Park Size: 403 acres (163 hectares)
time: One to two days
START: Oasis
END: Discovery Island
Point to note: You can see all the animal highlights here in a day; two days is needed to take it at a leisurely pace and explore 12-acre (5-hectare) Pandora: The World of Avatar too.
Animal Kingdom is different from the other Disney theme parks. Opened in 1998, its focus is on animal conservation and letting visitors experience the wonder of the creatures who share our planet. Walt Disney himself was a keen proponent of conservation back in the 1940s and 1950s and won several Academy Awards for his documentaries on the natural world.
At more than 400 acres (1.6 sq km), Animal Kingdom is the largest of the Disney World parks, but most of the land is devoted to naturalistic habitat for the animals. About 2,000 animals (300 species) live in seemingly open and impressively landscaped surroundings, giving visitors a sense of exploration as they search for the inhabitants along well-blended trails and paths. Most animals have space to roam (and space to hide), and nowhere does it feel like a zoo. Animal welfare is paramount at Animal Kingdom. The park generally closes earlier than the other parks in the resort, and even on late nights the animals are brought in at their regular time to avoid stress. The new Pandora land and Rivers of Light show extend stays into the evening hours.
Giraffes are a likely sighting in the Africa zone
Walt Disney World Resort
The hub of the park is Discovery Island. Its centerpiece is the enormous Tree of Life, the park’s icon. From here bridges lead across the Discovery River to the other five themed sections of the park.
Unless you have a FastPass+ reservation, head for the Kilimanjaro Safari first: lines are shorter and the animals generally more active in the morning than in the heat of the day. Or, if thrill rides are your thing, make your way to Asia for a chance to ride Expedition Everest. The new Pandora rides are also ultra-hot tickets.
Pick up the Times Guide along with the park map at the entrance, and check the show times. There are fewer shows here than at the other parks, but Flights of Wonder, Finding Nemo – The Musical, and Festival of the Lion King are all unmissable attractions. It’s worth planning your day to fit them all in. Go out of your way to experience the night-time show, Rivers of Light. With live performances, high-tech projections, and spirited music, it is truly spectacular. FastPass+ and dining packages with premium seating are available at www.mydisneyexperience.com and the My Disney Experience smartphone app.
This route proceeds clockwise around the park through the six lands, noting the top attractions.
The Tree of Life, Animal Kingdom’s centerpiece
Walt Disney World Resort
Oasis
Shortly after the entrance gates you enter this small and gentle land. Just like on a real safari, guests often rush through here in pursuit of bigger game. But the Oasis Exhibits 1 [map] repay those who linger with a collection of fascinating animals including warthogs, giant anteater, wallabies, and Hyacinth macaw. The calming landscape of lush foliage, pools, and waterfalls helps you change gear, ready for the natural world that lies ahead.
Discovery Island
Cross the bridge to Discovery Island. It may not be nature’s handiwork, but the 14-story Tree of Life 2 [map] is a wonder to behold. Disney artists took more than a year to create this artificial banyan tree, carving some 325 birds, bugs, mammals, and reptiles into its trunk and 8,000 branches. See how many you can spot along the Discovery Island trails that wind around its base.
Also here is the entertaining 3-D movie, It’s Tough to be a Bug! 3 [map]. Most adults and older kids love it, but the sounds, smells, and other special effects can be quite startling and may upset young children or those with a strong aversion to creepy-crawlies.
Tiffins, see 1, a full-service restaurant with flavors from around the world, is an excellent place to fuel up and reboot. Its adjacent Nomad Lounge has light bites, cocktails and water views.
Zebra in Africa
Alamy
PANDORA – THE WORLD OF AVATAR
Themed around the movie Avatar, this high-tech 12-acre (5-hectare) land, which debuted in May 2017, astounds science-fiction fans with intensely hued floating mountains and bioluminescent flora. You’ll feel like you’re flying aboard a winged banshee on AVATAR Flight of Passage 4 [map]. Or take to the water on the Na’vi River Journey 5 [map] through a glowing rainforest, a gentler ride that’s great for families. If you want to stay immersed in all things Avatar, visit the themed Satu’li Canteen, see 2.
Africa
Cross back to Discovery Island and continue on into Africa. Here the Animal Kingdom comes into its own. At Kilimanjaro Safaris 6 [map] you take a realistically bumpy ride in an open-air safari vehicle out into landscape reminiscent of an African savannah. The animals roam freely, but you’re fairly certain to see elephants, giraffe, zebra, and various breeds of antelope. Lions, black rhino, white rhino and hippos may be more elusive. (The behind-the-scenes Wild Africa Trek (charge) gets you even closer to the animals and includes thrills and lunch. It’s pricey but worth it. Reserve online or on the My Disney Experience app.)
Exploring Avatar on the Na’vi River Journey
Walt Disney World Resort
The fascinating journey includes a chase after so-called ivory poachers, but this element of the storyline has been played down in recent years. Drivers point out animals as they come into sight. As animals – and thus safaris – are always unpredictable, you will see different things at different times of day, so consider riding twice if time allows. Generally, more animals will be active in early morning and late evening than in the midday heat.
After all that bouncing around you’ll be glad to put your feet on solid ground and wander the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail 7 [map] at your own pace. As you might expect, gorillas are the highlight here, though when it’s hot they may spend much of the day curled up in the shade in the dense vegetation. Another treat is the underwater hippo viewing area, where it’s fascinating to see these great beasts taking a swim.
Africa is also where you’ll find the Harambe Theatre and its Festival of the Lion King 8 [map], an upbeat show with vibrant costumes and infectious music. You’ll find yourself clapping along. Just opposite, the Tusker House restaurant, see 3, houses a buffet with character meals and an exceptional variety of vegetarian and vegan offerings.
All aboard the Wildlife Express Train
Walt Disney World Resort
Rafiki’s Planet Watch
Board the Wildlife Express Train for the short ride to this separate area of the park, with a peek at some of the behind-the-scenes animal enclosures on the way. The main attraction here is the Conservation Station 9 [map], with interactive exhibits on wildlife and habitats, veterinary care and research, designed to encourage conservation awareness. This area is dull except to the most education-minded, so make it a low priority if you’re in a hurry.
Return by train to the station, then make your way to the river’s shore and turn left.
The Kali River Rapids
Walt Disney World Resort
Asia
As Africa gives way to Asia, duck into the open-air theater for Flights of Wonder ) [map], a show where a variety of birds demonstrate their intelligence and aerial prowess. Feathered performers range from a grape-snatching hornbill to a swooping crowned crane to hawks, eagles, owls, and macaws.
Discover Komodo dragons and other exotic Asian creatures on the Maharajah Jungle Trek ! [map]. Wander at your own pace through a Southeast Asia rainforest setting. Bengal tigers lounge against the walls of an ancient ruined palace or come right up to inspect you through the glass as if you were the specimen they’ve come to see. There’s no barrier, however, between you and the giant fruit bats hanging round the corner, lazily stretching their 6ft (2-meter) wingspans.
The Wild Africa Trek takes you behind the scenes
Walt Disney World Resort
Asia is also the site of two thrill rides. Kali River Rapids @ [map] is a sure way to cool off as you ride the white-water raft through an endangered rainforest, literally soaking up the adventure. Looming above the eastern side of the park is the snow-capped peak of Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain £ [map], which until Pandora opened was Animal Kingdom’s most coveted thrill ride. Board the train for a high-speed roller-coaster adventure down rugged slopes into the land of the Yeti.
Expedition Everest roller coaster
Walt Disney World Resort
DinoLand USA
A prehistoric theme takes over across the bridge in Dinoland USA. The Theater in the Wild is home to the fabulous stage show Finding Nemo – The Musical $ [map]. Live actors wielding character puppets (the jellyfish are positively enchanting) and a charming story set to an original musical score make this an unforgettable production.
Much of this land has a carnival park feel, with kiddie rides and midway games. Younger children enjoy digging in the Boneyard. The biggest thrill here for anyone over 10 is Dinosaur % [map], a scary dark ride that takes you back in time to rescue DNA from the last iguanodon. You’ll encounter some moving, breathing, fiercely realistic dinosaurs on this jarring prehistoric time trip.
Stroll back across the bridge to Discovery Island, and end your visit in more tranquil surroundings beneath the Tree of Life.
Food and drink
1 Tiffins
Discovery Island; $$$
Before building Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Imagineers traveled through Asia and Africa to gather ideas. Mementos of their travels decorate this table-service restaurant, where global flavors create one of the best theme-park meals at Disney World. The adjacent Nomad Lounge is ideal for a grown-up break from sightseeing.
2 Satu’li Canteen
Pandora – The World of Avatar; $
Extend your stay in this exciting new land by having a quick-service meal at Satu’li Canteen (you can pre-order on your Disney app). Hand-woven tapestries and Pandoran cooking tools set the tone for the eatery’s ‘pods’, which are bao-style sandwiches, plus familiar and exotic foods like wood-grilled chicken or chili-spiced tofu.
3 Tusker House
Africa; $$
A good all-you-can-eat buffet of carved meats, salads, and desserts – with a tremendous bounty for vegetarians – is served inside at lovely carved tables or outdoors under a thatched roof. Donald Duck, in safari attire, and other characters come by to visit during breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so reserve your spot early.