When we planned our first family trip to Walt Disney World many years ago, I was looking forward to our first visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I’d been told that it was definitely not a zoo, but I wasn’t sure what to expect.
If you haven’t been to Animal Kingdom, or haven’t visited in a while, you may not know what fun you are in for. This park manages to combine animal experiences with some of the best rides in the parks. Here’s our guide to Disney’s Animal Kingdom rides.
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A Guide to the Best Animal Kingdom Rides
Like the other parks at Walt Disney World, Animal Kingdom has several different themed lands. These include Africa, Asia, Dinoland USA, Pandora – the World of Avatar, Discovery Island, and Rafiki’s Planet Watch.
Pandora – the World of Avatar is the newest of the lands and is my favorite. It’s a completely immersive experience that is incredibly detailed, and it has two of the best Animal Kingdom rides.
Because Pandora opened most recently, it’s still extremely popular. Go first thing or later in the day for the lowest crowd levels and shorter wait times. It’s a completely different land in the dark, so you may want to walk through it twice to see it during the day and night.
It’s best to download the My Disney Experience app to your smartphone so you can manage your day and see park maps while you are on the go. You can also manage the Disney Genie or Genie+ (if you have it).
Africa Rides
Kilimanjaro Safaris: One of the best rides for the whole family (including small children), Kilimanjaro Safaris is a definite must-do on your Disney family vacation. We’ve been on it many times and always need to ride it when we are in Animal Kingdom.
During this ride, you’ll board a safari vehicle and travel into the Harambe Wildlife Reserve savanna to see real live animals. It’s always a different experience so you’ll want to ride it during every visit.
It’s best to ride when it’s not the hottest outside, so early in the day is great. This ride does offer a Genie+ lightning lane.
Asia
Expedition Everest: One of my favorite thrill rides at the Disney theme parks, Expedition Everest is a roller coaster that travels backward. It’s so much fun, and I definitely recommend riding it if you’ve got kids that meet the height requirement. There’s also a single-rider line that can make the wait a little shorter as well as a Genie+ lightning lane.
If you can, try riding at night when it’s even more thrilling. Before my kids were old enough to ride it, my husband and I would take turns riding it through the single-rider line, because it was one of our favorite rides and we didn’t want to miss it. Now that our kids are teens, it’s fun for all four of us to ride together.
Kali River Rapids – On a hot day, this water ride can be one of the best ways to cool off. This whitewater rafting ride is exciting but also appropriate for most kids (the height requirement is 38 inches). It does offer Genie+.
Just keep in mind that you will get wet while riding it! If you don’t have someone to hold your belongings for you, consider bringing some large ziplock bags or a wet bag to hold your more delicate items.
Pandora – the World of Avatar
Avatar Flight of Passage: The most popular ride at Animal Kingdom (if not all of Walt Disney World), Avatar Flight of Passage is a simulator 3D ride where you get the opportunity to ride on the back of a banshee. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, and it’s one of the most imaginative rides I’ve experienced.
The lines to this are always very long. If you are prone to motion sickness, you may feel a little bit dizzy on the ride. I sometimes do, but briefly close my eyes and feel much better in a few seconds.
Avatar Flight of Passage offers an individual lightning lane, so you’ll have to purchase individual entry if you want to avoid the standby line.
Na’vi River Journey: On this dark ride, you’ll take a boat ride in a bioluminescent rainforest in search of the shaman of song. It’s a beautiful ride, but not nearly as thrilling as Avatar Flight of Passage. There are usually long lines for both of these Pandora attractions. This one offers Genie+.
DinoLand USA
This quirky land is reminiscent of a kitschy roadside attraction. It’s very different from the other lands at Animal Kingdom, but it also has some fun rides. Disney has announced that DinoLand USA will be going through some changes in the upcoming years.
DINOSAUR: Tucked away off the main path is DINOSAUR, a mild-ish dark thrill ride. On this ride, you’ll board a time machine vehicle to go back in time to view dinosaurs and even bring one back with you. It’s a unique ride, and my kids love it.
While the vehicle is bumpy and the dinos can seem real, it isn’t as thrilling as the other thrill rides at the parks. It offers a Genie+ lightning lane.
TriceraTop Spin: If your kids are fans of the Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride at the Magic Kingdom, they’ll definitely want to go on TriceraTop Spin. It’s very similar to Dumbo, but instead of flying elephants, you’ll ride on Triceratops. There usually isn’t as long a line for this ride as Dumbo.
Discovery Island
It’s Tough to Be a Bug!: This is a 3D film, rather than a ride, but it’s still lots of fun. Located right in the Tree of life icon in the center of the park, It’s Tough to Be a Bug is a film based on the Pixar film, A Bug’s Life.
It’s dark in the theater and can be a bit scary for really little ones. But otherwise, it’s something kids will enjoy.
It’s Tough To Be a Bug offers Genie+. However, it’s generally not too crowded so you likely won’t need to use a Genie+ reservation.
Disney has announced that It’s Tough To Be a Bug will be closed and replaced by a Zootopia attraction. However, a closing date hasn’t yet been announced.
Other attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
In addition to the rides mentioned above, Animal Kingdom is also home to animal encounters and shows that you’ll definitely want to experience. Here are some of the most popular:
Festival of the Lion King: Based on the Lion King, this stage show is a huge spectacle that is absolutely worth seeing. It runs for about a half-hour and features music, bright costumes, puppets, and more. Genie+ is available.
Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond: Like the Festival of the Lion King, this show features popular characters – this time from Finding Nemo. It includes music, puppets, and more. It runs for about 40 minutes and Genie+ is offered.
Wildlife Express Train: Take the Wildlife Express Train to visit the Conversation Station and get an insider look at the veterinary facility as well as some animal exhibits.
There’s also the Maharajah Jungle Trek, Feathered Friends in Flight!, and the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, as well as many different animal trails and encounters. You’ll also find many different Disney characters at the park – check the My Disney Experience app for specific characters, locations, and times.
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