APRIL 1ST , 1995
Even snowmen have to go on vacation . Blizzard Beach opened on this date , bringing thrills and chills to guests at Walt Disney World . But why a snowy park in Florida ? On our blog , check out the backstory Imagineers came up with to explain this one ...
APRIL 8TH , 1974
Located on Bay Lake just behind the Contemporary Resort , Discovery Island opened at Walt Disney World with its original name , “ Treasure Island .” For 25 years , guests could explore 11.5 acres of tropical terrain and encounter animals along the way . On our blog , find out what a day on the island was like .
APRIL 15TH , 1971
“ Please stand clear of the doors .” Did you read that in his voice ? On this day , the first Monorail was set on the tracks near Magic Kingdom . Did you know that an important part of this transportation system was named after Mary Poppins ? Find out why on the blog .
APRIL 22ND , 1998
Every snort , stomp , roar , and caw has to start somewhere . On Earth Day 23 years ago , Disney ’ s Animal Kingdom opened to the public . You can bet it was a wild celebration . Find out what opening day was like as we time travel on the blog .
You may have known these dates , but do you know the details ? Visit WDW-MAGAZINE . COM / THE-BLOG to find out more .
A Masai giraffe on the savanna . PHOTO BY COURTNEY REYNOLDS
between the animals and the care team members isn ’ t just about having fun , though . Establishing trust is vital when it comes to providing top-notch healthcare . The care teams spend a significant amount of time training the animals to be active participants in their own care .
For instance , it ’ s important for giraffes to have their hooves trimmed regularly ; otherwise , the buildup could lead to arthritis or even lameness . In other zoo environments , hoof trimming usually requires giraffes to be sedated . But the care team at Animal Kingdom spent eight months practicing positive reinforcement to train Kenya , a Masai giraffe , to lift up her hooves for grooming .