Best Rides for Babies and Toddlers at Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom is home to a couple of great attractions for toddlers to ride, and a bunch of fun animals for toddlers and little ones to see. Plus, there are 2 fantastic shows that the whole family can enjoy.

Want a list of the best rides for babies and toddlers at Animal Kingdom? We can help!

Important note: This post is just one piece of a group of resources geared towards helping families with babies and toddlers traveling to Walt Disney World. Make sure you check out our Complete Guide to traveling to Disney World with Babies and Toddlers for even more information to help you plan your dream vacation.

What makes a ride good for babies and toddlers?

Not every attraction without a height requirement is one you should take your baby or toddler on. Some attractions may look fun, but can actually be a little scary.

Take, for example, It’s Tough to be a Bug.

This 3-D show based on the Pixar film A Bug’s Life seems like a fun and relaxing attraction to bring a little one on. However, parts of the show can be scary (even for adults), and it isn’t uncommon for kids to leave crying.

And then there are some attractions at Animal Kingdom that are just “okay” and you may have more fun spending your time doing something else.

This first section is the list of attractions we think are definitely worth a try with a toddler.

Down below those, we’ll go through a few additional attractions that you may want to ride – but we encourage you to do so with caution.

Then, we have a batch of other attractions and activities that are good time fillers if you are just needing something to do.

Want to ride some of the bigger attractions too? Disney has a free service called Rider Swtich that makes it easier for 2 adults to ride the thrill rides without having to wait in a long line twice.

We have posts for that cover the best rides for toddlers at the other 3 parks, so make sure you check those out, too:

• Best rides for babies and toddlers at Magic Kingdom
• Best rides for babies and toddlers at Epcot
• Best rides for babies and toddlers at Hollywood Studios

Top 9 Best rides for toddlers at Animal Kingdom

These are all usually hits with babies and toddlers and are ones we recommend to our friends and family with little ones:

• Feathered Friends in Flight! (Asia)
• Festival of the Lion King (Africa)
• Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! (DinoLand U.S.A.)
• Kilimanjaro Safaris (Africa)
• Na’vi River Journey (Pandora)
• TriceraTop Spin (DinoLand U.S.A.)
• Wildlife Express Train (Rafiki’s Planet Watch)
• Affection Section (Rafiki’s Planet Watch)
• Conservation Station (Rafiki’s Planet Watch)

Africa

Africa is home to a couple of attractions that will appeal to babies and toddlers. Kilimanjaro Safaris is the quintessential Animal Kingdom attraction, and Festival of the Lion King is one of the best shows at any of the Disney World parks.

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Safari vehicles that are driven by guides who really do drive (no tracks) and they are very knowledgeable about the animals. As you go, the drivers give you lots of info based on what you see along the ride and sometimes have to stop to wait for animals to clear the path.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Anybody
• Attraction length: About 22 minutes
• Do we recommend? Definitely
• When to visit: 1st hour (or later with Genie+)
• Lightning Lane available: Yes
• Eligible for Early Entry: No, but sometimes opens early

• Tip(s): Visit first thing in the morning after the park opens. Not only does the line get really long really fast but the animals do seem to be out more in the morning. The earlier you arrive at Animal Kingdom, the easier it will be to get on this ride without a wait.

Festival of the Lion King

This big, fun, Broadway-style show lasts for 30 minutes and is 1 of the best shows at Disney World. There is lots of music, dancing, stilt walkers and acrobats, featuring songs and stories from The Lion King.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Everybody
• Attraction length: About 30 minutes
• Do we recommend? Absolutely
• When to visit: Anytime, as scheduled
• Lightning Lane available: Yes
• Eligible for Early Entry: No

• Tip(s): Check show times to see when it’s scheduled, and show up 15-20 minutes beforehand, trying to sit near the front of a section for the best views.

Asia

The Asia section of Animal Kingdom only has a handful of attractions, of which 2 are good options for babies or toddlers.

Check out our Asia must-do rides for little ones:

Feathered Friends in Flight!

Take a behind-the-scenes look at the birds that are a part of Animal Kingdom park. This show is hosted by animal behavior specialists that highlight how the birds are trained and cared for.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Everybody
• Attraction length: About 25 minutes
• Do we recommend? Absolutely
• When to visit: Anytime, as scheduled
• Lightning Lane available: Yes
• Eligible for Early Entry: No

• Tip(s): The earlier shows are typically the least busy.

DinoLand U.S.A.

Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!

A Broadway-style show featuring super talented performers who sing and control puppet-type versions of the characters. Really great show and we feel like it keeps getting better.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Everybody
• Attraction length: About 25 minutes
• Do we recommend? Yes, unless you have young kids who aren’t into shows. Unlike the Festival of the Lion King (which is loved by nearly everyone because it is so high energy and fun), Finding Nemo is great for people who tend to enjoy musicals.
• When to visit: Anytime, as scheduled
• Lightning Lane available: Yes
• Eligible for Early Entry: No

• Tip(s): You’ll want to check the times guide for the show time and then show up about 15-20 minutes before a show begins. The best views are in the top, middle section.

TriceraTop Spin

Dumbo, but with dinosaurs.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Young kids
• Attraction length: About 2 minutes
• Do we recommend? No, unless you’re just trying to kill time with little ones
• When to visit: Anytime
• Lightning Lane available: No
• Eligible for Early Entry: No

• Tip(s): It is easy to take multiple rides on here without much of a wait, especially early in the morning.

Pandora

Na’vi River Journey

A gentle boat ride through the bioluminescent rain forest, complete with a spectacular encounter with a Na’vi shaman.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Anybody
• Attraction length: About 5 minutes
• Do we recommend? Yes
• When to visit: 1st hour (or later with Genie+)
• Lightning Lane available: Yes
• Eligible for Early Entry: Yes

• Tip(s): Unlike Flight of Passage, this attraction is family-friendly and can be enjoyed by all.

Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Rafiki’s Planet Watch is composed of several different elements including a fun train, the Conservation Station (where you can learn about animal habitats from around the world) and the Affection Section, which is an animal petting zoo.

Conservation Station

A behind-the-scenes look of animal habitats from around the world, including a peak behind the scenes of real life veterinarians in action.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Everybody
• Attraction length: N/A
• Do we recommend? Yes, but just for animal lovers and little ones
• When to visit: Anytime – operates seasonally
• Lightning Lane available: No
• Eligible for Early Entry: No

• Tip(s): A visit out to Rafiki’s Planet Watch can sometimes take 1.5 hours round trip, so be aware of that before you board the train.

Wildlife Express Train

This train departs every 5-7 minutes (though lines to board the train can be lengthy) to take people to visit the Rafiki’s Planet Watch section.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Everybody
• Attraction length: About 7 minutes
• Do we recommend? Not unless you plan to spend time at the Conservation Station, the Affection Section or Habitat Habit.
• When to visit: Anytime – operates seasonally
• Lightning Lane available: No
• Eligible for Early Entry: No

• Tip(s): A visit out to Rafiki’s Planet Watch can sometimes take 1.5 hours round trip, so be aware of that before you board the train.

Affection Section

The only petting zoo at Walt Disney World, you can get up and close with several furry friends.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Everybody
• Attraction length: N/A
• Do we recommend? Yes, but just for animal lovers and little ones
• When to visit: Anytime – operates seasonally
• Lightning Lane available: No
• Eligible for Early Entry: No

• Tip(s): A visit out to Rafiki’s Planet Watch can sometimes take 1.5 hours round trip, so be aware of that before you board the train.

Ride with caution

There are a couple of attractions at Animal Kingdom with either no height requirement or a very low height requirement (40″ or less) that may be a bit too much for your baby or toddler. Before you ride them, make sure you understand what you are getting into:

• Kali River Rapids
• DINOSAUR
• It’s Tough to be a Bug!
• The Animation Experience

Kali River Rapids

A river raft ride that has a very high chance of soaking you. The attraction itself isn’t very long, but if it is pretty fun on a hot day.

• Height req: 38 inches
• Suitable for: Anybody who doesn’t mind getting wet
• Attraction length: About 4 minutes
• Do we recommend? Yes, unless you hate being wet (have we mentioned that it gets you wet yet?)
• When to visit: 2nd hour (or later with Genie+)
• Lightning Lane available: Yes
• Eligible for Early Entry: No

• Tip(s): Wear a poncho to avoid getting wet, and plan on using the free lockers nearby to store your belongings

DINOSAUR

This ride takes you on a rough ride through history where you see lots of dinosaurs along the way.

• Height req: 40 inches
• Suitable for: Bigger kids and adults
• Attraction length: About 3 minutes
• Do we recommend? Yes
• When to visit: 2nd hour (or later with Genie+)
• Lightning Lane available: Yes
• Eligible for Early Entry: Yes

• Tip(s): If you’re using Rider Switch, the Boneyard is nearby and is a good place to entertain little ones while the older people in your group ride.

It’s Tough to be a Bug!

This 3D show is inside of the Tree of Life and features characters from “A Bug’s Life.” As you’re looking at The Tree of Life from the front of the park, the entrance for this show is located just to the right side, near the paths that you’d take to DinoLand, U.S.A.

• A new Zootopia show is in the works to replace It’s Tough to be a Bug! While we don’t have an opening date for the new show or a closing date for It’s Tough to be a Bug!, we do know that the Zootopia attraction will explore the various biomes briefly seen in the movie and feature familiar faces like Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Big kids and adults
• Attraction length: About 8 minutes
• Do we recommend? It’s not a must-see, but it’s a fun time-filler and a nice break from the heat.
• When to visit: Anytime
• Lightning Lane available: Yes
• Eligible for Early Entry: Yes

• Tip(s): Many families are drawn to this attraction because it’s cool to be able to go inside the tree and the characters are from a kid-friendly movie, but we have to warn you that little ones often scream at this show. It’s dark and there are scary parts that freak kids out, leaving everybody to sit in a theater with inconsolable tots.

The Animation Experience at Conservation Station

Learn how to draw favorite Disney characters and villains including Simba, Zazu, Scar, Pumbaa, Timon, Hopper, Tic Toc, and others.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Bigger kids and adults
• Attraction length: About 25 minutes
• Do we recommend? Yes
• When to visit: Anytime, as scheduled
• Lightning Lane available: Yes
• Eligible for Early Entry: No

• Tip(s): The pace of this mini-animation class may be frustrating for little ones. If you are traveling with somebody who doesn’t wish to participate, the nearby petting area at Affection Section makes it easy for groups to split up.

VIDEO: 4 Attractions That Scare Kids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Other things for toddlers to explore at Animal Kingdom

One of the best things about Animal Kingdom is that there is so much to do and see at the park, outside of just the attractions. Here’s what we think your toddler may love:

Characters

Some toddlers will really love the characters, while others would prefer to stay far, far away.

Animal Kingdom is a great place to meet fun characters in unique outfits (such as Chip and Dale in dinosaur costumes).

Play Areas

There are a few places that little ones will be able to just run around and play at Animal Kingdom:

• The Boneyard – huge enclosed play structure (more on this below)
• The Dig Site – a play site connected to the Boneyard

The Boneyard

Play structure that’s great for letting little ones run around and burn off some steam.

• Height req: None
• Suitable for: Young children
• Attraction length: N/A
• Do we recommend? Not a must-see, but a great way to let cranky kids run around and not worry about being restrained in a stroller or standing in a line somewhere.
• When to visit: Anytime (often opens an hour after the park)
• Lightning Lane available: No
• Eligible for Early Entry: No

• Tip(s): This area usually opens an hour after the park does so don’t plan to stop by until then. If you’re using Rider Switch on a couple of nearby rides, this is a good place to entertain little ones while the older people in your group ride.

Trails

Throughout the park, you will be able to find several walking trails that include some interactive features and exhibits, as well as all kinds of animals:

• Discovery Island Trails
• Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
• Maharajah Jungle Trek
• Tree of Life Garden

Animals

What would Animal Kingdom be without the animals? The great news is that you can see all different kinds of animals throughout the entire park.

Click on the links below to see what you can expect to see in each area of the park:

Using Genie+ with toddlers

Animal Kingdom doesn’t have a ton of Genie+ attractions (10-11 total).

Much like Epcot, if you have a good touring plan, want to save a few dollars, and you don’t mind possibly standing in a few lines, you could skip purchasing both Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes for this park.

In addition, Genie+ isn’t really required to ride many of the attractions that are good for babies and toddlers.

But, if you are looking to stand in as few of lines as possible, Genie+ can come in handy at a couple of attractions at Animal Kingdom.

The entire Genie+ system can be confusing, but we’ve put together some guides that should help.

If you’re considering purchasing Genie+, make sure you check them out. The one linked directly below this is a good one to start with:

• Guide to Genie+ at Disney World (w/links to everything you need to know)

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Felicia Goodwin

Felicia has combined her technical background (B.S., Management Information Systems, work as a Systems Analyst and IT Project Manager) with her experience planning dozens of trips to Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Disney Cruise Line, and Disneyland Paris to keep the content on the WDW Prep site updated using various tools and systems to make it as easy and accurate as possible. Email Felicia

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