We’re officially one month away from Earth Day, and Disney Parks Blog just announced their Earth Month Celebration plans at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Did you know Earth Day, April 22, is also Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s anniversary? This wild Disney park opened in 1998, and every year since guests can celebrate Earth Day and Disney’s Animal Kingdom‘s anniversary when they visit. (My brother was born two days before Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened so this anniversary always stands out to me!)

This year the Earth Day celebration will be a month long celebration at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Guests can connect with the magic of nature through engaging activities to inspire and educate everyone in your party!

Unique, limited-time experiences have been announced from April 18, 2021 until April 24, 2021. From specialty merchandise to unique character experiences and food items, you’ve got quite a bit to look forward to if you’re visiting next month! Here’s some of the highlights that you can experience next month at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Earth Day Eats

Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Credit: Disney Parks Blog

The Disney parks love featuring specialty cupcakes for events, and this Earth Day celebration is no exception. Some of the limited-time treats you can look out for are a Honey Bee Cupcake at Creature Comforts, a Sea Turtle Graham Cracker Cupcake (and Crave the Wave cocktail for adults) at Restaurantosaurus Lounge,  and a strawberry-flavored Flamingo Cupcake at Flame Tree Barbecue. Like most specialty treats, these will only be available for a little while so don’t miss you chance to snag them!

The Animation Experience at Conservation Station

Learn to draw an array of Disney characters from some of your favorite films at Conservation Station. Disney Artists use real-life animals as inspiration to bring these iconic characters to life on screen, and during The Animation Experience at Conservation Station you’ll get to try out your drawing skills and hear some great stories about conservation work for animals around the globe. Some of the animals you can learn to draw at Conservation Station in April include: Dumbo, Terk, Squirt, Simba, Scar, and Shere Khan.

“Secrets of the Whale” Sculpture

Starting on April 2, 2021, guests can marvel as artisans transform 40 tons of sand into a sculpture celebrating “Secrets of the Whales.” This original series from National Geographic will also start streaming on Disney+ on April 22, 2021, Earth Day. This sculpted masterpiece will be located on the Discovery Island Stage until April 30, 2021, so try to check it out if you’re there.

Adventurous Activities

Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Kilimanjaro Safaris is must do when you visit Disney’s wildest park, but right now guests have a chance to keep an eye out for some of the park’s newest arrivals. Keep an eye out for Ranger, a five-month-old white rhino who Disney’s Animal Kingdom recently welcomed. Two Masai giraffe were recently born at the park as well, and Kilimanjaro Safaris now offers a new Nigerian dwarf goats viewing at the warden’s outpost. (We spotted these for the first time back in February, and they were pretty memorable!)

Other offerings include a new Wilderness Explorer activity, and a fun, new way to hunt for Disney characters in the park. Take on a self-guided, nature-themed challenge around Disney’s Animal Kingdom as a Wilderness Explorer and make Russell proud. Just in time for Earth Day, the Wilderness Explorer program will be offering a limited-time Earth Day Nature badge! While you’re walking around the park, keep an eye on the waterways. Some of your favorite Disney characters will appear on Discovery River Character Cruises, and you’ll want to snap a picture and say hi.

Must Have Merchandise

On Earth Day, April 22, 2021, you can hunt for a limited-edition Te Fiti Moana trading pin at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park! This parks is continuing to raise awareness for the Disney Conservation Fund, and you can support the cause, too. There will be special plush animals available for purchase at the Island Mercantile, and by taking one home you’re supporting Disney Conservation Fund. We don’t know which animals will be available yet, but Disney Parks Blog says the plush will be inspired by species that call Disney’s Animal Kingdom home! In addition to the plush and pins, you can shop eco-friendly and sustainable souvenirs like water bottles, reusable bags, and tumbles at Island Mercantile as well. If I know Disney, they will surprise us with even more Earth Month merchandise options!

Makin’ Memories with Disney PhotoPass

Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Disney PhotoPass photographers are available all over the Disney parks to help you capture every memory from your vacation. To celebrate Earth Day, there will be special in-park Earth Day background and interactive Magic Shots — some that are brand new! Make sure you take advantage of all of these extra photo opportunities, especially if you’re family purchased Disney’s Memory Maker. Earth Day screen savers and Zoom backgrounds can also be downloaded from the My Disney Experience PhotoPass gallery.

Looking to learn even more about how Disney cares for animals? Visit DisneyAnimals.com and follow along on the Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment Instagram — @DrMarkAtDisney. The Disney+ special “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom” is another great way to learn more about the magic behind this animal-themed park. Your My Disney Experience App also features a short form video mini-series, Disney Park Wild Sights. Just search “Wild Sights” on the app, and the videos will pop up!

This is Disney Parks Blog’s first announcement about Earth Month celebration at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but be sure to check back for any updates as we get closer to April 22, 2021! If you want even more Disney’s Animal Kingdom experiences, check out my Ultimate Disney’s Animal Kingdom Bucket List HERE.

Will You Be Visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom For Earth Day This Year?