Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park is the newest park in the Walt Disney World complex. This theme park highlights the different cultures around the world and celebrates the rich diversity of animal life. It is a part elaborate zoo and a gorgeous theme park.
In 1995, the ground broke for the fourth theme park in Walt Disney World. Animal Kingdom was meant to be a mix of a zoological park and a natural theme park. The Grand Opening was held on April 22, 1998.
This theme park is a different type of park, focused more on the natural world than fantasy. Animal Kingdom covers over 500 acres, filled with lush landscapes and plenty of details.
As the icon of the park, the Tree of Life stands in the center of Discovery Island. Like the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom is designed as a wheel, with the Tree of Life as the hub and various lands connected by the spokes.
Animal Kingdom has several lands:
Discovery Island, The Oasis, Pandora – World of Avatar, Africa, Rafiki’s Planet Watch, Asia, and DinoLand USA.
Hours
Animal Kingdom’s hours can vary, opening as early as 7:30 AM and staying open until 9 PM at night.
The Oasis
After you enter the gates, take a look at the large building with a cascading waterfall. The Rainforest Cafe occupies the space, entertaining guests with tropical smells, sights, and sounds. Part of the show includes a tropical thunderstorm that awakens the audio-Animatronic wildlife, including elephants, giant butterflies, cheetahs, monkeys, and gorillas. The 3500-gallon aquarium is home to hundreds of colorful tropical fish.
All guests enter Disney’s Animal Kingdom through the Oasis. This lush tropical makes a fine introduction to the park. Keep to the right, and you might get a glimpse of the famous DiVine as she performs among the trees and shrubs.
Flamingos make their home in the Oasis, greeting guests on their way to the other lands. Along with that, stop by the viewing area to see the tree kangaroos, giant anteaters, wallabies, and two-toed sloths. Disney does its best by adding a few touches. While the trees and plants are real, rocks and termite mounds hide the water and food feeders for the birds. As you stroll through the area, look for the various animal paw prints on the pathways.
Animal Highlights:
- Babaruisa
- Spoonbill
- Anteater
Attractions:
- Oasis Exhibits
Dining:
- Rainforest Cafe
Entertainment:
- DiVine
Shopping:
- Garden Gate Gifts
Discovery Island
After traversing through the heavily landscaped Oasis, you have now entered Discovery Island. All guests will start their Animal Kingdom adventure from this point. The Discovery River surrounds the area, where you might see one of the floatillas passing under the bridge. From here, you can head to DinoLand USA, Asia, Africa, Pandora, or Rafiki’s Planet Watch.
While most guests rush to their destination, marvel at the impressive 14-story-high Tree of Life, the centerpiece of the park. This massive park icon contains over 325 carvings of animals.
Animal Highlights:
- Otter
- Lemur
- Cotton-top Tamarin
- Flamingo
Attractions:
- Discovery Island Trail
- It’s Tough To Be a Bug
Dining:
- Flame Tree Barbecue
- Pizzafari
- Creature Comforts – Starbucks
- Tiffins Restaurant
- Nomad Lounge
- Smiling Crocodile
- Eight Spoon Cafe
Entertainment:
- Winged Encounters: The Kingdom Takes Flight
- Adventurers Outpost – Mickey and Minnie Character Meet
- Kevin from UP! – Roaming Character
Shopping:
- Island Mercantile
- Discovery Trading Company
- Riverside Depot
DinoLand USA
As you enter this land, you will cross under the 50-foot-tall Brachiosaurus skeleton known as the OldenGate Bridge. DinoLand USA might be on life support, but take the time to enjoy this land. This land is a mix of a roadside carnival and a research facility.
After a few dinosaur bones were found outside of the town, Dino Institute established a facility that continues to attract tourists. With all of the extra visitors, Chester and Hester decided to set up their own Fossil Fun games with all the bells, whistles, and lights at the Dino-Rama.
Animal Highlights:
- American crocodile
- Tyrannosaurus Rex
Attractions:
- Dinosaur
- Triceratops Spin
Entertainment:
- The Boneyard – Play area
- Chester’s and Hester’s Dino-Rama: Fossil Fun Games
- Donald’s Dino-Bash – Donald, Chip, and Dale Character Meet
- Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond!
Dining:
- Restaurantosaurus
- Dino-Bites Snacks
- Dino Diner
- Trilo-Bites
- Corn-ivores
Shopping:
- Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures
- Dino Institute Shop
Asia
If you want to find a land of wonder and intrigue, Asia is the place for you. This land is situated in the foothills of Mount Everest. The culture, landscape, and architecture are a blend of several Asian countries, Thailand, Nepal, Mongolia, Indonesia, Cambodia, and India. The exotic and mythical kingdom is called Anandapur, meaning a “place of all delights.”
Fun Fact: According to the backstory, Anandapur was established in 1544 as a royal hunting reserve. Soon, a village formed near the reserve, while the hunting grounds fells into disrepair. The current royal family converted the reserve into a conservation area.
Today, this land is home to the most thrilling attraction – Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, and the wettest in the park: Kali River Rapids.
Animal Highlights:
- Tiger
- Lion-Tailed Macaque
- Gibbon
- Bat
- Komodo Dragon
- Exotic Birds
Attractions:
- Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
- Kali River Rapids
- Maharajah Jungle Trek
Entertainment:
- Feathered Friends in Flight
Dining:
- Mr. Jamal’s
- Warung Outpost
- Drinkwalla
- Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes
- Yak & Yeti Restaurant
- Anandapur Ice Cream Truck
- Trek Snacks
- Thirsty River Bar
Shopping:
- Mandala Gifts
- Serka Zong Bazaar
Africa
The village of Harambe welcomes guests to Africa. Harambe is Swahili for “come together.” Like other parts of Animal Kingdom, Harambe is not based a specific location, but it is a blend of culture and architecture from Kenya, South Africa, and Zanzibar. Harambe loos like an East African port that caters to foreign visitors. You will see a hotel, a marketplace, and safari excursions. This land is the best spot to view exotic animals and thrilling live performers.
Animal Highlights:
- Elephant
- Lion
- Gorilla
- Giraffe
- Hippopotamus
- Colobus Monkey
- Okapi
- Goat
- Tarantula
- Zebra
Attractions:
- Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
Entertainment:
- Festival of the Lion King
Dining:
- Mahindi
- Dawa Bar
- Tusker House Restaurant
- Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery
- Tamu Tamu Refreshments
- Harambe Fruit Market
- Harambe Market
Shopping:
- Mombasa Marketplace
- Zuri’s Sweet Shop
Rafiki’s Planet Watch
If you want to see the animal care and conservation efforts of the team at Disney, take a train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. You will have to board in Africa and head off to this section. Guests can pet a goat, learn to draw a Disney character, or see veterinarian procedures up close and personal.
Attractions:
- Conservation Station
- Affection Section
Pandora – Land of Avatar
Pandora is based on the world created by James Cameron with his recording-breaking film, Avatar. This land welcomes guests to the world of Pandora after the Na’vi and human conflicts have ended. During the daytime, check out the Imagineering fest to create “floating” mountains, while at night you can marvel as the land glows with bioluminescence.
Attractions:
- Avatar: Flight of Passage
- Na’vi River Journey
Dining:
- Pongu Pongu
Shopping:
- Windtraders
Special Events
Since Animal Kingdom is focused on animal care, you will not find many events throughout the year. The Merry Menagerie is a can’t-miss holiday event as artisan-sculpted puppets of Arctic animals come to life.
Transportation
If you want to visit Animal Kingdom, the transportation options are limited. It is either the bus or a car.
Bus: Disney Transportation is free, and you can take a bus from any Disney theme park or resort. The buses will drop you off right at the entrance.
Car: Guests can drive their own vehicle to Animal Kingdom. The parking lot is massive, and chances are, you will be stuck at the back of the lot. Thankfully, Animal Kingdom does have trams operating throughout the day. Parking is free for AP holders.