Disney’s Animal Kingdom will host Party for the Planet presented by Disneynature on Friday, April 22. This day not only celebrates Earth Day but it also commemorates the official opening day of the theme park in 1998. Throughout the day, guests are encouraged to connect with nature by engaging in fun activities in every land of the park. I recently visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom to survey unique products to help celebrate the day.
Recently, the merchandise team introduced several new items at Island Mercantile designed to support the Disney Conservation Fund (DCF). The DCF is supported by guests who make contributions at select Disney Parks and Resorts. A portion of the sale of select items in this assortment will benefit the DCF. Look for a specially designed hangtag or logo on select items to identify these products.
Some items in the new assortment include nods to animals you might see at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, especially on Kilimanjaro Safaris (the crocodile hat made me laugh). There are two t-shirts for kids and look for adult t-shirts in the coming months.
One of my favorite unique gifts from Disney’s Animal Kingdom is found at Zuri’s Sweets Shoplocated in the Harambe Market. These hand woven Blessing Baskets offer an opportunity to connect with the artists who created these beautiful items. Simply follow the instructions on the back of a card attached to a basket to start the conversation.
If you are unable to visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom on April 22, you can commemorate Earth Day with a specially design t-shirt we are offering on our Disney Parks online store from April 18-24. This shirt will be offered in both adult and youth sizes. Please allow 3-5 weeks for delivery.
Finally, don’t forget you can meet Walt Disney Imagineer and Portfolio Creative Executive Joe Rohde, who will be on hand to sign his artwork created for a new Disney Conservation Fund initiative, and a new coffee table book. The Disney Conservation Fund will receive 100 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the book. Joe will appear 1-2 p.m. at Discovery Trading Company (previously Disney Outfitters) on April 22.
