Animal Kingdom is a vast and wonderful place, full of creatures of all shapes and sizes.
Certainly, children are naturally curious about animals, and learning about them can be a fun and enriching experience.
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Is Animal Kingdom good for toddlers?
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is great for families with toddlers. As in other Disney parks, rides with height requirements offer a Rider Switch for groups with little ones.
Plus, there are shows, rides, animal exhibits and experiences that are sure to delight the theme park’s littlest guests.
Here are some of the top attractions and things to do with toddlers at Disney’s Animal Kingdom:
1. Kilimanjaro Safaris
This ride is a must-do for any visitor to Animal Kingdom, and it’s especially great for toddlers.
It’s an 18-minute safari ride that takes you on a journey through the African Savanna, where you’ll see real animals like lions, elephants and giraffes.
The ride is gentle and slow-moving, so it’s perfect for little ones. My kids have even been known to take naps on this ride, too.
Pro-tip: Grab a pair of kid-sized binoculars at one of the gift shops on your way into the park. Of course, you can also order one online ahead of time. This set on Amazon is only about $20 and comes in green and pink, so it’s perfect for little ones.
2. Explore Pandora
My kids love the Na’vi River Journey. This dark boat ride takes guests on a tour through the enchanting bioluminescent rainforest of Pandora.
The ride is gentle and relaxing, and it’s sure to enchant your toddler. We love that Disney included this gentle ride as a companion to the more intense Avatar Flight of Passage in the World of Avatar.
If your family is using Rider Switch, this is an excellent ride to take your toddler on while the first group waits in line.
Another option for entertaining your toddler in Pandora is the Na’vi Drum Ceremony in the Valley of Mo’ara.
This interactive show takes place throughout the day and also allows kids of all ages to dance and even play some instruments.
3. TriceraTop Spin
Similar to both Dumbo The Flying Elephant and The Magic Carpets of Aladdin at Magic Kingdom, this ride is perfect for toddlers.
It features friendly-looking green Triceratops dinosaurs that your toddler can control.
Each dino has two rows that can accommodate 2-3 riders.
My little guys have always loved activating the levers that control the tilt and elevation of our dino. The ride is located in DinoLand U.S.A.
4. The Boneyard
This is one of my family’s very favorite spots in the entire Walt Disney World Resort. It’s a great place for toddlers (and big kids!) to burn off some energy.
It features slides, climbing structures and a sand pit. Kids can happily spend hours digging for fossils in the Dig Site, located across the bridge on the second level.
This playground is also located in DinoLand U.S.A.
Read Also: Is EPCOT Good for Toddlers: What Does the Park Have for Toddlers?
5. Wildlife Express Train
This open-air train takes passengers to Rafiki’s Planet Watch from the Harambe Station in Africa.
Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for the hours of operation. The train typically begins running a few hours after the park opens. It also closes a few hours prior to park closing.
Rafiki’s Planet Watch is home to the Affection Section and Conservation Station. Conservation Station has a veterinary treatment room where visitors may be able to watch procedures involving the park’s animal residents.
6. Affection Section
This is a petting zoo located at Rafiki’s Planet Watch. In fact, it’s the only petting zoo at Walt Disney World.
Toddlers will love getting up close and personal with animals like goats, sheep and rabbits.
7. Festival of the Lion King
This is a live Broadway-style show that features music, dance and acrobatics. The show is perfect for toddlers who are fans of “The Lion King”.
It’s also great for their parents, who likely grew up belting out the lyrics to the film’s iconic songs in the back of their mom’s minivan back in the 90s.
Read Also: The Lion King Show at Animal Kingdom: Show Times, Location and More
8. Finding Nemo: The Big Blue … And Beyond!
This is another live show that’s perfect for toddlers. This show features all your favorite characters from Finding Nemo.
It’s been recently updated to include additional characters from the film’s popular sequel, “Finding Dory”.
These are just a few of the many attractions that Animal Kingdom has to offer toddlers. With so many options to choose from, you’re sure to find something that your little one will love.
So is Animal Kingdom worth it for a 2-year-old?
Yes, absolutely. The best thing about taking a 2-year-old to Animal Kingdom (or any Disney park) is that they are free!
Kids don’t need a ticket until they turn three.
What age is best for Animal Kingdom?
A five-year-old kid will be able to ride most of the attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Luckily, there are only four rides with height requirements at this park:
- Kali River Rapids: 38 inches
- Dinosaur: 40 inches
- Expedition Everest: 44 inches
- Avatar Flight of Passage: 44 inches
Further, kids in this age range will also delight in meeting favorite Disney characters like Mickey, Minnie and Donald Duck.
There are also several trails that give visitors of all ages a unique perspective on several animal habitats. For example, try the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail in Africa and the Maharajah Jungle Trek in Asia.
Finally, there’s the Discovery Island Trails. This is the best spot for getting a close-up view of the animals carved into the trunk of the Tree of Life.
My kids have always loved the Wilderness Explorers program. This is an activity inspired by the film “Up”.
Near the front of the park, kids can get a booklet that serves as a guide for exploring the park. They can collect badges at various locations throughout the park.
Is Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom better for toddlers?
Magic Kingdom has more rides, but Animal Kingdom may give you an overall better experience with toddlers. It really depends on what kind of day you want to have.
You’ll be busier experiencing rides, meeting characters and observing fireworks at Magic Kingdom.
Conversely, you’ll probably have a slower-paced and generally more chill day at Animal Kingdom.
The park does have a couple of rides that toddlers can enjoy. However, the bulk of your time will likely be spent watching shows and exploring places like The Boneyard or the trails in Africa, Asia and Discovery Island.
Did your toddlers enjoy Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!
