It’s hard to pick a favorite theme park at Walt Disney World Resort. Each has something special to offer. You don’t want to miss Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It’s one of our favorite parks.
Animal Kingdom’s an approachable theme park for families, including those with younger kids. It offers some signature attractions, like Avatar’s Flight of Passage, unique experiences, like Kilimanjaro Safaris, and some really engaging shows.
1: Colorful Shows
Don’t skip the shows at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Not only are they great entertainment, but the perfect place to rest your feet and take a break from the heat.
We love the all-new 4D Zootopia: Better Zoogether. It just opened inside the Tree of Life Theater. The show features the animals of Zootopia who are throwing a big party for Zoogether Day, a celebration that brings all the diverse biomes together. You’ll wear carrot vision glasses for the full experience. Other interactive elements include splashing water, bubbles and vibrating seats.
[ Related: Zootopia: Better Zoogether is Pure Family Fun ]
Other shows at Animal Kingdom include Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo: the Big Blue … And Beyond, and Feathered Friends in Flight.
KidTripster Tip: If you purchase Lightning Lane, it’s available for all of these shows.
2: Attractions for All Ages
If you’re a ride junkie, it’s important to know that Animal Kingdom has fewer rides than the other parks.
The best ride for younger kids is the Kilimanjaro Safaris, which takes guests out in a safari style jeep into the savannah. You’ll be up close to wildlife you’d see on a real African safari. We’ve been on the Kilimanjaro Safaris a few dozen times and we love that it’s different every time.
Both of the Avatar rides are suitable younger kids, although your child must be 44 inches to ride Avatar Flight of Passage. It simulates the experience of flying on the back of a banshee. The Na’vi River Journey is an all-ages boat ride, kind of like Small World, but in the world of Avatar.
If you’re with a thrill seeking older kid, be sure to add Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain to your must-do list. It’s a fast-moving roller coaster with Yeti chasing you. There’s a 44 inch height requirement. Kali River Rapids is a water ride that features a big drop. You’ll definitely get splashed, if not soaked. This ride has a 38 inch height requirement.
KidTripster Tip: There’s one more attraction, but it won’t be around much longer. DINOSAUR is about to become extinct at Animal Kingdom. The ride closes permanently in February 2026. If you like dark roller coasters, ride DINOSAUR before it closes. Kids must be at least 40 inches tall for this one. Dinoland USA is closing to make way for Tropical Americas land opening in 2027.
3: Unique Animal Experiences
No surprise, but animals are a big part of Animal Kingdom. Be sure to pick up a Guidemap upon entry. It lists the animals you can see in each section of the park. You’ll get up close views of animals you’d normally only see in a zoo setting.
It’s easy to miss Rafiki’s Planet Watch. You get to via the Wildlife Express Train from Africa. My daughter loved coming here ever since she was little and still enjoys it as a teen. You can view the veterinary facilities, and sometimes see vets working on their animal patients. There’s also a petting zoo here, or as Disney calls it, an “Affection Section,” where you can interact with domesticated animals and animal experts.
As mentioned above, the Kilimanjaro Safaris are a very cool experience. It’s incredible to see animals you’d normally see in a pen at the zoo, wandering freely around, sometimes right in front of your safari vehicle. Be on the lookout for baby animals, who are often born on the savannah as part of the conservation progam.
KidTripster Tip: The Wild Africa Trek is another unique way to see the animals of the Harambe Reserve. It’s a privately guided VIP experience that takes guests behind-the-scenes though secluded trails, over suspension bridges, and by jeep. African inspired snacks and photos are included in the price, which ranges from $229-239 per person, with a minimum age of 8-years-old. My family did this once and loved the experience.
4: Wilderness Explorer Program
Be like Russell from the Pixar movie Up and become a Wilderness Explorer. To get started, pick up a free Wilderness Explorer Handbook from headquarters near Discovery Island.
Once you have that, you’ll take on nature-themed challenges throughout the park to collect badges. The activities are self-guided and range from animal observation to learning wilderness skills.
5: Great Eats
We love snacking and dining in Animal Kingdom. There are some interesting eats and drinks, from quick-serve to sit-down dining.
The food in Pandora – The World of Avatar is innovative. The bowls at Satu’li Canteen are delicious. For a snack, you’ll want to stop by Pongu Pongu for the colorful, kid-friendly boba drinks and the Na’vi-sized (aka oversized) Pretzel served with cheese sauce. Be sure to share one! It’s huge.
For a buffet with characters, check out Tusker House. The African-inspired food is good. Characters, dressed in their safari duds, will make their way to your table while you dine. Have a camera ready.
If you want a sit-down dining experience, try Yak & Yeti for pan-Asian. Or the renowned Tiffins, which is a fine dining restaurant with global flavors. Be sure to make advance dining reservations for these restaurants.
Other Things To Know About Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is technically the largest of the four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort, at least as far as acreage. Much of that land is reserved for animal habitats.
This park has different operating hours than the other theme parks, typically closing much earlier, usually by 7pm.
You can get here by car or by resort bus service. No other forms of Disney-provided transportation are available to or from Animal Kingdom.
There’s a baby care center located on Discovery Island. This is a clean space to nurse, feed, and change your baby. It’s complimentary to use. If you forget an important baby care item, you can purchase them here.
Where to Stay When Visiting Animal Kingdom
With more than 30 hotels at the Walt Disney World Resort, choosing where to stay can feel overwhelming. Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of our favorites. It’s a beautiful property. Some rooms offer views of the savannah, allowing you to see wildlife, like giraffes and zebras, right from your hotel room balcony.
There are lots of outdoor spaces around the resort where you can sit on a rocking chair and watch for animals. The property has a great pool, too, with a fun slide.
Animal Kingdom Lodge is also one of our favorite places to eat. Sanaa at Kidani Village is so good. It melds African cooking and Indian flavors. If you’re gluten-free like me, you’ll love the dining options at this restaurant.
Bus service is the only mode of transportation available from Animal Kingdom Lodge. The drive between the hotel and Animal Kingdom theme park is less than 10 minutes.
An advantage of being a Walt Disney World Resort guest is the ability to utilize “early entry” privileges. Hotel guests can enter the park a half-hour earlier than other visitors.
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