Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a favorite park among adventurers and nature lovers. Over 1700 animals live in Animal Kingdom, but this park is so much more than a zoo. There are so many things to do, including some of my favorite rides in all of Disney World! Check out these 5 must-do’s for your next visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom!
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Expedition Everest
One of my favorite rollercoasters in Disney World is Expedition Everest. At first, you travel up Mount Everest in search of a Yeti only to find that the track is broken. Next thing you know you are riding backward at high speeds in the dark. This is definitely one of the most exciting rollercoasters at Disney, and it’s a must for thrill-seekers.
Avatar: Flight of Passage
This is without a doubt one of my favorite rides in all of Disney World. Obviously, a lot of other people like it too because the wait is usually over 3 hours! You will need to purchase a Lightning Lane for this ride or arrive there first thing when the park opens if you don’t want to wait that long!
So what’s so special about it? It’s one of the most realistic rides at Disney World. On this motion simulator, you get to experience what it’s like to fly on a Banshee from the Avatar movie through the world of Pandora. I was skeptical at first. I wondered how wearing 3D glasses and sitting on a bike could feel like flying on an animal, but it left me pleasantly surprised! This is something that you have to experience for yourself to believe!
Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama
This area of the park near the Dinosaur ride is filled with carnival-style games where you can win cute prizes! I think this area isn’t talked about much since the only ride is the Tricertop spin (basically another Dumbo ride). But you can buy game tickets for a few dollars and win prizes like plushes shaped like dinosaurs, Mickey, or Minnie Mouse.
You can also check out Dinosaur just around the corner. This ride isn’t my favorite since it’s dark and shakes you around a lot. But it’s pretty popular, so I suggest you try it at least once!
Kilimanjaro Safari
This ride lets you take a Safari through the African grasslands and see all kinds of amazing animals. Your driver is your guide telling you about the different species and pointing out the giraffes, elephants, lions, and dozens of other animals. Animal Kingdom also has some walking trails for seeing other animals kind of like a zoo. The Kilimanjaro Safari is different because it feels like you are going on a real Safari in Africa!
Photographer tip: I love to take my 75-300 mm lens when I ride Kilimanjaro Safari. You can get some great close-up shots of the animals with a telephoto lens like this. To see what else I keep in my camera bag, check out my photography gear.
Festival of the Lion King
I’ve always loved this colorful show featuring the songs from the Lion King. It has skillful dancers and gymnasts, great music, and of course the characters you know and love from the movie. You definitely don’t want to miss it!
These are all rides and shows that I would do over and over again, and I know you will love them too! Be sure to tell me your favorite things to do in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and don’t forget to check the blog posts below for more info on planning your next Disney trip!
8 Must-Do’s in the Magic Kingdom
10 Snacks at Disney World You Have to Try
Everything You Need to Know About Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney World
5 Must-Do’s in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
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