Once 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 advised 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 might not know what enjoyable you might be in for. This park combines animal experiences with a few 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 put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks. A purchase order/click on by way of certainly one of these hyperlinks (together with on the map)might 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 fully immersive, extremely detailed expertise, and it has two of the most effective 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 fully completely different land at midnight, so you might need to stroll by way of 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-Go if you buy this non-obligatory improve.
Africa Rides
Kilimanjaro Safaris: Among the best rides for the entire household (together with babies), 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 journey it in Animal Kingdom.
Throughout this journey, you will board a safari automobile and journey into the Harambe Wildlife Reserve savanna to see actual dwell animals. It is all the time a unique expertise so you will need to journey it throughout each go to.
It is best to journey when it isn’t the most well liked exterior, so early within the day is nice. This journey does supply a Lightning Lane.
Asia
Expedition Everest: Certainly one of 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 in the event 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.
Should you can, strive using at evening when it is much more thrilling. Earlier than my youngsters had been sufficiently old to journey it, my husband and I’d take turns using it by way of the single-rider line, as a result of it was certainly one of 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 journey collectively.
Kali River Rapids – This water journey could be top-of-the-line methods to chill off on a scorching day. This whitewater rafting journey is thrilling but in addition applicable for most youngsters (the peak requirement is 38 inches). It does supply a lightning lane.
Simply take into account that you’ll get moist whereas using it! If you do not have somebody to carry your belongings for you, contemplate bringing some giant ziplock luggage or a moist bag to carry your extra delicate gadgets.
Pandora – the World of Avatar
Avatar Flight of Passage: The preferred journey at Animal Kingdom (if not all of Walt Disney World), Avatar Flight of Passage is a simulator 3D journey the place you journey on the again of a banshee. The surroundings is breathtaking, and it is one of the imaginative rides I’ve skilled.
The traces to this are all the time very lengthy. In case you are liable to movement illness, you might really feel barely dizzy on the journey. I typically do, however briefly shut my eyes and really feel significantly better in a couple of seconds.
Avatar Flight of Passage presents a person lightning lane, so you will should buy particular person entry to keep away from the standby line.
Na’vi River Journey: On this darkish journey, you will take a ship journey in a bioluminescent rainforest in the hunt for the shaman of music. It is a phenomenal journey, however not practically as thrilling as Avatar Flight of Passage. There are normally lengthy traces for each of those Pandora sights. This one presents lightning lane.
DinoLand USA
Disney has introduced that DinoLand USA will shut subsequent yr to remodel into a brand new Tropical America land. A lot of the sights on this space have closed in preparation for the transformation.
DINOSAUR: DINOSAUR is a mild-ish, darkish thrill journey, tucked away off the principle path. On this journey, you will board a time machine automobile to return in time to view dinosaurs and even deliver one again with you. It is a distinctive journey, and my youngsters like it.
Whereas the automobile 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 remodel into an Indiana Jones journey.
Different sights at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Along with the rides talked about above, Animal Kingdom can also be dwelling to animal encounters and exhibits that you’re going to need to expertise. Listed here are a few of the hottest:
Competition of the Lion King: Based mostly on the Lion King, this stage present is a large spectacle that’s completely price seeing. It runs for about half an hour and options music, vibrant costumes, puppets, and extra.
Discovering Nemo: The Massive 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 Categorical Prepare: Take the Wildlife Categorical Prepare to go to the Dialog Station and get an insider’s have 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 alternative animal trails and encounters. You will additionally discover many different Disney characters on the park – verify the My Disney Expertise app for particular characters, areas, and instances.
Extra Sources: Wish to know extra about Disney World rides? Click on right here to learn all of our posts about Disney rides and sights.
