Animal Kingdom attractions are some of the best on all of Walt Disney World property. We have put together a list of what we think are the Top 6. These attractions include everything from broadway caliber shows to flying through Pandora on the back of a banshee.
Don’t let people tell you that this is only a half-day park. To fully experience it, you will need a full day, if not more. With the addition of Pandora – World of Avatar, and other after-dark entertainment, Animal Kingdom has definitely taken things to a new level.
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Photo was resized – Loren Javier
6 – Finding Nemo: The Musical
We don’t have Finding Nemo – The Musical as the top show on the Animal Kingdom attractions list (you’ll have to find out which spectacle is at the top of the food chain by reading on), but we still feel it’s the second-best stage show in all of Walt Disney World. And that’s saying a lot with the caliber of entertainment found on Disney property.
This 40-minute undersea adventure offers it all. Showcasing high-energy singing and dancing, world-class puppeteering, and high-flying acrobatics. There’s truly some incredible talent on display here. We personally love the Crush scene. This particular puppet is as big as a VW Beetle and has to be manipulated by two different puppeteers. It’s totally righteous, dude.
The making of this musical has a little Disney royalty behind it. The music was composed by Tony Award winner Robert Lopez and his wife Kristen-Anderson Lopez, who are responsible for the music in Disney animated films Frozen and CoCo. Also, Michael Curry, designer of the puppet in the broadway favorite The Lion King, designed the puppets for Finding Nemo: The Musical.
We recommend getting in line at least 30 minutes in advance as this is one of the most popular attractions at Animal Kingdom. Grab a seat near the aisle because the actors will be performing throughout the theater. This will help keep the attention of little ones also. Being this is an indoor theater, a little air-conditioning will go long way in the Florida heat and humidity.
- FastPass+ available: Yes
- Height Requirement: None
- Recommended for: Everyone
TIP: If you have children, try and sit towards the front of the theatre. This is the “Bubble Zone.”
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Photo was resized – Michael Gray
5 – Dinosaur
There’s no time like the present to travel back to the past. This wild and bumpy ride takes you back to the Cretaceous Period. You have run-ins with all kinds of dinosaurs. From the vegans, to Adkins enthusiasts, and everything in between.
Your goal when you hop into the time rover is to bring back a living dinosaur for research. The only problem is a giant meteor is about to smack into the earth destroying everything on it, including you. Not only are the menacing dinos coming at you from every angle, but you have time restraints to deal with as well.
We think this track ride/motion simulator hybrid is one the most overlooked Animal kingdom attractions. This is due to its location and the high popularity of other major rides in the park (i.e. Flight of Passage and Expedition Everest). Overall, this experience is intense and may be frightening for small children.
- FastPass+ available: Yes
- Height requirement: 40 in. (102 cm)
- Recommended for: Everyone except small children scared of dark spaces or dinosaurs
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4 – Kilimanjaro Safaris
Next up is one of the most unique attractions at Animal Kingdom and probably one of the most in any theme park. Kilimanjaro Safaris expands over 100 acres and is home to 34 different species of wildlife. Some of the animals included are giraffes, lions, elephants, hippos, and baboons. They’re roaming around in what seems to be their natural habitats.
You travel in an open-air safari vehicle through many different East-African landscapes. Be sure to have your camera out, because nearly every moment of this ride is Instagram worthy. The guides are always very knowledgeable and ready to answer any questions you have.
You’re going to get the best experience on the safari if you ride early in the morning or in the evening. From 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM the animals just aren’t as active. They also run the attraction at night with artificial lighting to make it look like a sunset. This gives you a chance to see some of the more nocturnal wildlife.
- FastPass+ available: Yes
- Height requirement: None
- Recommended for: Everyone
TIP: If possible, sit on the left side of the vehicle. This will allow you to get better photos being that a lot of animal exhibits are on that side.
Video credit to Burke Bunch TV
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Photo was resized – Darryl Kenyon
3 – Expedition Everest
Dare to challenge the Yeti? The 200 foot mountain looms large over Animal Kingdom. Not only do you have the taunting task of reaching the summit, but you’ll have to get past the Abominable Snowman on the way.
Theming is the name of the game here. From the queue to the actual ride, the Disney Imagineers went all out with this one. You pass through glacier fields, waterfalls, and forrest before reaching the peak. SPOILER ALERT: This is when the rollercoaster takes a complete turn and heads down the mountain backward in darkness.
The shortest wait times are typically found in the early morning, but we feel that riding at nighttime is the best way to experience this Animal Kingdom attraction. Everest is illuminated and seems larger than ever. It looks absolutely stunning.
- FastPass+ available: Yes
- Height requirement: 44 in. (112 cm)
- Recommended for: Anyone who isn’t scared off by height of rollercoaster
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2 – Festival of the Lion King
Your trip to Animal Kingdom wouldn’t be complete without first experiencing the best stage show in all of Walt Disney World. This attraction features some of the best talent you’ll find anywhere. A mix of fire dancing puppeteering, stilt walking, and top-notch acrobatics all coinciding with some outstanding vocalist belting out your favorite songs from The Lion King. The performers are dressed in elaborate costumes and the stage is full of color.
The show lasts 30 minutes and you are divided up into four different sections as you enter the theater. Each section represents a different animal (lion, elephant, giraffe, and warthog). You’ll get the chance to act out the sound of the animal represented by your section. If you have small children, try to get in the front rows. They may get picked to participate in the show.
Try to get in line 20 to 30 minutes before showtime. There are multiple shows throughout the day so check the My Disney Experience app for the times. We recommend going to the earliest show being that it is usually the least crowded. FastPass+ is available, but not needed.
- FastPass+ available: Yes
- Height requirement: None
- Recommended for: Everyone
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1 – Avatar Flight of Passage
It comes at no surprise that Flight of Passage is at the top of the list of Animal Kingdom attractions. We didn’t really know what to expect when this ride opened in May 2017. Boy, did this surpass all expectations. It’s absolutely one of the best experiences you have at Walt Disney World.
People say this ride is like Epcot’s Soarin’ on steroids. It really can’t be compared to anything else though. You literally feel like you’re riding on a banshee. Straddling the creature, you can feel it breathing and its wings flapping as it starts to take flight. Flight of Passage takes you through the sights of the land known as Pandora with the added 3D effect.
This attraction does have back and leg restraints.If you’re tall or have a bigger torso, you may want to try the demo seat. It’s located right outside of the queue.
This is the most popular attraction at Animal Kingdom and can sometimes have wait as long as 240 minutes. FastPass+ is definitely recommended if you can get one. If not, get in line early in the morning before the park opens or late at night right before the park closes. Either way, experiencing Flight of Passage is a must.
For more to do in Pandora the World of Avatar, check out this article by TripSavy
- FastPass+ available: Yes (Make sure you reserve your FastPass ASAP. Guests staying on Disney property can reserve 60 days in advance. Guests staying off Disney property can reserve 30 days in advance.)
- Height requirement: 44 in. (112 cm)
- Recommended for: Everyone 44 in. and up
TIP: Get in line for the attraction right before the park closes. If Animal Kingdom closes at 10:00 PM and you’re in line by 9:59 PM, you can stay in line to ride. This way you’re not wasting your valuable park time waiting in a line.
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If these attractions include anything that sparked your interest, then Animal Kingdom should definitely be added to your future vacation list. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what the park has to offer. We didn’t even get into the amazing theming of this park as well as the self-guided animal trails you can take.
Comment below and tell us if you agree or disagree with our list. Did we leave something out? Or if you have never been to Animal Kingdom and experienced these attractions, let us know what you are looking forward to the most. ;
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Featured image photo credit – Jason Pratt. photo was resized.
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