My expedition through Animal Kingdom begins early in the morning as I enter the Oasis -- not a canyon of jungle-themed commerce, but a lush green garden of varied animal and plant life which whet the adventurous appetite of explorers. Already this park feels different than the others, but the discoveries have only begun.

After a leisurely stroll through the winding, verdant trails snaking through the Oasis, I encounter the central hub of Animal Kingdom -- Safari Village, home to a stunning piece of Imagineering called the Tree of Life.