Guide to Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of the four Florida parks with a zoological theme. The park is dedicated to natural environment and animal conservation, which was a philosophy held by Walt Disney himself. It is the second largest theme park in the world and covers up to 500 acres (200 ha).

The park is centred around the Tree of Life and there are six themed areas. These are the Oasis, Discovery Island, Africa, Asia and Dinoland U.S.A.

On this page, you will find information regarding the Attractions, Playgrounds, Character Experiences, Outdoor Entertainment and Streetmosphere, Restaurants and Eateries and FastPasses.

Key Information

Address: 2901 Osceola Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32830, USA

Opening Times: vary throughout the year

Press Map for larger view

 

Attractions

🙂 All Heights and Ages

⭐ FastPass+

Must do:

Festival of the Lion King (Live Musical Show, Africa) 🙂 ⭐

• 30 minutes duration (20-60 line up prior to starting)
• Times – 1:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, 8:00
• Better seats with FastPass

Kilimanjaro Safaris (Narrated Ride, Africa) 🙂 ⭐

• Ride in open-air vehicles through part of the park’s 110-acre Harambe Wildlife Reserve
• You might see up to 34 species of African animals, including rhinos, lions, giraffes, and hippos
• 22 mins duration

Maharajah Jungle Trek (Walk-Through Exhibit, Asia) 🙂 ⭐

• Self-guided walking tour of Southeast Asia.
• You’ll see close views of tigers, gibbons, and a Komodo Dragon.
• There is also a large walk-through aviary.
• Times: 9:00 AM to 7:15 PM

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain (Roller Coaster, Asia) ⭐

• Thrilling expedition through the icy peaks of the Himalayas.
• Must be 44 inches to ride

 

Recommended:

DINOSAUR (Thrill Ride, Dinoland USA) ⭐

• Board a Time Rover and race through a darkened forest in search of the tagged dinosaur.
• Must Be 40in (102cm) or taller

It’s Tough to Be a Bug! Movie (Film, Discovery Island) 🙂 ⭐

• 3D/4D movie
• 9 minute duration

Finding Nemo – The Musical (Live Show, Dinoland USA) 🙂 ⭐

• Live Show, featuring elaborate puppets, manipulated by singers.
• 40-minute duration
• Time: 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, 4:00, 5:00, 6:00
• Plan to line up 15-45 minutes early for seats, depending upon crowds day.
• Better seats with FastPass

Discovery Island Trails (Walk-Through Exhibit, Discovery Island) 🙂 ⭐

• A walk-through wildlife trail featuring Galapagos tortoises, lemurs, cotton-top tamarin monkeys, and other tropical creatures.

Gorilla Exploration Trail (Walk-Through Exhibit, Africa) 🙂 ⭐

• Get a closer look at Western Lowland Gorillas and exotic birds.
• Underwater viewing area to looks at hippos
• Times: 9:00 AM to 7:15 PM

Kali River Rapids (Rapids Ride, Asia) ⭐

• Raft down the turbulent waters of the Chakranadi River through an Asian rain forest
• Will get wet! Great to do at night.
• 4.5 minute duration
• Must be 38in (97cm) or taller

River of Life (Live Show, Multiple Location Viewpoints) 🙂 ⭐

• Live evening show, song, dance, light, colour and earthly elements
• Time: 7:15pm

 

Time Permitting:

Flights of Wonder (Animal Show, Asia) 🙂 ⭐

• A stage show, outdoors under a canopy, where you’ll see exotic birds, including macaws, cockatoos, and parrots in flight.
• A few audience volunteers will get a chance to pose with some of the birds on stage.
• 25 minute duration
• Times: 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM, 4:30 PM

 

Not Recommended

Wildlife Express Train (Track Ride · Rafiki’s Planet Watch) 🙂 ⭐

• 17-minute, 1.2-mile journey from the heart of Africa to Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Habitat Habit (Walk-Through Exhibit, Rafiki’s Planet Watch) 🙂 ⭐

• First attraction you’ll encounter after arriving at Rafiki’s Planet Watch via the Wildlife Express Train,
• Picturesque wildlife path, see cotton-top tamarins along the way

Conservation Station (Walk-Through Exhibit, Rafiki’s Planet Watch) 🙂 ⭐

• Interactive exhibits at viewable onsite research facility
• features more than 10 care areas and Disney-themed experiences

Affection Section (Walk-Through Exhibit, Rafiki’s Planet Watch) 🙂 ⭐

• Petting zoo where you can Pet, brush and feed domesticated creatures
• Includes Goats, Sheep, Donkeys, Cows, Pigs

Primeval Whirl (Roller Coaster, Dinoland USA) ⭐

• Spinning rollercoaster, dinosaur-themed carnival-style attraction.
• Must be 48in (122cm) or taller

TriceraTop Spin (Carnival Spinner, Dinoland USA)  🙂 ⭐

• Spin above the ground aboard a dinosaur that you control

 

Playgrounds

The Boneyard Playground (Dinoland USA 48)

• A large play area for kids, themed to a Dinosaur dig.
• A giant, multi-level maze with covered slides
• Consider this the world’s fanciest sandbox

 

Character Experiences

Mickey and Friends

• Meet and Greet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventurers Outpost (Discovery Island)  ⭐
• Meet and Greet Goofy & Pluto in DinoLand U.S.A.

• Meet and Greet #1 Duck in DinoLand U.S.A.

• Character Meal with Safari Donald, Daisy, Mickey, Goofy at Tusker House Restaurant

Pocahontas from Pocahontas

• Meet and Greet Pocahontas at Character Landing (Discovery Island)

Flik from A Bugs Life

• Meet and Greet Flik on Discovery Island

Russell from Up

• Meet and Greet Russell at Discovery Island

Tarzan from Tarzan

• Meet and Greet Tarzan on Discovery Island

Doc McStuffins from Disney Junior

• Meet and Greet Doc McStuffins in Conservation Station

Rafiki from The Lion King

• Meet and Greet Rafiki at Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Baloo and King Louie from The Jungle Book

• Meet and Greet Baloo and King Louie at Upcountry Landing (Asia)

 

Outdoor Entertainment and Streetmosphere

Chakranadi (Asia)

• Talented duo perform traditional Indian music performed playing the sitar and tabla
• 30 minute duration
• Times: 2:15 PM, 3:15 PM, 4:15 PM, 5:15 PM

Harambe Wildlife Parti (Africa)

• Host of singers, dancers, acrobats perform in African village of Harambe
• Includes Muziki (drum circle), Karibu Sisters, Harambe Soccer Meerkats Harambe Village Acrobats
• Time: 5pm-8pm

Viva Gaia Street Band! (Discovery Island)

• Multi-cultural troupe leading a Caribbean street party
• 30 minute duration
• Times:2:15 PM, 3:05 PM, 3:50 PM

Discovery Island Carnivale (Discovery Island)

• Nighttime dance pary of cavalcade of dancers, stilt walkers and musicians
• Times: 5:25 PM, 6:10 PM, 6:55 PM, 7:40 PM

Tree of Life Awakening (Discovery Island)

• After night falls every 10 minutes the Tree is awakened by flickering fireflies magically and  wondrous animals spirits will appear

River of Life (Live Show, Multiple Location Viewpoints

• Live evening show, song, dance, light, colour and earthly elements
• Time: 7:15pm

 

Restaurants

Highly Recommended:

Flame Tree Barbeque (Counter Service, Discovery Island)

• Serving barbeque ribs, chicken, and pork.
• Sandwiches and combos are available from $9-20
• There’s abundantly covered seating around back, with some nice views of Mt Everest.

Yak and Yeti Restaurant (Table Service · Asia)

• Serving selection of Asian Inspired meals, including salads, noodles, wok and grilled dishes from $6-29
• Includes Lo Mein, Chicken Tikka, Korean Beef and Fried Rice

 

Recommended:

Tusker House Restaurant (Character Meal, Africa)

• African Safari themed buffet for at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Character meal with Safari Donald Duck and friends
• Breakfast includes waffles, breakfast meats, and pastries
• Lunch and Dinner includes roasted meats, sandwiches, and stews
• Pricing between $15 – $35 and $35 -$60
• Optional Extra: Rivers of Light Dining Package
  • Meal and premium seats for Rivers of Light Show

Yak and Yeti Local Food Cafes (Counter Service, Asia)

• Serves Asian inspired dishes, burgers and hot dogs, ranging $9-14

 

Time Permitting Meals:

Rainforest Cafe (Table Service, The Oasis)

• American-style eats with a tropical twist in Rainforest themed restaurant
• Breakfast includes eggs, waffles, and french toast $11-14
• Lunch and Dinner includes sandwiches, burgers, steak and salads $15-26

Tiffins (Table Service, Discovery Island)

• Fine Dining, African, Asian, Latin Cuisine.
• Dishes include pan-seared duck breast and leg confit, wagyu strip loin and braised short rib, and whole-fried sustainable fish from
• Entrees from $37-53
• Optional Extra: Rivers of Light Dining Package
  • Meal and premium seats for Rivers of Light Show

Nomad Lounge (Table Service, Discovery Island)

• Offers Appetisers such as wings, ribs, tacos
• Serves speciality cocktails and mocktails

The Smiling Crocodile (Counter Service, Discovery Island)

• Offers sandwiches from $5.50

Restaurantosaurus (Counter Service, Dinoland USA)

• Dinosaur themed restaurant, offering burgers, sandwiches and nuggets $10.50-18

Pizzafari (Counter Service,  Discovery Island)

• Offers flatbreads, pizzas, salads, pasta $10-13.50

Harambe Market (Counter Service, Africa)

• African-inspired fare at an open-air plaza featuring 4 unique walk-up windows.
• Includes, curries, flatbreads, sausages and ribs $10-13.50

 

Time Permitting Snacks and Drinks:

Anandapur Ice Cream Truck (Counter Service, Asia)

• Offer soft-serve waffle cone or a frosty float, around $4

Thirsty River Bar and Trek Snacks (Counter Service, Asia)

• Offering speciality drinks and beers; ice creams, popcorn and Mickey Pretzel $3-10

Warung Outpost (Counter Service, Asia)

• Serves Margaritas and snacks $4-10

Yak & Yeti™ Quality Beverages (Counter Service, Asia)

• Serves Alcoholic beverages and small Asian meals $3-15

Harambe Fruit Market (Counter Service, Africa)

• Offers fresh fruit, yoghurt, Mickey pretzel $2-5.60

Dawa Bar (Counter Service, Africa)

• Speciality Cocktails,  South African Beers and Wines

Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery (Counter Service, Africa)

• Breakfast to go includes from pastries, cereals, yogurt, fruit
• Lunch offers grab and go Sandwiches

Mahindi  (Counter Service, Africa)

• Offers popcorn, cinnamon glazed almonds and pecans $3-10

Tamu Tamu Refreshments (Counter Service, Africa)

• Desserts-only menu includes chocolate waffle topped with mousse and Dole Whip® soft-serve with coconut rum

Creature Comforts (Counter Service, Discovery Island)

• STARBUCKS location offering speciality beverages, Disney baked goods and La Boulange pastry

Eight Spoons Cafe (Counter Service, Discovery Island)

• Selection of Mac & Cheese and Potato Chips $3-6.50

Isle of Java (Counter Service, Discovery Island)

• Offers Fresh-brewed espresso, cappuccino, cold drinks and various sweet treats $3-8
• Speciality The Island Cappuccino (white chocolate and Captain Morgan’s Original Spiced Rum)

Dino-Bite Snacks (Counter Service, Dinoland USA)

• Offers ice cream cookie sandwiches, floats and cool hot fudge sundaes $3-$5.70

Trilo-Bites (Counter Service, Dinoland USA)

• Offers buffalo chicken chips, milkshakes and draft beers $4.70-9

 

FastPasses

FastPasses are offered for these Attractions:

Must book in

For more information visit:

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney.com

Animal Kingdom Overview, Attractions, Restaurants etc, WDW  Info

Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Theme Park Insider