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Guide to Every Attraction at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom

Guide to Every Attraction at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom is a hugely underrated park.

It’s a beautiful place with interesting things to see, impeccable theming and some fantastic attractions.

Here’s a guide to all Animal Kingdom rides and attractions to help you decide what to do when you visit.

What rides are at Animal Kingdom?

Animal Kingdom has a total of 15 rides and live shows:

  • The Animation Experience at Conservation Station
  • Avatar Flight of Passage
  • The Boneyard
  • Conservation Station
  • DINOSAUR
  • Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
  • Feathered Friends in Flight!
  • Festival of the Lion King
  • Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!
  • It’s Tough to be a Bug!
  • Kali River Rapids
  • Kilimanjaro Safaris
  • Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventurers Outpost
  • Na’vi River Journey
  • TriceraTop Spin

Animal Kingdom is the largest of all of the theme parks in terms of acres but has the least amount of attractions. The park icon is a big man-made tree called The Tree of Life.

As the park’s name implies, there are lots of live animal attractions here, but there are some good non-animal attractions as well (including the 2 best live shows in all of Disney World).

Let’s take a look at each section of Animal Kingdom and what attractions are located there.

Characters and Nighttime Entertainment

In addition to the attractions and shows listed below, Animal Kingdom also offers visitors lots of opportunities to see characters around the park. And while there is no nighttime show in the traditional sense, the Tree of Life Awakenings projections occur nightly and are a beautiful way to end your park day.

Animal Kingdom Map

This park is divided by continents and distinctly themed lands:

Download the PDF

AK Map Front Mar2023
AK Map Back Mar2023

Africa

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.

elephant on kilimanjaro safaris at animal kingdom
  • 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.

tumble monkeys - festival of 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

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

Expedition Everest is a fantastic roller coaster and one of our favorite attractions in all of Disney World. It starts off like a pretty normal coaster and then stops and goes backward before heading forward again on a thrilling ride.

hill on expedition everest
  • Height req: 44 inches
  • Suitable for: Coaster lovers. Although many kindergarten and 1st graders will be tall enough to ride, many get off of it visibly upset because it was way too intense for them. If your child is tall enough, make sure they’re also ready for a big ride.
  • Attraction length: About 3 and a half 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): Use a Genie+ if you don’t ride it first thing when the park opens. There is also a single rider option which would help people ride if they don’t have a Genie+ reservation.

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.

feathered friends in flight
  • 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.

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.

kali river rapids
  • 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

DinoLand U.S.A.

DINOSAUR

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

dinosaur entrance animal kingdom
  • 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.

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.

finding nemo the big blue and beyond animal kingdom
  • 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.

TriceraTop Spin
  • 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.

The Boneyard

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

The Boneyard
  • 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.

Discovery Island

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.

its tough to be a bug
  • 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.

Rafiki’s Planet Watch

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.

animation experience at conservation station
  • 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.

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.

Wildlife Express Train
  • 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.

Pandora

Avatar Flight of Passage

Unlike any other attraction at Walt Disney World, guests mount their own “virtual banshee” to soar above the Valley of Mo’ara.

Flight of Passage
  • Height req: 44 inches
  • Suitable for: Guests 44″ and taller and those that can handle rides that are simulator based.
  • Attraction length: About 5 minutes
  • Do we recommend? Yes. If you are tall enough and don’t tend to get sick on simulator-based rides, this is one of the most unique attractions at Disney World and is definitely worth a try.
  • When to visit: 1st hour (or later with Individual Lightning Lane selection)
  • Lightning Lane available: Yes
  • Eligible for Early Entry: Yes
  • Tip(s): If you are prone to motion sickness, try riding in the middle of your row. The seats here are notorious for not being accommodating of all body types. If you are worried, there is a “test seat” outside of the queue that you can practice on. Be sure to lean in and slide your feet all the way forward as far as possible to maximize the seat and leg space.

Na’vi River Journey

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

na'vi river journey at animal kingdom
  • 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.

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