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One of our favorite Disney Theme Parks in our family is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. This park is filled with thrills, animals, and family moments that you would expect at a Disney Park.
You can take a safari through Africa, surrounded by freely roaming animals or white water raft through Asia. Come may come face-to-face with a dinosaur or meet a little bug in “It’s Tough To Be A Bug”. There are so many rides, shows, and entertainment for everyone in your family.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Attractions
As a regular to Disney’s Animal KIngdom Park, we are going to share all about this amazing park to help you plan your family vacation. There are six different areas of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park including Discovery Island, Asia, Africa, DinoLand, Rafiki’s Watch, and Pandora. Let’s break down each section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park.
Discovery Island
The Tree of Life
The centerpiece of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, this 14-story masterpiece is 50 feet wide at the base. The tree is hand-carved with a swirling tapestry of over 325 animal images to create a staggering spectacle that is truly a sight to behold!
Cast Member Tips:
- You can see the Tree of Life as soon as you walk over the bridge into the park. It is amazing. Be sure to let the Disney PhotoPass photographers take a family picture in front of the Tree of Life
- If you are planning on seeing the show, “It’s Tough to be a Bug!” then you will get a great look at these animals carved right into the Tree of Life
- There are also several viewing areas around the park to view the carvings
It’s Tough to be a Bug!
Come see Flik and Hopper from Disney/Pixar’s “A Bug’s Life” in a totally family friendly adventure. Strap on your special “bug eyes” to see life from an insect’s point of view in this 3-D show filled with Audio-Animatronics® characters, special effects, and lots of laughs.
Cast Member Tips:
- Younger kids love this movie, but this show is not for them – it is scary with loud noises, water spraying out in the audience, and scary bugs
- This is a popular show for older kids, teens and adults
- This show usually does not have a long line, so it is a good show to visit in between FastPasses or to get out of the heat
Discovery Island Trails
Stroll around The Tree of Life and discover a soft landscape of trees, pools and grass filled with wildlife. You may see Galapagos tortoises, lemurs, and golden top tamarins.
Cast Member Tips:
- This is a good way to see the Tree of Life and to see some interesting animals
- Easy walking trails ~ rarely crowded
Africa
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Climb aboard your open-aired safari vehicle for an exciting expedition. African animals freely roam through acres of savanna, rivers, and rocky hills. Look out for giraffe, gazelle, elephants, rhinos, and lions. But beware, your adventure takes an unexpected turn when poachers are spotted.
Cast Member Tips:
- Popular ride for infants to older adults. Lots of fun seeing the animals and a little Disney adventure, too
- It is a Jeep type ride, so you do bounce around on this ride. If you get car sick easily, this may not be the ride for you
- Take advantage of Lightning Lane to save time waiting in line
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
Enter this research center filled with East African mammals, birds, and fish, with lush African foliage, numerous streams, waterfalls and forests. See an exotic bird aviary, an underwater hippo viewing area, a savannah overlook, and a magnificent troop of gorillas.
Cast Member Tips:
- After the Kilimanjaro Safari Ride, you can walk along these trails to see lots of animals
- This area is mostly shady, so it’s a good break away from the Florida sun
- There are lots of activities for kids along this trail
Rafiki’s Planet Watch
Wildlife Express Train
Hop on for a rustic train ride to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. After exploring, reboard the train for a trip back to Africa.
Cast Member Tips:
- Preschoolers love riding the train. It is a fun little break from the lines/crowd
- Rarely a line for this ride
- You may want to skip the other attractions inside Rafiki’s Planet Watch and just ride the train back to Asia, if you are on a limited time schedule
Habitat Habitat!
This exciting portion of the outdoor discovery trail features an exhibit of live Cottontail Tamarins! Plus,
you’ll get plenty of fun hints on how to share the world, and your own backyard, with animals.
Conservation Station ~ This is the hub of Disney’s global conservation involvement. Come take a peek at veterinary medicine, animal surgery and nutrition center. Then take in interactive experiences: Song of the Rainforest, Mermaid Tales Theater and Eco-Heroes.
Cast Member Tips:
- This area rarely has any crowds or lines. It is also a good area to meet some of your favorite Disney Characters
- If you do not have alot of time skip this area and hit some other attractions
Affection Section
Come here to get up closes and personal with friendly animals in this shaded petting yard.
Cast Member Tips:
- Fun for preschoolers and adults
- This is another attraction that is a good one to miss if you are on a limited time schedule
Pandora The World of Avatar
Avatar The Flight of Passage
One of the most thrilling rides in Orlando is inside Pandora The World of Avatar. You board your own mountain banshee and embark on a expedition. You will soar on the banshee, feel them breath, and get an up-close look at this moon’s incredible landscape. This is a must ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Na’vi River Journey
This is a family friendly boat ride down the Na’vi River. You will see a bioluminescent rainforest come alive with the sights and sounds of exotic plants and creatures. This ride usually has a long line, so ride early in the morning or late at night.
Asia
Feathered Friends in Flight
Your heart will take flight as you watch an amazing assortment of birds display their wondrous natural behaviors. It’s a soaring celebration of winged wonders.
Cast Member Tips:
- Fun for preschoolers and parents
- This show rarely has a long wait
- This is another attraction that you may want to miss if you have a shorter visit at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Expedition Everest
High speed train ride adventure in the Everest Mountain. This roller coaster ride is a thriller!
Cast Member Tips:
- Brand new ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and it is a great rollercoaster
- Popular for older kids, teens and young adults
- Similar to the 3 mountains at Magic Kingdom (Space, Thunder, and Splash Mountain)
- Favorite thrill ride among Cast Members!
Kali River Rapids
Venture down the turbulent waters of the Chakranadi River aboard a 12-passenger raft through an enchanting Asian rain forest. Stay alert, because around every bend are new surprises, along with the very real threat of getting extremely wet.
Cast Member Tips:
- This ride has a height requirement of 38 inches
- You will get soaked so plan this ride for the end of your day or come prepared
- This ride also has a longer wait so take advantage of FastPass
- Popular for older kids, teen and adults
Finding Nemo The Musical
A magical undersea environment is the setting for this Broadway-style extravaganza featuring amazing puppetry, acrobats, original songs, and all the beloved characters from Disney’s presentation of Pixar’s Finding Nemo.
Cast Member Tips:
- This brand new show is amazing, but very long (about 30 minutes)
- Popular with preschoolers and younger kids
- Hit the early show or late show to avoid the crowds
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Explore the mystical Anandapur Royal Forest. Wander amongst the ruins of an ancient palace inhabited by beautiful and exotic animals. You’ll encounter giant fruit bats, birds, tapirs, komodo dragons, and lots of tigers.
Cast Member Tips:
- Perfect spot to take a break witout lines
- Leisure trails to view animals and birds and it is mostly shaded
DinoLand USA
The Boneyard
Slip, slither, slide and crawl through a play maze built around the fun fossil remains of Triceratops, T-Rex, and other vanished giants. You can even dig up the bones of a woolly mammoth in a dig site.
Cast Member Tips:
- Preschoolers and young children play area. They can spend hours in here!
- Be sure to walk all around the Dig Site. There is an upstairs for the kids to hunt for fossils
- There is also a water area, so you may want to bring a change of clothes just in case they get wet
TriceraTop Spin
Ever seen a dino “soar”? You will on the flying, twirling TriceraTop Spin. Climb into one of these four-person dino vehicles and soon you’ll be spinning ’round, up and down. Expect a dino-sized surprise for kids rising from the giant tin top at the hub of it all.
Cast Member Tips:
- Fun ride for kids, teens and adults
- If you like Dumbo, you will like this ride!
- Rarely a long line, so it is a good attraction for a quick ride
DINOSAUR
The Dino Institute is working on a time rover that zips you back to the age of the dinosaurs. Ready to take part in the experiment and journey back 65 million years to save the last of these prehistoric beasts? Challenge Carnotaurus and all those falling meteors in this thrill-packed attraction.
Cast Member Tips:
- This ride has a minimum height requirement of 40 inches
- Popular ride for older kids, teens and adults
- It can be a little scary even for older kids with the large dinosaurs and loud noises
Oasis
The Oasis Exhibits
Leave the urban world behind and enter a lush tropical garden filled with exotic birds and animals. Look out for the Parma Wallaby, tree kangaroo, giant anteater, sloth, Chinese deer, exotic birds, and more.
Cast Member Tips:
- This is another relaxing area to look at animals away from the crowds
- Popular with preschoolers and older adults
Camp Minnie-Mickey
Festival of the Lion King
Clap along with all your favorite songs from “The Lion King.” You’re right in the middle of a colorful and delightfully fun festival. Simba, Timon, and Pumba lead a tribal celebration of pure pageantry with joyous music, dance, and specialty performance.
Cast Member Tips:
- Great show for the whole family. It is very popular with preschoolers and older kids
- More popular show, so plan on going to the very first show early in the morning or late in the evening
Character Greeting Trails
Meet Mickey, Minnie, and their pals who are here to greet you everyday in their own special vacation spots.
Cast Member Tips:
- This is a great place to meet your favorite Disney Characters
- Avoid this area before or after the Festival of the Lion King Show
Most Popular Attractions
- Flights of Passage
- Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Kali River Rapids Raft Ride
- Festival of the Lion King
- Expedition Everest
Dining at Animal Kingdom
We love the dining experiences at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You can grab a boba drink from the world of Avatar or a BBQ dinner overlooking Expedition Everest.
We share a few of our favorite restaurants for families at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Rainforest Café
Right at the entrance to Animal Kingdom and offers a tropical rainforest atmosphere through a combination of animated wildlife and special effects. The cuisine includes salads, sandwiches, burgers, and great vegetarian dishes. This is a sit down meal and requires Advanced Dining Reservations.
Pizzafari
A classic pizzeria serving hearth baked pizzas, deli sandwiches, fruit, and salads. You can even get breakfast pizzas, waffles, and fruit. The price ranges from $10-20 for this sit down meal.
Tusker House
We love Tusker House for breakfast with some of our favorite Disney Characters. This is an all-you-can-eat breakfast with Mickey waffles, scrambled eggs, and honey-glazed ham. You will also find some unique and flavorful dishes with an African influence. Don’t forget to bring your camera for all of the fun character pictures!
Flame Tree Barbecue
A wood-roasted barbecue bonanza with smoked meats, BBQ sandwiches, salads, and platters. This delicious counter service meal will cost under $10 per person. These portions are huge. We would recommend sharing. This is an outdoor seating on the lake with an epic view of Expedition Everest.
Yak and Yeti
This is a fun restaurant near Expedition Everest. It is an Asian-fusion establishment with table-service dining and a full service bar. Some of the menu items include salmon, mahi mahi, tempura chicken, and stir fry beef and chicken.
Other Animal Kingdom Services
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park has a lot of services, just in case you need them. Here are some of the services they provide to help you have a magical day filled with animals, thrills, and family fun.
Guest Relations
The Guest Relations department provides many services including maps, answering questions, dining and priority seating, lost & found, lost children, guests with disabilities, Foreign currency exchange, and information on VIP tours. Guest Relations is located right at the entrance.
Baby Care Center
The Baby Care Center is an area where you can change and feed your baby hosted by Carnation Baby Formulas. The Baby Center is located behind Creature Comforts in Discovery Island.
Rent Stroller and Wheelchairs
You can rent strollers and wheelchairs at Garden Gate Gifts right inside the Park entrance.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of our favorite parks for families. You can transport to Pandora, come face to face with animals on a safari, and espace a Yeti on Expedition Everest. So many thrills for every member of your family.
What is your favorite thing to do at Animal Kingdom?
