Let’s face it: most Guests at Walt Disney World consider Animal Kingdom a “half-day park.” When planning out activities during their week-long vacation, Guests will usually hit up Animal Kingdom’s major attractions in the morning and by mid-afternoon hop to another park or head back to their resort. No matter what, it’s impossible to do everything in one trip to Walt Disney World, let alone just one theme park! But Animal Kingdom definitely has enough activities for animal enthusiasts and thrill seekers alike to last the whole day!
Here are some things to do at Animal Kingdom to make it a full, satisfying visit!
See All the Animals
Kilimanjaro Safaris is one attraction that almost every Guest rides at Animal Kingdom. A knowledgeable safari guide drives you through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve to see over 30 species of animals in their natural habitats. Riding the Safaris during different times of day brings out rarer animals, such as the hippos, rhinos, and hyenas.
While most guests just hop on the safari truck at park opening and then call it a day, there are other underrated trails to explore. The Oasis, located at the front of the park, is often overlooked, but hosts a giant anteater, a babirusa, and spoonbills. The Maharajah Jungle Trek and Gorilla Falls, located in Asia and Africa respectively, are hidden gems and showcase many exotic animals such as tigers, gorillas, bats, and a Komodo dragon! You can hear from the animal experts themselves only a short train ride away at the Conservation Station. Whether you view their veterinary care centers, learn about Disney’s conservation efforts, or take an animation class, you’re guaranteed to spend a good portion of your day seeing animals!
Festival of the Lion King
Not enough Guests know about Festival of the Lion King! This thirty-minute show is the closest you can get to The Lion King on Broadway! An extremely talented cast, along with some your favorite characters such Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa, welcomes you to sing along to classic songs from the film. With incredible stunts, amazing vocals, and wild performances, this immersive show will exceed your expectations and have you stampeding back!
Flight of Passage
If you haven’t heard about Flight of Passage yet, this is an attraction you can’t miss! On this immersive, simulated flight through Pandora, your breath will be taken away by beautiful landscapes and magnificent caves. If you can’t secure a FastPass, Flight of Passage is definitely worth a three hour wait! Don’t worry; as long as you plan accordingly, there’s still plenty of time to hit some other park favorites!
Character Dining
Eating a meal with Mickey and Minnie is always a fun treat that both children and adults look forward to on their Disney vacation. Tusker House is an amazing experience that tends to be overlooked! While you chow down on some authentic African cuisine, Mickey & Friends will snap some shots with you in their safari gear! It takes between one to two hours to see all the characters, which is about the length of your meal!
Nighttime Ride on Expedition Everest
Thrill seekers love this roller coaster with its sudden turns and backwards movement through the Forbidden Mountain. If you’re looking for something to do at night in Animal Kingdom, try braving the big plunge of Mount Everest in the dark! Plus, the view of the park from the top of the mountain at nighttime is beautiful!
There are plenty more things to do! But hopefully, this can get you started on your full day at Animal Kingdom!
