This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. So with my new Disney pass in hand, I went to see this park for the first time. Because I went with my husband and my toddler, we took things at a much slower pace than we would have on our own. But because we weren’t running to every corner trying to fit in all the rides we could, it gave us time to really take in the park and see it in all of its glory. And nothing marks the Animal Kingdom like the iconic Tree of Life.

I was amazed at the intricate artistry that went into the tree. I actually stopped in my tracks and gawked at the incredible beauty of it. Did you know that there are over 300 animals carved into the trunk of the tree? Standing at 145 fee tall it is smaller than Cinderella’s castle in the Magic Kingdom but no less impressive.

Underneath the tree is the ‘It’s Tough To Be A Bug’ 4D show. It is worth going through the line if for no other reason then the up close view of the tree that it provides. Apparently you can find Mickey tucked up in the tree somewhere too, although I didn’t see him. But next time I go to the park, I will spend more time looking at each animal in the tree and absorb as much of its beauty as I can.