Our Guide to Animal Kingdom for Beginners contains the latest information to plan your Walt Disney World Vacation. Our family-focused tips and tricks will ensure a great vacation, whether a first-time or repeat visitor. Our Guide to The Animal Kingdom has been updated and includes all the latest information for 2025 and 2026.
Jump Right Into Our Guide to Disney’s Animal Kingdom
We’ve updated this guide with the latest information for late-2025 and 2026 trips. If you are looking for specific information to help plan your trip to Animal Kingdom, click on these handy jumps to take you straight to the advice:
- Animal Kingdom: The Basics
- Essential Knowledge for Planning Your Visit to Animal Kingdom
- Animal Kingdom Useful Information
- Tips, Tricks, Mistakes & Must-Do Attractions at the Animal Kingdom
- The Animal Kingdom Lands
- Animal Kingdom Dining
- Entertainment at the Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Basics
Welcome to a kingdom of animals… real, ancient and imagined: a kingdom ruled by lions, dinosaurs and dragons; a kingdom of balance, harmony and survival; a kingdom we enter to share in the wonder, gaze at the beauty, thrill at the drama, and learn.
Michael D. Eisner, April 22, 1998
Disney’s Animal Kingdom was the 4th park to open at Walt Disney World on April 22, 1998. The park’s icon is The Tree of Life, a 145-foot tree sculpture. The tree was engineered from a former oil platform and has 325 carvings.
There are around 2000 animals, representing 300 species, at the Animal Kingdom. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredit the park. However, animals are not all you will find in this superb park. The Animal Kingdom has some of the biggest E-Ticket attractions in Walt Disney World.
Despite being the newest theme park at Walt Disney World, Animal Kingdom has plenty of interesting statistics and facts. For example, did you know that the original plans for the Animal Kingdom featured an area called the Beastly Kingdom? Eventually, a new land, Pandora – The World of Avatar, was built on this land. We have created collections of some of our favorite Animal Kingdom Facts and Pandora – The World of Avatar Facts for you to enjoy.
Significant Changes at Animal Kingdom
After several quiet years, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is undergoing significant changes, primarily the replacement of DinoLand U.S.A. with a new land called Tropical Americas, opening in 2027. DinoLand U.S.A. has been in desperate need of renovation to remove the worst area in Walt Disney World, Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama! However, the loss of the brilliant DINOSAUR is “Bitter Sweet”.
Replacing DINOSAUR is a new Indiana Jones attraction, and there will also be an Encanto area. The changes will hopefully give the park a much-needed boost.
Depending on when you read this post, a new Zootopia show, called Zootopia: Better Zoogether!, will have opened in the Tree of Life. The new attraction is scheduled to open on November 7.
Essential Knowledge for Planning Your Visit to the Animal Kingdom
To experience the Animal Kingdom, you should spend time planning your experience. Most guests will need two days to experience the whole park, but during the current renovations, we feel it is the one Disney World park where you can achieve most things in one day. Not having a plan could mean you miss your top attractions.
The planning process for Animal Kingdom has undergone significant changes over the last few years. However, there is a set of tools that you must master: Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass, Early Theme Park Entry, mobile ordering, and Advance Dining Reservations. We will cover all these topics in this Guide.
Animal Kingdom Park Hours
Park hours are typically published about 60–75 days in advance and are often extended closer to your dates. Click the link to get all the latest Walt Disney World Park Hours.
Over the last few years, Animal Kingdom has been the earliest park to open each day at Walt Disney World, but it is rarely open after dark.
Disney Park Pass Reservation System
The majority of guests no longer have to make a Disney Park Pass Reservation. If you have a date-based ticket, you are no longer required to make a reservation.
If your ticket is not date-based, read our Guide to the Disney Park Pass System.
Additionally, if you plan to visit more than one park each day, we recommend reading our Guide to Park Hopping.
Refurbishments & Closures
Walt Disney World is constantly changing, and it is almost inevitable that there will be some refurbishments & closures whenever you visit. This handy guide contains all the current renovations and closures at Animal Kingdom.
Early Theme Park Entry
Early Theme Park Entry is a 30-minute early-access perk for Disney Resort and select-hotel guests each day at Animal Kingdom. Extended Evening Hours are typically at EPCOT/Magic Kingdom, but Animal Kingdom is hosting select 6–8 pm Extended Evening Hours dates in late 2025. Check My Disney Experience for the latest information.
To learn more about Early Theme Park Entry, visit our Guide.
Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass.
Walt Disney World currently offers three paid skip-the-line options: Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Lightning Lane Single Pass (à la carte for the top rides), and Lightning Lane Premier Pass (covers all Lightning Lane attractions once per day).
You don’t need any of these to have a great day, but they do reduce waits. Disney Resort (and select hotel) guests can buy and book up to 7 days before check-in for their entire stay (up to 14 days); off-site guests can book up to 3 days before their park day.
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 move early, there are opportunities to park hop.
There is currently only one Animal Kingdom attraction sold as a Lightning Lane Single Pass:
- 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.
Single Rider Line
Want to avoid a long wait without buying a Multi Pass?
Expedition Everest has a single-rider line that can cut your wait if you are happy to ride alone. Read our Guide to the Single Rider Line to find out more.
Height Restrictions at Animal Kingdom
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.
Park Wi-Fi and My Disney Experience
You will not be putting your phone away when you visit Animal Kingdom! At Animal Kingdom, you will use My Disney Experience all day for wait times, Mobile Order, Lightning Lane management, showtimes, and maps.
Walt Disney World encourages all guests to download the latest version of My Disney Experience on their mobile devices before entering the parks. Additionally, they recommend enabling location services and notifications.
Meeting Characters at the Animal Kingdom
Characters are probably not the main reason guests visit the Animal Kingdom. However, there are several characters you can meet that you will not find in other parks, including Timon and Rafiki.
One Character Meal is located at Tusker House in the Africa area. Donald’s Safari Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner offers the opportunity to visit Donald and pals in an African Safari setting. Our Guide to Character Meals at Walt Disney World has further information.
Make sure you check the My Disney Experience App to find where your favorite character is located. Our Guide to Finding Characters at Walt Disney World has further information.
Disabilities at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The Animal Kingdom provides extensive facilities for all disabilities, including visual, auditory, mobility & cognitive impairments.
Visit our Guide to Disabilities at Walt Disney World to learn more.
Planning Sheets
After your initial research, you will want to write down your vacation plans. Our Free Walt Disney World Planners are a great resource to help create a perfect Walt Disney World Vacation Plan. Make sure you download this free resource.
Helpful Information when visiting the Animal Kingdom
Sometimes it isn’t easy to find the answers to all your questions before visiting the Animal Kingdom. We have created a section on Modern Life Is Good that answers many of these questions on the Animal Kingdom and the rest of Walt Disney World.
Our Walt Disney World Useful Information, last updated August 2025, answers common queries and reflects current policies and prices. Information you will find includes Theme Park rules, stroller hire, locker hire, tours, baby care centers, first aid, and lots more helpful Walt Disney World information.
Tips, Tricks, Mistakes & Must-Do Attractions at the Animal Kingdom
Anybody who has ever visited the Animal Kingdom will have a list of tips and mistakes not to make on a future visit.
Here is a selection of our top tips, which we have learned from previous visits to the Animal Kingdom. Learning from other guests’ experiences is a great way to create your Ultimate Animal Kingdom Plan.
- Our Top Animal Kingdom Tips
- Our Animal Kingdom Mistakes You Must Avoid
- What to pack in your Park Bag
- Orlando Weather Hints and Tips
The Lands at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
There are seven lands in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The newest land Pandora – The World of Avatar, opened in 2017. The former land, Camp Minnie-Mickey, closed in 2014 to make way for Pandora. DinoLand U.S.A. is currently going through the process of closing to be replaced by Tropical Americas.
The Oasis
The Oasis is the Main Street of Animal Kingdom, and the first land guests enter after entering the park. The Oasis has various guest facilities, including locker hire, stroller hire, wheelchair hire, guest relations, and exhibits. Exhibits include wallabies, babirusa, and a variety of birds.
The Animal Kingdom has a Rainforest Cafe at its entrance, which serves as a secondary entrance to the park. This restaurant is officially outside the park, so you must show your tickets again to return after your meal.
The maze of paths at the Oasis all lead to Discovery Island, including The Tree of Life.
Discovery Island
Discovery Island is the main hub of the Animal Kingdom and is located around the Tree of Life. The Tree of Life used to be the home to It’s Tough to Be a Bug! and several animal trails. A new show, Zootopia: Better Zoogether!, will be opening on November 7, 2025, at the Tree of Life
Many guests, especially those in a hurry, miss the animal trails. Take your time; there is plenty to see here.
Rafiki’s Planet Watch
An often overlooked area reached via a short ride on the Wildlife Express Train. Guests who journey will discover some trails, a conservation section, characters, and a petting zoo.
At The Animation Experience at Conservation Station, you will learn how real-life animals were used as the inspiration to bring your favorites to life. You will even learn how to draw a beloved Disney character.
It does take quite a bit of time to get to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, but small children love the characters and the petting zoo.
Africa
This is one of my favorite areas of the Animal Kingdom. The theming of the land is outstanding.
Africa is home to:
- Kilimanjaro Safaris is a ride-through animal exhibit taking the theme of an African Safari Vacation. An informative commentary accompanies your ride. No two rides are ever the same, and the unexpected can happen. Usually, animals are more active in the morning, but evening rides offer a different experience.
- Festival of the Lion King is a great sing-along with the cast of The Lion King.
- The Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, formerly known as The Pangani Forest Exploration Trails. This walkthrough exhibit includes hippos, meerkats, and, of course, gorillas.
Asia
Asia opened in 1999, 1 year after Animal Kingdom’s opening. Expedition Everest & Kali River Rapids are the big attractions here. In addition, you will find the Maharajah Jungle Trek.
The land is set in the fictional kingdom of Anandapur. There are two villages full of old ruins and an odd historic temple. The theming is fantastic and is centered around animal conservation.
Attractions in Asia are:
- Expedition Everest Embark on a thrilling expedition through the Himalayas before coming face to face with the Yeti. A great fast, thrilling coaster that has a backward section. Remember, this ride will close during afternoon storms, so try to ride early in the day.
- Kali River Rapids is a fantastic raft ride. You will get wet, so store your belongings in the free lockers before you ride. This ride will also close during afternoon storms, so try to ride early in the day.
- Maharajah Jungle Trek, this stunning exhibit includes tigers, Komodo dragons & a walk-through bird exhibit.
DinoLand U.S.A.
Dinoland U.S.A. contains the excellent Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! Musical(an updated version of the previous show) and DINOSAUR. Make sure you check the showtimes for Finding Nemo, and arrive early when the park is busy.
DinoLand U.S.A. will be getting replaced by Tropical Americas.
DINOSAUR is a ride many young children will find scary, but it is great fun. The attraction is scheduled to close on February 1, 2026 and all remaining parts of DinoLand will close at the same time, including Donald’s Dino-Bash. Finding Nemo will not be impacted by the changes.
Pandora – The World of Avatar
The newest area of Animal Kingdom opened in 2017 and contains two fantastic attractions.
- Na’vi River Journey guests are taken through the Kasvapan River of Pandora. On your journey, you will see native animals and bioluminescent flora. The ride is stunning and will appeal to the whole family.
- Flight of Passage guests take a flight on a Banshee across Pandora. This 3D simulator is unbelievable and raised the bar on theme park experiences. It does get better the more times you ride, and, in my opinion, it is one of the only rides I would consider a lengthy wait for. You should not miss it!
Make sure you leave plenty of time to explore Pandora and try to visit both during the day and night. Pandora is even more magical at night, but unfortunately, the park is now rarely open after dark.
We have created a Guide to Pandora – The World of Avatar with plenty of additional hints and tips.
Dining at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom has 4 table service restaurants.
- Rainforest Cafe is part of the worldwide chain. The restaurant can be accessed from both inside and outside the park.
- Tusker House in Africa offers safari-themed Character Meals for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Donald Duck hosts your meal.
- Yak & Yeti is an Asian-themed restaurant. Click to read our review of Yak & Yeti.
- Tiffins, this signature restaurant, opened in 2016 and has the Nomad Lounge adjacent. Read our review.
Table Service locations at the Animal Kingdom fill up fast, and you should arrange an Advance Dining Reservation before your visit. Dining reservations open 60 days before your visit. There is also a selection of quick-service restaurants in the park and various food carts serving a wide range of snacks.
Dining at the Animal Kingdom is some of the best at Walt Disney World, and only Epcot locations tend to be better. Our Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World provides additional information to help you plan your dining experience at the Animal Kingdom.
We also have two additional guides that contain helpful information:
- Mobile Ordering at Walt Disney World. Perhaps the most fantastic time-saver at Walt Disney World is ordering your food in advance at quick-service restaurants.
- Food Allergies and Intolerances when visiting Walt Disney World.
Entertainment at the Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of the best parks for entertainment offerings. While there is no longer a parade in the park, and nighttime offerings are no longer scheduled, there is plenty of other entertainment you should not miss.
There are three fantastic stage shows at the Animal Kingdom:
- Festival of the Lion King
- Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! Musical
- Feathered Friends in Flight!
Shows can be very popular, and you must arrive well before the start.
Street Entertainment
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is perhaps the best park at Walt Disney World to stumble upon unexpected entertainment. There is so much to discover from fantastic African Bands to the mystical Swotu Wayä Na’vi Drum Ceremony in Pandora.
Tree of Life Awakenings
This show is incredibly clever and happens every 10 minutes nightly. A combination of light, projections, and music makes the animals on the Tree of Life come to life. Unfortunately, there are currently no scheduled shows.
Wilderness Explorers
Walt Disney World offers several free interactive games within the parks. Wilderness Explorers is a scavenger hunt in which guests earn badges for completing activities inside the Animal Kingdom. The games are loosely based on the film Up! Examples of badges you can earn include:
- Veterinary Badge – Help diagnose a sea turtle’s health issue
- Dinosaur Badge – Join in the exploration of dinosaur fossils.
- Animal Find Badge – Check off each of the animals you see
- Yeti Badge – Find Yeti artifacts and hear about the folklore
In total, there are over 25 badges to collect. To get started, guests must collect a field guide from the headquarters on the bridge between the Oasis and Discovery Island.
Read More Animal Kingdom Tips
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