Disney’s Animal Kingdom is an amazing park to visit during
your Disney World vacation. Often a hit with younger families because of the animals,
it shouldn’t be overlooked by other visitors as it has a lot to offer! Full of
amazing shows, interactive attractions and a bunch of wild animals, Disney’s
Animal Kingdom is a day we always look forward to.
While this park isn’t necessarily smaller than the others,
it does have fewer thrill attractions and often has reduced hours (closing
between 5pm and 7pm compared to Magic Kingdom staying open until midnight or
1am). For us, Animal Kingdom is often a more low-key day but is still filled
with fun & excitement!
Below you’ll find what we consider to be must-do attractions
at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and other’s that are noteworthy. We’ll look at the
various sections of the park – Oasis,
Discovery Island, Camp Minnie-Mickey, Africa, Rafiki’s Planet Watch, Asia, and DinoLand U.S.A. -
and all that there is to do in each!
When you first arrive at the Animal Kingdom, whether via car
or Disney’s bus transportation, you’ll enter through the same main entrance.
The first section of the park you’ll enter is Oasis. While we’ve yet to visit the main attraction here, The Oasis
Exhibits are a collection of gardens and pathways with tropical plants and
wildlife. It’s a self-guided tour that gives you a glimpse into some of the
animals that live at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
From Oasis, you’ll cross a bridge to enter all of the other
sections of the park. Directly in front of the bridge is:
1. Discovery Island
– To get to this section of the park, you’ll walk from Oasis and cross a
bridge which will put you directly in front of Discovery Island.
Major Attractions & Must Dos:
- It’s Tough to be a Bug! – Inside the Tree of Life, this 3D show features a variety of characters of the Bug’s Life movie. The characters are funny and interactive and with your 3D glasses on, you’ll experience everything close-up (and a few other fun surprises).
Secondary Attractions:
- Discovery Island Trails – Situated around the outside of the Tree of Life, you can see a variety of animals including porcupines, lemurs, and tortoises and get a closer look at the tree itself.
TIPS: At all sit-down and theatre-style shows, like It’s Tough to be a Bug!, we try to get seats along the outer edges. We try to be the first few in the theatre and then move all the way to the other end of the aisle or choose an aisle in the back of the theatre that other's don't want to sit in. This allows us to get out of the theatre quickly once the show is over & move on to the next attraction!
 |
| It's Tough to be a Bug! We're ready for the show with our 3D bug glasses! |
2. Camp Minnie-Mickey
– When facing the tree of life after just coming off the bridge, turn left
and then turn again at the first left you come across.
Major Attractions & Must Dos:
- Festival of the Lion King – This is one of our favourite attractions at the Animal Kingdom - and certainly our favourite show. It’s a live performance with amazing performers – acrobatic performers, singing performers, dancing performers – everything! I don’t have any words to describe how great this show is – it gives me chills every time I see it!
TIPS: Be sure to
get in line for the Festival of the Lion King early! Although the shows are on
a set schedule, the lines often fill up well before start time
 |
| Festival of the Lion King - this picture does no justice to amazing performance! |
3. Africa – To
get to this area of the park take your first left when facing Discovery Island
& the Tree of Life and head straight back.
Major Attractions & Must Dos:
- Kilimanjaro Safaris – hop in a safari truck and explore the African-style savanna. You may see giraffes, lions, hippos & rhinos to name a few!
Secondary Attractions:
- Panjani Forest Exploration Trail – While we have yet to explore this part of the park, this walking tour boasts the opportunity to discover birds, gorillas and even more views of the hippos!
TIPS: It’s often
advised to visit the Kilimanjaro Safari first thing in the morning. The lines
will be drastically shorter and you’re more likely to see the animals in an
active state as the weather tends to be cooler in the early mornings.
 |
| The giraffes are friendly and often come close to the truck |
4. Rafiki’s Planet
Watch – While in Africa, head to over to the Wildlife Express Train.
This train, which runs non-stop all day, will take you up to Rafiki’s Planet
Watch. Although Rafiki’s Planet Watch isn’t on our overall must-do list at
Animal Kingdom, when we decide to go up, there are a few places we make sure we
visit.
Major Attractions & Must Dos:
- Wildlife Express Train – the train that takes you from Africa to Rafiki’s Planet Watch is a relaxing and fun way to get to your next attraction. It’s easy to navigate and departs every 5 minutes or so!
- Affection Section – this is an area where you can interact with and pet various animals. When we visited in 2014, we met some very cute and very patient goats.
Secondary Attractions:
- Habitat Habit! – This is an outdoor discovery tail that offers educational tips on how we can better share the world with animals.
- Conservation Station – There’s often a live demonstration here with cast members bringing out various animals. There’s also a lot of information about how Disney cares for its animals.
 |
| On the Wildlife Express Train |
 |
| Enjoying the ride |
5. Asia – To get to this area of the park, you can either head
over to the left from Africa or, if coming in from the main entrance, you’ll
want to head to your right when facing the Tree of Life.
Major Attractions & Must Dos:
- Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain – this is a roller-coaster style train that takes you up, around and inside a mountain that is home to a yeti! It’s full of sharp turns, dark tunnels and unexpected twists.
- Kali River Rapids – prepare to get wet! In a river raft with others, you’ll make your way down the river with deep drops and overhead water spouts that will be sure to leave you feeling refreshed.
Secondary Attractions:
- Flights of Wonder – this is a theatre-style show full of various types of birds in an action-packed and educational performance. If you’re in the area close to show time, you may see a cast member calling a group of birds over to get people’s attention. We saw a flock of parrots come flying towards us unison – it was really cool!
- Maharajah Jungle Trek – Another self-guided walking tour, you’ll see various birds, bats, tigers and komodo dragons!
TIPS: Expedition
Everest is one of the more popular rides at Animal Kingdom, especially in Asia
so it’s good to have a FastPass or visit early on in the day. As mentioned
above, you’re almost guaranteed to get a bit wet, if not soaked, on the Kali
River Rapids. If you want to avoid this, bring a water-proof poncho with you or
dress accordingly.
 |
| What a view! |
 |
| Heading over to Expedition Everest! |
 |
| A little blurry, but this is us (3rd row) on Expedition Everest |
 |
| Part of the Flights of Wonder show, these birds came flying in overhead |
6. DinoLand U.S.A.
– To get to this area of the park, you can leave Asia and make a left and
walk straight past Expedition Everest or cut across the bridge that connects
Asia and Discover Island. If coming in from the main entrance, you’ll want to
take your first right after you enter Discovery Island and then make another right to
cross over another bridge.
Major Attractions & Must Dos:
- DINOSAUR – this is Ellen’s favourite ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! In a jeep-like vehicle, you’ll be on an indoor track that has you looking for dinosaurs in the dark (not completely dark). It’s a bumpy ride with twist and turns that is sure to keep you excited the whole way through!
- Finding Nemo: The Musical- This is an excellent 40 minute stage show in which all your favorite Finding Nemo characters come to life in puppet form and are manipulated by actors in full black suits who blend into the background while operating them.
Secondary Attractions:
- Primeval Whirl - This is a small carnival style roller coaster that spins 360 degrees. It is a short ride and reminded us of a ride you would find at any country fair.
- Tricera Top Spin – This is a dinosaur themed version of Dumbo and Aladdin’s Magic Carpet ride in Magic Kingdom. We haven't done this ride for that reason and feel it’s best to leave for the kiddos.
TIPS: Because
Animal Kingdom is limited in its overall thrill attractions, DINOSAUR can see
long lines so you may want to consider a FastPass to avoid long wait times.
 |
| DINOSAUR! |
 |
| See ya next time, Animal Kingdom! |
No comments:
Post a Comment