Dateline Disney World is headed on safari this week as we take you to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The park will turn 20 years old on April 22, Earth Day. To mark the occasion, there will be an expanded “Party for the Planet” celebration this year from April 22-May 5.

Rafiki’s Planet will offer backstage animal experiences that allow guests to learn about animal nutrition, visit the veterinary hospital, or hear how Disney promotes global wildlife conservation. There will also be special photo opportunities and a limited-edition  Wilderness Explorer badge. For a little extra dough, guests can participate in one of six different “Tiffins Talks,” where animal experts speak about the park’s residents over dinner. Beloved Imagineer Joe Rohde has created a work of art for the anniversary and will be in the park to sign prints on April 22 from 1-4 p.m. at Discovery Trading Company.

, Dateline Disney World – Animal Kingdom News and Photos
Welcome to Animal Kingdom!

, Dateline Disney World – Animal Kingdom News and Photos , Dateline Disney World – Animal Kingdom News and Photos

Can you believe that Animal Kingdom is just about to turn 20 years old? Where has the time gone?

, Dateline Disney World – Animal Kingdom News and Photos
Anniversary merchandise is available in all of the gift shops.

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Pandora is just about to celebrate its first anniversary. . .

, Dateline Disney World – Animal Kingdom News and Photos
Heading into Pandora!

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, Dateline Disney World – Animal Kingdom News and Photos
This is a war suit. It’s been retired. But, Disney announced a living character initiative-type walk around character that will be in a research suit that will debut on April 22nd.

, Dateline Disney World – Animal Kingdom News and Photos

, Dateline Disney World – Animal Kingdom News and Photos
One hour into park opening and Flight of Passage already had a 180 minute wait. Crazy!

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, Dateline Disney World – Animal Kingdom News and Photos
Didn’t take long for the ODV carts to show up in this land.

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, Dateline Disney World – Animal Kingdom News and Photos
The views on the pathway from Pandora to Harambe are the best.

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, Dateline Disney World – Animal Kingdom News and Photos
The way light and shadow work in this park is so beautiful.

, Dateline Disney World – Animal Kingdom News and Photos

, Dateline Disney World – Animal Kingdom News and Photos

“UP! A Great Bird Adventure,” featuring Russell and Dug from Pixar’s “UP” will be debuting at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on April 22, 2018. Just in time for the park’s big anniversary.

, Dateline Disney World – Animal Kingdom News and Photos

, Dateline Disney World – Animal Kingdom News and Photos
Work continues on the Caravan stage as the new UP show is almost ready.
, Dateline Disney World – Animal Kingdom News and Photos
Rehearsals have been happening for weeks, and the show should be debuting on April 22nd.
, Dateline Disney World – Animal Kingdom News and Photos
Extended queues set up for quick service food.

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, Dateline Disney World – Animal Kingdom News and Photos
A new Donald Duck dance party will be debuting in DinoLand soon.

Here’s how Disney describes Donald’s Dance Party:

This dinosaur-themed party celebrates Donald Duck’s discovery that his bird ancestors were actually dinosaurs. DinoLand U.S.A. will feature colorful new décor and playful character greetings with rarely seen pals like Scrooge McDuck, Launchpad McQuack and more. A DJ-powered dance party will mix tunes from the truck-o-saurus stage, capping the nighttime festivities.

, Dateline Disney World – Animal Kingdom News and Photos
Time to head out!

That does it for this week. Do you like the changes happening in the park? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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Cory Disbrow
Cory likes Walt Disney World so much, he recently packed his bags and moved to Orlando. Cory is a photographer and writes MiceChat's Dateline Disney World columns every Friday.