ANIMAL KINGDOM®
Behold the Magic of Nature
Adventure into a world alive with magic at DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM® Theme Park, where you can explore hauntingly gorgeous realms at WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort.
Park Info
Animal Kingdom is the largest park at Walt Disney World, with areas representing several different continents and their respective cultures and environments. The TouringPlans suite of tools will help you navigate both the jungle paths and the park's best rides.
Avatar Flight of Passage
Avatar Flight of Passage is one of the most technologically advanced rides Disney has ever produced: a flight simulator in which you hop on the back of a winged, dragonlike Pandora banshee for a spin to take in the planet’s scenery.
Your journey begins with a long walk from the base of Pandora, up an inclined path, and into abandoned cave dwellings.
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Animal Kingdom’s premier zoological attraction, Kilimanjaro Safaris offers an exceptionally realistic, albeit brief, imitation of an actual African photo safari. Thirty-two guests at a time board tall, open vehicles and are dispatched into a simulated African veldt habitat. Animals such as zebras, wildebeests, impalas, Thomson’s gazelles, giraffes, and even rhinos roam apparently free, while predators such as lions, as well as potentially dangerous large animals like hippos, are separated from both prey and guests by all-but-invisible, natural-appearing barriers. Although the animals have more than 100 acres of savanna, woodland, streams, and rocky hills to call home, careful placement of water holes, forage, and salt licks ensures that the critters are hanging out by the road when safari vehicles roll by.
Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of Animal Kingdom’s busiest attractions, along with Expedition Everest and the two Pandora attractions. From a touring standpoint, this is a good thing: By distributing guests evenly throughout the park, those other attractions make it unnecessary to run to Kilimanjaro Safaris first thing in the morning.
Waits for Kilimanjaro Safaris diminish around midafternoon, sometimes as early as 3 p.m. but more commonly somewhat later. We recommend taking the nighttime safari after you’ve experienced the daytime version.
If you want to take photos, note that the vehicle isn’t guaranteed to stop at a given location. Drivers try their best to accommodate guests and stop when big animals come into view, but be prepared to snap at any time. As for the ride, it’s not that rough.
Expedition Everest
The only true roller coaster in Animal Kingdom, Expedition Everest vies with Avatar Flight of Passage for the park’s longest waits in line—and for good reason. Your journey begins in an elaborate waiting area modeled after a Nepalese village; then you board an old train headed for the base camp of Mount Everest. Throughout the waiting area are posted notes from previous expeditions, some with cryptic observations regarding a mysterious creature said to guard the mountain. These ominous signs are ignored (as if you have a choice!), resulting in a high-speed encounter with the Abominable Snowman himself.
The ride consists of tight turns (some while traveling backward), hills, and dips but no loops or inversions. From your departure at the loading station through your first high-speed descent, you’ll see some of the most spectacular panoramas in Walt Disney World: On a clear day, you can see the buildings of Coronado Springs Resort, EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth, and possibly downtown Orlando. But look quickly because you’re immediately propelled, projectile-like, through the inner and outer reaches of the mountain. The final drop and last few turns are among Disney’s very best coaster effects.
Disney bills Expedition Everest as a “family thrill ride”—more akin to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad than Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster—but it’s an exciting experience nonetheless, and as is typical of a super-headliner attraction, it generates lots of reader comments. A Seattle family of four gives Expedition Everest a thumbs-up:
Expedition Everest is tremendous. It has enough surprises and runaway speed to make it one of the more enjoyable thrill rides in the whole Orlando area.
Festival of the Lion King
Inspired by the Disney animated feature, Festival of the Lion King is part stage show and part parade; the theater is behind and to the left of Tusker House restaurant. Guests sit in four sets of bleachers surrounding the stage and organized into cheering sections, which are called on to make elephant, warthog, giraffe, and lion noises. (You won’t be alone if you don’t know what a giraffe or warthog sounds like.) There’s a great deal of strutting around and a lot of singing and dancing. By our count, every tune from The Lion King is belted out— some more than once. If you didn’t know the words to the songs before the show, you definitely will after.
Touring Plans users are almost unanimous in their praise of Festival of the Lion King. This letter from a Naples, Florida, mom is typical:
Festival of the Lion King was the best thing we experienced at Animal Kingdom. The singers, dancers, fire twirlers, acrobats, and sets were spectacular.
Festival of the Lion King is a big draw, so try to see the first show in the morning or one of the last two shows at night. For midday performances, you’ll need to queue up at least 35–45 minutes before showtime; to minimize waiting in the hot sun, don’t hop in line until cast members give the word. The bleachers can make viewing difficult for the height-deficient—if you have small children or short adults in your party, snag a seat higher up.
Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe
An African band and interactive musical act. The show invites guests to come join in the fun, or at the very least, embarass themselves dancing to the sound of African drums.
Winged Encounters - The Kingdom Takes Flight
Watch colorful macaws fly around Discovery Island.
Show times may not be listed in the Times Guide, but they are generally at 9:15 AM, 10:15 AM, 11:15 AM, 1:15 PM, 2:15 PM, and 3:15 PM. Check with a Cast Member on Discovery Island to verify the times.
Animal Kingdom Attractions
32 Attractions · Reviews From Past 24 Months
SORT A TO Z
1. Affection Section in Rafiki's Planet Watch
(3.8/5 · 1,295 reviews)
Petting zoo
Must Transfer to Standard Wheelchair; No Service Animals
APPEALS TO: Pre-School, Grade School, Teens, Young Adult, Over 30, Seniors
2. The Animation Experience at Conservation Station in Rafiki's Planet Watch
Drawing Class
3. Avatar Flight of Passage in Pandora - The World of Avatar
(4.8/5 · 9,033 reviews)
Cutting-edge flight simulator over the planet Pandora
Physical Considerations; Handheld Captioning; Video Captioning; Assistive Listening; Audio Description; Must Transfer to Standard Wheelchair and then to Ride Vehicle
RESTRICTIONS: 44 in. or taller
APPEALS TO: Pre-School, Grade School, Teens, Young Adult, Over 30, Seniors
OPEN FOR: Early Theme Park Entry, Extended Evening Theme Park Hours
4. Beats and Strings in Asia
Live Indian Music
5. The Boneyard in DinoLand U.S.A.
PERMANENTLY CLOSING 2026
Elaborate playground
6. Burudika Band in Africa
African Musical Act
7. Conservation Station in Rafiki's Planet Watch
(3.8/5 · 1,827 reviews)
Behind-the-scenes walk-through educational exhibit
Video Captioning; Assistive Listening; May Remain in Wheelchair/ECV
APPEALS TO: Pre-School, Grade School, Teens, Young Adult, Over 30, Seniors
8. DINOSAUR in DinoLand U.S.A.
(3.9/5 · 6,833 reviews)
PERMANENTLY CLOSING 2026
Motion-simulator dark ride
Physical Considerations; Video Captioning; Assistive Listening; Must Transfer From Wheelchair/ECV; No Service Animals
Lightning Lane Multi Pass - Second Group
RESTRICTIONS: 40 in. or taller
APPEALS TO: Pre-School, Grade School, Teens, Young Adult, Over 30, Seniors
OPEN FOR: Early Theme Park Entry, Extended Evening Theme Park Hours
9. Discovery Island Trails in Discovery Island
(4.2/5 · 1,979 reviews)
Winding trails with animal exhibits
APPEALS TO: Pre-School, Grade School, Teens, Young Adult, Over 30, Seniors
OPEN FOR: Early Theme Park Entry
10. DiVine in The Oasis
Walking tree character
11. Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain in Asia
(4.7/5 · 8,301 reviews)
High-speed, outdoor roller coaster through Nepalese mountain village
Physical Considerations; Must Transfer From Wheelchair/ECV; No Service Animals
Lightning Lane Multi Pass - Second Group
RESTRICTIONS: 44 in. or taller
APPEALS TO: Pre-School, Grade School, Teens, Young Adult, Over 30, Seniors
OPEN FOR: Early Theme Park Entry, Extended Evening Theme Park Hours
12. Feathered Friends In Flight! in Asia
(4.5/5 · 2,727 reviews)
Bird Show
Lightning Lane Multi Pass - Second Group
APPEALS TO: Grade School, Teens, Young Adult, Over 30, Seniors, Pre-School
13. Festival of the Lion King in Africa
(4.7/5 · 5,639 reviews)
Theater-in-the-round Stage Show
Handheld Captioning; Assistive Listening; May Remain in Wheelchair/ECV
Lightning Lane Multi Pass - Second Group
APPEALS TO: Pre-School, Grade School, Teens, Young Adult, Over 30, Seniors
14. Finding Nemo: The Big Blue... and Beyond! in DinoLand U.S.A.
(4.3/5 · 3,087 reviews)
Enclosed venue for live stage shows
Reflective Captioning; Assistive Listening; May Remain in Wheelchair/ECV
Lightning Lane Multi Pass - Second Group
APPEALS TO: Grade School, Teens, Young Adult, Over 30, Seniors, Pre-School
15. Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail in Africa
(4.4/5 · 4,405 reviews)
Walk-through zoological exhibit
Audio Description; May Remain in Wheelchair/ECV
APPEALS TO: Pre-School, Grade School, Teens, Young Adult, Over 30, Seniors
16. Habitat Habit! in Rafiki's Planet Watch
A Few Animals
17. Harambe Village Acrobats in Africa
Acrobats
18. Kali River Rapids in Asia
(4.0/5 · 3,435 reviews)
Whitewater raft ride
Physical Considerations; Must Transfer From Wheelchair/ECV; No Service Animals
Lightning Lane Multi Pass - Second Group
RESTRICTIONS: 38 in. or taller
APPEALS TO: Pre-School, Grade School, Teens, Young Adult, Over 30, Seniors
19. Kilimanjaro Safaris in Africa
(4.8/5 · 10,413 reviews)
Truck ride through an African wildlife reservation
Physical Considerations; Handheld Captioning; Video Captioning; Assistive Listening; Audio Description; Must Transfer to Standard Wheelchair
Lightning Lane Multi Pass - Second Group
APPEALS TO: Pre-School, Grade School, Teens, Young Adult, Over 30, Seniors
20. Kora Tinga Tinga in Africa
Live Music
21. Maharajah Jungle Trek in Asia
(4.3/5 · 4,151 reviews)
Walk-through zoological exhibit
Audio Description; May Remain in Wheelchair/ECV
APPEALS TO: Pre-School, Grade School, Teens, Young Adult, Over 30, Seniors
22. Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventurers Outpost in Discovery Island
NOT ENOUGH USER RATINGS
Character greeting area
23. Na'vi River Journey in Pandora - The World of Avatar
(4.0/5 · 7,741 reviews)
Boat Ride
Handheld Captioning; Audio Description; Must Transfer From Wheelchair/ECV
Lightning Lane Multi Pass - Second Group
APPEALS TO: Pre-School, Grade School, Teens, Young Adult, Over 30, Seniors
OPEN FOR: Early Theme Park Entry, Extended Evening Theme Park Hours
24. Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe in Africa
(4.6/5 · 919 reviews)
African dancing / crowd interaction act
APPEALS TO: Pre-School, Grade School, Teens, Young Adult, Over 30, Seniors
25. Tree of Life Awakenings in Discovery Island
Nighttime light and film show projected on to the Tree of Life
26. Valley of Mo'ara in Pandora - The World of Avatar
(4.5/5 · 1,685 reviews)
Alien Rainforest
APPEALS TO: Pre-School, Grade School, Teens, Young Adult, Over 30, Seniors
OPEN FOR: Early Theme Park Entry, Extended Evening Theme Park Hours
27. Viva Gaia Street Band in Discovery Island
Multi-cultural musical troupe
28. Wilderness Explorers in Discovery Island
Park-wide scavenger hunt/puzzle-solving adventure game.
29. Wildlife Express Train: Africa Station in Africa
(4.0/5 · 1,891 reviews)
Scenic railroad ride to Rafiki's Planet Watch and Conservation Station
Handheld Captioning; Assistive Listening; Audio Description; May Remain in Wheelchair/ECV
APPEALS TO: Pre-School, Grade School, Teens, Young Adult, Over 30, Seniors
30. Wildlife Express Train: Rafiki's Planet Watch Station in Rafiki's Planet Watch
(4.0/5 · 1,917 reviews)
Scenic railroad ride to Rafiki's Planet Watch and Conservation Station
Handheld Captioning; Assistive Listening; Audio Description; May Remain in Wheelchair/ECV
APPEALS TO: Pre-School, Grade School, Teens, Young Adult, Over 30, Seniors
31. Winged Encounters - The Kingdom Takes Flight in Discovery Island
(4.6/5 · 837 reviews)
Birds Flying
APPEALS TO: Pre-School, Grade School, Teens, Young Adult, Over 30, Seniors
32. Zootopia: Better Zoogether in Discovery Island
OPENS WINTER 2025
Movie with In-Theater Special Effects
