Over the years, we’ve seen many changes to our favorite Walt Disney World parks. We said goodbye to the edutainment-filled Future World of EPCOT, slowly saw the removal of movie-making magic at Disney’s [MGM] Hollywood Studios, and are now gearing up to bid adieu to an original dinosaur-themed land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Animal Kingdom is a park built to educate about the creatures of this planet; those that exist and how to protect them, animals that are now extinct, and those that don’t exist at all. Is the growing focus on profit-driven, universally-recognized franchises overshadowing the park’s core identity?
A Legacy of Conservation and Environmentalism
Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World has long been known as a unique theme park, one where the magic of Disney meets a deep commitment to environmentalism, conservation, and the natural world. Animal Kingdom was conceived with a clear mission: to blend immersive storytelling with a respect for nature. Its design was a direct response to the growing awareness of environmental challenges, such as habitat loss, endangered species, and climate change. Fittingly, the park opened on Earth Day, 1998. The park’s opening was a statement that Disney could offer a place where guests could not only have fun but also learn about the importance of conservation.
Like the early days of EPCOT, edutainment had a heavy presence at Animal Kingdom. Attractions like It’s Tough to be a Bug, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and even DINOSAUR were designed not only to entertain but also to educate guests about ecological issues, sustainability, world history, and animal conservation.
However, in recent years, there has been growing concern that Disney may be shifting focus away from these environmental themes in favor of more commercially driven IP-based experiences. As the park evolves with new additions, especially those tied to popular franchises, some are questioning whether Animal Kingdom is losing its original message of environmental stewardship in exchange for the broader appeal of familiar IPs.
What Does The Future Hold?
Even The Tree of Life, the park’s iconic centerpiece, has an environmental message embedded in its design. Featuring intricate carvings of animals, the tree symbolizes the interconnectedness of all living things, a visual reminder of the importance of preserving biodiversity. The current show inside the Tree of Life theater, It’s Tough to Be a Bug (themed to A Bug’s Life) possesses a clear message to be considerate of insects, as they are a vital part of our circle of life. A new Zootopia show is currently in development for the Tree of Life, opening later in 2025. It’s Tough to Be a Bug has been around for a while, but it’s tough to see this replaced with an IP that has little to do with the park’s original message.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t further share my disappointment in the complete removal of dinosaurs and DinoLand USA. There’s no doubt the new Indiana Jones and Encanto-themed attractions will excite the masses to book a Disney trip and offer genuinely fun ride experiences, but because of Disney’s decision to replace instead of add, these shiny replacements are completely eradicating DinoLand, an original mission to celebrate the earth’s history and early creatures.
According to a Hollywood Reporter interview with a past Pixar creative, the team behind Hoppers (releasing in 2026) were instructed to downplay the film’s planned message on environmentalism. The story focuses on a beaver and human who swap bodies. This feels like it would have been ideal IP integration for Animal Kingdom, but those executive cutbacks are no only diminishing the future legacy of Disney’s meaningful storytelling through film, but at their theme parks as well. The future of further IP integration at Animal Kingdom looks grim.
Disney Cares
Despite these questions, comments, and concerns, it is important to recognize that Disney is still deeply involved in environmental efforts.The company has invested heavily in sustainability initiatives at its parks, such as reducing its carbon footprint, implementing water-saving measures, and promoting recycling. Disney also supports various wildlife conservation projects through its nonprofit arm, Disney Conservation Fund, which has donated millions of dollars to organizations focused on protecting endangered species and ecosystems.
I continue to hope they find ways to incorporate IP (if they simply must) alongside conservation storytelling as they have with the addition of Avatar.
While Disney’s public efforts continue with protecting endangered species, it feels like the integration of edutainment and conservation storytelling is becoming less and less. As Animal Kingdom evolves, it faces the challenge of maintaining its original message of environmentalism while embracing the powerful influence of Disney’s intellectual properties. How do you feel about it?
