7 Tips For Squeezing In The Most Attractions At Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Of the four theme parks in Walt Disney World, the largest and newest is Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The park aims to bring guests into a celebration of nature with wonderful attractions and entertainment that teach guests about the importance of conservation and preservation in fun and exciting ways. Guests who spend time in Disney’s Animal Kingdom can go on an African safari, brave daring river rapids, face off with a fabled Yeti, travel back in time to see the dinosaurs, and shrink down to the size of insects. With so many amazing experiences to have while visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom, it is no wonder that guests want to make the most of each moment and enjoy as much as possible in their time there. There are a few simple tips and tricks to help guests save time in the park and be able to see and do as much as possible in their time there. Here are seven tips for squeezing in the most attractions at Walt Disney World’s Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

7. Arrive For Rope Drop

One of the easiest ways to make the most out of a day in any of the Walt Disney World theme parks is to arrive for rope drop. Arriving for rope drop entails getting to the park before it officially opens and waiting at the gate to be let inside. Guests who arrive early at Disney’s Animal Kingdom can listen to beautiful background music and hear a welcome speech which teases about the wonderful experiences waiting to be enjoyed inside. Once the gates are officially opened, guests who arrived for rope drop are guaranteed to be some of the first inside the park where they can enjoy few crowds and low wait times on popular attractions.

6. Visit Kilimanjaro Safaris First

After the gates open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, guests should immediately head to the Africa section of the park for an attraction that is a favorite of many. Kilimanjaro Safaris invites guests to embark on a two week safari in the Harambe Reserve where beautiful animals roam. After boarding safari vehicles, guests can enjoy the forests and savannah of the Harambe Reserve and get up close with animals like giraffes, lions, cheetahs, elephants, and hippos. Since Kilimanjaro Safaris is so popular, it can tend to have long wait times on busy days in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Guests are smart to head to the attraction first thing in the morning to enjoy low wait times and lots of animal activity as temperatures tend to be cooler and breakfast is generally being served on the savannah.

5. Don’t Skip The Trails

Two attractions which tend to be overlooked in Disney’s Animal Kingdom offer self-guided walking tours through beautiful scenery and animal habitats. The Pangani Forest Exploration Trail can be found near the exit of Kilimanjaro Safaris and invites guests to enjoy the beauty of nature including a massive gorilla habitat filled with rolling green hills and gently flowing waterfalls. The Maharajah Jungle Trek in the Africa section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom brings guests into the Anandapur Royal Forest for beautiful temple ruins that are home to Asian tigers. Both attractions have beautiful details and animals to observe, making them must dos while in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

4. FastPass Dinosaur

A thrilling attraction that brings guests back to prehistoric times can be found in the quirky and adventurous Dinoland. Dinosaur invites guests into the Dino Institute where the technology to travel safely back to the time of the dinosaurs has been perfected. Guests soon find themselves onboard Time Rovers and dangerously close to a massive asteroid impact while trying to locate a specific dinosaur to bring back to modern times. With near darkness and thrilling moments, Dinosaur is very popular with guests and a must do for many visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Guests who want to enjoy Dinosaur without losing a lot of time to the standby line should definitely book a FastPass for the experience.

3. FastPass Kali River Rapids

The Asia section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom is home to a thrilling attraction which brings guests on a soaking journey down the Chakranadi River. Kali River Rapids has guests board family style rafts and set sail on what begins as a peaceful and scenic ride. Soon guests are shown the devastation of illegal deforestation and plunged down a steep drop that ends with a massive splash. Since Kali River Rapids is so popular and can cool guests down on hot days in the park, it tends to typically have a long wait time. Guests who want to enjoy the experience without wasting a lot of time on the standby line are smart to book a FastPass.

2. Take Note Of Show Times

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is home to several shows which are so amazing that they simply can’t be missed. The Festival of the Lion King is housed in the Harambe Theater in the Africa section of the park and retells the classic story of The Lion King through acrobatics, fire dancing, familiar songs and characters, and aerial ballet. Guests enjoying time in the park can also stop by the Theater in the Wild in Dinoland to watch Finding Nemo – Live on Stage which brings the Pixar classic to life with massive puppets, familiar characters, and wonderful songs. Both shows are absolute must dos in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, however they are only performed several times each day. Guests who are looking to squeeze in the most attractions while visiting the park should be sure to pick up a times guide at the front of the park and plan accordingly.

1. Single Rider Expedition Everest

Also found in the Asia section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom is an attraction which brings guests deep into uncharted territory. Expedition Everest begins as a tame tea train ride but takes an ominous turn as guests find themselves deep inside the Forbidden Mountain desperately trying to escape the clutches of the protective Yeti. Expedition Everest is one of the most popular attractions in the park and usually has long standby lines during the afternoons. While guests can opt to book a FastPass for the experience, they are better off using their FastPasses on other attractions in the park and instead opting to use the Single Rider Line. This option allows guests to enjoy the same experience with a typically much lower wait time so long as they don’t mind being split up at the loading platform.