Animal Kingdom blends the magic of a Disney theme park with a 100+ acre safari, animal exhibits and encounters, rides, shows, and attractions – memorable experiences for all ages.
What Makes Disney’s Animal Kingdom So Special
Not only is Animal Kingdom much larger than all the other three Disney World parks, but it also happens to be the largest Disney park in the world. In fact, Animal Kingdom spreads across 580 acres. The quickest way to describe what makes Animal Kingdom special is that it takes a zoo experience to another level. It’s an immersive theme park that integrates animals, nature, conservation education, plus theme park rides and top-notch Disney shows and attractions. Disney’s Animal Kingdom also offers walking trails where you can browse wildlife in their natural habitats throughout the park.
I suggest that you plan to spend a full day at Animal Kingdom. Animal Kingdom is not set up in a circle layout format, so it takes a bit of planning to navigate its expansive size. It resembles more of a large natural preserve. But the Animal Kingdom map will help you plan a strategy for hitting all the key highlights.
Animal Kingdom Park Layout
Each area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom offers unique attractions, rides, wildlife encounters, dining, and shopping opportunities.
Animal Kingdom is divided into six distinct areas:
<1> Oasis
<2> Discovery Island
<3> Pandora – The World of Avatar
<4> Africa
<5> Asia
<6> DinoLand U.S.A.
When you walk into the park entrance, Oasis is the main area that you’ll walk through. As you keep walking, you are led to Discovery Island and the iconic “Tree of Life.” Around that tree is where you’ll branch off (no pun intended) into the other park areas. Once you familiarize yourself with the layout and what each area offers, you will have a clear direction for planning out your day at Disney Animal Kingdom.
Oasis
Oasis is located at the main entrance of the park, the start of a picturesque journey along trails through the natural world. Lush greenery, streams, waterfalls, and lots of fascinating animal habitats.
On your way into the park or when you exit, you’ll have the opportunity to shop in the Oasis area at Garden Gate Gifts. It’s also the area where you can rent motorized scooters, wheelchairs, and strollers. The popular Rainforest Café restaurant is also in this area, located between the main entrance and The Outpost Shop.
Discovery Island
After passing through The Oasis, you walk across a bridge that connects you to Discovery Island, the central hub of the entire park. The iconic Tree of Life can be found in the Discovery Island area of Animal Kingdom. The tree’s magnificent overhanging branches make a powerful statement and an ideal photo opportunity. If you look closely, you will see hundreds of animal caricatures carved around the base of the tree. The Discovery Island area includes trails leading to animal exhibits along with food venues and shops.
Be sure to watch the Zootopia: Better Zoogether! 3D show that is located inside the base of the Tree of Life and is inspired by the Zootopia franchise.
When your Discovery Island visit is complete, you can then decide which area to explore next. You can head to the right of the Tree of Life to visit Pandora. You can go left towards Asia. If you go straight, you can visit Africa.
Pandora
This area of Animal Kingdom is based on the film, Pandora – The World of Avatar. The main attractions in this area are the Avatar Flight of Passage ride and Na’vi River Journey.
The Avatar Flight of Passage is a ride where you fly on the back of a banshee, a breathtaking simulated flight over the stunning landscapes of Pandora. To call this ride thrilling is an understatement.
The Na’vi River Journey takes riders on a gentle, slow moving boat ride through Pandora’s mystical bioluminescent rainforest. Along the way, you’ll be impressed by the lifelike animatronic Na’vi shaman and the visually stunning scenery. And speaking of “bioluminescent,” be sure to visit this area at night as the bioluminescent flora and ambient sounds are amazing sights and sounds.
Africa
When you arrive in Africa, head right to Kilimanjaro Safari, an amazing open wildlife savanna area that spans across 110 acres of the park. Riders are treated to a guided tour aboard an open-area safari vehicle, where you witness live animals like elephants, giraffes, lions, hippos, tigers, and rhinos in their natural habitat.
The Festival of the Lion King show is must-see Broadway-style show featuring popular songs and characters from “The Lion King.”
Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail allows you to walk through a fascinating tropical forest path, offering amazing views of wildlife including gorillas, hippos, and exotic birds.
Rafiki’s Planet Watch is also located in this Africa section, ideal for anyone interested in wildlife conservation and animal care. You must board the Wildlife Express Train at Harambe Station that offers a behind-the-scenes view of the park’s animal care facilities on a 7-minute route to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. Once at Rafiki’s Planet Watch, you’ll enjoy interactive exhibits, veterinary care observations, and a petting zoo.
Be sure to also stop by the Conservation Station where you’ll encounter some special animals and see firsthand the efforts it takes to care for them.
In this area, you’ll know doubt see and hear the “Tam Tam Drummers” of Harambe that represent the iconic beat of the Congo performed by African drummers.
Asia
In Asia, Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain and Kali River Rapids are top highlights. On Expedition Everest Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, riders enjoy a thrilling coaster ride that speeds through the Himalayas on a runaway train. It’s full of high-speed twists and turns, including a backwards ride on the coaster.
Kali River Rapids takes riders on a rip-roaring, raft water ride through scenic jungle landscapes. You will get splashed and possibly soaked. Be prepared to get wet.
Maharajah Jungle Trek is a self-guided walking trail featuring mystic ruins and exotic Asian wildlife, including tigers, bats, and birds.
The Feathered Friends in Flight!, 25-minute behind-the-scenes educational bird show, is presented by Animal Kingdom’s animal behavior specialists. Learn all about the free-flying birds that you see throughout the theme park and witness their natural behaviors and talents.
DinoLand U.S.A.
Sadly, DinoLand U.S.A. will be closing and be replaced in the near future. The iconic Dino-Sue towering replica skeleton of the largest T-Rex ever unearthed is a showstopper. This area of the park will be transformed into a new “Tropical Americas” themed area. Enjoy it while you can.
The Dinosaur thrill ride is a dark, fast-paced rescue mission set in dinosaur prehistoric age, to help a dinosaur escape a meteor strike.
Finding Nemo: The Big Blue … and Beyond! is located at the Theater in the Wild in this area. It’s a sweet musical about the father-son fish duo from the movie “Finding Nemo.” This 25-minute show is brought to life by incredible puppetry.
Animal Kingdom Street Shows and Character Visits
As with the other Disney theme parks, in Animal Kingdom, you also can meet and take photos with Disney characters. There are several meet-and-greet locations throughout the park including Tusker House Restaurant and the Adventurers Outpost store on Discovery Island.
And while you’re out looking for Character greetings, keep an eye out for street performances like DiVine, a mesmerizing performer covered with “vines” and foliage. She camouflages perfectly with her surroundings so you just might miss seeing her, but she is out there.
The Viva Gaia Street Band plays delightful rhythmic beats at a Caribbean street party.
The Harambe Village Acrobats in Africa showcase incredible athleticism and skills, a performance combining both dance, drumming, and impressive acrobatics.
Dining at Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom also offers a variety of dining opportunities, for quick service, snacks, or a sit-down meal, and the food offerings are delicious. Many of the cuisines reflect the cultures represented in each area such as Africa foods in Africa and likewise in Asia. Since you’ll most likely be spending a full day at Animal Kingdom, consider eating breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks at different parts of the park. For table service restaurants, reservations are always recommended.
Here are a few of the food highlights:
:: Tamu Tamu Refreshments for desserts and snacks, including the iconic Dole Whip soft-serve ice cream.
:: Harambe Market is an open-air quick-service restaurant that serves African-inspired dishes.
:: Pizzafari offers outstanding pizza and pasta.
:: Flame Tree Barbecue, a quick-service restaurant, offers classic American barbecue dishes (big portions!) with outdoor seating providing amazing views of the Discovery River.
:: Satu’li Canteen offers a unique dining experience in Pandora, serving healthy options, ideal for vegetarians and vegans. Customizable bowls with protein and grain choices.
:: Tusker House Restaurant is a buffet where you can meet safari-themed Disney characters like Donald Duck, Minnie, and Mickey.
:: Yak & Yeti Restaurant offers Asian fusion cuisine in a charming sit-down meal setting.
:: Nomad Lounge offers uniquely themed cocktails, drinks, and quick bites.
:: Tiffins is upscale dining, offering global cuisine, ideal for a special occasion.
:: Rainforest Café allows you to dine indoors surrounded by a lush, tropical rainforest complete with lifelike animatronic animals. Conveniently located at the park’s entrance/exit, ideal for a meal when you arrive or leave the Animal Kingdom park.
Some Extra Tips For Visiting Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is very different from the other Disney parks but in a refreshing, nature-filled way. This park teaches visitors about animals in their natural habitats, discussing the importance of animal conservation, along with the opportunity to go on fun rides and watch entertaining shows.
Since Disney’s Animal Kingdom offers a blend of rides, attractions, shows, nature trails, and dining, you have many options to help you plan the perfect visit. For example, there will be times when you’ll want to rest your feet, so plan to watch a sit-down stage show or grab a meal.
Allow plenty of time to meander through the animal viewing trails so you can appreciate the animal exhibits, especially Gorilla Falls in Africa and the Maharajah Jungle Trek in Asia. Also, be sure to stay for the evening experiences as they are amazing. The Tree of Life Awakenings and the bioluminescence in Pandora make for a beautiful (literally beautiful) ending to your day at Animal Kingdom.
As with all Disney theme parks, be sure to use the My Disney Experience app before and during your visit to Animal Kingdom. The app allows you to prioritize rides, shows, and attractions efficiently, in addition to making dining reservations and so much more.
Whether you’re viewing lions, hippos, and elephants roaming in the safari, or snapping photos of the giraffes or the Tree of Life, Animal Kingdom makes for a fun day out in the fresh air, enjoying nature at its finest.