Animal Kingdom celebrates Earth Day’s 50th anniversary

ORLANDO, Fla. — Walt Disney World has announced its plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day with a week of special activities at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. The April event will include Imagineer Joe Rohde, National Geographic photographers, a Disneynature producer, behind-the-scenes tours, specialty food and beverage and other festivities.

The five-day celebration runs April 18-22, the last day of which is officially Earth Day as well as the 22nd birthday of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the Disney Conservation Fund.

Among the initial Earth Day announcements for the week, posted on the official Disney Parks Blog, are:

• Wild by Nature Speaker Series, which features the park’s animal experts and educators as well as National Geographic photographers and explorers in the Theater in the Wild.

• Tiffin Talks series with Rohde, including a four-course meal and discussion on the Imagineer’s research trips.

• A look at “Elephant” and “Dolphin Reef,” this year’s Disneynature films headed for Disney+ streaming service in April. Also coming are discussions with Roy Conli, producer of the films.

• Sales of a 25th anniversary edition of the book “Disney Conservation Legacy” and other Earth Day merchandise.

• Special Disney characters incorporated into the Animation Experience at Conservation Station.