Disney's Animal Kingdom holds a special place in our froggy hearts as there's something for everyone, and we amphibians love seeing all of the animals. With thrilling attractions, animal experiences, beautiful shows and more, we always have a great time at the park. Animal Kingdom has a lot to offer, so you don't want to miss this wild time! We've collected our top Disney's Animal Kingdom rides, experiences and food and drink for this hoppin' park.
We always think it's good to have a flexible plan ahead of time, or at least know what to prioritize and keep on your must-do list. (For a little extra organizational help, don't froget to check out the Undercover Tourist Orlando app — we offer pre-set Park Plans, plus the ability to customize your own plan with YOUR family's must-dos!). Without further ado, here's our Frog Family's list of what not to miss at Animal Kingdom!
Not-to-Miss Animal Kingdom Rides with Height Requirements
Avatar Flight of Passage
Ever wanted to fly on a banshee like the ones from the film "Avatar"? Now you can with the ever-popular Avatar Flight of Passage attraction in Pandora. With incredible technology, you truly feel like you are soaring along with the Na'vi. This is consistently the highest wait of Animal Kingdom, so we recommend riding right at park opening or close, or splurging for a Lightning Lane Single Pass to get expedited access.
The height requirement for Avatar Flight of Passage is 44 inches or taller.
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
Another frog favorite, Expedition Everest is an exciting roller coaster with twists, turns and even backward motion. Journey up Mount Everest, but beware of the legendary Yeti in the mountain's dark caverns. This is always a fun coaster and typically, wait times are pretty manageable.
The height requirement for Expedition Everest is 44 inches or taller.
Note that this ride can sometimes affect those with motion sickness and can be scary for children. For those not riding, consider watching the nearby Finding Nemo: The Big Blue... and Beyond! or Feathered Friends in Flight.
DINOSAUR
Not our Dino! Travel back in time to prehistoric times in a race to find the Iguanadon before the meteor strikes. Your Time Rover will take you on a very thrilling adventure with twists and turns as you avoid the crash and other dinosaurs. Note that this ride may be scary for tadpoles.
The height requirement for DINOSAUR is 40 inches or taller.
Not-to-Miss Animal Kingdom Rides for All Ages
Kilimanjaro Safaris
The safari is a definite not-to-miss for us frogs! Set off on a guided tour of the savanna, home to 34 species including giraffes, zebras, elephants, lions and more. The drivers are quite knowledgeable, and it's a wonderful chance to see so many animals up close. You'll never know which animals you'll see, so Kilimanjaro Safaris is definitely repeat-worthy! Hop tip: There may be more animals out in the morning versus the hot afternoon.
Na'vi River Journey
In comparison to the thrilling Flight of Passage, Pandora's other ride takes you through a peaceful journey of the vibrant planet. On this slow-boat ride, witness the bioluminescent jungle and the impressive Na'vi Shaman of Songs. Hop on during the first or last two hours of the day for the shortest waits, or grab a Lightning Lane Multi Pass reservation.
TriceraTop Spin
Tadpoles will absolutely love this flying dinosaur ride! A prehistoric take on other circular spinning rides such as Dumbo or The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, control the height and enjoy soaring over Dinoland U.S.A. This can be a great alternative while others in your party head to DINOSAUR.
Not-to-Miss Experiences at Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Characters
It wouldn't be Walt Disney World without your favorite characters! Animal Kingdom has some unique character experiences that can't be found anywhere else. As of April 22, 2023, we are so excited that Moana finally has a regular meet-and-greet in Discovery Island!
Other meet-and-greets at Animal Kingdom include Mickey and Minnie in their safari outfits and Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto and Chip 'n' Dale in dinosaur-themed costumes and Pocohantas in the Oasis. You may also see Kevin, the colorful bird as seen in "Up," roaming around. You can check the timeframes in the My Disney Experience app.
Entertainment
Disney's Animal Kingdom has a lot of entertainment to offer, including some of our favorite shows on property. Festival of the Lion King is a definite not-miss for our family. This beautiful theatrical performance involves songs from the film, puppetry, beautiful costumes and incredible choreography and stunts. For a high-quality musical, be sure to see the reimagined Finding Nemo: The Big, Blue and Beyond. Are you ready? (Yes, we're readyyyyy!)
Keep an eye out for ambient performers such as the Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe, who perform periodically throughout the day in Africa. Everyone will want to dance along to the beat!
Wilderness Explorers
Caw! Caw! Roar! Have you ever wanted to be a Wilderness Explorer, just like Russell from "Up"? Well, you can be at Animal Kingdom, and best yet — it's toadally free! The Wilderness Explorers is a self-paced, scavenger hunt-like activity throughout the park. Frogs of all ages earn badges as you learn about wilderness skills, fossils, conservation and more. With nearly 30 badge opportunities throughout the park, this experience can really enhance your day in the wild. For more wild details, check out our guide to Wilderness Explorers!
Trails
You can't go to Animal Kingdom without experiencing the incredible animals located at the park. Be sure to hop along the Maharajah Jungle Trek to see beautiful Asian tigers and other wildlife. There are various animals off of paths, so be sure to take the time to learn more about them.
There are even trails leading right up to the Tree of Life. The Discovery Island Trails leads you off the beaten path and lets you relax with hardly anyone around. Along the trail, you'll see animals such as vultures, porcupines, lemurs, kangaroos ... and our all-time fave, the OTTER. (We have a soft spot for our aquatic pals.)
Not-to-Miss Food and Drink at Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Satu'li Canteen
We always leave Satu'li Canteen happy with full frog bellies! This quick-service restaurant in Pandora is a frog favorite for its customizable bowls and hearty and healthy options. The meals have a Pandora twist to them but are still recognizable to those from Earth. We recommend mobile ordering at this location.
Pongu Pongu
While in Pandora, be sure to grab some out-of-this-world drinks at this small walk-up stand. Meaning "Party Party" in the Na'vi language, enjoy small snacks such as the Pongu Lumpia spring roll. Savor both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, such as the tadpole-friendly Night Blossom (pictured).
Harambe Market
You won't want to miss this marketplace offering delicious meals. Located in Africa, Harambe Market resembles a true open-air market with a variety of food options. There are bowls, salads, kids meals, lots of drink options and a cute Simba cupcake. We love feasting on the Chicken and Ribs bowl.
Harambe Market may have limited hours so be sure to double-check in the My Disney Experience app and enjoy!
Flame Tree Barbecue
Savor some delicious smoked meat and sides while taking in the views at Flame Tree Barbecue. Enjoy chicken, ribs, pulled pork and more in sandwiches, meals or salads. With lots of kids and allergy options, there's something for everyone. We love the Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Pulled Pork because it's the best of both worlds. Yum!
What's on your family's not-to-miss list at Animal Kingdom? Did we miss anything? (With so many amazing things to do at Animal Kingdom, we're sure we did!) Let us know in the comments below!
Related: Our Wild Guide to the Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom
Hoppy planning!
