when was animal kingdom built

Disney's Animal Kingdom was officially built and opened to the public on Earth Day, April 22, 1998. The planning for the park began in the mid-1990s, with construction starting around 1995. It was the fourth theme park built at Walt Disney World Resort and is dedicated to animal conservation and the natural environment. The park is the largest Disney theme park in the world, covering over 500 acres. Construction included extensive landscaping with real plants from around the world, and the park's design involved research trips to Africa and Asia to create authentic animal habitats and themed areas. The park was originally announced in 1995, and construction was underway by 1996.