11 Reasons We Love Disney’s Animal Kingdom

There are so many amazing things to see and do at Animal Kingdom, and that list is getting longer as the park has grown. Even without all the exciting changes, Animal Kingdom is a fantastic park with so much to offer guests. Here are eleven reasons why we love Animal Kingdom.

11 – Characters

While some characters have returned to their original locations, not all characters have returned at Animal Kingdom. You’ll still see characters come through on special cavalcades on the Discovery River throughout the day. Check the My Disney Experience app for up-to-date locations where you’ll find characters.

10 – Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Rafiki’s Planet Watch is a whole park area dedicated to conserving and protecting wildlife. Take a relaxing seven-minute ride aboard the Wildlife Express Train from the Africa area of the park to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. Once there, guests can visit Conservation Station, which features the Animation Station, as well as fun and educational exhibits. There is also the Affection Section, a petting zoo, and the Veterinary Treatment Room, where guests can glimpse how the animals are cared for at Animal Kingdom.

9 – The Trails

There are a number of trails for guests to explore at Animal Kingdom. The Discovery Island Trails take guests through the roots of the Tree of Life, where you can get a close-up look at the craftsmanship of the carvings. The Maharaja Jungle Trek is set in the jungles of Southeast Asia, where guests can see tigers, fruit bats, and even temple ruins. The Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail is located in Africa, where animals are once again in abundance. There are gorillas, hippos, and birds. The trails at Animal Kingdom allow guests to set their own pace and wander the paths peacefully, surrounded by beautiful animals and greenery.

8 – Flame Tree Barbecue

For finger-licking good BBQ, head over to Flame Tree Barbecue. This quick-service counter restaurant serves up delicious ribs, chicken, and pulled pork that is guaranteed to leave you happy and satisfied! Side dishes include their signature baked beans and jalapeno cornbread. They also offer quiet outdoor seating pavilions located near the water, where you can see Everest off in the distance.

7 – Dinoland U.S.A

Editor’s Note: Disney has announced that DinoLand, USA, will be closing and transforming into a Tropical Americas-themed land. Disney recently announced that the first wave of closures will occur on January 12, 2024. The last day of operation for TriceraTop Spin, Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures will be January 12, 2025. Walls will go up on January 13. During this time, DINOSAUR, the Boneyard, Dino-Bite Snacks, and Trilo-Bites will remain open. The land is being rethemed into a Tropical Americas land and is set to open in 2027.

Animal Kingdom celebrates not only the creatures of today but also the beasts of the past in Dinoland U.S.A. One of the most thrilling attractions is located here, Dinosaur, which takes guests aboard the Time Rover and back into time, where they face the terrifying Carnotaurus. Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama is a retro-themed midway area with snacks and games. There is also a replica of the largest and most complete T-Rex skeleton ever found, Dino-Sue. Finally, you can enjoy Donald’s Dino-Bash, which features many awesome meet-and-greets. Dinoland is full of fun and thrills and is also a wonderful tribute and reminder to the creatures that once walked our planet.

6 – Harambe Market

This welcoming area of Animal Kingdom is a great spot to take a break in the park and recharge with a cold beverage or a bite to eat. Street foods inspire the atmosphere and menus at the four walk-up windows in Africa. Harambe Market offers items that are not found elsewhere in Disney, like the bowls such as the Ribs & Chicken Bowl, the Hot Link Bowl, and the Harambe Salad. The covered seating offers a retreat from the hot sun, so you can just sit back and enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of Harambe Market.

5 – Festival of the Lion King

Festival of the Lion King is a live-action Broadway-style show that pulls out all the stops. This show is a spectacle for the ears and eyes, with brightly colored costumes, acrobats, stilt walkers, aerial performers, massive floats, and familiar songs from The Lion King. What’s great about this show is that it’s not a retelling of the story but a celebration of the film’s characters, songs, and spirit.

4 – Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest is one of the most popular rides at Animal Kingdom. This attraction has it all: story, thrills, a beautiful view, and the legendary yeti. Imagineers have created a completely immersive attraction and experience, which starts as soon as you enter the queue. The queue takes guests through the courtyards at the base of the mountain, through the Tibetan general store, and then through the ‘museum’ that tells guests all about the folklore surrounding the yeti, adding to the overall experience. Although the yeti in the mountain is operating in “B mode”, meaning he doesn’t have his full range of motion due to a crack in the concrete base he is standing on, he is still a massive and extremely impressive Audio-Animatronic creation making this attraction one of the best at Disney.

3 – The Tree of Life

Editor’s Note: It’s Tough to Be a Bug will be replaced by a new Zootipa show in winter 2025. No closure date has been announced. 

The symbol of Animal Kingdom is the beautiful Tree of Life that celebrates all creatures in nature. Whether guests are admiring the tree from afar or up close on the Discovery Island Trails, the tree is simply breathtaking. Guests can also enter the tree, watch It’s Tough to Be a Bug and see the amazing Audio-Animatronic Hopper. The tree also comes alive at night with Nighttime Awakenings, which highlights and brings the animals to life in the tree.

2- Pandora – The World of Avatar

The newest land, the largest expansion in the history of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, is based on Oscar-winning filmmaker James Cameron’s record-breaking box-office hit, Avatar, which was released in 2009. The film was insanely popular, mostly due to Cameron’s amazing special effects. The movie is a science fiction film about humans attempting to colonize on a habitable moon called Pandora. While living on Pandora sounds like a great opportunity for this cast of humans, they are met with resistance from the local tribe of Na’vi. Animal Kingdom’s lush world of Pandora is set a generation after a great conflict; the Na’vi and humans are at peace, and the land is experiencing a rebirth. Pandora now welcomes Disney guests as eco-tourists. The land is an amazing spectacle of Disney Imagineering, creativity, and storytelling. As you explore the vibrant terrain sprawling beneath mountains that appear to float in the sky, you’ll see waterfalls cascading down the mountainside into meandering streams and pools, and then you’ll discover two thrilling new expeditions: Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey. Grab a bite to eat at the quick-service restaurant, Satu’li Canteen or grab a drink and snack at Pongu Pongu. There are so many amazing things to explore. Visiting Pandora an absolute must-do on your trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

1 – The Animals

The main reason we love Animal Kingdom is because of the animals, of course! Whether you’re walking over crocodiles on the Wild Africa Trek, seeing the lions and giraffes on the Kilimanjaro Safari ride, or observing the animals on the trails or at Rafiki’s Planet Watch, the animals at the park are what makes this park so unique and so loveable and keep us coming back for more!