7 Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Guests who enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation love to spend plenty of time exploring the four theme parks which are filled with unique attractions, entertainment, dining, shopping, and much more. Of the four theme parks, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a favorite of many guests thanks to its beauty and wonderful message. The park aims to teach guests about the importance of conservation while celebrating the beauty of nature with unforgettable attractions and experiences. Guests who spend time in Disney’s Animal Kingdom can journey through time, embark on an African safari, go river rafting, explore the Forbidden Mountain, and interact with bugs. With so many amazing things to experience, it is not surprising that many guests want to make the most of their time in the park and try and see as much as possible. There are several simple tips which are designed to save guests both time and frustration in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, leaving them with truly magical days. Here are seven tips to follow to get the most out of Walt Disney World’s Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

7. Visit Kilimanjaro Safaris First

One of the most popular attractions in Disney’s Animal Kingdom can be found in the rear of the park in Harambe Village. Kilimanjaro Safaris invites guests into the Harambe Reserve where they can embark on a two week safari through the savannahs and forests of Africa. Guests who enjoy the attraction can have up close experiences with beautiful animals like elephants, zebras, cheetahs, lions, flamingos, giraffes, and hippos. Guests who want to have the best possible experience on Kilimanjaro Safaris should opt to visit the attraction first thing in the morning for several reasons. First, since the attraction is popular with many guests, it tends to have long wait times on busy days in the park. By visiting in the early morning, guests can avoid losing lots of time to the standby line. Secondly, the animals in the Harambe Reserve tend to be much more active in the early mornings since breakfast is being served and the temperatures are cooler and more comfortable. For these reasons, guests are smart to visit Kilimanjaro Safaris first thing in the morning.

6. FastPass Kali River Rapids

An attraction in the Asia section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom is sure to leave guests both thrilled and soaked. Kali River Rapids invites guests to board circular rafts and take off down the Chakranadi River where they encounter lush forests and gently running waterfalls. Suddenly guests also experience firsthand the devastation of illegal logging and the impact that it has on the environment. Kali River Rapids serves up a powerful message with plenty of thrilling twists and turns along the way. Since the attraction is popular with guests, many of whom are looking to cool off on warm days, guests are smart to book a FastPass for the experience to avoid losing lots of time spent waiting in a long standby line.

5. Use The Single Rider Line For Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest is a thrilling attraction in Disney’s Animal Kingdom which can be spotted from many different areas of the park thanks to its massive size. The attraction features a looming mountain which guests venture into after their tea train goes off course thanks to a broken track. Guests soon find themselves deep inside the Forbidden Mountain rushing to escape the clutches of the Yeti. With thrilling moments of darkness and one steep drop, Expedition Everest is one of the most adventurous attractions in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Guests who want to enjoy a ride on the attraction should opt to skip the normally lengthy standby line and instead wait on the single rider line. This option allows guests to enjoy the same experience with a typically much lower wait time so long as their parties don’t mind being split up at the loading platform.

4. FastPass Dinosaur

Those looking to travel back in time and interact with some massive dinosaurs will find themselves right at home in Dinoland in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The area of the park is home to the thrilling Dinosaur attraction which brings guests into the Dino Institute where the ability to travel back to the time of the dinosaurs exists. Guests who are brave enough to board the Time Rovers soon find themselves in prehistoric times desperately trying to locate one particular dinosaur before a massive asteroid strikes. Since Dinosaur is thrilling on so many levels, it is a favorite of many guests and tends to have long wait times. Those who are looking to enjoy the attraction without waiting on typically long lines should opt to book FastPasses for the experience.

3. Enjoy The Live Stage Shows

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is home to two live stage shows which are so amazing they cannot be missed on a day in the park. The Festival of the Lion King is performed in the Harambe Theater and brings the story of the classic Disney animated film The Lion King to life. Guests in the audience can enjoy fire dancing, familiar characters, acrobatics, aerial ballet, and music from the film in a wonderful performance. In addition to the Festival of the Lion King, guests in Disney’s Animal Kingdom can also enjoy Finding Nemo – The Musical which is performed in the Theater in the Wild in Dinoland. This performance brings the Pixar favorite Finding Nemo to life through larger than life puppets, original music, and loveable characters. Guests who want to make the most out of their time in Disney’s Animal Kingdom definitely need to enjoy these two stage shows.

2. Eat At Flame Tree Barbecue

While there are plenty of full service and quick service dining locations for guests to enjoy in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, one of the most popular locations can be found on Discovery Island. Flame Tree Barbecue is a quick service location that is open for lunch and dinner daily which serves up delicious barbecue options in a convenient setting. Guests who enjoy a meal at the location can order up options like a Pulled Pork Sandwich, Watermelon Salad, and St. Louis Ribs and then enjoy their meals on a back patio overlooking the water with Expedition Everest in the distance.

1. Explore The Trails

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is home to two self-guided walking trails which tend to go overlooked by guests. These two trails are so beautiful and full of amazing detail that guests who want to make the most of their time in the park should definitely not skip them. The Pangani Forest Exploration Trail can be found in the Africa section of the park near the exit of Kilimanjaro Safaris and allows guests to observe a beautiful gorilla habitat with lush green hills and waterfalls. The Maharajah Jungle Trek is located in the Asia section of the park and bring guests into the Anandapur Royal Forest where gorgeous temple ruins and Asian Tigers await. Both trails are beautiful and should not be missed in Disney’s Animal Kingdom!