Animal Kingdom - Travel Advisor

Animal Kingdom (AK) is set apart from the other theme parks at Walt Disney World. The park is themed around a natural lush environment and animal conservation. This beautiful park is home to hundreds of species of animals!

The iconic Tree of Life is in the center of Discovery Island. From there, the various lands that make up AK surround the Tree of Life similar to a bicycle wheel. There is The Oasis, Pandora-World of Avatar, Africa, Rafiki’s Planet Watch, Asia, and Dinoland U.S.A.

Here are a few of my tips for making the most out of your day when you are visiting Animal Kingdom!

Create a wish list of all the attractions, characters, shows, etc. that everyone in your party would like to experience. Prioritize those items first and then anything else you can achieve is a bonus!

Consider purchasing Disney Genie + Service when you visit AK. The investment is sure to increase your opportunity to maximize your time spent in the park!

Try to get to AK right at park opening! This is a wonderful way to beat “some” of the crowds. Keep in mind the current benefit if you are staying at a Disney Resort, you can enter the park 30 minutes before it opens. This is an excellent opportunity to accomplish some of the attractions on your list right away in the morning!

Consider a stay at a Deluxe Disney Resort due to the benefit of being able to stay in the parks for an additional two hours after closing on certain evenings! This benefit is an excellent opportunity to enjoy countless experiences when most other people have left the park!

When traveling with small children, keep in mind attractions that have height restrictions. Currently the attractions that have a restriction are as follows:

Avatar Flight of Passage – Guests must be 44 inches (112 cm) or taller
DINOSAUR – 40″ (102 cm) or taller
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain – 44″ (113 cm) or taller
Kali River Rapids – 38″ (97 cm) or taller

Take breaks, especially if you are vacationing with little ones. It is possible to still accomplish the items on your wish list even with taking a mid-day break to relax at your resort. Spend the time taking a nap or utilizing the pool! Then head back to the park in the early evening to complete your night at the park! Note: if you have Genie + remember you can continue to book lightning lane reservations every two hours!

Have fun! One of the reasons I love Disney is because it makes me feel like a kid again! Between the attractions and meeting the characters, you are sure to embrace your inner child as well!