A Beginner's Guide to Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom is home to Africa, Asia, and…DinoLand and Pandora, the world from Avatar. I know, it’s weird, but it’s also a tie with Epcot for my favorite park. It’s more of a zoo/theme park combo, where you can go on safaris and ride roller coasters and watch an impressive Lion King themed show. It’s also the park with the most breathtaking views.
Africa has long been my favorite land! And it arguably has the best snacks
Africa
Kilimanjaro Safaris- Definitely a don’t-miss experience. You get to ride in an open-air vehicle through a safari with a tour guide and see lots of real animals roaming in natural-feeling habitats.
Festival of the Lion King- One of our favorite shows, this is a Broadway style show with elaborate costumes, dancers, and acrobats.
It took me awhile to discover all it has to offer, but now Asia is one of my favorite parts of the park
Asia
Expedition Everest- This is a big roller coaster filled with drops and lots of speed. Portions of this roller coaster are in the dark.
Kali River Rapids- Water ride, basically guaranteed to cool you off on a hot day. Includes drops.
To be honest, I held off exploring Asia for a long time because neither of the rides was anything that Cash would ride, and I regret it. This is an amazing area to walk around, take pictures, and see lots of cool animals.
Little ones love to conduct their own archeological dig at The Boneyard
DinoLand USA
The Boneyard: Cash LOVED this area when he was younger; it’s a giant open-air play space set up to look like an archeological dig, where you can look for bones.
DINOSAUR: A thrill ride with small drops. We really enjoy this ride, as it’s fun but not a major roller coaster, so more of the family can enjoy it. It might be a little scary for smaller guests, as some parts of it are in the dark, and spoiler alert: there are…dinosaurs.
Pandora has breathtaking views and is a great place for a family photo
Pandora
Avatar Flight of Passage: If you can work around wait times, this is one of the best rides at Disney World. It’s not like anything I’ve ever ridden before; the concept is that you’re sitting on a banshee as it flies through Pandora. It’s a 3D based ride, and it’s pretty magical.
Na'vi River Journey: A slow ride through Pandora’s bioluminescent rain forest.
Satu'li Canteen: A great sit down restaurant option with some really unique food.
If you’re super lucky, you might spot DiVine, a woman who blends with the trees
Oasis and Discovery Island
Oasis is the entrance to Animal Kingdom. Be on the lookout for the gorgeous views and lots of really cool characters. Is that a tree…or something else entirely?
Discovery Island is home to a few different experiences, including the Wilderness Explorers, which is a sort of scavenger hunt. Your kids will be initiated into the club, be given a guide book, and can earn badges for learning and meeting new people around the park. The best part? It’s included in park admission.