When we think about the word “attractions” at any Walt Disney World theme park, our minds almost automatically jump to rides.
Small World in Magic Kingdom.
Star Wars Rise of the Resistance in Hollywood Studios.
Soarin’ in EPCOT.
But Disney uses the word attractions for a reason. In other words, it’s more than just a ride. Specifically, it’s an experience and an adventure.
Each attraction is an opportunity for kids and adults alike to create a special memory of their time with Mickey, Minnie, Donald and the crew.
Therefore, if you want to build memories for a lifetime, you need to focus on more than just the rides.
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What is Animal Kingdom most known for?
I think it’s still probably the animals. From Kilimanjaro Safaris to the Discovery Island Trails, Animal Kingdom is first and foremost a park about animals.
And like any great zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park features lions, giraffes, zebras, tigers, rhinos, cheetahs, elephants and more.
Read Also: 12 Best Animal Kingdom Rides, Ranked
What should you not miss at Animal Kingdom?
I know I just said the animals are what the park is most known for. That said, it’s Pandora that shouldn’t be missed.
Avatar Flight of Passage, on which you get on a Banshee and fly all over the beautiful alien world, is one of the best amusement park attractions in the world. Notably, it’s a simulator ride, a thrill ride and an immersive experience all rolled up into one.
But Pandora is more than just one ride. It’s also the most expansive immersive theme park world in existence. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal and Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios are both as immersive, but they’re constrained.
They feel small. It’s like you can see the edges.
In Pandora, especially as you pass Na’vi River Journey and turn towards Flight of Passage, the world feels big. You don’t feel trapped inside.
Do you need Lightning Lanes for the best Animal Kingdom rides?
Disney Genie+ covers several popular attractions except for Flight of Passage, which is an Individual Lightning Lane. However, my recommendation is this: Get the Individual Lightning Lane for Flight of Passage.
It will save you the most time.
I think you can effectively cover the park without Disney Genie+. However, if you have the money, it might be worth it to do both.
If you can get Lightning Lanes for any of the following attractions, it should save you some time on rides such as:
- Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
- Naʻvi River Journey
- Kilimanjaro Safaris
Remember, Disney Genie+ only guarantees you Lightning Lanes for a couple of rides per day. It’s not like Universal, it doesn’t get you line skips on every ride included in the program.
What are the best Animal Kingdom attractions?
Here we come to the crux of the issue. Time is limited, so you have to be smart. Below, I’ll list and rank the best attractions at the Animal Kingdom to help you decide what to prioritize:
17. Affection Section
Located at Rafiki’s Planet Watch, this petting zoo is a … petting zoo.
It is not unlike the ones you presumably have in your hometown with goats and pigs and such. Still, it’s a hit for small children and toddlers if you have any in your family.
16. TriceraTop Spin
Located in Dinoland, this is essentially Dumbo’s Flying Elephants but with Triceratops, which are not traditionally thought of as flying dinosaurs.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with this ride. It’s fun and diverting for what it is.
In fact, I think Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios would do well to add a handful of these carnival-style rides that can help keep wait times down and offer options for families that need a quick ride to keep the kids entertained.
15. It’s Tough to be a Bug
This show, located inside the Tree of Life, uses characters from the underrated Pixar classic “A Bug’s Life”.
Unfortunately, the cleverness and heart of the movie do not really transfer over to the show.
Nevertheless, it’s nice to sit in some air conditioning and have a 4D experience. But it’s nowhere near the best show Animal Kingdom has to offer.
14. Conservation Station
Located on Rafiki’s Planet Watch, Conservation Station is an educational foray into animal habitats around the globe.
It also offers a glimpse at the expert veterinary care the animals receive. In fact, I like the behind-the-scenes veterinary care more than I do the habitat stuff.
That said, it is an important lesson for kids to learn about the world in which they live.
13. The Wildlife Express Train
The Wildlife Express Train is a short train ride from Africa to Rafiki’s Planet Watch which offers some behind-the-scenes glimpses into animal care.
We did this immediately after riding the safari ride. Some animals we didn’t get to see on the safari were being cared for, so we could see them from the Express. So it made it like a mini-expansion of the ride.
Read Also: What Can You Ride at Animal Kingdom When It Rains? Your Complete Guide
12. The Boneyard
This open-air space is designed to look like a dinosaur dig.
Young paleontologists can play there. It is also a great place for adults to rest and kids who have spent too much time in line to stretch their legs.
11. Discovery Island Trails
I can’t say I come to Disney with the idea of going on a walking trail, but I make an exception for the Animal Kingdom. What I like about this trail in particular is that I can see some animals that are not at our local zoo.
The Discovery Island animals include:
- White stork
- Asian small-clawed otter (supported by Otterbox)
- Red kangaroo
- West African crowned crane
- African crested porcupine
- Galapagos tortoise
- Lesser flamingo
- Macaw
- Ring-tailed lemur
- Saddle-billed stork
- Lappet face vulture
10. DINOSAUR
This Dinoland attraction is forgettable in many ways. And also, like some other legacy rides in EPCOT, it’s aged. But it doesn’t have the nostalgia boost of the older rides in Magic Kingdom.
Certainly, this ride has its fans and it does have a place in the Animal Kingdom family. It just doesn’t have much of an impact on me.
9. Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
I love watching the gorillas. I find them endlessly fascinating.
Also on this trail, you’ll see hippos, zebra and more. Disney says they’re in their natural habitats. I don’t think that’s the wording I’d choose. They’re in good facsimiles of their natural habitats.
8. Finding Nemo: The Big Blue … and Beyond!
This is a fun musical filled with puppets, singers and more. It’s colorful and charming.
I don’t love it as much as Festival of the Lion King, but it’s great for kids, especially smaller kids.
7. Maharajah Jungle Trek
In addition to the tigers, on this trek, you’ll see gibbons, Eld’s deer, blackbuck, a Komodo dragon, a Malayan flying fox, water buffalo and over 50 species of birds.
Gibbons are good. I like trying to hoot with them and make good gibbon sounds. Even though I get funny looks, the gibbons and I don’t care.
6. Na’vi River Journey
I really love this section of the World of Avatar, with the black lighting of the nighttime forest and the animals and Na’vi moving through the forests. Finally, the Shaman of Songs sang us out.
It’s a short ride. I would love for it to be longer, maybe 20 minutes. It’s so chill and relaxing. In fact, it’d be nice to have one of these at the office.
Stressful day? I’m going to Pandora to chill out.
5. Kali River Rapids
The boat ride is a pretty standard amusement park staple. The round raft bounces through the river, getting riders drenched.
The Asia theming is excellent and elevates the experience. I’ve always thought it should have an Indiana Jones tie-in based on his river ride early in the Temple of Doom, but alas.
4. Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
When this roller coaster debuted, it was quickly recognized as the best at Disney. It’s been surpassed, but the ride in Animal Kingdom’s Asia to see the Yeti is still a great ride.
3. Kilimanjaro Safaris
I don’t think this is the best of Disney’s Animal Kingdom rides, but it might be the most iconic, the most representative of what the park is supposed to be.
It’s a good ride, and depending on the animals you get to see, it can be a great ride. We’ve also had good luck over the years seeing many of the possible animals on the trip. It is highly recommended.
Be aware, though. At rope drop it can be a bit of an extra hike as they figure out the line.
2. Festival of the Lion King
The best non-fireworks show in Disney, in my opinion. The acrobats and fire breathers are fun. The performances are also great. The selections from “The Lion King” and the combination of animatronics and costumed performers really work.
The show is fun, brightly colored and entertaining. What more could you want?
1. Avatar Flight of Passage
Simply put, Avatar is one of the best rides Disney’s ever created. It’s immersive, thrilling and beautiful.
In truth, I think all theme parks that own IP should be figuring out how to recreate this magic. Give me a Star Wars version on speeder bikes or even X-wings. Give me a Harry Potter version on broomsticks.
It is, in fact, almost as good as Rise of the Resistance and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
What is your favorite attraction at the Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments.
This list is about as accurate as it gets!!! And these attractions are great for most ANY and EVERY type and level of adventurer!