After we deliberate our first household journey to Walt Disney World a few years in the past, I used to be trying ahead to our first go to to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I might been instructed that it was undoubtedly not a zoo, however I wasn’t positive what to anticipate.
If you have not been to Animal Kingdom, or have not visited shortly, you could not know what enjoyable you’re in for. This park combines animal experiences with a number of the greatest rides within the parks. This is our information to Disney’s Animal Kingdom rides.
Disclosure: I’m a former member of the Disney Parks Mothers Panel and have been on some complimentary press journeys at Walt Disney World, however all opinions are my very own. This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. A purchase order/click on by one among these hyperlinks (together with on the map)could end in a fee paid to us at no extra value to you.
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A Information to the Greatest Animal Kingdom Rides
Like the opposite parks at Walt Disney World, Animal Kingdom has a number of completely different themed lands. These embrace Africa, Asia, Dinoland USA, Pandora – the World of Avatar, Discovery Island, and Rafiki’s Planet Watch.
Pandora—the World of Avatar is the most recent of the lands and my favourite. It is a utterly immersive, extremely detailed expertise, and it has two of the very best Animal Kingdom rides.
As a result of Pandora opened most just lately, it is nonetheless extraordinarily fashionable. Go very first thing or later within the day for the bottom crowd ranges and shorter wait instances. It is a utterly completely different land at the hours of darkness, so you could need to stroll by it twice to see it throughout the day and evening.
It is best to obtain the My Disney Expertise app to your smartphone to handle your day and see park maps whereas on the go. You may also handle your Lightning Lane Multi-Move if you are going to buy this elective improve.
Africa Rides
Kilimanjaro Safaris: Among the finest rides for the entire household (together with young children), Kilimanjaro Safaris is a particular must-do in your Disney household trip. We have been on it many instances and all the time have to experience it in Animal Kingdom.
Throughout this experience, you may board a safari car and journey into the Harambe Wildlife Reserve savanna to see actual reside animals. It is all the time a distinct expertise so you may need to experience it throughout each go to.
It is best to experience when it isn’t the most popular outdoors, so early within the day is nice. This experience does supply a Lightning Lane.
Asia
Expedition Everest: One in all my favourite thrill rides on the Disney theme parks, Expedition Everest is a curler coaster that travels backward. It is a lot enjoyable, and I like to recommend using it should you’ve received youngsters who meet the peak requirement. There’s additionally a single-rider line that may make the wait a bit of shorter and a lightning lane.
For those who can, strive using at evening when it is much more thrilling. Earlier than my youngsters had been sufficiently old to experience it, my husband and I’d take turns using it by the single-rider line, as a result of it was one among our favourite rides and we did not need to miss it. Now that our children are teenagers, it is enjoyable for all 4 of us to experience collectively.
Kali River Rapids – This water experience may be probably the greatest methods to chill off on a scorching day. This whitewater rafting experience is thrilling but in addition acceptable for most children (the peak requirement is 38 inches). It does supply a lightning lane.
Simply needless to say you’re going to get moist whereas using it! If you do not have somebody to carry your belongings for you, think about bringing some giant ziplock baggage or a moist bag to carry your extra delicate objects.
Pandora – the World of Avatar
Avatar Flight of Passage: The most well-liked experience at Animal Kingdom (if not all of Walt Disney World), Avatar Flight of Passage is a simulator 3D experience the place you experience on the again of a banshee. The surroundings is breathtaking, and it is one of the imaginative rides I’ve skilled.
The strains to this are all the time very lengthy. In case you are liable to movement illness, you could really feel barely dizzy on the experience. I typically do, however briefly shut my eyes and really feel a lot better in a number of seconds.
Avatar Flight of Passage presents a person lightning lane, so you may must buy particular person entry to keep away from the standby line.
Na’vi River Journey: On this darkish experience, you may take a ship experience in a bioluminescent rainforest in quest of the shaman of tune. It is a good looking experience, however not practically as thrilling as Avatar Flight of Passage. There are normally lengthy strains for each of those Pandora sights. This one presents lightning lane.
DinoLand USA
Disney has introduced that DinoLand USA will shut subsequent yr to rework into a brand new Tropical America land. Many of the sights on this space have closed in preparation for the transformation.
DINOSAUR: DINOSAUR is a mild-ish, darkish thrill experience, tucked away off the principle path. On this experience, you may board a time machine car to return in time to view dinosaurs and even convey one again with you. It is a distinctive experience, and my youngsters adore it.
Whereas the car is bumpy and the dinos can appear actual, it is not as thrilling as the opposite thrill rides on the parks. It presents a lightning lane. DINOSAUR will probably be closing in 2026 to rework into an Indiana Jones experience.
Different sights at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Along with the rides talked about above, Animal Kingdom can also be house to animal encounters and exhibits that you’re going to need to expertise. Listed below are a number of the hottest:
Competition of the Lion King: Based mostly on the Lion King, this stage present is a large spectacle that’s completely value seeing. It runs for about half an hour and options music, vivid costumes, puppets, and extra.
Discovering Nemo: The Large Blue… and Past: Just like the Competition of the Lion King, this present options fashionable characters – this time from Discovering Nemo. It contains music, puppets, and extra. It runs for about 40 minutes.
Wildlife Specific Practice: Take the Wildlife Specific Practice to go to the Dialog Station and get an insider’s take a look at the veterinary facility and a few animal reveals.
There’s additionally the Maharajah Jungle Trek, Feathered Buddies in Flight!, the Gorilla Falls Exploration Path, and many various animal trails and encounters. You may additionally discover many different Disney characters on the park – verify the My Disney Expertise app for particular characters, areas, and instances.
Extra Assets: Wish to know extra about Disney World rides? Click on right here to learn all of our posts about Disney rides and sights.
