Animal Kingdom has a different vibe than the other WDW parks. It's more laid back and less rushed. It's my second favorite park next to Epcot.
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My suggestion when visiting Animal Kingdom is to get there at rope drop and immediately head to the Africa section at the rear of the park and ride Kilimanjaro Safari. This is one of the most popular rides in the park so you can hopefully get there early enough to skip the lines. Not only that, the animals are far more active in the morning before the day gets hot and humid.
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Taking photos or videos will be difficult as the ride moves at a good clip and is bumpy. But the great part of Kilimanjaro Safari is that the animals aren't caged. They roam around in their natural habitat.
KALI RIVER RAPDS
One of my favorite rides in Animal Kingdom. We got absolutely drenched to the skin, which was fine with us given how hot it was that day. The ride used to go under a bridge on which were mounted water guns that anyone on the bridge could shoot at the rafts...I don't know why WDW removed the water guns but they did unfortunately.
The ride emulates a very calm version of whitewater rafting.
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EXPEDITION EVEREST
My all time favorite ride in all of the Disney parks! Expedition Everest 's an adrenaline junkie's dream. It scared my sister so badly she wouldn't ride it a second time with me.
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Tucked into the back corner of the Asia section, you’ll board a train destined for the Himalayas—but things take a turn when you come face to face with the mythical yeti. The immersive queue winds through a museum-like base camp where you’ll learn about the legend of the yeti before venturing into the mountains yourself.
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Once the ride kicks off, get ready for fast-paced turns, backward drops, and dark tunnel dives that make this coaster a favorite among thrill seekers.
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AVATAR FLIGHT OF PASSAGE
This 3D simulator ride uses groundbreaking motion technology to simulate flying through the Valley of Mo’ara. You’ll feel the wind in your face, smell the flora, and experience the pulse of your banshee beneath you. It’s breathtakingly immersive—but also intense.
Because it’s so popular, Flight of Passage often has one of the longest waits in the park, regularly exceeding 90 minutes.
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NA'VI RIVER JOURNEY
This is a slow-moving boat and drift through the bioluminescent rainforest of Pandora – The World of Avatar on Na’vi River Journey. This attraction is more of a serene experience than a thrill ride, but its glowing scenery, tranquil soundtrack, and beautifully detailed animatronics (including the impressive Shaman of Songs) make it a must-see for Avatar fans. It’s also a peaceful break from the hustle and heat of the park.
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GORILLA FALLS EXPLORATION TRAIL​
This isn't a ride but a walk through exploration trail that's just beautiful and that you can do at your own pace. This is where we saw baby Grace, the newborn gorilla. We spent some time there just watching baby Grace. She's adorable!
The trail is full of wildlife.
Baby gorilla, Grace
RAFIKI'S PLANET WATCH
Take the Wildlife Train to get there. Rafiki's Planet Watch is a tranquil area focused on conservation and animal care, offering interactive experiences like a petting zoo, behind-the-scenes animal insights, and Disney-led animation classes.
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THE WILDLIFE TRAIN
A calm, short train ride that gives you a look behind the scenes. It’s not exciting, but it’s a relaxing way to get to a quieter part of the park.
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LION KING SHOW
If you see nothing else at Disney, you must see the Lion King Show. This is an absolute don't miss.
Keep your eye on the monkey acrobats! They're amazing and really steal the show!
I could've easily watched this show multiple times. The music and costuming are phenomenal.
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DiVINE
So there I am standing on a walkway just minding my own business when suddenly this plant next to me comes to life and puts its hand on my shoulder...startling the crap out of me. LOL
Be on the lookout for DiVine on your way through Animal Kingdom. She totally blends in with the foliage!​
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FEATHERED FRIENDS IN FLIGHT
Join the animal behavior specialists for a behind-the-scenes look at the free-flying birds of Animal Kingdom. Visit Anandapur Theater to learn how these specialists care for and train their feathered friends. Interesting and informative. The show lasts about 35 minutes.
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FINDING NEMO: THE BIG BLUE...AND BEYOND!​
Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! tells the story of Nemo, Marlin, and Dory using larger-than-life puppets, immersive lighting, and a Broadway-style soundtrack created just for this stage adaptation.
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At around 25 minutes long, it’s a great way to take a break from the crowds—and the air conditioning is a much-needed bonus on hot Florida days. The theater features bench seating, which isn’t super plush but totally worth it for the cool air and engaging show.
Dining
We did not dine at any of the Animal Kingdom restaurants. We had lunch right outside the park gates at Rainforest Cafe.