We’ve put together this fantastic complete guide to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando so you know everything before you go.
What is Animal Kingdom like in Orlando?
We’ll start this complete guide to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando by explaining that this park is one of Walt Disney World’s four parks, along with Epcot Center, Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.
As the name implies, it’s where you can get in touch with nature and the animals in the park. There are more than 1,700 animals, including more than 250 different species, such as giraffes, lions, tigers, elephants, birds, alligators, monkeys and others.
So the park is one big safari with an impressive diversity of fauna and flora. You really do feel like you’re in the middle of a great forest, especially given the sheer size of the park, which is the largest of any in the Disney complex. Plus, the park has taken the opportunity to include a number of attractions that are more related to nature, such as Avatar and The Lion King.
IMPORTANT: The city of Orlando has many theme parks and attractions spread across various regions of the city. To get to visit everything, the ideal is to use a rental car. If you want, see our article here with all the tips on how to rent a good car at the lowest price.
What are the areas of Animal Kingdom in Orlando?
Following this complete guide to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando, know that the park has six areas and the names are: Africa; Asia; Discovery Island; Dinoland U.S.A; Pandora – The World of Avatar; and the Oasis. The latter is the entrance and exit to the park, where there is a giant tree, the main symbol of Animal Kingdom.
As this is Disney’s largest park, it is essential that during your visit you use a map to find your way around. With the My Disney Experience app, you can see various attractions mapped out in the park as well as lots of extra information.
Main attractions at Animal Kingdom in Orlando
In our complete guide to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando, we’ve listed the park’s main attractions that you can’t miss. Check them out:
1. Flight of Passage – Pandora: is an incredible 3D simulator in which you can fly on the back of a dragon, inspired by James Cameron’s movie Avatar. The attraction is located inside Pandora, the world of Avatar in the Magic Kingdom, which was designed by the director himself.
2. Tree of Life and River of Lights show: the central Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom park is a spectacle in itself. There are various animal figures carved into its trunk. Plus, at night it lights up entirely with neon lights.
Meanwhile, in the lake next to the tree, the Rivers of Light show takes place. This is a show with ships and lots of fireworks that takes place every night.
3. Kilimanjaro Safaris Expedition – Africa: an incredible tour in an environment that simulates the habitat of many animals on the African continent. This way, you get to go on a real safari in an open vehicle that drives around the area, coming into contact with many different animals.
It’s well worth going on this tour and seeing many animals up close as if they were in the wild. One tip is to go on this attraction as soon as you arrive at the park, as the later it is, the fuller the queues get.
4. The Lion King Musical – Africa: at the Disney Animal Kingdom park you can see the famous Lion King musical, which takes place on Broadway, now inside the Camp Minnie-Mickey auditorium. It’s certainly a great attraction to relax and enjoy in the air conditioning after a long walk in the park.
The show sings the main songs from the movie, making it an exciting and nostalgic moment for everyone. Finally, they interact a lot with the audience, inviting some of them to take part in some part of the show.
5. Expedition Everest roller coaster – Asia: still in this complete guide to Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Expedition Everest is one of the most extreme roller coaster in all of Walt Disney World. It is extremely high, as it simulates Mount Everest, as well as going in reverse, with a free fall.
All this in the company of the Yeti and Bigfoot, in a thrilling adventure. It is recommended that you go to this attraction early, as it is extremely crowded. If you can, go after the Kilimanjaro Safaris Expedition.
6. Kali River Rapids – Asia: is a very exotic boat ride within Animal Kingdom. The attraction brings 12 people together in a round boat to travel along the currents of the Chakranadi River, inside an Asian rainforest.
It’s the perfect attraction for sunny days in Orlando, as you’ll definitely get wet. Remember to protect all electronic devices during the ride.
7. Feathered Friends in Flight – Asia: is an unmissable show featuring more than 20 species of birds. All of them are trained and, in the case of parrots, they even sing. The show lasts around 25 minutes and is perfect for a break from the hustle and bustle of the park.
8. Bug Life – It’s Tough to be a Bug! – Discovery Island: it’s an 8-minute 4D movie that is totally immersive and very worthwhile for fans of the animation. In addition, it doesn’t usually have long queues, so you can see it very easily.
9. Finding Nemo Show – DinoLand U.S.A: at DinoLand U.S.A you’ll see one of the coolest musicals in the park, Finding Nemo The Musical. The show is a favorite with children, but many adults are enchanted by the songs and the well-designed costumes.
The play lasts 30 minutes and takes place entirely in the dark. Plus, it is repeated in several sessions throughout the day.
10. Dinosaur – DinoLand U.S.A: one of the park’s most original attractions is Dinosaur. In it, you’ll board a train and experience an action-packed science fiction story about dinosaurs. Your mission will be to capture a dinosaur without getting caught by Carnotaurus. As the trolley moves along, giant dinosaurs appear and chase you, creating an adrenaline-pumping adventure.
Best restaurants at Animal Kingdom in Orlando
- Rainforest Cafe (Oasis): this is visitors’ favorite restaurant in the park, located right at the entrance. It is decorated to match the theme of the park and simulates a jungle;
- Satu’li Canteen (Pandora): here you’ll get a taste of Avatar’s cuisine. Go to the Satu’li Canteen restaurant and indulge in super-healthy recipes. The dishes usually have lots of salad, fresh vegetables, grains and some kind of protein;
- Tusker House Restaurant (Africa): this restaurant offers typical African food, with lots of meat and spices. The decoration is very well done, totally colorful;
- Pizzafari (Discovery Island): great restaurant for pizza lovers.
How to save money at parks and attractions?
First of all, the first tip is to look for tickets in advance, not to buy them on the spot. That way, you can calmly research the best prices that are within your budget. In addition, there are many ticket combos that are much better value.
At the Disney complex, the ideal is to buy a ticket for all 4 parks, which is cheaper than excluding any of them. Plus, you can have the full experience of seeing the whole place. Another way to save money is to buy tickets to visit the parks for more days. In the end, the cost of the ticket per day is cheaper if you buy more days to go.
At Universal parks, you can experience a 2-week visit with the 3 Park Explore Ticket, which also allows access to the Volcano Bay water park. However, the best-selling ticket is the 2-day Park to Park ticket, which allows you to visit both Universal parks (Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure).
And to enjoy the famous Busch Gardens rollercoaster park or SeaWorld Park, the best way is to buy the combo. It includes the 2 parks along with Aquatica. The price of the combo is only 30 dollars more expensive than a single ticket for just one of the parks.
Where can I buy the tickets for the lowest price?
We always use this website that sells all the tickets and tours. There is everything there and the price is always the cheapest. The only ticket that isn’t sold there is the Disney ticket, which for the time being is the cheapest place to buy it. But for all the other parks like Legoland, Busch Gardens, Sea World and Universal Orlando, this is the best site.
They also have a really cool free tour of all the cities. And it’s where we book the transfer to take us from the airport to the hotel. It’s cheaper and safer than taxis and Uber.
Saving money on NBA and NFL games
For sports lovers, you can’t miss a trip to the NBA and NFL games. It’s a unique experience to be able to enjoy the best of basketball and American soccer in the USA. As I said before, it’s a great idea to check out the ticket offers with our coupon and enjoy the best of American culture.
Ticket prices vary depending on the location you choose to watch the match. We always use this website, which offers great prices for all sports matches. We always use it and have had great experiences, as well as saving a lot.
Save money on your trip to Orlando:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to Orlando cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Tickets: find out where to buy your Orlando tickets in the cheapest and safest way – for theme parks, museums and ticket combos. You can save up to 40%!
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Mobile chip: We always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in Orlando. You will find out the best area, the hotels that we have stayed there and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Transfer: do you need one, from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
