
- Overview
- Lands
- Rides
- Character Meets
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Animal Experiences
- Hotels
- Key Information
- Tickets
- FAQs
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park Guide
When you purchase Walt Disney World tickets or one of our Disney-inclusive Orlando Combination Ticket packages, you’ll have access to all four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is one you won’t want to miss. With animals to discover, attractions to ride and delicious food to try here’s everything you need to know to get the most out of your visit.
What is Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park?
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is the newest theme park in Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, having opened on Earth Day in 1998. Here you can go wild as you explore the realm of creatures that inhabit our world, and our imaginations, in a place full of animal adventures, spectacular shows and thrilling attractions!
This park is very different from the others at Walt Disney World Resort, with a gentle, nature-oriented approach, a beautifully landscaped style and a key focus on environmental awareness. Six unforgettable lands are here to explore, radiating off the central hub of Discovery Island.
At the heart of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is the Tree of Life, a spectacular 145-foot tall tree with more than 300 creatures carved into its wide trunk and giant roots. How many different animals can you spot?
And don’t forget to discover Pandora - The World of AVATAR, a distant world where floating mountains defy gravity, nature thrives and mystical rivers flow. Enjoy the unique thrill of flying on the back of a banshee and travel deep into the bioluminescent rainforest, witnessing a magical glow as the night sky comes to life.
Create your own adventure for a day that roars with excitement. It’s a wildly playful experience like no other, and it’s yours to experience when you purchase your Animal Kingdom tickets.
Lands in Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Discovery Island
Begin your adventure with a stroll through Discovery Island, where you can get up close and personal with creatures big and small before deciding where your expedition will take you next.
Don’t miss:
- Join Dug and Russell and become a Wilderness Explorer
- See how many animals you can recognise on the Tree of Life
- Take a refreshing break with drinks and appetisers at Nomad Lounge

Pandora - The World of AVATAR
Be transported to another world as you discover the ways of the Na’vi and delight in the colours, sounds and tastes of the World of AVATAR. This bioluminescent land is gorgeous at any time of day, but you’ll want to stick around once night falls for a true spectacle.
Don’t miss:
- Fly on the back of a banshee on AVATAR Flight of Passage
- Taste the local delicacies of Pandora at Satuli Canteen and Pongu Pongu
- Take part in the Swotu Waya Na’vi Drum Ceremony

Africa
Continue your journey as you explore the savannas of Africa, where you can try authentic fresh foods, listen to traditional music and take a walk on the wild side with some of your favourite characters from The Lion King.
Don’t miss:
- Cross paths with lions, zebras, rhinos and more on Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Dine with your Donald Duck and his Disney pals at Tusker House Restaurant
- Board the Wildlife Express Train for a trip to Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Rafiki’s Planet Watch
Take a trip on the Wildlife Express Train to see for yourself the work of Disney’s animal experts at Rafiki’s Planet Watch. Here you can meet some cuddly creatures, as well as some creepy crawlies, while learning more about the Disney Conservation Fund.
Don’t miss:
- Try your hand at drawing Disney Characters at the Animation Experience
- Meet some of Animal Kingdom’s furry inhabitants at the Affection Section
- See a real-life veterinary procedure at the Conservation Station

Asia
Fly down rapids, climb up mountains and discover the legends of the Maharajah as you explore the trails of Asia. Who knows what you might encounter on your adventures!
Don’t miss:
- Climb to the summit of Walt Disney World’s highest mountain on Expedition Everest
- Come face-to-face with tigers on the Maharajah Jungle Trek
- Try some delicious Asian fare at the Yak and Yeti Local Food Cafes

Dinoland U.S.A.
Take a road trip back in time and discover the creatures of the cretaceous period in Dinoland U.S.A.! Join Chester and Hester for fun and games at DinoRama, or pay a visit to the palaeontologists at the Dino Institute.
Don't miss:
- Dig into some delicious food at Restaurantasaurus
- Watch Nemo, Dory, Marlin and their friends in Finding Nemo… The Big Blue and Beyond!
- Join Dr Seeker for a bumpy ride to the past on DINOSAUR
Rides and Attractions in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Rides

AVATAR Flight of Passage
- Ride/Attraction Type - Thrill Ride
- Height Requirement - 44”/113cm
- Lightning Lane Single Pass
Fly on the back of a mountain banshee during an exhilarating 3D ride over a world full of wide-open spaces, jungle canopies and floating mountains. The Banshee is known to the Na’vi as one of the most important and culturally significant animals and you have the unique opportunity to fly on one! Soar through the skies and discover Pandora in all its glory on this hair-raising, one-of-a-kind adventure.

Na'vi River Journey
- Ride/Attraction Type - Boat Ride
- Height Requirement - None
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass
Take a mystical journey by boat deep into Pandora’s glowing bio-luminescent rainforest. Glide through a series of caves and into the rainforest, where exotic glowing plants and amazing creatures surround you on all sides.

Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Ride/Attraction Type - Safari Jeep Ride
- Height Requirement - None
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass
The Kilimanjaro Safari tour begins in the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, across the river from Discovery Island. Climb aboard an open-sided safari vehicle for an exciting expedition through the wildlife preserve. The ride can be a bit bumpy as it crosses rickety bridges, rocky hills and rivers—but you're rewarded with spectacular sightings of lions, giraffes, elephants and more!
Fun Fact! The Harambe Wildlife Reserve spans an incredible 110 acres which means it’s bigger than the whole of Magic Kingdom Park! It takes almost 20 minutes to drive round this giant safari at Animal Kingdom and the best times to ride are first thing in the morning or in the evening.

Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
- Ride/Attraction Type - Thrill Ride
- Height Requirement - 44”/113cm
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass
Expedition Everest is a high-altitude, high-speed, rollercoaster train ride. Climb aboard a railway car and set out on an ascent towards the summit of Mount Everest. For a moment you are given panoramic views of the park before you’re plunged into darkness. Returning to the light, you see that the tracks have been twisted into a dead end and you might not be alone up there…
Fun Fact! At 195.5 feet tall, Expedition Everest is the tallest rollercoaster at any Disney Theme Park!

Kali River Rapids
- Ride/Attraction Type - Water Rapids
- Height Requirement - 38”/97cm
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass
Kali River Rapids is an adventurous river raft ride that journeys through the rainforest on the churning Chakranadi River. Climb aboard a circular, 12-passenger raft and begin a 90-foot ascent before dropping into gushing geysers and drifting under refreshing waterfalls. There are signs before boarding Kali River Rapids warning that you will get wet - take heed, they aren’t just there for show.

DINOSAUR
- Ride/Attraction Type - Thrill Ride
- Height Requirement - 40”/102cm
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass
Journey to the age of dinosaurs on a daring quest to bring back a living piece of history. Once you climb aboard an experimental CTX Time Rover, you'll want to buckle up. Your rover arrives in a dark prehistoric forest that's almost pitch black, suddenly an enormous animal appears—and it is not one of the friendly variety. Time travel can be one turbulent trip!
Fun Fact! When you’re near the end of the DINOSAUR queue, make sure you look up! The pipes above you are red, yellow and white, to represent ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise, as the ride used to be sponsored by McDonald’s.

The Boneyard
- Ride/Attraction Type - Play Area
- Height Requirement - None
Ever wanted to discover a dinosaur? This fossil dig site is a fun-for-all play area where you can climb, slip, slide, and, of course, dig to your heart's content.

It's Tough to be a Bug!
- Ride/Attraction Type - 3D Show
- Height Requirement - None
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass
It's Tough to be a Bug! is an 8-minute, 3D movie and multimedia show inside the Tree of Life itself. The show is hosted by Flik, everybody's favourite ant from the Disney·Pixar film A Bug's Life, with a supporting cast consisting of spiders, termites, beetles, weevils and butterflies. These amazing and amusing insects and arachnids invite you to be honorary bugs, with a few surprises along the way.
Character Meet and Greets in Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Want to meet some of your favourite Characters during your visit to Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Explore beyond the Kilimanjaro Safaris and meet your favourite characters, including:
Characters | Meet & Greet Location |
---|---|
Chip and Dale | Upper Cretaceous Trail |
Goofy and Pluto | Near Chester & Hester's Dinosaur Treasures |
Donald Duck | DinoLand U.S.A. Welcome Center |
Daisy Duck | Daisy's Design Studio |
Kevin (Up) | Roaming on Discovery Island |
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse | Adventurers Outpost |
Moana | Character Landing |
Timon and Rafiki (The Lion King) | Rafiki's Planet Watch |
Dining and Restaurants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Snack Locations in Disney's Animal Kingdom
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park has some of the best snacks in Walt Disney World Resort, like spicy seasoned fries, spring rolls, hummus and veggies, and even baked mac and cheese, as well as the classics like Mickey pretzels and churros. If you have a Disney Dining Plan or Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, many of these snacks can be purchased for 1 snack credit - just look for the purple Disney Dining Plan logo on the menu!
Quick-Service Restaurants at Animal Kingdom
There is a wide range of quick-service dining options at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, serving everything from pizza to sweet and sour chicken. You can have a classic burger, or if you're feeling adventurous, there's the cheeseburger steam pods at Satu'li Canteen. If you have a Disney Dining Plan or Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, you can use 1 quick-service dining credit to get 1 entrée and 1 drink.
Table-Service and Buffet Restaurants at Animal Kingdom
Want to meet Mickey and his friends in their safari gear? Or eat some delicious pan-Asian cuisine? The table-service and buffet restaurants at Disney's Animal Kingdom are the best restaurants for you. These restaurants can be booked in advance (up to 60 days for Disney Resort hotel guests and up to 30 days for ticket-only guests) and we’d recommend booking as early as possible as they are very popular. If you have the Disney Dining Plan, you can use 1 table service credit (unless specified as being worth 2 credits) to get 1 entrée, 1 dessert, and 1 drink, 1 buffet, or 1 set menu.
Entertainment in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond
Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond captures the heart, humour, characters and story from the Disney·Pixar animated film Finding Nemo and adapts them into a mesmerising Broadway-style musical stage show. The innovative lighting, sound, special effects and stunning theatrical puppets make Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond a must-"sea" production.
Fun Fact! The incredible and catchy songs in this musical show were written by none other than Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, best known for creating the soundtracks for Frozen, Frozen 2 and Coco
Where does Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond take place? | Theater in the Wild, Dinoland U.S.A. |
When is Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond? | Multiple showtimes throughout the day. Check the Walt Disney World app on the day of your visit for up-to-date timings. |
Can you get a Lightning Lane for Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond? | Lightning Lane Multi Pass (subject to availability) |

Festival of the Lion King
Join the Circle of Life as you are surrounded by the magic and humour of The Lion King in this dazzling 30-minute big-as-Broadway live musical. The show is made up of live singers, dancers, gymnasts, stilt-walkers and animatronics, all performing together to tell the the story of this classic Disney movie through favourite songs including "Hakuna Matata" and "I Just Can't Wait to be King".
Where does the Festival of the Lion King take place? | Harambe Theatre, Africa |
When is the Festival of the Lion King? | Multiple showtimes throughout the day. Check the Walt Disney World app on the day of your visit for up-to-date timings. |
Can you get a Lightning Lane for the Festival of the Lion King? | Lightning Lane Multi Pass (subject to availability) |
Animal Experiences at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Unlike many of the other theme parks in Orlando, Animal Kingdom isn’t just about the rides. To get the most out of your day in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, make sure you discover as many of the animal experiences as you can! There are a number of trails and viewing areas that can be explored as part of your park admission, as well as some incredible backstage tours that are available at an additional cost.
Trails and Animal Viewing Areas in Disney's Animal Kingdom

Maharajah Jungle Trek
Step into a mystical forest where you’ll discover beautiful Asian tigers, komodo dragons, water buffalo, Malayan flying foxes and a menagerie of more than 50 species of birds. You can take this trail at your own pace as you roam around bends and cross footbridges - but beware! Legend has it this was once the hunting ground of wealthy maharajahs.
Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
Explore a lush tropical forest inhabited by gorillas, hippos and exotic birds. Meander along winding paths amid a lush forest trail of African flora and fauna. Spot an adorable meerkat on a rocky perch or an impressive Grevy's zebra on the savanna—before coming face to face with a gentle troop of western lowland gorillas on a grassy hillside, who are just as curious to see you as you are to see them!
Discovery Island Trails
Take a walk on the wild side as you explore the trails, tunnels and bridges on Discovery Island. Along the way, you’ll encounter animals including Asian small-clawed otters, red kangaroos, Galapagos tortoises, ring-tailed lemurs and lesser flamingos, and you’ll be able to get up close to the incredible animal carvings on the Tree of Life too.
Conservation Station
Visit some of Disney’s animal experts to discover more about the conservation efforts and veterinary care carried out at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Here you can watch meals being prepared for the park’s animal residents, meet some tarantulas, scorpions and snakes, and you might even get to see a procedure taking place in the veterinary treatment room.
Affection Section
Guests of all ages can meet a variety of cute and cuddly animals, including goats, sheep and pigs at this interactive petting zoo, the only one at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
Animal Showcases at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Winged Encounters - The Kingdom Takes Flight
Gather around the Tree of Life to catch a glimpse of Animal Kingdom’s resident macaws as they fly overhead. Watch six species of these beautiful birds soar while listening to their expert keepers tell you everything you want to know!
Feathered Friends in Flight!
Get a behind the scenes look at how the animal behaviour experts at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park train the free-flying birds you can encounter. During this 30-minute long show in the Anandapur Theatre, you’ll get to see a few fun tricks and some surprises too.
Tours at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Wild Africa Trek
Take a private safari tour throughout the main animal areas of the park, both on foot and in a rugged, open-sided vehicle. The trek includes a rope bridge section (complete with a safety harness) and the chance to get up close with giraffes and rhinos, as well as its own photographer and a stop ‘in the wilds’ for an array of gourmet African-inspired snacks.
Suitable for ages 8 and over. Participants must be at least 48 inches (122cm) tall and between 45 and 300lbs. Valid theme park admission is required in addition to your tour booking.
Up Close with Rhinos
This is a 60-minute long backstage experience where you’ll be introduced to the white rhinos of Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Here you’ll get to see them like never before, and speak to their keepers to learn all about this endangered species.
Suitable for ages 4 and over. Valid theme park admission is required in addition to your tour booking.
Caring for Giants
Get a glimpse into what it takes to look after the herd of African elephants that call Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park home in this hour-long experience, as you get closer to these majestic animals than you will anywhere else in the park.
Suitable for ages 4 and over. Valid theme park admission is required in addition to your tour booking.
Savour the Savanna
Enjoy a private guided safari through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, stopping at a secluded viewing location to sample some incredible African-inspired cuisine, beers and wines as you take it all in. You’ll even get a commemorative keepsake to take home with you too.
Suitable for ages 8 and over. Valid theme park admission is required in addition to your tour booking.
Hotels Near Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Key Information
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park Opening Hours
Park Hours - 9 AM to 7 PM (times will vary depending on seasons and events)
Guests of select Disney Resort Hotels may also enjoy early theme park entry and extended evening hours on certain days.
Animal Kingdom Parking
- Standard Parking - $30
- Preferred Parking - $45, $50 or $55 per day (depending on season)
- Oversized Vehicle Parking - $30
Parking is free for Disney Resort hotel guests.
Directions to Animal Kingdom
For guests of the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels, you can get to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park by bus and your driver will do all the hard work for you. If you’re driving, Animal Kingdom is located to the west of the Walt Disney World Resort, off of the I4 at the very end of Osceola Parkway.
Address: 2901 Osceola Parkway, Bay Lake, FL 34747, United States
What Should You Bring To Animal Kingdom?
- A Camera - There are plenty of Disney PhotoPass photographers across Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, but bringing your own camera will ensure you can easily capture all those magical family moments as they happen.
- Water - There are plenty of locations in Animal Kingdom where you can get free tap water or bottled water, but on hot days it’s best to already have some on hand, especially for little ones.
- Sunscreen - A lot of the attractions in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park are outdoors, so you’ll want to make sure you’re protected from the Florida sun.
- Snacks - You definitely won’t go hungry if you don’t bring your own snacks to Animal Kingdom, but you can if you want to. Just make sure you don’t bring a whole picnic!
What Should You Wear In Animal Kingdom?
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park has a lot of outdoor attractions and walkthroughs, so comfortable flat shoes are a must for this park. Casual and lightweight clothes are perfect to keep you cool throughout the day.
Packing a rain jacket or poncho is also advisable - not just for the temperamental Florida weather, but also to help keep you dry when braving the Kali River Rapids!
Unfortunately, adult guests must NOT wear costumes into the park, or masks that cover your full face, and you could be denied entry if you’re wearing one.
Disney's Animal Kingdom Tickets
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