After we deliberate our first household journey to Walt Disney World a few years in the past, I used to be wanting ahead to our first go to to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I’d been informed that it was positively not a zoo, however I wasn’t positive what to anticipate. Should you haven’t been to Animal Kingdom, or haven’t visited shortly, it’s possible you’ll not know what enjoyable you might be in for. This park manages to mix animal experiences with a few of the greatest rides within the parks. Right here’s our information to Disney’s Animal Kingdom rides.
Disclosure: I’m a former member of the Disney Parks Mothers Panel and have been on some complimentary press journeys at Walt Disney World, however all opinions are my very own. This put up incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. A purchase order/click on by way of certainly one of these hyperlinks (together with on the map)might lead to a fee paid to us at no extra price to you.
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A Information to the Finest Animal Kingdom Rides
Like the opposite parks at Walt Disney World, Animal Kingdom has a number of totally different themed lands. These embody Africa, Asia, Dinoland USA, Pandora – the World of Avatar, Discovery Island, and Rafiki’s Planet Watch.
Pandora – the World of Avatar is the latest of the lands and is my favourite. It’s a totally immersive expertise that’s extremely detailed, and it has two of the perfect Animal Kingdom rides.
As a result of Pandora opened most not too long ago, it’s nonetheless extraordinarily well-liked. Go very first thing or later within the day for the bottom crowd ranges and shorter wait occasions. It’s a totally totally different land at midnight, so it’s possible you’ll wish to stroll by way of it twice to see it through the day and night time.
It’s greatest to obtain the My Disney Expertise app to your smartphone so you possibly can handle your day and see park maps while you’re on the go. You too can handle the Disney Genie or Genie+ (if in case you have it).
Africa Rides
Kilimanjaro Safaris: Top-of-the-line rides for the entire household (together with young children), Kilimanjaro Safaris is a particular must-do in your Disney household trip. We’ve been on it a variety of occasions and at all times must journey it once we are in Animal Kingdom.
Throughout this journey, you’ll board a safari car and journey into the Harambe Wildlife Reserve savanna to see actual reside animals. It’s at all times a distinct expertise so that you’ll wish to journey it throughout each go to. It’s greatest to journey when it’s not the most well liked exterior, so early within the day is nice. This journey does supply a Genie+ lightning lane.
Asia
Expedition Everest: One in all my favourite thrill rides on the Disney theme parks, Expedition Everest is a curler coaster that travels backward. It’s a lot enjoyable, and I positively suggest driving it in case you’ve received children that meet the peak requirement. There’s additionally a single-rider line that may make the wait just a little shorter in addition to a Genie+ lightning lane.
Should you can, attempt driving at night time when it’s much more thrilling. Earlier than my children had been sufficiently old to journey it, my husband and I’d take turns driving it by way of the single-rider line, as a result of it was certainly one of our favourite rides and we didn’t wish to miss it. Now that our children are teenagers, it’s enjoyable for all 4 of us to journey collectively.
Kali River Rapids – On a scorching day, this water journey will be the most effective methods to chill off. This whitewater rafting journey is thrilling but additionally applicable for most children (the peak requirement is 38 inches). It does supply Genie+.
Simply understand that you’ll get moist whereas driving it! Should you don’t have somebody to carry your belongings for you, think about bringing some massive ziplock luggage or a moist bag to carry your extra delicate gadgets.
Pandora – the World of Avatar
Avatar Flight of Passage: The most well-liked journey at Animal Kingdom (if not all of Walt Disney World), Avatar Flight of Passage is a simulator 3D journey the place you get the chance to journey on the again of a banshee. The surroundings is totally breathtaking, and it’s one of the vital imaginative rides I’ve skilled.
The traces to this are at all times very lengthy. In case you are liable to movement illness, it’s possible you’ll really feel just a little bit dizzy on the journey. I typically do, however briefly shut my eyes and really feel significantly better in a couple of seconds.
Avatar Flight of Passage affords a person lightning lane, so that you’ll must buy particular person entry if you wish to keep away from the standby line.
Na’vi River Journey: On this darkish journey, you’ll take a ship journey in a bioluminescent rainforest looking for the shaman of tune. It’s a gorgeous journey, however not practically as thrilling as Avatar Flight of Passage. There are often lengthy traces for each of those Pandora points of interest. This one affords Genie+.
DinoLand USA
This quirky land is paying homage to a kitschy roadside attraction. It’s very totally different from the opposite lands at Animal Kingdom, but it surely additionally has some enjoyable rides.
DINOSAUR: Tucked away off the principle path is DINOSAUR, a mild-ish darkish thrill journey. On this journey, you’ll board a time machine car to return in time to view dinosaurs and even convey one again with you. It’s a novel journey, and my children adore it.
Whereas the car is bumpy and the dinos can appear actual, it isn’t as thrilling as the opposite thrill rides on the parks. It affords a Genie+ lightning lane.
TriceraTop Spin: In case your children are followers of the Dumbo the Flying Elephant journey on the Magic Kingdom, they’ll positively wish to go on TriceraTop Spin. It’s similar to Dumbo, however as an alternative of flying elephants, you’ll journey on Triceratops. There often isn’t as lengthy a line for this journey as Dumbo.
Discovery Island
It’s Robust to Be a Bug!: This can be a 3D movie, reasonably than a journey, but it surely’s nonetheless plenty of enjoyable. Positioned proper within the Tree of life icon within the heart of the park, It’s Robust to Be a Bug is a movie primarily based on the Pixar movie, A Bug’s Life. It’s darkish within the theater and generally is a bit scary for actually little ones. However in any other case, it’s one thing children will get pleasure from. It’s Robust To Be a Bug affords Genie+.
Different points of interest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Along with the rides talked about above, Animal Kingdom can also be dwelling to animal encounters and exhibits that you just’ll positively wish to expertise. Listed below are a few of the hottest:
Pageant of the Lion King: Primarily based on the Lion King, this stage present is a large spectacle that’s completely price seeing. It runs for a few half-hour and options music, vibrant costumes, puppets, and extra. Genie+ is obtainable.
Discovering Nemo: The Huge Blue… and Past: Just like the Pageant of the Lion King, this present options well-liked characters – this time from Discovering Nemo. It contains music, puppets, and extra. It runs for about 40 minutes and Genie+ is obtainable.
Wildlife Categorical Prepare: Take the Wildlife Categorical Prepare to go to the Dialog Station and get an insider take a look at the veterinary facility in addition to some animal displays.
There’s additionally the Maharajah Jungle Trek, Feathered Mates in Flight!, and the Gorilla Falls Exploration Path, in addition to many various animal trails and encounters. You’ll additionally discover many various Disney characters on the park – test the My Disney Expertise app for particular characters, areas, and occasions.
Steadily Requested Questions concerning the Animal Kingdom Rides
For my part, it’s Avatar Flight of Passage, which is definitely my favourite journey in any respect of Walt Disney World. It’s not like anything I’ve been on and is actually a novel and enjoyable expertise.
Thrill journey lovers will even wish to take a look at Expedition Everest. It goes backward so shortly that some folks truly assume they’ve gone the other way up.
Whereas there are positively peak restrictions for a few of the rides, there are additionally issues that can attraction to little ones. These embody the exhibits. They’re brief, so they’re nice for youthful children to look at.
Earlier than Pandora – the World of Avatar opened, Animal Kingdom was usually regarded as a half-day park. Actually, it often closed fairly early within the night. Now, nevertheless, I really feel that the park is extra of a full-day expertise. You in all probability gained’t want greater than someday, nevertheless.
If you wish to go to Animal Kingdom, you’ll want a park ticket and a park reservation. There are a great deal of totally different Walt Disney World park ticket choices you can find out about. Get Away At the moment affords discounted park tickets you can buy upfront in case you want tickets. Should you plan to go to multiple park within the day, you’ll want the park hopper possibility in your tickets.
Extra Assets: Need to know extra about Disney World rides? Click on right here to learn all of our posts about Disney rides and points of interest.
