Yes, there are walls everywhere again. Tropical Americas is rising where DinoLand once stood. Zootopia: Better Zoogether! hits the Tree of Life on November 7, 2025. Plus, DINOSAUR’s final ride is February 1, before it goes extinct on February 2, 2026. It’s messy, but the park still delivers if you plan smart. These are the blunt, time-saving Animal Kingdom Tips we use to beat the queues and still stop for a Yeti Sundae at the Anandapur Ice Cream Truck.
Create an Animal Kingdom Plan
Crowds ebb and flow with weather, animal schedules, and showtimes. Know your tools before you go: Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass, Early Theme Park Entry, single rider line, mobile ordering, and Advance Dining Reservations. If time is tight, list your must-dos (e.g., Flight of Passage, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest, Festival of the Lion King) and build around those.
Our Free Walt Disney World Planners are a great resource to help create a perfect Walt Disney World Vacation Plan.
Check park hours and showtimes.
Hours move around and can change close to your date. Confirm the week before and the night before in My Disney Experience.
Have access to the park’s WiFi.
Animal Kingdom is not an excuse to leave your mobile phone at home. You’ll use My Disney Experience all day for wait times, Mobile Order, maps, and managing Lightning Lane. Log in, link tickets, add a payment method, and enable notifications before rope drop.
Take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry.
Early Theme Park Entry is an excellent benefit for guests staying on-site. All Walt Disney World Resort guests, and other select hotels, can gain 30-minute early entry to any theme park at Walt Disney World each day. Use the time to strike off one big headliner; we suggest Flight of Passage.
Animal Kingdom only occasionally has Extended Evening Hours, but check My Disney Experience for the latest availability.
Make sure the kids are big enough to ride!
Don’t create a plan to realize too late that not everyone can ride. Disney does enforce height restrictions rigidly. At the Animal Kingdom, the attractions that have height restrictions are:
- Avatar Flight of Passage at least 44 inches tall to ride
- Dinosaur at least 40 inches tall to ride
- Expedition Everest at least 44 inches tall to ride
- Kali River Rapids at least 38 inches tall to ride
However, if the kids are too small, it does not mean older children and adults can’t ride. Visit our Guide to Rider Switch for more information.
Only pack essentials in your park bag
What are the things you must take to the park? Remember, you will be carrying your bag all day.
List what you need, e.g., a camera, an autograph book, and a poncho. Pack your bag the night before and check it before you leave in the morning. We have created a guide to what you should include in your Walt Disney World park bag.
Consider carefully whether to buy a Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass.
Walt Disney World now has three paid skip-the-line options: Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Single Pass, and the new Lightning Lane Premier Pass. They’re faster than standby, but they’re not free, and costs can quickly add up.
You don’t need to buy any of these, but if you do, you may ride more attractions. However, if you decide to buy a Multi Pass or a Single Pass, do not leave it too late, as the best reservation slots go quickly. Guests of Disney Resort hotels and other select hotels can purchase passes up to 7 days in advance of their stay, for their length of stay (up to 14 days). Guests staying elsewhere can purchase passes up to 3 days in advance of their park visit.
Animal Kingdom is usually the cheapest park to buy a Multi Pass for, which probably highlights that it isn’t really needed. If you get there around park opening, apart from on peak days, you should be able to do all the rides comfortably. However, after your initial selections, you can use Multi Pass at other parks, so if you get moving early, there are opportunities if you park hop.
There is currently only one attraction with a separate Single Pass lane:
- Avatar Flight of Passage
Lines for Flight of Passage can be very long, so if time is limited, purchasing a Single Pass might be worthwhile. However, you can always get on at park closing.
You must understand all about the Lightning Lane options as soon as possible. Read our Guide to Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Single Pass, and Premier Pass to learn more.
Don’t Miss Pandora – The World of Avatar
You probably already know this, but Pandora – The World of Avatar should not be missed when you visit the Animal Kingdom.
The area contains two main attractions, Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey. Both attractions are superb and should not be missed. Also, there are Avatar-inspired shopping and dining options throughout the land. Satu’li Canteen is one of the best quick service locations at Walt Disney World.
For more information & tips on Pandora, read our guide.
Don’t miss DINOSAUR!
If you’re reading this on February 2, 2026, you’re too late!
It remains one of our favorite attractions and will be missed.
Plan meal and drink breaks
The Animal Kingdom always seems hotter than the other Walt Disney World Parks. Make sure you have plenty of breaks and drinks when in the park.
Dehydrated & tired kids, or grown-ups, are not fun.
Book dining reservations in advance & use mobile ordering
There is a 60-day Advance Dining Reservation window at Walt Disney World. Make sure you make your reservations as soon as possible, as they book quickly. There are no guarantees you will get a reservation on the day. Visit our Guide to Advance Dining Reservations to learn more.
When visiting a counter service location, use mobile ordering if available. It is a brilliant time-saver.
Animal Kingdom shows are a smart heat break.
Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! are excellent and air-conditioned. Slot them after midday when the temperature is picking up.
Ride Kilimanjaro Safaris in the morning.
Typically, the animals are more active in the morning.
However, no two safaris are the same; consider riding twice if you have the time.
Use the lockers for Kali River Rapids
You can no longer store bags in dry storage on the raft.
However, nobody stops you from taking it on. Yes, we made that mistake!
Lockers are just across from the entrance and are complimentary for about 2 hours. Expect to get very wet; don’t take valuables on the raft.
Use Single Rider
Expedition Everest has a Single Rider line. It is a great time saver if you don’t mind not sitting together.
Experience Animal Kingdom at night
You should visit Animal Kingdom at night; it is magical. However, the park is now rarely open late.
When darkness hits, Pandora offers an entirely different experience. It is a pity you probably won’t experience it.
Be ready for every type of weather.
Sunscreen, a hat & waterproofing may all be needed on any given day. Have a plan for what to do if the weather turns.
We have created a Guide to the Orlando Weather, which has further information.
The Animal Kingdom is not just about rides and shows
Take your time; there is much to see and explore at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Many guests miss the animal exhibits, rushing to the big rides, but this is a big mistake. There are three main trails to explore in addition to a selection of smaller exhibits around the park:
- Discovery Island Trails
- Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
- Maharajah Jungle Trek
Animal Kingdom has also become one of the best places to experience street food and snacks. Keep your eye out for a delicious lunch as you explore the park.
You might be able to do it all in 1 day.
The problem with Animal Kingdom is that the whole park is excellent. However, with the closure of Dinoland U.S.A., there aren’t a lot of rides. You can certainly do all the rides and most of the shows in one day.
It would be challenging to do all the trails and visit Rafiki’s Planet Watch as well in one day. This isn’t helped by Animal Kingdom having the earliest regular closing time at Walt Disney World. If you have time, you will appreciate two days at Animal Kingdom.
Do you have any favorite Animal Kingdom Hacks? Why not send a message and share it with our readers?
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To learn more about Walt Disney World, visit our Guide to Walt Disney World.
Visit our Guide to Animal Kingdom to learn more about the park.
