The opening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom (1998) introduced the design principles of the theme park to the display of wildlife. In the decades since, zoo designers the world over have adapted Disney’s approach in theming both the visitor and the animal experience.

With Kingdoms of Artifice we critically examine how post-Disney zoo environments combine entertainment with education and complexify authenticity with theatricality.

Our study is based on extensive interviews with over three dozen zoo designers and professionals, landscape architects, and former Disney Imagineers. We also visited nearly 50 zoos.

The ebook PDF and hardcover are now available from Bloomsbury Academic, Studies in Disney and Culture.