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10 Things To See, Do, Explore, And Eat In Disney’s Animal Kingdom

We all have a love for Walt Disney World and most of us have a favorite park. Here are several things to do on your next trip that can make Disney’s Animal Kingdom one of your favorite parks!

10. Character Spots

You can see quite a few characters at Animal Kingdom that you may not be able to see at other parks. You can find Mickey and Minnie in their safari gear, Russell and Dug from Up, and Pocahontas. Bonus if you can spot Kevin from Up or the beautiful DiVine. DiVine is a character that blends in very well with the wild plant life at Animal Kingdom. If you look very closely you will see the trees come to life as she moves majestically through the gorgeous greenery.

9. Festival of The Lion King

There are also great shows at Animal Kingdom. The Festival of The Lion King is a high energy, acrobatic, circus style show. The crowd is split into four sections and each section represents an animal. It does not follow the theme of the movie but does include music from the film. It is a high energy spectacle that will sure to remain on your agenda each time you visit Animal Kingdom.

8. Flame Tree BBQ

In my opinion Flame Tree BBQ may be the best quick service restaurant in all of Disney World. It is very affordable and the portions are very large. From the Pulled Pork Sandwich w/ Baked Beans to the Ribs and Chicken Combo, you can’t go wrong at Flame Tree BBQ!

7. Tusker House

You can have Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner at Tusker House. My personal favorite is Breakfast! It is a buffet with a fantastic selection. You can have some of your normal breakfast items like eggs, bacon, and of course Mickey Waffles, but there are some items that will have some African flair as well. You will also get to try my personal favorite JUNGLE JUICE…DELICIOUS! Did I mention you will get to meet Donald and Friends in their Safari Gear? You can also get reservations before the park opens. This will give you an opportunity to get some great photos without the crowd.

6. Pandora – The World of Avatar

Pandora – The World of Avatar is the newest land in the Animal Kingdom theme park. Here you will find two extremely popular attractions known as Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey. You can expect a thrilling ride on Avatar Flight of Passage as you climb aboard a Banshee (dragon-like creature) and ride through the beautiful World of Avatar. The Na’vi River Journey is a perfect family-friendly attraction as guests boat down river and see just how beautiful the Na’vi tribe’s rainforest is with bioluminescence lighting and the latest animatronics. Outside of these two attractions, a great quick service option is Satu’li Canteen. Fresh pods and bowls are served for lunch and dinner here… plus Mobile Ordering makes it easy to avoid lines. Besides the attractions and food, the Pandora land is almost like an attraction itself with stunning beauty and ability to interact with guests… especially as it glows at night!

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5. Finding Nemo the Musical

One Word…AMAZING! This is one of my family’s favorite shows in all of Disney. This is a 40 minute show performed by very talented Disney Puppeteers. I have never seen a show quite like it. From the outstanding music, the vibrant colors, and the huge props this show will have you begging for more. I have seen this show over 20 times and I love it more each time I go. I look at the crowd at the end of the show and almost always see tears of joy. It is simply MAGICAL! If you love it as much as we do, you can find the soundtrack in many of the gift shops.

4. Must-Do Rides

There are several must-do rides at Animal Kingdom. You can ride a high speed roller coaster in Expedition Everest where you will have to find a way to escape from a gigantic Yeti. You can cool off on the Kali River Rapids raft ride, where you and 11 of your closest friends (or perfect strangers) flow down a scenic river, but beware you may be the victim of a geyser or unforgiving waterfall. You can go back in time in your very own EMV (enhanced motor vehicle) and try to save a dinosaur from extinction. You can even fly on the back of a Banshee on Avatar Flight of Passage. Last but not least is the Kilimanjaro Safari! While this is not a thrill ride, it is a must do. You will see many animals and beautiful views of the Savanna! Our favorite time to venture out on the safari is first thing in the morning; typically the animals are much more active.

3. Wild Africa Trek

There are many behind the scenes tours offered at Walt Disney World. These tours all come with an extra cost but in our experience it has always been well worth it. This tour lasts about 3 hours. You will cross bridges high over the park and be able to come up close and personal with many of the animals. You will also get to ride in a Safari vehicle out on the Savanna. If you work up an appetite, you will have the opportunity to indulge in many African inspired snacks. Included in the price you will receive a complimentary photo service.

2. The Tree Of Life

You have not done Disney’s Animal Kingdom if you have not taken a stroll through the Discovery Island Trails around The Tree Of Life. These trails will allow you to take a self-guided tour alongside many beautiful plants and trees. There are also bridges and tunnels you can navigate through. You may encounter many animals while on the trails such as lemurs or red kangaroos. Continue to follow the trails for an up-close look at the Tree of Life itself. You will see the great detail of the 300 plus animals carved into the tree. You will be able to take many great photos and make even more great memories. Plus, check out the Tree of Life Awakenings at mentioned below.

1. Animal Kingdom Evening Hours

You don’t want to skip out early from Animal Kingdom! Now coming to life at night, guest have the opportunity to enjoy an amphitheater style show called Rivers of Light where nature is celebrated in an incredibly beautiful way! The Tree of Life Awakenings is a perfect way to cap off the evening with its projections and music lighting up the iconic Animal Kingdom symbol. And finally, the perfect evening experience is a visit to Pandora – World of Avatar to see this beautiful land glow at night! Truly remarkable.

About Brandon Blanchard

Brandon Blanchard has been married for 14 years and has 5 children. All 7 Blanchards are infatuated with Disney World! Their Disney Infatuation started after his wife, Esme, convinced him to take their then four children (7 and under) to Disney in December of 2010. She had grown up going to Disney and wanted her own children to experience the magic! He told her that they could go once, but he didn't know why on earth he needed to use a whole week of his vacation time. There were only 4 parks! After walking down Main Street for the first time, Brandon looked at his wife and he started the next sentence with the most magical four words: “When we come back…” Disney World has become their happy place and can make everything right! After a series of corporate relocations, Brandon jumped on one that would move his family to Central Florida permanently in 2015. Professionally, Brandon is a manager for a Technical Support Company. Esme homeschools their 5 children who think it is SO COOL that they have the freedom and flexibility to visit theme parks weekly!