Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
- Nature meets theme park. Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park blends real animals, immersive lands, and world-class rides into a full day of adventure at Walt Disney World® Resort.
- Ride the headliners early. Avatar Flight of Passage and Expedition Everest—Legend of the Forbidden Mountain® draw the longest lines. Ride them at rope drop or buy a Lightning Lane pass.
- Safari in the morning or evening. Animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris® are most active in the first hour after opening and the last two hours before close.
- Three must-see shows. Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!, and Zootopia: Better Zoogether! are all included with park admission.
- Only three height requirements. Most of the park is open to guests of all ages. Only Avatar Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest—Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, and Kali River Rapids® have height minimums.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park is unlike anything else at Walt Disney World® Resort. It combines real animals, immersive storytelling, and some of the best rides on property. The park feels more like stepping into another world than visiting a theme park. You can fly on the back of a banshee over Pandora and ride through an African savanna with live giraffes and elephants. You can watch a Broadway-caliber show — all in the same day.
The park is built around the Tree of Life®, a 145-foot sculpture carved with over 300 animals. Six themed lands branch out from Discovery Island® at the center. Each land has its own atmosphere, wildlife, and attractions.
The lands
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park has six themed lands, plus the Oasis walkway at the entrance. Each one feels like a different corner of the world. The Disney Animal Kingdom attractions include thrill rides and a real African safari. Broadway-caliber live shows and peaceful walking trails round out every land.
Discovery Island
Discovery Island is the central hub of the park, surrounding the Tree of Life. It has character meet-and-greets, animal trails, and a newer show — plus the starting point for one of the best family activities in the park.
- Adventurers Outpost. The only place at Walt Disney World Resort to meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse together. The wait is usually reasonable.
- Wilderness Explorers. A self-guided scavenger hunt where kids earn badges by completing challenges throughout the park. It gives families a reason to explore every corner. Pick up a field guide here before heading to the other lands.
- Discovery Island Trails. Walking paths that wind around the base of the Tree of Life with close-up views of flamingos, otters, and lemurs.
- Zootopia: Better Zoogether! A 4D show inside the Tree of Life Theater featuring Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. It opened in late 2025 and is a fun air-conditioned break for the whole family.
Pandora — The World of Avatar
Pandora is the most visually stunning land at Walt Disney World Resort. It is themed to the alien moon from the Avatar films. The detail is stunning — floating mountains, bioluminescent plants, and an alien landscape. It looks even better after dark when everything glows.
- Avatar Flight of Passage. You climb onto a flight simulator shaped like a banshee and soar over Pandora’s valleys, oceans, and forests. The 3D visuals and physical sensations — wind, mist, scent — make it one of the most immersive rides anywhere. Riders must be at least 44 inches tall. It draws the longest standby waits in the park.
- Na’vi River Journey. A gentle boat ride through a bioluminescent rainforest. The highlight is the Na’vi Shaman of Songs, one of the most advanced Audio-Animatronics® figures Disney has built. There is no height limit, so it works for every age.
For first-timers
Africa
Africa is themed to the fictional village of Harambe. The details — crumbling walls, hand-painted signs, live music — make it feel like a real East African town. This land has two of the park’s best experiences.
- Kilimanjaro Safaris. An 18-minute open-air truck ride through a 110-acre savanna. You will see live giraffes, elephants, lions, hippos, zebras, and more — no cages, no glass, open landscape. Every ride is different because the animals move freely. It is one of the most unique attractions at Walt Disney World Resort.
- Festival of the Lion King. A live stage show in a theater-in-the-round. Singers, dancers, acrobats, and stilt walkers perform music from The Lion King. The energy is electric. It is rated one of the best live shows at any Disney park worldwide, and it runs many times a day. There is no height limit. All ages welcome.
- Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. A walking path through a habitat with western lowland gorillas, colobus monkeys, hippos, and exotic birds. It connects to the exit of Kilimanjaro Safaris, so most families walk it right after their safari ride.
When is the best time to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris?
Asia
Asia is themed to a fictional Himalayan village and a Southeast Asian river town. The architecture, prayer flags, and worn stone pathways make it one of the most beautifully detailed areas of the park.
- Expedition Everest—Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. A high-speed roller coaster that sends you forward and backward through the Himalayas. The storyline involves a broken track and a legendary Yeti. Riders must be at least 44 inches tall. It is one of the top thrill rides at Walt Disney World Resort.
- Kali River Rapids. A whitewater raft ride through a jungle river. You will get wet — sometimes soaked. Riders must be at least 38 inches tall. On a hot Florida afternoon, the water feels great. On a cool morning, you may want to save it for later.
- Maharajah Jungle Trek. A self-guided walking trail through Southeast Asian ruins with Komodo dragons, fruit bats, and Bengal tigers. The tiger viewing area is one of the best animal exhibits in the park.
For young families
DinoLand U.S.A. and what is coming next
DinoLand U.S.A.® closed permanently in February 2026. The DINOSAUR ride and the surrounding attractions are gone. In their place, Disney is building a new land called Tropical Americas, inspired by the tropical regions of the Americas. Attractions themed to Encanto and Indiana Jones are planned. The Tropical Americas land is expected to open in 2027.
- Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! Still performs in a theater near the former DinoLand U.S.A. area. A 25-minute musical puppet show that retells the story of Finding Nemo. The puppetry is impressive, and the show is great for all ages. Check the My Disney Experience app for showtimes.
Conservation Station
Rafiki’s Planet Watch® closed permanently in February 2026 after 28 years. The area is being rebuilt as Conservation Station. It is a standalone experience reached by the Wildlife Express Train from Africa. It reopens in summer 2026 with animals from Australia and a character meet-and-greet. Guests can also play games with Bluey and Bingo. Guests will also get behind-the-scenes looks at animal care. The Wildlife Express Train is not operating until the reopening.
The Oasis
The Oasis is the park’s entrance walkway — a lush, shaded garden with small animal exhibits along winding paths. Most guests walk through quickly on their way in, but it is worth slowing down on the way out. You will spot exotic birds, anteaters, and other animals in the foliage.
How to plan your day
A full day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park starts early and can wrap up by evening. The park typically opens at 8:00 AM and closes between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM, depending on the season. It runs shorter hours than the other three parks, so arriving early matters more here.
Start with the headliners
Three Animal Kingdom rides have the longest waits. They are Avatar Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest—Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, and Kilimanjaro Safaris. Your morning strategy should focus on getting at least two of these done before the lines build.
If you have Early Theme Park Entry, head straight to Pandora for Avatar Flight of Passage. This is the single most popular ride in the park, and the 30-minute head start makes a real difference. After Flight of Passage, walk to Africa for Kilimanjaro Safaris — the animals are most active first thing in the morning.
If you do not have Early Theme Park Entry, arrive at least 45 minutes before the park opens. Once the gates open, go to Pandora for Avatar Flight of Passage. Or head to Asia for Expedition Everest—Legend of the Forbidden Mountain while most of the crowd goes to Pandora. Then double back to the ride you skipped.
Use Lightning Lane strategically
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park does not split its Lightning Lane Multi Pass attractions into tiers. The other three parks do. You choose up to three from a single pool that includes Expedition Everest—Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Na’vi River Journey, Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!, Kali River Rapids, Festival of the Lion King, Feathered Friends in Flight!, and Zootopia: Better Zoogether!
Avatar Flight of Passage is a Lightning Lane Single Pass attraction. It is not included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass. You can buy it on its own if you want to skip the standby line.
Book your Lightning Lane Multi Pass as early as your window allows. Disney Resort hotel guests can book seven days before arrival at 7:00 AM Eastern. All other guests book three days before their park visit.
Pace yourself through the middle of the day
The park is outdoors and spread out. Florida heat and humidity hit hardest between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM. This is the best time to see the shows, explore the walking trails, or grab a meal at an air-conditioned restaurant.
Festival of the Lion King, Zootopia: Better Zoogether!, and Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! are all indoor, air-conditioned shows. Stacking them during the hottest hours keeps your family cool and entertained while everyone else bakes in ride lines.
The walking trails — Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail in Africa and Maharajah Jungle Trek in Asia — are shaded and move at your pace. They are a good way to see animals up close without standing in line.
For multigenerational groups
Come back for an evening safari
If the park closes at 7:00 PM or later, ride Kilimanjaro Safaris again in the last hour. The golden light at sunset makes the savanna look stunning, and animals that hid during the heat often come back out. An evening safari is a completely different experience from a morning one.
When the park is open past sunset, walk through Pandora before you leave. The bioluminescent plants and floating mountains glow in the dark. It is one of the most visually impressive experiences at Walt Disney World Resort. No tickets, no lines — walk through the land. During seasons with earlier closing times, the park may close before dark.
Dining at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park has strong dining options at every price point. Mobile ordering through the My Disney Experience app saves time at quick service locations.
Quick service favorites
- Satu’li Canteen. In Pandora, this is the best quick service restaurant in the park. The menu features build-your-own bowls with your choice of protein and base. The flavors lean toward fresh and international. Mobile ordering works well here.
- Flame Tree Barbecue. On Discovery Island near the water. Barbecue platters with ribs, chicken, and brisket. The outdoor seating overlooks Discovery River. The views are among the best at any quick service spot in Walt Disney World Resort.
- Yak & Yeti Local Foods Cafe. In Asia, quick service with Asian-inspired dishes. A solid option for something beyond standard theme park food.
Table service restaurants
Table service dining reservations open 60 days before your visit. The most popular spots fill up fast.
- Tiffins. Signature dining on Discovery Island. The menu is inspired by world travels, with dishes from Asia, Africa, and South America. One of the best restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort. Reservations are recommended.
- Tusker House Restaurant. A character buffet in Africa with Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, and friends in safari outfits. The food has African-inspired flavors — roasted meats, curries, and seasonal sides. Breakfast is especially popular.
- Yak & Yeti Restaurant. Pan-Asian table service in Asia with dishes like honey chicken, lo mein, and ahi tuna. The theming inside is detailed, with antiques and artifacts filling every room.
Do I need dining reservations at Disney's Animal Kingdom?
Characters at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park has character meet-and-greets spread across the park. Tusker House also offers character dining.
- Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Adventurers Outpost on Discovery Island. This is the only spot at Walt Disney World Resort where you meet both Mickey and Minnie together.
- Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. Near the Zootopia: Better Zoogether! show on Discovery Island.
- Moana. At Character Landing on Discovery Island. She is one of the most popular meets in the park, and waits can reach 30–40 minutes. The queue is shaded.
Character schedules change without notice. Check the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit for current times and locations.
Tips for your visit
- Wear comfortable shoes. The Animal Kingdom park covers a lot of ground, and much of it is outdoors on uneven paths. You will walk more than you expect.
- Carry a poncho. Florida afternoon rain showers are common, and Kali River Rapids will get you wet even without rain. A lightweight poncho takes up little space in a bag.
- Use the app. Wait times, showtimes, and character schedules change throughout the day. The My Disney Experience app is the best way to make real-time decisions.
- Visit Pandora at night when you can. During seasons when the park is open past sunset, walk through Pandora after dark. The bioluminescent lighting transforms the land into something you will not see anywhere else. Check the park hours before your visit — shorter operating days may close before sundown.
For large groups
Getting to the park
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is served by complimentary bus from every Disney Resort hotel. Bus is the only Disney transportation option for this park — it is not connected to the monorail, the Disney Skyliner, or any boat routes. Guests driving to the park can use the parking lot at the entrance.