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(News | Source: Orlando Sentinel)

Today (also Earth Day) is a special day for Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

The park turned 10 today. Yes, Animal Kingdom has been open for 10 years. The park opened in 1998 with the Oasis, Safari Village, Camp Minnie-Mickey, Africa, and Rafiki’s Planet Watch. In 1999, the Asia land was opened with the Kali River Rapids as the main ride in that area. Expedition Everest was opened in 2006 in the Asia area.

In honor of the park’s birthday, here are 10 facts about Disney’s Animal Kingdom (from the Orlando Sentinel).

1. The very first animals in the park were four giraffes and three gorillas.
2. It covers 500 acres (therefore, it’s five times the size of Magic Kingdom).

3. The internal structure of the Tree of Life is based on the design for an oil rig. The Tree is covered with carvings of 325 animals in its “bark,” and it has more than 100,000 “leaves”.

4. On opening day, ticket prices Disney World ticket prices went up. (i.e. one-day, one-park admission rose to $44.52 (tax included) for adults, $36.04 for children age 3-9).

5. More than 40,000 mature trees were planted before the opening.

6. Early plans for the park touted an area known as Beastly Kingdom, set to feature mythical beasts such as griffins and fire-breathing dragons. Two hints as to the plans for this park exist in the form of the menacing yeti inside the Expedition Everest roller coaster and the Unicorn section of the parking lot.

7. When the park opened, the only thrill ride was Countdown to Extinction (now Dinosaur). As of 2008, guests can now turn to their adventurous side with Expedition Everest, Primeval Whirl, and Kali River Rapids.

8. Kilimanjaro Safaris covers a 110-acre savannah and never has to be mowed.

9. The original name for the park was Disney’s Wild Animal Kingdom (the Wild was dropped before the park was opened). Other names tested include: Disney’s Wild World, Disney’s Animal Adventure, Disney’s Animal Encounter and Disney’s Wild Territorium.

10. An audio cue signals animals that it’s time to come in for the night. Most birds stay in the park, but most mammals go to their shelters at the end of the day.