Disney Animal Kingdom Theme Park is one of the more popular attractions in Orlando Disneyworld, especially for young animal lovers. Animals and nature are the stars at this park, and its icon is the 14-story Tree of Life carved with images of over 300 different animals. Grown-ups tend to stare at the engineered tree in awe of the work that went into it. Kids automatically try to scramble up to one of the animals or climb around the thick roots at the tree’s base.
There are loads of attractions, rides, shows, and experiences to take in and you may find that your child will have a hard time saying goodbye at the end of your day! There are places at Animal Kingdom for kids to play and learn and for adults to be charmed and educated throughout the park–from Africa, where a colonial East African town has been re-created along with an old-fashioned train called Wildlife Express, which looks straight out of Africa, to DinoLand U.S.A., where you can eat smoked turkey legs at the Dino Diner or Chicken McNuggets at the Restaurantosaurus, slither and slide around prehistoric “artifacts” in the Boneyard, or ride 65 million bumpy years back in time on the Time Rover time traveler.
Animal Kingdom Tickets ~ Animal Kingdom Lodge ~ Animal Kingdom Park Map
Take a trip into the untamed plains of Africa, or take your kids on a stroll in the Pangani Forest. Go on the Kilamanjaro Safari that will take you past roaming elephants, baking rhinos, and swimming crocodiles in the savannah and bush of the African plains.
Everything in the Animal Kingdom park has to do with animals: real, extinct or imaginary. Simba, for instance, is doing eight shows a day at the Broadway-caliber stage show FESTIVAL OF THE LION KING in Camp Minnie-Mickey. Nearby, Mickey and his other Disney friends (Pluto’s pretty cute in safari garb, too) will sign autographs for their admirers. Rafiki, from THE LION KING, gives lectures on endangered animals at the Conservation Station.
The Asia adventure is an enchanting experience for children of all ages, and you will be amazed as you watch the wild bird show. Ride on the tea train into the Himalayan mountains, or take a dip in the Kali River rapids to cool off. Be aware that you are sure to get soaked when going down Kali River. This ride will soak you far more than Splash Mountain will, so be sure to come prepared to get wet!
In Camp Minnie Mickey you will meet your friend Mickey Mouse on the Character Greet Trails, where you will be able to experience the Spirit of Pocahontas and the magic of Lion King.
Any dinosaur lovers will thrill at a chance to visit Dino U.S.A., where they can excavate for bones of prehistoric dinosaurs or take a spin with a triceratops. Enjoy the wild lifestyle of prehistoric times, and thrill at the hunt for the dinosaurs.
The Tree of Life sits at the heart of Discovery Island, with dozens of wooden representation of your favorite animals surrounding it. There are many amazing woodcarvings to see on Discovery Island, as well as a 3D show starting Flik and his friends.
There is a secret path that leads from Harambe Village to the Tree of Life, and first time visitors to the Animal Kingdom Theme Park should look for this secret way that provides a unique and marvelous view of the Tree of Life and some spectacular photo opportunities.
The Animal Encounter is begun at the Oasis, where you can stroll through jungles and trees in your wild animal nature hunt. Enjoy the wooden bridges, towering trees, verdant palms, and lush green forest around as you walk through the paradise that is the Oasis.
At Rafiki’s Planet Watch, your kids can enjoy learning how they can help save the planet at Conservation Station. They can also learn how the animals in the park are fed, cared for, and housed, as well as watch a number of audio and video attractions that will have your kids wonderstruck.
Who is Disney Animal Kingdom for, and why visit the Animal Kingdom?
Any animal lovers will thrill at the chance to spend a day strolling through the beautiful grounds, observing the animals, and learning about all that nature has to offer. Not only can you have a fun time enjoying the various rides and attractions of the park, but you can also provide an educational experience for your children that will be unforgettable.
Disney Animal Kingdom is designed to entertain and educate children on the beauty and value of nature, and you can be sure that your kids will take a lot of important values away from their time in the Animal Kingdom.
Expedition Everest
The latest attraction is Expedition Everest, and you may find that the lines for the ride are fairly long. If you are a single person wanting to ride, you can find the single rider line in order to reduce wait time.
Located across from the Discovery River, Expedition Everest looms. This rollercoaster will take you on a scary trip through the forgotten peaks of the ‘Forbidden Mountain’.
Yetis lurk in the shadows and you will not know what to expect next! The rollercoaster travels backwards and forwards. At one frightening moment the train looks as if it has come to the end of the track (see left)!
Riders must be 44″ or more to ride.
How long will it take to go through the entire kingdom?
Disney Animal Kingdom Theme Park will take you at least all of one day to get through, if not two or three. You will find that the Animal Kingdom fills up after 11 am, and only starts to empty out around 5. If you want to get a head start on the rest of the people enjoying Disney Animal Kingdom Theme Park, make a point to get there when it opens to be able to enjoy the park while it is still fairly empty.
Be sure to use this FREE theme park calendar to check which days/months are best for visiting Animal Kingdom.
Address
Bear Island Rd
Lake Buena Vista
FL 32819
Orlando attractions near Disney Animal Kingdom:-
- Disney Magic Kingdom – 2.5 miles
- Epcot Center Orlando – 4 miles
- Disney Hollywood Studios – 2.5 miles
- Typhoon Lagoon Orlando – 4.6 miles
- Blizzard Beach water park – 2 miles
- Universal Studios theme park, Universal Islands of Adventure & Universal CityWalk – 14 miles
- SeaWorld, Aquatica Water Park & Discovery Cove Florida – 11 miles
- Wet N Wild water park – 11 miles
- Pointe Orlando – shopping, comedy shows, restaurants – 10 miles
- Orlando Premium Outlets – 7.2 miles
- Orange County Convention Center – 10.7 miles
- Downtown Orlando – 11 miles
- Busch Gardens Florida – 61 miles
- Kennedy Space Center Florida – 67 miles
- Orlando International Airport (MCO) – 18 miles