Animal Kingdom Update: DinoLand Construction, New Bird Show Open, and 20th Anniversary

Alicia Stella Construction Updates This article contains affiliate links. Learn More

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrated it’s 20th anniversary on April 22nd and the park is all decked out for the occasion. Limited edition merchandise is available and a new show opened called UP! A Great Bird Adventure starring Russel and Dug from Disney-Pixar’s UP. Starting later this month will be the new Donald’s Dino-Bash party in DinoLand, USA and construction is ongoing throughout the area.

Check out the photo report below as we take a walk around the park at all the things that are going on. See our previous post for a look at some of the limited edition 20th anniversary merchandise. And visit our Twitter for your chance to win a special Animal Kingdom park map set! If you’re planning to visit Disney World request a free quote from our travel partner Destinations in Florida for free vacation planning. Stay tuned for more theme park news and updates coming soon.

Special Park Map for the park’s 20th Anniversary. Enter our Twitter contest for your chance to win one

Photo frame photo op just outside the park

Anniversary banners seen near entrance, Oasis and Discovery Island areas

In Pandora they are offering a limited edition Banshee toy with special colors

This edition is to celebrate the anniversary and is only available while supplies last

These tables and chairs were set up for Spring Break crowds but have remained

They do not match the Pandora theme like the covered seating nearby. Hopefully they are replaced


Let’s check out construction going on in DinoLand USA!

Lots of sections are behind walls while new features are being installed

This area in front of Restaurantosaurus is behind walls

And the Cretaceous Trail is behind walls as well. These areas may be re-dressed as special meet & greets

Donald’s Dino-bash will be a party-like event where Donald is celebrating his dinosaur ancestors

How the area seen in Concept Art currently looks Image: Disney

Area seen in concept art how it looks currently

New coloring station set up inside Chester & Hester’s store where kids can color dinos

Children’s works of art for the day

Flowers in bloom in Spring

Don’t know if this is new, but never noticed these planters made of license plates before

Highway 498 is reference to Animal Kingdom’s opening in April 1998

One last area behind walls in front of Primeval Whirl

Walls up as seen from ride exit path as well

One last look before we move on


Let’s take a look at the new UP! A Great Bird Show and updated Caravan Theater

New show added to directory signs

Times board

Entrance has been vastly improved and a colorful sign has been installed for the new show

New themed theater wings

Additions made to look like they were created using a hodge-podge of recycled materials

Random doors, aluminum siding, and other various pieces mixed together

Formal queues for the theater installed for the first time

Fastpass entry

Not much has changed inside the theater

Some decoration has been added

The show features a couple humans and a couple characters

The show features Russel and Dug from Pixar’s UP

All of the birds from the previous show, “Flights of Wonder” have returned

The show is cute and the added characters should help kids stay enganged

That’s all for this update! Check out our previous update for a look at 20th Anniversary merchandise


When preparing for your next Walt Disney World trip request your free vacation quote from Destinations in Florida. These travel planning experts can help you plan your dream vacation with the best deals on theme park tickets and on-site hotels. The best part is, their service is completely FREE when you book through them! They’re an Authorized Disney World travel planner, so they know how to get you set up with everything you need.


Stay tuned for more theme park news and updates and subscribe to the news feed to never miss an update, or enter your email below to be notified each time a new article is posted. Photos: Alicia Stella (unless otherwise noted)

Subscribe to Receive Email Updates


Consider supporting us on Patreon for as little as $1/month. All patrons receive behind the scenes posts and exclusive podcasts. Learn More


0 Comments

Leave a Comment