When we deliberate our first household journey to Walt Disney World a few years in the past, I used to be trying ahead to our first go to to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I’d been instructed that it was undoubtedly not a zoo, however I wasn’t certain what to anticipate. If you haven’t been to Animal Kingdom, or haven’t visited shortly, it’s possible you’ll not know what enjoyable you might be in for. This park manages to mix animal experiences with among the greatest rides within the parks. Here’s our information to Disney’s Animal Kingdom rides.
Disclosure: I’m a former member of the Disney Parks Moms Panel and have been on some complimentary press journeys at Walt Disney World, however all opinions are my very own. This publish comprises affiliate hyperlinks. A purchase order/click on by way of one in every of these hyperlinks (together with on the map)might lead to a fee paid to us at no further price to you.
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A Guide to the Best Animal Kingdom Rides
Like the opposite parks at Walt Disney World, Animal Kingdom has a number of completely different themed lands. These embrace Africa, Asia, Dinoland USA, Pandora – the World of Avatar, Discovery Island, and Rafiki’s Planet Watch.
Pandora – the World of Avatar is the latest of the lands and is my favourite. It’s a totally immersive expertise that’s extremely detailed, and it has two of the perfect Animal Kingdom rides.
Because Pandora opened most just lately, it’s nonetheless extraordinarily in style. Go very first thing or later within the day for the bottom crowd ranges and shorter wait occasions. It’s a totally completely different land at the hours of darkness, so it’s possible you’ll wish to stroll by way of it twice to see it in the course of the day and evening.
It’s greatest to obtain the My Disney Experience app to your smartphone so you’ll be able to handle your day and see park maps when you are on the go. You can even handle the Disney Genie or Genie+ (you probably have it).
Africa Rides
Kilimanjaro Safaris: One of the perfect rides for the entire household (together with babies), Kilimanjaro Safaris is a particular must-do in your Disney household trip. We’ve been on it a variety of occasions and at all times have to journey it after we are in Animal Kingdom.
During this journey, you’ll board a safari car and journey into the Harambe Wildlife Reserve savanna to see actual stay animals. It’s at all times a distinct expertise so that you’ll wish to journey it throughout each go to. It’s greatest to journey when it’s not the most popular exterior, so early within the day is nice. This journey does supply a Genie+ lightning lane.
Asia
Expedition Everest: One of my favourite thrill rides on the Disney theme parks, Expedition Everest is a curler coaster that travels backward. It’s a lot enjoyable, and I undoubtedly suggest driving it when you’ve bought youngsters that meet the peak requirement. There’s additionally a single-rider line that may make the wait a bit of shorter in addition to a Genie+ lightning lane.
If you’ll be able to, attempt driving at evening when it’s much more thrilling. Before my youngsters have been sufficiently old to journey it, my husband and I might take turns driving it by way of the single-rider line, as a result of it was one in every of our favourite rides and we didn’t wish to miss it. Now that our children are teenagers, it’s enjoyable for all 4 of us to journey collectively.
Kali River Rapids – On a sizzling day, this water journey could be top-of-the-line methods to chill off. This whitewater rafting journey is thrilling but additionally applicable for most youngsters (the peak requirement is 38 inches). It does supply Genie+.
Just take into account that you’re going to get moist whereas driving it! If you don’t have somebody to carry your belongings for you, take into account bringing some massive ziplock luggage or a moist bag to carry your extra delicate gadgets.
Pandora – the World of Avatar
Avatar Flight of Passage: The hottest journey at Animal Kingdom (if not all of Walt Disney World), Avatar Flight of Passage is a simulator 3D journey the place you get the chance to journey on the again of a banshee. The surroundings is completely breathtaking, and it’s probably the most imaginative rides I’ve skilled.
The traces to this are at all times very lengthy. If you might be liable to movement illness, it’s possible you’ll really feel a bit of bit dizzy on the journey. I typically do, however briefly shut my eyes and really feel a lot better in a number of seconds.
Avatar Flight of Passage affords a person lightning lane, so that you’ll should buy particular person entry if you wish to keep away from the standby line.
Na’vi River Journey: On this darkish journey, you’ll take a ship journey in a bioluminescent rainforest seeking the shaman of track. It’s an attractive journey, however not practically as thrilling as Avatar Flight of Passage. There are often lengthy traces for each of those Pandora sights. This one affords Genie+.
DinoLand USA
This quirky land is paying homage to a kitschy roadside attraction. It’s very completely different from the opposite lands at Animal Kingdom, nevertheless it additionally has some enjoyable rides.
DINOSAUR: Tucked away off the principle path is DINOSAUR, a mild-ish darkish thrill journey. On this journey, you’ll board a time machine car to return in time to view dinosaurs and even deliver one again with you. It’s a singular journey, and my youngsters adore it.
While the car is bumpy and the dinos can appear actual, it isn’t as thrilling as the opposite thrill rides on the parks. It affords a Genie+ lightning lane.
TriceraTop Spin: If your youngsters are followers of the Dumbo the Flying Elephant journey on the Magic Kingdom, they’ll undoubtedly wish to go on TriceraTop Spin. It’s similar to Dumbo, however as a substitute of flying elephants, you’ll journey on Triceratops. There often isn’t as lengthy a line for this journey as Dumbo.
Discovery Island
It’s Tough to Be a Bug!: This is a 3D movie, moderately than a journey, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a lot of enjoyable. Located proper within the Tree of life icon within the heart of the park, It’s Tough to Be a Bug is a movie based mostly on the Pixar movie, A Bug’s Life. It’s darkish within the theater and is usually a bit scary for actually little ones. But in any other case, it’s one thing youngsters will take pleasure in. It’s Tough To Be a Bug affords Genie+.
Other sights at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
In addition to the rides talked about above, Animal Kingdom can be house to animal encounters and reveals that you simply’ll undoubtedly wish to expertise. Here are among the hottest:
Festival of the Lion King: Based on the Lion King, this stage present is a large spectacle that’s completely price seeing. It runs for a couple of half-hour and options music, vibrant costumes, puppets, and extra. Genie+ is obtainable.
Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond: Like the Festival of the Lion King, this present options in style characters – this time from Finding Nemo. It contains music, puppets, and extra. It runs for about 40 minutes and Genie+ is obtainable.
Wildlife Express Train: Take the Wildlife Express Train to go to the Conversation Station and get an insider take a look at the veterinary facility in addition to some animal displays.
There’s additionally the Maharajah Jungle Trek, Feathered Friends in Flight!, and the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, in addition to many alternative animal trails and encounters. You’ll additionally discover many alternative Disney characters on the park – examine the My Disney Experience app for particular characters, areas, and occasions.
Frequently Asked Questions concerning the Animal Kingdom Rides
In my opinion, it’s Avatar Flight of Passage, which is definitely my favourite journey in any respect of Walt Disney World. It’s in contrast to the rest I’ve been on and is really a singular and enjoyable expertise.
Thrill journey lovers will even wish to try Expedition Everest. It goes backward so rapidly that some folks truly assume they’ve gone the wrong way up.
While there are undoubtedly peak restrictions for among the rides, there are additionally issues that may attraction to little ones. These embrace the reveals. They are brief, so they’re nice for youthful youngsters to observe.
Before Pandora – the World of Avatar opened, Animal Kingdom was typically regarded as a half-day park. In truth, it often closed fairly early within the night. Now, nonetheless, I really feel that the park is extra of a full-day expertise. You most likely received’t want greater than someday, nonetheless.
If you wish to go to Animal Kingdom, you’ll want a park ticket and a park reservation. There are a great deal of completely different Walt Disney World park ticket choices that you could study. Get Away Today affords discounted park tickets that you could buy upfront when you want tickets. If you intend to go to a couple of park within the day, you’ll want the park hopper choice in your tickets.
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