During a Fall Break trip to Orlando, we visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We were really impressed. The park is the largest animal themed park in the world and is the home to over 1,700 animals from 250 species. In addition to all of the animals, plant life is also abundant. There is plenty of shade in the park, so it’s great even on a hot day. At the center of the 500+ acre park, you will find Discovery Island the Tree of Life. Discovery Island is surrounded by the following areas: the Oasis, Camp Minnie-Mickey, Africa, Asia, Dinoland, U.S.A.® and Rafiki’s Planet Watch®.
Here’s what you’ll find in each area:
Oasis
The Oasis Exhibits: See a Giant Anteater, an exotic bear, a Hyacinth macaw and many other amazing animals.
The Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom
Discovery Island
“It’s Tough to Be a Bug”: Venture into the Tree of Life to see this fun 3-D show. Housed in the roots of the tree, the 8-minute show features Flik and Hopper from Disney Pixar’s A Bug’s Life. The 3-D was awesome — the seats even “sting” you and a stink bug “sprays” you.
Discovery Island Trails: Stroll around the Tree of Life and discover a landscape full of creatures such as Galapagos tortoises, lemurs and cotton-top tamarins.
Camp Minnie-Mickey
Pocahontas and Her Forest Animals: This children’s show features live animals from North America.
Festival of the Lion King: This is a must-see for Lion King fans. Sing along with your favorite Lion King animals in the high-energy tribal celebration.
Greeting Trails: Meet Mickey, Minnie and pals.
Africa
Kilimanjaro Safaris: Ride in an open-air oversized jeep-like vehicle on an exciting expedition through an African savanna where giraffes, gazelles, elephants, rhinos and lions freely roam. We were going kind of fast and it was bumpy, so it was hard to get good pictures. We had to wait a long time to ride this attraction. I would recommend getting Fast Passes. You just insert your park tickets into the Fast Pass kiosk. You’ll receive a Fast Pass ticket with a returning time. Simply come back at that time and ride with little or no waiting.
Animal Kingdom Honorary Bird Spotter
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail: Discover birds, fish, gorillas and more on the walking tour. Don’t miss the underwater hippo viewing area. Our son loved the bird spotting area. He wouldn’t leave until we had found every bird on the card they had given us. Thankfully one of the workers helped him find them all. She even made him an “Honorary Bird Spotter” and gave him a certificate.
Rafiki’s Planet Watch
Wildlife Express Train: Board a rustic African train that runs 1.2 miles between the Harambe, Africa and Rafiki’s Planet Watch areas. See animal housing and care areas for rhinos, elephants and other species on your journey across the savannah. Trains leave every 5-7 minutes.
Habitat Habit! See cotton-top tamarins and get helpful hints on how to share the world with animals.
Conservation Station: Enjoy live animal encounters with interesting facts about animal habitats. Take an in-depth look at how the animals are cared for at Animal Kingdom.
Affection Section: Enjoy a hands-on encounter with a variety of friendly, domesticated animals, including goats, sheep, llamas, chickens and other sweet critters. Touch and feed your furry new pals in this shaded petting zoo that offers activities covering animal issues
Asia
Flights of Wonder: Flights of Wonder is a scheduled 25-minute live show presented several times a day featuring the fascinating natural behaviors and often humorous talents of at least 20 species of exotic birds, including Harris hawks, macaws and a Yellow-napped Amazon parrot named Groucho, who has an amazing singing voice.
Maharajah Jungle Trek: Venture into the wilds of the mystical Anandapur Royal Forest of Southeast Asia, a land where you’ll encounter majestic tigers, a Komodo dragon, a Malayan tapir, wild bats, deer and over 50 species of exotic birds amid ancient ruins and murals.
Kali River Rapids: Venture into the wilds of the mystical Anandapur Royal Forest of Southeast Asia, a land where you’ll encounter majestic tigers, a Komodo dragon, a Malayan tapir, wild bats, deer and over 50 species of exotic birds amid ancient ruins and murals. (Height Requirement: 38”/97 cm.)
Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom
Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain: Board this high-altitude, high-speed roller coaster train and hold on tight through daring drops, hairpin turns and a close encounter with the Yeti. (Height Requirement: 44”/112 cm.) Our son loved this. We happened to be there for Magic Hours (guests of Disney hotels get to come early or stay late at parks), so we rode this about 4 times in a row without having to wait in line. The last time we sat in the front car. It was well worth the view of the entire Disney Resort when the train stops at the top for about 10 seconds. Everest is more than just a coaster — it’s an experience with lots of great effects like a shadow of the Yeti, flashing lights and a “broken” track.
DinoLand U.S.A.
The Boneyard: This is great for smaller children who become paleontologists on this sandy, dinosaur playground. They excavate fossils, climb through tunnels, play a tune on the “xylobone,” wind their ways through a giant, multilevel maze with slides and much more.
Finding Nemo — the Musical: This 30-minute musical-theater adaptation of Disney·Pixar’s movie, Finding Nemo, will amaze audiences of all ages. It is performed in the Theater in the Wild. It just happened to start raining, so we ducked in and watched the show. We stayed dry and enjoyed the show.
Primeval Whirl: Travel in your own time machine back to when meteors wiped out the dinosaurs! Cars rotate as they speed along the track through hairpin turns and tight curves on this carnival-style, spinning roller coaster. (Height Requirement: 48”/122 cm.)
TriceratTop Spin: Who knew dinosaurs could fly? Younger kids take a leisurely flight aboard a friendly three-horned dinosaur that they make go up and down as it coasts in a circle past cartoon comets and other dinosaurs.
Dinosaur: Blast back 65 million years to save the last dinosaur. This ride is very dark and our son was a little afraid at first, but he did find. I wouldn’t recommend this if your child is very frightened of the dark. (Height Requirement: 40”/102 cm.)
Pluto Greets Us At Animal Kingdom Parade
Parade
Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade: Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade features popular Disney Characters, elaborate animal puppets, stiltwalkers, drummers, safari vehicles, and nearly 60 Cast Members. This magnificent menagerie winds through the streets of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park in the afternoon. We headed straight to the parade after the Nemo show. Pluto and Timon even came up and shook our little guy’s hand. That’s the best reason to get good seats — kids are so excited when the characters come up to them.
Dining By Area
Oasis
Rainforest Café: This jungle-themed restaurant, with simulated weather patterns and animated animals, caters to animal lovers looking for tasty pasta, poultry and vegetarian selections. Rainforest Café is a great place to eat with tons of atmosphere. You really feel like you are in the jungle. The food is great too with lots of choices. This is probably the nicest sit-down restaurant in Animal Kingdom.
Discovery Island
Flame Tree Barbecue: Make a meal of smoked barbecue ribs, chicken or pork sandwiches. Dine in one of the tropical outdoor pavilions overlooking Discovery River. ($14.99 and under per person)
Safari Barbecue: Enjoy turkey legs and chicken wings. (Under $14 per person)
Pizzafari: Pick up individual pizzas fresh from the oven and scrumptious sandwiches. Beer is also served here. ($14.99 and under per person)
Drumming in the Africa Area of Animal Kindgom
Africa
Donald’s Safari Breakfast: Donald Duck and friends invite you to “Awaken the Day” with music and a simple morning ritual. Enjoy a breakfast buffet brimming with dishes with African touches. This character breakfast buffet is at the Tusker House Restaurant. ($15-$35.99 per person)
Tusker House Restaurant: At this colorful marketplace eatery, find a family-focused buffet brimming with African flavors and dishes like rotisserie chicken, hearty stews and desserts. They also have vegetarian fare. ($15-$35.99 per person)
Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery: A quick bite of muffins, pastries, cakes, with freshly brewed coffee is a simple way to start your day. ($14.99 and under per person)
Tamu Tamu Refreshments: On the corner of a bustling street in the Harambe Africa area, this stand offers burgers and shakes. ($14.99 and under per person)
Asia
Yak & Yeti Restaurant: Sit among exotic, historic Himalayan artifacts while you savor Pan-Asian flavors such as maple tamarind chicken and seared miso salmon. ($15-$35.99 per person)
Yak & Yeti Local Foods Café: Pick up quick Pan-Asian dishes, like crispy honey chicken and pork egg rolls, at this colorful café. ($14.99 and under per person)
DinoLand U.S.A.
Restaurantosaurus: McDonald’s fast-food favorites are served in this dinosaur-centric restaurant. We ate here and it was very busy most likely because people know their kids will eat McDonald’s and it is cheap. I would suggest you tag team it — one adult get the food and the other score a table. You might need to wipe down the table as people snag tables as soon as someone leaves. I suggest carrying wipes in your bag. ($14.99 and under per person)
