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Animal Kingdom is a singular theme park that mixes thrilling rides with actual wildlife.
While it doesn’t have as many rides as different Walt Disney World parks in Orlando, there are such a lot of issues to do at Animal Kingdom that it’s simple to spend a day there.
It’s a incredible park for strolling and having fun with the ambiance from road entertainers to animal sightings. It additionally has a few of our favorite Disney meals and probably the greatest bars.
In this publish, we share our picks for the perfect rides at Animal Kingdom plus exhibits and different enjoyable issues to do for a beautiful day.
Contents
Animal Kingdom Tips and Tricks
Make a Park Reservation
Reservations are required to enter the park and may be made on the Disney World web site.
I like to recommend making a park reservation for every day of your journey if you purchase your Disney tickets (ideally a minimum of a month prematurely).
Animal Kingdom is unlikely to e book up, but it surely’s value doing to safe your plans. You can at all times change the reservations later.
Download the My Disney Experience app
The Disney World app is beneficial to verify trip wait and present instances, make Genie+ choices, order meals, and extra.
Stay Onsite
If you keep in a Disney resort, you’ll be capable to enter each park half-hour earlier than the official park opening.
This provides you a fantastic head begin for driving Avatar, our primary decide of the perfect issues to do at Animal Kingdom.
Arrive Early
Animal Kingdom usually opens at 8am. If you may have Early Entry, you possibly can enter from 7.30am. I like to recommend arriving earlier than then, ideally at 7am.
Occasionally, they’ll let individuals in just a little earlier, and both approach, you’ll be close to the entrance of the road heading in the direction of Avatar.
If you don’t have Early Entry, arrive half-hour earlier than official park opening.
With Early Entry, we have been in a position to trip the highest 5 rides within the first two hours of park opening. This takes some swift strolling throughout the park and again, however you’ll keep away from lengthy waits and might give attention to the exhibits and low-wait sights within the afternoon.
With these time-saving ideas we not often wait greater than quarter-hour for any of those Disney Animal Kingdom sights.
Genie+ Usually Isn’t Necessary
If you possibly can arrive early or keep for the previous few hours, you received’t want Genie+ as comparatively few rides are included.
If you’re park hopping to a different park, or visiting at a really busy time (like a vacation weekend), you would possibly wish to think about it, although,
This paid line-skipping service is complicated so see our detailed information the place we talk about Is Disney Genie Plus Worth It?
Wear Quick-Drying Clothes
If you wish to trip Kali River Rapids, be ready to get soaked! We have been glad we have been sporting fast dry garments so we didn’t keep damp for lengthy. See our keep on packing checklist for what we put on.
In the cooler months, a poncho is a good suggestion.
Be Prepared for the Heat
Animal Kingdom is the most well liked of the 4 Walt Disney World parks as there are fewer indoor sights and fewer shade.
If you’re visiting in the summertime months, be ready for the warmth with light-weight garments, hats, and maybe a cooling towel (we purchased one within the park as we have been so scorching in September).
This is another excuse to go to early so you are able to do as a lot as potential earlier than it will get too scorching, after which retreat to a present within the afternoon.
It’s a good suggestion to verify the climate forecast as a result of if thunderstorms are anticipated within the afternoon (as they typically are in the summertime), many rides and exhibits shut.
There are fewer indoor sights at Animal Kingdom, so be sure you do your precedence rides (like Kilimanjaro Safaris and Expedition Everest) within the morning.
Most Popular Rides at Animal Kingdom
These are the most well-liked Disney World Animal Kingdom rides with common wait instances over the yr:
- Avatar Flight of Passage (98 minutes)
- Na’vi River Journey (62 minutes)
- Kilimanjaro Safaris (50 minutes)
- Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain (half-hour)
Best Rides at Animal Kingdom
These are the Animal Kingdom should do rides that you just received’t wish to miss.
1) Avatar Flight of Passage
Type of Ride: Thrill Ride
Minimum Height: 44 inches (112cm)
Lightning Lane: Individual ($14)
Location: Pandora
Avatar Flight of Passage is completely probably the greatest Animal Kingdom rides (and in our prime 3 in all Disney). It’s a singular and delightful attraction that transports you to a different world.
Even the queue provides to the expertise—from the luxurious forest exterior to the pre-story the place you create your individual avatar.
On the 3D trip, you fly on the again of a dragon-like banshee and soar over the beautiful world of Pandora by forests, down waterfalls, into caves, and over the ocean above a leaping whale-like Nalutsa.
The complete journey is extremely immersive—stepping legs astride onto your particular person creature, feeling it breathe beneath you, and observing the sights, sounds, and even smells of Pandora.
You don’t should be a fan of the Avatar films to benefit from the trip, however I do assume it’s value watching a minimum of the primary one for a larger appreciation.
Note that as it is a 3D simulator, movement illness may be a difficulty. I’m normally delicate to 3D rides however haven’t had an issue with this one. It helps to eat one thing mild earlier than driving.
Avatar is by far the most well-liked trip at Animal Kingdom. The finest time to trip is firstly of Early Entry (for resort company)—we solely waited about 10 minutes on our final go to and most of that was strolling by the prolonged queue.
If not, wait instances will possible be shortest within the final half-hour of the day. If you wish to be assured a spot on the trip, you can buy an Individual Lightning Lane within the app.
2) Na’vi River Journey
Type of Ride: Slow Dark Ride
Minimum Height: None
Lightning Lane: Genie+
Location: Pandora
The second trip in Pandora isn’t as spectacular or thrilling as Avatar Flight of Passage, however I nonetheless think about it a should do in Animal Kingdom.
Na’vi River Journey is a delicate river trip at midnight by a bioluminescent rainforest. It’s a stunning world alive with otherworldly vegetation and creatures to admire in addition to the extremely lifelike animatronic, the Na’vi Shaman of Songs.
It’s such a soothing trip that I at all times wish to trip it once more, however the traces are typically lengthy.
It’s finest ridden in Early Entry after Avatar—we walked straight on at 8.10am. Or reserve it till the top of the day, proper earlier than Avatar, or use Genie+ (it’s the perfect first decide).
3) Kilimanjaro Safaris
Type of Ride: Slow Ride
Minimum Height: None
Lightning Lane: Genie+
Location: Africa
Kilimanjaro Safaris is sort of a actual safari journey. You board open-sided vans for a bumpy 18-minute journey on muddy roads, by rivers, and over rickety bridges.
On the way in which your safari information provides fascinating info in regards to the animals roaming free within the savannah that you just see alongside the way in which.
Every trip is completely different as that is actual wildlife, however on our final journey, we noticed rather a lot—kudu, a working ostrich, hippos, lions, cheetahs, elephants, warthogs, zebras, giraffe, rhinos with their calves, alligators, and a flamboyance of flamingos (a time period we learnt on the trip!).
The animals are most lively early or late within the day, and that is when traces are shorter, too. It’s not open throughout Early Entry so trip quickly after official park opening.
We at all times stroll swiftly over right here after driving the 2 Pandora rides (it takes us six minutes at a quick tempo). Last time we waited quarter-hour at 8.30am. By 10am the road was as much as 95 minutes.
4) Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
Type of Ride: Thrill Ride with Big Drops
Minimum Height: 44 inches (112cm)
Lightning Lane: Genie+
Location: Asia
Expedition Everest, the park’s solely curler coaster, is a enjoyable one and undoubtedly probably the greatest issues to do in Animal Kingdom for thrill seekers.
You pace on a prepare by the Himalayan mountains attempting to keep away from the mythic Yeti. There are some huge drops, a backwards part at midnight, and a few enjoyable surprises.
Even the queue is superb. It’s so detailed and reminded us of the expedition gear outlets in Nepal.
We normally trip Everest after the earlier three rides, however wait instances are inclined to fluctuate and are decrease than these above. On our final go to, we opted for Kali River Rapids first then rode Everest at 11am with a 10-minute wait.
If traces are lengthy, be part of the only rider queue, which is way faster. Simon makes use of this to trip a few additional instances by himself.
5) Kali River Rapids
Type of Ride: Spinning Water Ride with Small Drops
Minimum Height: 38 inches (97cm)
Lightning Lane: Genie+
Location: Asia
Kali River Rapids is a whitewater rafting trip that’s principally light with a couple of enjoyable drops.
The worry comes from whether or not you’ll get moist (everybody will) or completely drenched (as a minimum of one particular person per raft does). If you’re frightened, put on a poncho, but it surely’s fairly refreshing within the warmth.
Watch out for the bridge on the finish the place individuals can squirt riders with elephants!
The trip is shorter than we’d like, so I wouldn’t wait lengthy for it, however traces needs to be affordable within the morning. Ride it after the 4 rides above—at 9.20am we walked straight on.
It will get busy on scorching afternoons—by 2pm, it was as much as 65 minutes.
6) Dinosaur
Type of Ride: Dark Scary Thrill Ride with Small Drops
Minimum Height: 40 inches (102cm)
Lightning Lane: Genie+
Location: DinoLand U.S.A
Dinosaur is an Animal Kingdom hidden gem that not often has lengthy waits.
You’re on a mission to move again in time to rescue a dinosaur earlier than a meteor strikes.
This bumpy indoor truck trip is sort of scary as you drive at midnight previous dinosaurs roaring at you.
I think about the menacing dinosaurs may very well be terrifying to small youngsters, however older ones might discover it as enjoyable as we do.
You can trip Dinosaur at any time of day. Just watch for the traces to return down if they’re lengthy.
Best Shows at Animal Kingdom
Seeing a present or three at Animal Kingdom is a serious a part of the expertise and there are some wonderful choices. Check the app for present instances.
7) Festival of the Lion King
Festival of the Lion King is likely one of the hottest Animal Kingdom exhibits.
It’s a vibrant and joyous celebration of the traditional animated movie with music, dance, acrobats, and puppets.
At 40 minutes lengthy in an air-conditioned theatre, it additionally makes break within the hottest a part of the day.
Unfortunately, the road is exterior within the solar and so they don’t let individuals in early. On our final go to, we didn’t handle to get in for the 12pm efficiency because it was full. They have been recommending individuals flip up half-hour early to safe their place—not enjoyable within the warmth.
The late afternoon present instances are quieter so I like to recommend saving this for later within the day.
8) It’s Tough to be a Bug!
It’s Tough to be a Bug is likely one of the finest sights at Animal Kingdom.
The 3D present takes place in a theatre hidden contained in the Tree of Life and runs all through the day, so it’s simpler to get in than the opposite exhibits (see it at any time).
Inspired by the film A Bug’s Life, you uncover what it’s prefer to be a bug on this multi-sensory movie and stay efficiency. It’s instructional, enjoyable, and a bit scary for some younger youngsters.
9) Feathered Friends in Flight
At this 35-minute out of doors present, you be part of a number of the park’s animal trainers to find out about and witness up shut a wide range of free-flying birds.
It focuses on their pure traits slightly than methods discovered from people.
It’s a powerful crowd-pleaser for all ages.
10) Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond
Finding Nemo is one other fashionable Animal Kingdom musical present. It tells a condensed model of the story from the film utilizing actors with big fish puppets.
It’s vibrant and entertaining however not a should see for us. It’s a fantastic choice with youngsters, although, and it’s simpler to get into than The Lion King.
At 25 minutes and with air-con, it’s good for a break from the warmth, though the seats are slightly uncomfortable benches.
Other Top Things to Do at Animal Kingdom
11) Trek the Maharajah Jungle
Once you’ve ridden the highest Animal Kingdom rides, you possibly can start to discover the park at a extra relaxed tempo together with the numerous wildlife trails.
If you solely have time for one, go for the Maharajah Jungle Trek the place you possibly can see birds, bats, and tigers.
As effectively as getting up near animals and studying about them from solid members, the walk-through attraction has a incredible Asian-themed setting.
Note that animals are most lively early and late within the day so that you’ll see extra then. At noon on our summer season go to, we noticed a lot lower than on earlier journeys, and the warmth wasn’t a lot enjoyable.
12) Walk the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
The different main wildlife path is Africa-themed and you may see gorillas and hippos.
13) See a Flock of Macaws
Winged Encounters is a brief and casual fowl present that takes place exterior the Tree of Life. A flock of vibrant South American macaws fly proper over you and if some cling round, you may get a more in-depth look.
There aren’t any printed instances, so look out for it as you’re strolling previous the tree or ask a solid member.
14) Enjoy a Drink at Nomad Lounge
Nomad Lounge is the proper place for adults to take a break within the afternoon. The bar has a safari lodge vibe with an outside terrace overlooking a river.
The menu of cocktails and light-weight meals is impressed by world flavours. The bread service was scrumptious and featured Thai milk bread, Indian pappadam, and Brazilian pão de queijo, all accompanied by flavourful dips and chutneys. The gluten-free churros have been a good way to finish.
The cocktails are good too. My gin-based Annapurna Zing was fruity and refreshing and got here with a lotus flower that lights up and adjustments color. The Lamu Libation with three kinds of rum and tropical juices was even tastier.
Nomad Lounge is fashionable and you may’t make a reservation. Check the app to see if a digital waitlist is out there (if not, verify again later). You should be within the neighborhood of the bar to affix and also you’ll be notified when your desk is prepared (our wait was 50 minutes at 1pm).
The bar is subsequent to Animal Kingdom’s effective eating desk service restaurant, Tiffins, which has wonderful critiques.
15) Eat Delicious Food
Animal Kingdom is likely one of the finest Disney parks for meals with international flavours that transcend the usual burger theme park fare.
For breakfast (after we’ve ridden the highest rides), we prefer to share one of many large Mickey Mouse cinnamon rolls from Kusafiri Bakery.
For a extra substantial meal, Satu’li Canteen is the perfect fast service choice. Located in Pandora, the large house has loads of air-conditioned seating and so they don’t use disposable plates like most counter-service eating places.
The bowls are wholesome, flavourful, and customisable—you possibly can select the bottom, protein and sauce. The tofu bowl is superb for vegetarians—we selected the potato hash for a extra filling base.
You can order within the app for faster pickup.
Another fashionable quick-service choice is Flame Street BBQ. The out of doors seating is a draw back in summer season, however you possibly can hear the close by road performances and revel in views of Everest.
Simon actually loved the Hot Link Smokehouse Sandwich made with plant-based sausage, however I choose Satu’li. Skip the sugary cocktails, although, and watch for Nomad Lounge.
16) Wander Pandora
Pandora is a should see at Animal Kingdom each day and night time.
Based on the Avatar film, Pandora is a beautiful, immersive world with floating mountains, gushing waterfalls, verdant forest, and intriguing vegetation.
We adore it within the early morning mild and after darkish when the flora glows for a very completely different ambiance.
17) See the Tree of Life Awakening
Every 10 minutes after darkish you possibly can watch Tree of Life Awakenings when the tree is illuminated with colors and animal projections. Make certain to see it in your approach out of the park.
Note you can solely see the present from October to early March, as in the summertime months, Animal Kingdom closes earlier than darkish (it closes sooner than different Disney World parks).
18) Spot Otters
Less well-known than different Animal Kingdom sights, the Discovery Island trails are close to the Tree of Life and provide a peaceable respite from the busier elements of the park.
We noticed flamingos, kangaroos, and better of all, within the Otto Grotto, otters swimming within the river and enjoyable on the riverbank.
19) Ride the Wildlife Express Train
A prepare takes you from Africa to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, dwelling to a petting zoo and conservation station, the place you possibly can see vets and scientists at work.
It takes some time to get to this far nook of the park, so solely do that you probably have time when you’ve finished every little thing else in your itinerary.
20) Meet Disney Pals
If you’re travelling with youngsters, you might wish to add character meet-and-greets to your Animal Kingdom checklist.
The hottest is Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventurers Outpost, the place you possibly can meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse dressed of their safari gear.
This has lengthy waits, although, so it’s finest skilled early within the day or with Genie+.
21) Dig for Fossils in The Boneyard
If you may have youngsters 10 and below, you’ll wish to cease at The Boneyard in DinoLand USA after driving Dinosaur.
In this enjoyable play space, youngsters can discover the rope bridges, slides, and caves, in addition to dig for dinosaur fossils.
TriceraTop Spin is one other child’s trip on this space.
22) Eat at Sanaa in Animal Kingdom Lodge
While the Animal Kingdom park has loads of wonderful eating choices, there are much more incredible eating places on the close by Animal Kingdom Lodge.
For Simon’s birthday one yr, we took the free Disney bus from the park to the lodge to eat at Sanaa, one of the vital highly-rated Disney eating places.
There are two promoting factors. The Indian meals is scrumptious with loads of veggie decisions (the bread service is a spotlight). And you possibly can watch giraffes and zebras wandering under as you eat.
It’s a singular expertise that’s well worth the aspect journey. Reservations are extremely advisable.
Is Animal Kingdom Worth Visiting?
Yes, Animal Kingdom is completely value visiting! From the beautiful Pandora world and exhilarating Avatar trip to the enjoyable wildlife encounters and very good theming, the park gives one thing for everybody.
One day is sufficient for many guests. You can simply spend a full day right here, particularly in the event you take a break at a number of the wonderful eating places and bars.
I hope this information has given you some concepts of what to do at Animal Kingdom. Let us know you probably have any questions within the feedback under.
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