When planning a Disney World Vacation, it is always good to get an understanding of the rides and attractions in all the Disney World parks. In this article we will take you through what we consider to be the Best Animal Kingdom Rides and Shows.
These are the rides and shows that we always enjoy at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park during our own Disney World vacations.
Find Out More About Animal Kingdom
- Is Animal Kingdom Worth Visiting
- Must Do Animal Kingdom Activities
- Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- All The Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom for Toddlers
- Helpful Tips for Visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Where to Eat at Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom is a fantastic park, and it is pretty easy to explore and navigate as you can make you way around the park in a circle as one area leads you to another.
Animal Kingdom is made up of the following areas:
The Oasis
Discovery Island
Pandora: The World of Avatar
Africa
Asia
Dinoland USA
You can find a map of Animal Kingdom on the Disney World website here.
Below you can find a handy pin image of all the Animal Kingdom rides and attractions:
The Best Rides and Shows in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom is the newest of the 4 Disney World Theme Parks opening in 1998. There is nature and conservation theme that runs throughout the Walt Disney World park. There are also some great rides and shows to enjoy at Animal Kingdom so let’s take a look at them.
14. UP! A Great Bird Adventure
Location: Asia
Show Attraction
This Animal Kingdom bird show features exotic birds which are really interesting to see mixed with segments with the characters from Up. The birds make the show though and get A Great Bird Adventure into our list.
13. Kali River Rapids
Location: Asia
Height Restriction: Guests must be 38 inches or taller
Kali River Rapids is a fun rapid ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom with drops and lots of spinning. There are lots of opportunities to get soaking wet on Kali River Rapids and you never know just how wet you might get.
I have come off Kali River Rapids slightly damp on one occasion but on another absolutely soaked. Kali River Rapids is fun but relatively short ride compared to other rapid type rides that I have ridden over the years.
There are lockers adjacent to the Kali River Rapids ride which you can use for 2 hours for free and I would definitely recommend you use them.
12. The Tree of Life
Location: Discovery island
The Tree of Life is the focal point of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and one of the Disney World Park Icons. It is probably the first thing you think of when you are thinking about Animal Kingdom. It is a fascinating structure to look at with so many animal carvings making up the body of the tree. The Tree of Life dominates the landscape of Animal Kingdom and it is amazing to see it in person.
The Tree of Life is an attraction in its own right at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. As you make your way around the park keep taking some time out to look at the tree because you will keep seeing something new. You’ll get some fantastic photos too.
The Tree awakens in the evening at Animal Kingdom and looks glorious in this light and projection shows that occurs throughout the evening.
11. It’s Tough to Be a Bug
Location: Discovery island
Show Attraction
This show based on the movie It’s A Bug’s Life takes you inside the base of the Tree of Life for a fun 3D show hosted by Flik. The show consists of 3D show pieces, animatronics and other quirky 4D attraction style tricks that makes this attraction a lot fun. The bug themed movie posters in the waiting area before you enter the show are very funny too.
This is not an overly long show and is there is never usually a long wait time to see it. Definitely don’t ignore It’s Tough To Be A Bug.
10. Finding Nemo the Musical
Location: Between Asia and Dinoland USA
Show Attraction
Another great show at Animal Kingdom is Finding Nemo the Musical. Live performers bring the famous Pixar movie to life with wonderful puppets and under water special effects. This show is so entertaining with performers coming out into the audience and making the show feel very immersive.
14 original songs are performed throughout the show and there are great views from wherever you sit inside the auditorium. This is such a great way to take a break from the sun and sit down and enjoy a highly entertaining show.
Location: Pandora The World of Avatar
Height Restriction: Guests can be any height
Na’vi River Journey is a dark ride where you take a boat ride through Pandora’s caves and bioluminescent rainforest to take in the scenes and creatures that make up the mysterious habitat.
The animatronic Navi Shaman is fantastic, and the ride does create a mysterious and magical atmosphere. This is a popular ride though and I personally found the ride experience a little short when I first rode Na’vi River Journey.
8. Maharajah Jungle Trek
Location: Asia
Tigers are magnificent creatures and its really special to see them as you make your way through the Maharajah Jungle Trek located near the Kali River Rapids. During the trek you will cross footbridges, discover ruins of a palace, and pass through an aviary that homes over 50 species of birds.
There are also many other animals to see such as gibbons, deer and Komodo dragons. The Tigers though make this wonderful trek something very special and I can’t recommend it enough.
7. Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
Location: Africa
It is a wonderful experience to see the Gorillas at the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. Animal Kingdom has so much more to offer than your standard theme park experience and animals are a big part of that.
If you are lucky you can get quite close to the Gorillas when you get to the screened viewing areas. Just like the tigers, seeing the gorillas is a great experience for all the family and must be one of your must do Animal Kingdom activities.
6. Rafiki’s Planet Watch
Location: Africa
Take the Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch where you will find the Conservation Station. Here you will be able to see the real magic of Animal Kingdom with fascinating insights into the veterinary care that the animals receive at the park as well as a look at some of the conservation work undertaken too.
This attraction can be easily missed (we missed it on our very first visit to Animal Kingdom) so do try to catch the train to the Conservation Station.
There is also a petting zoo area here too called the Affection Section where you can get close to the friendly goats and other animals.
5. Dinosaur
Location: Dinoland USA
Height Restriction: Guests must be 40 inches or taller
I would say this Animal Kingdom attraction is the one of scariest dark rides at Disney World. It is very dark at times, has lots of big scary dinosaurs and throws you about a bit so if you have little kids that are a little sensitive you might want to give this one a miss. We love this ride though.
You have to go back in time in a time rover vehicle to rescue an Iguanodon before the meteor strike that hits earth wipes out all of the dinosaurs. My family always enjoy Dinosaur it is a fun thrill ride that makes you hold the ride vehicle’s grab rail whilst throwing you around in the time rover.
The darkness helps create a good atmosphere and works well with the various dinosaur animatronics. The Carnotaurus photo spot at the end of the ride is great at getting some fantastic photos of startled riders in your party too. I have some great memory maker photos of my kids on this ride that I will be able to tease them with when they are older and some of myself too!
4. Festival of the Lion King
Location: Africa
Show Attraction
Festival of the Lion King is a wonderful show so try not to skip it when at Animal Kingdom. There are fantastic performers such as singers, acrobats and the whole Festival of the Lion King show works so well. It is also usually quite easy to get into as well. This is our favorite show at Animal Kingdom and if you are a fan of the Lion King it is a must see and even if you are not, I guarantee you will still enjoy it.
The Festival of the Lion King performers are fantastic and the show does a great job of immersing the audience into the world of the Lion King. And of course the songs are Disney classics. You’ll come out of this show wanting to watch the Lion King again.
3. Kilimanjaro Safaris
Location: Africa
Height Restriction: Guests can be any height
Take a safari ride as you explore the Harambe Wildlife Reserve where you will see hippos, crocodiles, giraffe’s, elephants, and lions as well as many other animals. Kilimanjaro Safaris is a fantastic experience for all the family and the tour guides that drive your safari truck are very knowledgeable making this experience quite educational too.
Kilimanjaro Safaris highlights for us are usually the elephants and the lions on pride rock who are usually taking a nap as you pass by. The great thing about the Kilimanjaro Safaris tour is that each time you take it you are never quite sure what you are going to see or how long it might take as you might have to stop for passing animals out on the plains. Kilimanjaro Safaris is a must do attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
2. Expedition Everest
Location: Asia
Height Restriction: Guests must be 44 inches or taller
For a long time, Expedition Everest was the best attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but it now has competition from Flight of Passage over in Pandora. The theming as soon as you enter the Expedition Everest ride line is great along with the exhibit section teasing the Yeti before you get on the thrill ride.
The Exepition Everest ride itself is so much fun with the early twists and turn before you climb the forbidden mountain and discover the broken track. The track switching part of the ride works so well and the section where you hurl backwards through the darkness of the forbidden mountain before the Yeti projection section is thrilling.
The big drop towards the end of Expedition Everest can make for a great photo too once you have worked out where the camera is located. We will quite often head to Expedition Everest from rope drop where you can usually get on it at least twice before the wait times start building up.
Expedition Everest is one of the best roller coaster attractions at Disney World. One of the thrill rides at Animal Kingdom you have to experience.
1. Avatar Flight of Passage
Location: Pandora The World of Avatar
Height Restriction: Guests must be 44 inches or taller
Avatar Flight of Passage must appear first on this list because it is such a fantastic ride experience. Avatar Flight of Passage still pulls the crowds into Pandora and still generates long wait times and very much sought-after lightning lane reservations.
This is for good reason too because Avatar Flight of Passage is a brilliant ride and experience. I was never a huge fan of the Avatar movie but with this ride it doesn’t matter.
The Avatar Flight of Passage ride experience of flying a Banshee through the changing landscapes of Pandora is an exhilarating one. It is a smooth ride experience too which is great if like me you can suffer from a bit of motion sickness.
Every time I have been on the Avatar Flight of Passage, I have come off feeling fine and pumped from the ride experience. One of the best and on of my favorite Disney rides across all the Disney parks.
You can find our Animal Kingdom Tips here.
Take a look at the Best Magic Kingdom Rides Here.
The Best Animal Kingdom Rides and Shows
I hope you have found some good ideas for Animal Kingdom rides, attractions, and shows to enjoy during your next visit to the Disney World park(maybe even your first visit). There are of course lots more to see and do at Animal Kingdom, but these are my top choices.
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Thanks for stopping by.
Darren
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