Game Plan: Animal Kingdom

What you do at any of the Disney parks depends on the ages of you and your kids. This game plan outlines how we visit the park, and some of the rides/attractions we visit each time we visit the park.

If FastPass+ is available, Avatar Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest, and the Kilimanjaro Safari are the attractions with the longest lines. Many rides may have long lines at the start of the day, but the park tends to empty early, and you may find little or no lines late in the afternoon (be careful, this park closes early).

When you enter the park, go to Avatar Flight of Passage (or Kilimanjaro Safari if you don’t prefer thrill rides). Next, go to the Kilimanjaro Safari, since animals can be more active early in the day and the lines can get long. The lines for Expedition Everest vary through the day, so fit it in when lines are short (or when you get a Fastpass+). The single-rider line can be a fast way to ride Expedition Everest multiple times. The park is fairly small, so walking from one area to the others isn’t tough.

The Wilderness Explorers provides a fun, scavenger hunt-type adventure for kids to explore the park throughout the day. The sign-up booth is on the right just across the first bridge from the entrance. You then stop at locations throughout the park to collect achievement badges.

Note:
If you are going to ride Kali River Rapids, bring an extra set of dry clothes!

** – Try not to miss

• **Avatar Flight of Passage – (Avatarland) Fun 3D thrill ride.
• **Na’vi River Journey – (Avatarland) Slow boat ride through the Avatar story with lots to see.
• **Expedition Everest – (Asia) great roller coaster.
• **Dinosaur – (Dinoland) inside excitement ride (can be scary for some kids).
• TriceraTop Spin – (Dinoland) up/down “Dumbo-type” ride.
• Playground – (Dinoland) Great slides and break time to dig in the sand for dino bones.
• Under the Sea – Show with people and puppets, songs, and more.
• **Kali River Rapids – (Asia) You will get very wet!
• **Kilimanjaro Safari – (Africa) See the animals up-close.
• **It’s Tough to Be a Bug – (Tree of Life) 3D show full of laughs.
• Festival of Lion King – (Africa) Show with good costumes and a new theatre in Africa.
• Flights of Wonder – (Asia) Show with birds.
• Conservation Station – (Africa) Petting zoo and area to explore (great for smaller kids).
• Animation Experience – (Africa – Conservation Station) Enjoy a guided drawing class so you can draw a Disney character.

There are several trails (Gorilla Falls, Maharajah Jungle Trek, and Discovery Island Trails) to walk and see animals, much like a zoo.

Note:
This article was initially published in 2011, and then updated in 2015 and 2020.