Orlando Theme Parks Continue 37-Year-Old Earth Day Tradition

Several of the Orlando area’s world-class theme parks – Disney’s Animal Kingdom, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Africa – will join communities and organizations around the world to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, 2007, and help increase global awareness of important environmental issues.

Begun in 1970, Earth Day calls attention to the many major environmental challenges facing our fragile planet that today include potentially catastrophic climate change, rapidly vanishing natural resources, and an ever-increasing list of extinct and endangered animal species. The philosophy of Earth Day is perhaps best expressed in the words of a popular Native American proverb: "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children."

Below is a comprehensive guide to Earth Day celebrations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Africa:

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Disney World’s fourth world-class theme park actually opened on Earth Day, April 22, 1998, and has featured yearly Earth Day celebrations ever since. For 2007, Disney’s Animal Kingdom presents "Party for the Planet," a series of fun and informative conservation-related activities (in conjunction with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums) at stations set up in each of the theme park’s seven areas: Africa, Asia, Camp Minnie-Mickey, DinoLand USA, Discovery Island and Rafiki’s Planet Watch. "Party for the Planet" will take place on Friday, April 20, and Sunday, April 22, 2007, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

SeaWorld Orlando: Live animal encounters and plenty of conservation-related activities will take place as part of the Earth Day celebration at "the world’s most popular marine adventure park" on Sunday, April 22, 2007. In addition, all proceeds from SeaWorld’s wildlife encounter tours on Earth Day will be donated to the SeaWorld-Busch Gardens Conservation Fund.

Busch Gardens Africa: Also in conjunction with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ "Party for the Planet" Earth Day celebration, Busch Gardens Africa has scheduled various animal exhibits, conservation-related activities, craft making stations and giveaways. The festivities will take place at Busch Gardens Africa on Saturday, April 21, and Sunday, April 22, 2007, from 10 AM to 4 PM.

"The theme parks here in Orlando are continually developing innovative programs not only based around their attractions, rides and shows but also targeting important global issues such as energy conservation, wildlife education, and personal health and well being," said Kyle Collins, Director of Interactive Marketing for HotelsCorp.com.

Note: All Earth Day activities at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Africa require ticketed admission to the theme parks.