Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World is not an outdated made-for-kids theme park of the past. In fact, it offers some of the most immersive, ultra-realistic, and interactive rides imaginable. You can even go on a real-life safari. You will be instantly transported across oceans into exotic worlds, from the high peaks of Asia to the savannahs of Africa, all without leaving Orlando, Florida.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is just a short drive away from our spacious vacation homes in Kissimmee and Davenport, Florida. Much like Disneyland and Hollywood Studios, the vastness of this themed land cannot be understated.
To help you dissect the park’s best attractions and maximize your Disney vacation thrills, we made this list of the best rides and attractions in Animal Kingdom to help guide you on your adrenaline-inducing quest.
1. Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
Photo Credit: Aaron Volkening via Flickr CC 2.0
- Ride Rules: Must be 44 inches tall
- What To Expect: Thrilling Coaster, steep drops, loud noises
- Approx. Ride Time: 3 Minutes
- Single Rider Line Available
For those seeking thrill rides, look no further than the Expedition Everest rollercoaster. This climb to the top of the world is not for the faint of heart. The coaster makes an icy ascent through the darkness, which will leave you in free fall, only this train runs backward into a cavernous abyss home to the feared roaring beast, the Yeti.
Some say the mountain is cursed, so be sure to make it out alive before the yeti claims another climber. For an extra thrill, take the ride at night!
2. Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Ride Rules: No height or age restrictions
- What To Expect: Kid-friendly, real wildlife experience
- Approx. Ride Time: 20+ Minutes
- Genie+, Lightning lane
Grab your binoculars and safari gear because Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of the few places in the country to get close to the unique wildlife of Africa. Best ridden early in the day when wildlife is most active, the Harambe Wildlife Reserve is home to 30 species in 110 acres of picturesque savannah habitats. Get up close to tree-grazing giraffes and mud-soaked hippos, and if you’re lucky enough, you can even spot the king of the jungle himself, the regal Lion basking in the golden sun.
3. Kali River Rapids
Photo Credit: Michael via Flickr CC 2.0
- Ride Rules: Must be 38 inches tall
- What To Expect: Spinning white water rafting ride through the Amazon
- Approx. Ride Time: 3.5 minutes
- Genie+
During those blazing hot Orlando days, cool off with a wet and wild river ride at the Kali River Rapids. This white water rafting trip is thrilling but safe and fun for the kids. Enjoy the rapids and the lush jungle scenery surrounding you as you navigate some of Asia’s most untamed spaces. From the comfort of Florida, that is.
Remember that you will get wet on this ride, so store your electronics accordingly.
4. Na’vi River Journey
Photo Credit: PeterPanFan via Flickr CC 2.0
- Ride Rules: none
- What To Expect: Slow-moving boat ride through the world of Pandora
- Approx. Ride Time: 5 minutes
Immerse yourself into the world of Avatar while you find yourself on a quest to find the shaman of song. Float along this dark boat ride through bioluminescent rainforests, and let your senses and imagination run wild. The Na’vi River Journey is one of the most popular rides in the Animal Kingdom, so keep in mind that line queues can be long, but it is worth the wait.
5. Avatar Flight of Passage
- Ride Rules: Must be 44 inches tall
- What To Expect: long wait times, immersive 3D simulation through the world of Avatar
- Approx. Ride Time: 4.5 minutes
- Lightning Lane passes
If the Na’vi River Journey doesn’t get your blood pumping, Avatar Flight of Passage is the ride to try. This must-do 3D simulator will have you riding the back of a banshee, the famed wing creature of the Avatar world. This is by far the most popular ride in all of Animal Kingdom, and for good reason.
Imagineers, led by Joe Rohde and Weta Digital, have created an attraction that goes far beyond James Cameron’s films in this jaw-dropping, immersive journey through some of the most spectacular scenery you could ever imagine. Just join the line early if you can.
6. TriceraTop Spin
Photo Credit: Matt Howry via Flickr CC 2.0
- Ride Rules: None
- What To Expect: kid-friendly spin ride
- Approx. Ride Time: 2 minutes
While exploring the prehistoric world of Dinoland USA, Triceratop Spin is a callback to the iconic, admittedly kitschy rides of Disneyland past, specifically the Dumbo ride. This slow-spinning yet amusing, family-friendly dino ride will have you laughing and smiling the whole way. It’s fun for the entire family and sure to bring out the little kid in all of us.
7. It’s Tough to Be a Bug!
- Ride Rules: None
- What To Expect: Interactive film and live show for the whole family
- Approx. Ride Time: 9 minutes
Located right in the Tree of Life icon in the center of the park at Discovery Island, It’s Tough to Be a Bug is a film and stage show based on the Pixar film, A Bug’s Life. This Disney ride is fun and immersive; you’ll be dodging flying quills from a tarantula, feel a harmless spray from a termite, and sniff the putrid “defense stench” from a stink bug. This show will have you buzzing and realizing that, well – it’s tough being a bug.
8. Wildlife Express Train
- Ride Rules: None
- What To Expect: Educational slow-moving train ride
- Approx. Ride Time: 7 minutes one way or 30+ for a round-trip
All aboard! Next stop conservation. This peaceful mile-long journey to Rafiki’s Planet Watch is a place for animal lovers and future conservationists to learn all about habitat and animal care.
This educational and entertaining ride will take you through animal veterinary facilities for rhinos and elephants, a petting zoo, and an outdoor discovery trail to inspire us all to do more for our natural spaces and fellow animal species. This is one of the most educational of the Animal Kingdom rides.
9. Finding Nemo
Photo Credit: HarshLight via Flickr CC 2.0
- Ride Rules: None
- What To Expect: Live stage show adaptation of the namesake movie
- Approx. Ride Time: 35 minutes
- Numerous showtimes throughout the day
Enjoy live entertainment under the sea as our favorite characters from Finding Nemo perform musical and dance numbers in front of a live audience in Finding Nemo. The costumes are elaborate and colorful, and the Big Blue…and Beyond is an outstanding ensemble not to be missed.
10. Festival of the Lion King
- Ride Rules: None
- What To Expect: live performance inside a theatre with audience participation
- Approx. Ride Time: 30 minutes
If you haven’t gotten your fill of live performances, the Festival of the Lion King is worth a watch. This show has evolved considerably since the original was developed in Camp Minnie-Mickey. Its popularity has led to a permanent indoor A/C show in Harambe Theatre. Sing along to your favorite songs from the motion picture as you watch acrobats in this wildly entertaining show honoring the Disney classic.
11. Feathered Friends in Flight
- Ride Rules: None
- What To Expect: Scheduled Exhibit led by bird specialists
- Approx. Ride Time: 25 minutes
Spread your wings in this open-air, free-flying exhibit featuring exotic birds from around the world as animal behavior specialists teach you (and the kids) about these beautiful feathered creatures. Located at the Anandapur Theater, be sure to check the show times beforehand, as there are only a few of them per day.
12. Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
- Ride Rules: None
- What To Expect: Self-guided walking tour with wildlife viewing
- Approx. Ride Time: 20-30 minutes
On the Gorilla Falls Trail, you can trek through beautiful scenery and encounter wildlife such as gorillas, hippos, and zebras in their natural habitat. If you’re lucky, you can come face-to-face with a group of lowland gorillas, one of our closest relatives. This self-guided tour will take you to several observation decks to get unobstructed views of the wildlife.
13. Maharajah Jungle Trek
- Ride Rules: None
- What To Expect: Self-guided walking tour with wildlife viewing
- Approx. Ride Time: 20-25 minutes
Can’t get enough of the self-guided hikes? Like a page ripped straight from Jungle Book, on the Maharajah Jungle Trek, you’ll traverse rope bridges and cascading waterfalls while navigating through ancient temples.
With wildlife like Gibbons swinging above and, of course, the feared yet majestic Bengal Tiger lurking below. This mythical environment will immerse you in Asia’s thick, humid jungles as you take in the raw beauty and wildness of the Far East.
Stay Near All The Thrills at Animal Kingdom
These 13 rides, performances, and shows are unique to the Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom and focus on what makes this vast world so incredible – the animals!
Stay at our luxurious vacation homes for easy access to EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, and Animal Kingdom during your stay. Whether you’re in it for the thrill rides, live performances, or wildlife experiences like nowhere else in Orlando, Florida, get ready to book your stay now for a trip you’ll never forget.
