Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened in 1998, the fourth theme park at Walt Disney World in Orlando. It’s unique among the twelve Disney theme parks around the world in that its main focus is on animals. It was conceived as a cross between a zoo and a theme park with animal exhibits sitting alongside roller coasters, shows and other attractions.
There are 5 lands in the park – Oasis (the entrance), Discovery Island, Africa, Asia and Pandora – The World of Avatar. There was another land, Dinoland USA, which is currently being phased out to make way for the massive new Tropical Americas expansion which will see attractions based on Indiana Jones and Encanto.
Animal Kingdom’s focus on nature is refreshing. You’ll be able to meet all your favourite Disney characters like in the other parks but in Animal Kingdom, the animals really are the stars.
Pandora – The World of Avatar opened in 2017, based around James Cameron’s Avatar and set around the Na’vi people of the planet Pandora. It’s really amazing, especially at night when the bioluminescent plants light up. It’s massively popular though with queues reaching over 3 hours on busier days!
We would highly recommend using the Lightning Lane Multi Pass to keep your queuing to a minimum. The Walt Disney World App lets you book a time in advance so you can skip the standby line. For the biggest rides like Flight of Passage, you may need to buy an individual Lightning Lane Single Pass.
Just another word of advice. You can get Park Hopper tickets to do multiple parks in one day. We would advise against it for your first visit. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is HUGE. It takes a lot of time to get around and it’s worth spending the time exploring the trails, seeing the animals and watching the shows. You’ll have a really good day that doesn’t feel as frantic as other theme parks.
If you are planning a trip, we highly recommend booking your Walt Disney World tickets in advance here to save time at the gate.
Because the park is so big, many people choose to stay as close as possible. The ultimate bucket-list experience is staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge where you can actually see giraffes and zebras from your hotel balcony. If you’re staying off-site to save money (which is what we usually do), we highly recommend checking Discover Cars to rent a vehicle, as getting around Orlando without one can be tricky.
So with that being said, here’s our list of the top attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. Feel free to let us know if you agree or disagree in the comments.
10. Maharajah Jungle Trek
Maharajah Jungle Trek is a peaceful, self-guided walking trail in the Asia section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Set in the lush ruins of the fictional Anandapur Royal Forest, the trail lets you get up close to animals like Sumatran tigers, Komodo dragons and giant fruit bats. There’s also a beautiful aviary filled with exotic birds. With its detailed theming and relaxed pace, it’s a great way to explore and take a break from the rides while still soaking up the magic of the park. Don’t skip this just to run to the next coaster!
9. Conservation Station
Conservation Station is a hidden gem at Animal Kingdom, reached by a short ride on the Wildlife Express Train from Harambe, the village in the Africa land. Located in Rafiki’s Planet Watch, it offers a behind-the-scenes look at Disney’s animal care and conservation efforts. Inside, you’ll find interactive exhibits, animal encounters and even a window into the veterinary treatment room where real procedures sometimes take place. It’s a calm, educational spot that’s perfect for families and curious animal lovers alike.
8. Dinosaur
Dinosaur is the last remaining piece of Dinoland USA and will be closing soon to make way for the new Indiana Jones attraction as part of the Tropical Americas expansion. Dinosaur is located in the fictional Dino Institute and is based on the Disney film Dinosaur which was released in 2000. It follows a storyline which sees you going back in time in a vehicle called a Time Rover to rescue the film’s protagonist, Aladar the Iguanodon. It’s a bumpy, loud and dark ride that people love, even though it’s based on one of Disney’s lesser known animated movies. Make sure you ride it before it goes extinct!
7. Finding Nemo – The Big Blue & Beyond
Finding Nemo – The Big Blue & Beyond is a musical stage show based on the popular Pixar movie. It features puppeteers on stage playing the characters we all know and love like Marlin, Dory and Nemo. It follows a condensed version of the movie with songs and effects to help bring the undersea world to life. It’s a good chance to get out of the hot Florida sun for 40 minutes and take a break from all the walking! The songs are all written specifically for the show so you won’t know them but the story is recognisable. Some of the ways they’ve brought the characters to life on stage are fantastic. It’s definitely worth a watch so make sure you fit Finding Nemo – The Big Blue & Beyond into your day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
6. Festival of The Lion King
This is another show, located in the Africa section of the park and based on The Lion King. It’s designed in the same style as a circus tent, with the audience sitting around the edges facing into the middle. It features humans leading you through the show where you meet the characters from the movies, some in costume and some as massive props. There’s lots of interaction, acrobatics, dancing and of course, singing! You’ll know the songs and as sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti, you’ll be singing along to Hakuna Matata, I Just Can’t Wait to be King and all the rest. It’s great fun. Kids will love it. Adults will love it. You’ll leave Festival of The Lion King with a smile on your face, guaranteed.
5. Na’vi River Journey
Na’vi River Journey is one of the attractions in Pandora – The World of Avatar that sees massive queues. We’re glad we booked a Lightning Lane (and the only time we could get was late in the day so do book one of the Pandora attractions early!). The standby queue when we arrived was over 3 hours long! Na’vi River Journey is a boat ride using the same kind of system as Pirates of The Caribbean or It’s A Small World. You board the boat and are transported into the Na’vi forest where you see the creatures and plants that you’d expect to see on the planet Pandora. There’s lots of luminescent foliage and the effects really are amazing. The animatronic Shaman at the end is arguably the most impressive robot Disney has ever built.
4. Kali River Rapids
We’ve been on lots of rapids rides in various theme parks like Alton Towers and Parque Warner Madrid but Kali River Rapids is probably our favourite. It’s themed around a raft excursion in India which is affected by illegal logging, bringing with it a very important conservation message. The theming is really good and there’s some brilliant effects. There’s a good chance you’ll get soaked but on a hot Orlando day, it’s a nice way of cooling off and you dry out pretty quickly anyway. Watch out for the people on the banks shooting water cannons at you at the end! Kali River Rapids is really good fun.
3. Kilimanjaro Safaris
Kilimanjaro Safaris really shows off what Disney’s Animal Kingdom is all about. It’s a really great way to see all kinds of African animals like rhinos, giraffe, elephants and LOTS more. You board a safari vehicle and are brought out into the reserve to see lots of animals, just like a real safari. The animals are all in habitats recreated to look like their own and you actually manage to get quite close to them. The driver of your vehicle also acts as your tour guide and you get a great, personal experience. The drivers point out the animals and even stop so you can get better pictures. We’re sure kids love it and adults will enjoy sitting back and seeing the animals.
2. Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
Walt Disney World doesn’t have a lot of roller coasters. Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, as a result, stands head and shoulders above everything else. You’re taken up Mount Everest and plunged back down. You meet the Yeti and things take an unexpected turn. We’ve been on a lot of roller coasters and in terms of theming, it’s easily one of the best in the world. The queue line alone is a like an attraction in itself! Expedition Everest is the most expensive Disney attraction ever built and also the tallest coaster in their parks around the world. It’s also our favourite Disney roller coaster.
1. Avatar Flight of Passage
As we’ve said a lot, we’ve been to lots of theme parks and experienced lots of roller coasters and attractions. Avatar Flight of Passage is easily the best we’ve been on. We came out absolutely speechless. It’s easy to see why it’s getting so much attention. We queued for nearly 2 hours and it was worth it. The story takes place after the events of the first Avatar movie and you sees you becoming a Mountain Banshee pilot. You’re brought through some great effects rooms simulated as the training programme before “linking” with your avatar, just like in the movie. The Mountain Banshee takes you into the air over Pandora and the visuals are absolutely stunning. At times, it’s hard to believe it’s not real. The smells, the mist, the spray of the water, the wind in your face. Avatar Flight of Passage is incredible.
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