisneyAnimals.com

Happy Earth Day Hipsters!

Hoop Dee Doo Revue NikkyJ Dinner Show Disney World. Author bio of theme park expert Nikida Metellus.

About the Author

My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!

Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.

Connect with me on Instagram!

UP NEXT: 7 Best Rides at Disney’s Animal Kingdom that You MUST-DO!

(Original Article Date: April 22, 2015 /Updated March 28, 2024)

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