Quick Guide to Disney’s Animal Kingdom

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom has just celebrated its 20th Anniversary this past Earth Day. This incredibly unique Park has something for everyone! There are thrill rides, immersive attractions, high-quality shows, delicious food, and of course, animals galore!

This quick guide will take a look at the six different themed lands around Disney’s Animal Kingdom and what guests can expect to find there. Included are backstories to the Lands, descriptions of the attractions, shows, and restaurants, and some tips for having the best day ever exploring the Park!

Oasis:

Your adventure begins in the Oasis. This small Land is an introductory into the rest of the Animal Kingdom by transition guests into the lush forests of the Park. The Oasis has the same entrance amenities as the rest of the Walt Disney World Parks have such as stroller and locker rentals but there is not much else in terms of building structures. The Rainforest Café has a unique location with one entrance being outside of the Park and one being on the inside. There are a few animals to see along the paths of The Oasis Exhibits such as anteaters, wallabies, boars, and spoonbills.

Discovery Island:

Discovery Island sits right in the middle of the Park and is home to Animal Kingdom’s icon: The Tree of Life. The Discovery Island trails weave around the Tree of Life and there are many animals to spot along the trails including tamarins and lemurs. The Tree of Life also houses It’s Tough to be a Bug, a 4D show featuring characters from A Bug’s Life and this show offers FastPass+. This show is absolutely terrifying in my opinion. Another FastPass+ option on Discovery Island is the Adventurers Outpost. This is where guests can meet Mickey and Minnie in their safari outfits. Many of the Park’s main shops are located here as well as many dining locations. Flame Tree Barbecue is one of my favourite quick service locations at Walt Disney World and is an excellent option for Mobile Ordering. Pizzafari is another quick service location offering Mobile Ordering. For an excellent table service option there is Tiffins, which is located right next door to Nomad Lounge. For snack options there is Eight Spoon Café, The Smiling Crocodile, and Isle of Java. The Animal Kingdom Starbucks location is called Creature Comforts. A pro tip here is to go through the second door (closest to Africa) for a much shorter line. This door looks like it is the exit so many people avoid it, but it is actually a second entrance which turns into a second (and shorter) line.

DinoLand USA:

This Land has quite the backstory! The short version (this is a quick guide after all) is that dinosaur bones were discovered somewhere in Diggs County along Highway 498 (498 referencing April 1998 when Animal Kingdom opened). Paleontologists came from all over to learn from this discovery and they set up the Dino Institute. These scientists needed a place to eat so the Restaurant was started. Grad students studying there liked to pull pranks by adding “osaurus” to the end of everything so eventually this eatery became Restaurantosaurus. As news of the dinosaur bones spread, tourists also started to arrive in Diggs County and they could visit the dig site, now called the Boneyard. Nearby, a couple named Chester and Hester owned a small gas station. Their business started to boom with all of these new arrivals so they decided to expand and turn their gas station into an entire country fair, now known as Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama.

What does this elaborate backstory mean to the average guest? Dino Institute houses the DINOSAUR attraction. Guests board a Time Rover and travel back in time in search of an Iguanodon. DINOSAUR offers FastPass + and has a height requirement of 40 inches / 102 cm. This attraction is quite dark and loud and may be too scary for younger time travellers. The Restaurantosaurus is an actual quick service restaurant which does offer Mobile Ordering. This is the only restaurant in DinoLand USA but there are a few snack locations such as Trilo-Bites, Dino-Bite Snacks, and Dino Diner (here is where you can find churros in Animal Kingdom). The Boneyard is a playground area, great for some young explorers to burn off some energy. Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama is home to Fossil Fun Games, Primeval Whirl, and TriceraTop Spin. Fossil Fun Games are carnival style games which do cost a fee. Primeval Whirl is a wild mouse roller coaster with spinning cars. There are two separate and identical tracks, so if you have a family member waiting nearby to take photos, make sure they know which track you are on. Primeval Whirl offers FastPass+ and has a height requirement of 48 inches / 122 cm. TriceraTop Spin is a classic spinner ride, very similar to Dumbo the Fly Elephant in Fantasyland.

DinoLand USA is also home to Finding Nemo – The Musical. This Broadway-esque 40 minute show highlights the main storyline of the Finding Nemo film, with new songs written by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. The show takes place at the Theater in the Wild and showtimes will be listed on the Times Guide. Show up at least 20 minutes before showtime for good seats.

Asia:

The attractions in Asia are also all connected by one backstory. Asia is set in the fictional Kingdom of Anandapur and guests can find portraits of the King and Queen in different shops and queues. There are two main attractions in Asia: Kali River Rapids and Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain.

The queue of Kali River Rapids starts by winding through ancient temples and ruins but then guests arrive at the offices of the rafting company Kali Rapids Expeditions. The rafting company was founded along the Chakranadi River as a means to show tourists the natural beauty of the surrounding forest. As guests pass through the main office, a message can be heard that illegal loggers have been found in the area and it is best advised that all tourism stops. However, no one from the rafting company is around to hear the message and guides still send guests off in the rafts into the dangerous waters. The overall conservation message of this attraction is about the serious negative causes of illegal deforestation.

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain is a thrilling roller coaster with an interesting backstory. The story takes place in the village of Serka Zong which is located in the foothills of the Himalayas. Originally it was home to the Royal Anandapur Tea Company but now there are tours being run of expeditions up the mountains. The touring company is called Himalayan Escapes and is run by Norbu and Bob. The queue winds through the offices of the tourism company and areas that are made to look like mountain gear shops where tourists can get ready for their expedition. Next there is a temple that is dedicated to the Yeti that is rumoured to make those mountains his home. The Yeti is respected by locals who offer fruit and incense as gifts. The next part of the queue is the Yeti museum. Tourists then board old steam trains that were once used to harvest tea from the mountains. Their journey begins through lush tea gardens and then up into the mountains the trains ascend.

Another attraction in Asia is the Maharajah Jungle Trek; highlights of this walking trail include Komodo dragons and tigers. Asia is also home to Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s nighttime show, Rivers of Light. This show offers both FastPass+ and Dining Packages for reserved seating. If there are two shows being offered in one night, watch the second show as the crowds will be lighter.

The main table service restaurant in Asia is Yak & Yeti, which also has an attached quick service location. Other snack locations are: Mr. Kamal’s, Anandapur Ice Cream Truck, Thirsty River Bar & Trek Snacks, Drinkwallah, and Warung Outpost.

Africa:

Africa is set in the fictional merchant village of Harambe. Near Harambe is the Harambe Wildlife Preserve, home to Kilimanjaro Safaris. Guests board safari trucks for a 22-minute guided journey. There are many animals along the tour including: lions, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, Ankole cattle, and giraffes. The best time to venture on your safari is in the morning; the animals will be more active before the heat of the day. Kilimanjaro Safaris offers FastPass+. Near to the exit of Kilimanjaro Safaris is the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. This walking trail takes explorers through a tropical forest in search of African wildlife. Some highlights are the hippo pool and the gorilla families. The Festive of the Lion King is a must-do in Africa. This show lasts 30 minutes and features highlights and songs from The Lion King story. The Festival of the Lion King offers FastPass+ and please see the times guide for showtimes.

Guests can also take the Wildlife Express Train over to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. At Rafiki’s Planet Watch, there is the Affection Station, the Conservation Station, and Habitat Habit. The Affection Station is a petting zoo with goats, donkeys, and pigs. The Conservation Station looks at the care that goes towards the animals found in the Park. Sometimes surgeries can be viewed and there are scientists and wildlife experts to answer questions. Habitat Habit is another walking trail featuring tamarins. Please note that Rafiki’s Planet Watch opens later and closes earlier than the rest of the Park.

Africa is home to many delicious restaurants. A great quick service location is the Harambe Market, which offers Mobile Odering. For a table service meal, there is Tusker House. Snack options can be found at Harambe Fruit Market, Tamu Tamu Refreshments, and Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery.

Pandora – The World of Avatar:

Animal Kingdom’s newest Land has impressed guests with its very modern and immersive design. Pandora opened with two major attractions, a quick service location, a snack location, and a shop. Avatar Flight of Passage is an amazing attraction! I have yet to hear a negative comment about it. This attraction brings guests right into the world of Pandora, which is a visually stunning place! The wait times for this ride are still crazy long, despite it being open for a year and will most likely remain lengthy well into the future. FastPass+ is a great option for this attraction as it literally brings you right to the front of the line. It is very difficult to get a FastPass+ for Avatar Flight of Passage so make sure to set your alarms for 7:00am EST, 60 days out from your trip (if you are staying on property). Another option to try and beat the line is to go first thing in the morning. Arrive well before the Park is even supposed to open because Animal Kingdom has been opening up Avatar Flight of Passage before the official opening to help with the crowds. Avatar Flight of Passage has a height requirement of 44 inches / 112 cm. Na’vi River Journey is the second attraction in Pandora. This boat ride showcases beautiful scenery which captivates your attention the entire ride. However, that ride is not very long and if you are looking for an attraction with a great storyline, this is not it. I would recommend riding Na’vi River Journey at least once to experience the beauty that the Imagineers have created, but I would not book a FastPass+ for it. The catch is that guests can only book one of the two Pandora attractions for their three FastPasses and then the other two must be from elsewhere in the Park. Na’vi River Journey is a great option for Extra Magic Hours since the wait times also get long.

The quick service restaurant in Pandora is called Satu’li Canteen. This location does off Mobile Ordering and a favourite here is the cheeseburger steamed pod. The snack location is called Pongu Pongu, which means Party Party in the Na’vi language, and a popular item here is the night blossom non-alcoholic drink.

General Tips about Disney’s Animal Kingdom:

The seating for Rivers of Light remains open during the day. There are plenty of open spaces available throughout the day to just sit down and take a break. Don’t forget to grab an ice cream float from the Anandapur Ice Cream Truck nearby!

In order to keep the animals safe and healthy, no balloons are sold inside the Park and no balloons are allowed in from other Parks.

Just like Russell from Up, you too can become a Wilderness Explorer! You can complete challenges and earn your badges (stickers) at many different locations around the Park. Guests must start at specific starting locations to obtain their field guide booklet. These are indication on the Park maps, but you know you are in the right place if the cast member is wear a compete Wilderness Explorer costume. Cast Members who only have the sash can give out badges, but they do not have field guides to give out.

Kilimanjaro Safaris does not always open with the rest of the Park. Ask a Cast Member when it opens before venturing to the back corner of the Park.

Kali River Rapids has free lockers nearby for guests to stow their gear while they ride so it does not get wet.

Craving a Dole Whip? Head on over to Tamu Tamu in Africa for this pineapple treat!

FastPass+ Tiers:

Tier 1 (Choose 1):

Avatar Flight of Passage
Na’vi River Journey

Tier 2 (Choose 2):

Kilimanjaro Safaris
Expedition Everest
DINOSAUR
Kali River Rapids
Primeval Whirl
Rivers of Light
It’s Tough to Be A Bug
Festival of the Lion King
Finding Nemo Musical
Adventurers Outpost Character Greeting
UP! A Great Bird Adventure
The Animation Experience at Conservation Station