The Walt Disney Company promotes the park as “a different kind of theme park”.
If you would like to learn a little bit about animals and see them in a natural looking setting, you will love Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Although they have a few great rides, it is not a park that you run from ride to ride to see how many you can do.
It is more of a place to learn about our world and our environment.
With Disney’s Magic, they make it interesting and fun for the young & old.
Back in 1990, Imagineering Concept Designer Joe Rohde met with Michael Eisner and proposed a new animal park at Walt Disney World. The concept was to mix a traditional theme park with a non-traditional zoo. (zoo is a bad word around Disney’s Animal Kingdom) On June 5th, 1995 the project was announced and ground was broken in August of 1995. On April 22nd of 1998, Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrated its Grand Opening.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is located farther away from most of the action in Walt Disney World so take that in to consideration when planning your day. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge & Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas are right next to the park but with the expansiveness of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, they are still too far away to walk to the park entrance. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas are part of the Disney Vacation Club and if you would like our opinion of the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) click here. Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Disney’s All Star Movies Resort, Disney’s All Star Music Resort, and Disney’s All Star Sports Resort are located a short drive away from Disney’s Animal Kingdom entrance. There are no walkways or waterways connecting any Walt Disney World Resorts to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The only way to get to the park is by bus, car, van, or taxi. For more information and reservations call 407-WDISNEY (934-7639).
DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM RESORT AREA
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s All Star Movies Resort
Disney’s All Star Music Resort
Disney’s All Star Sports Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom park hours vary from day to day. Print a copy of toddsorlando.com’s Disney Calendar and take it with you on your Disney Vacation. It will provide all the Disney Parks hours along with which Parks will be having the Extra Magic Hours for Disney Resorts Guests only. The Walt Disney World Resorts offer a wide variety of ticket options for its guests. It would be impossible for someone to be able to suggest the best option to buy tickets because of all the variables involved in planning your vacation. For tickets call 407-939-1289. Walt Disney World Resorts will accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Diners Club Card, and American Express credit cards. For your convenience, there are ATMs located through out Walt Disney World.
In an effort to keep the animals that live at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on somewhat of a schedule, this park usually closes before the other parks. It is better to get to this park early and catch Kilimanjaro Safari and Expedition Everest before their lines get too long. The best thing to do is to get a FASTPASS to one then go ride the other. If you can, get to the park entrance 15 minutes before the scheduled opening. They should let you in the gates and let you wait at the Tree of Life area. This will give you that extra jump on the people that are getting there early to ride Expedition Everest. If you get there early enough, you may be able to ride Expedition Everest 2 or 3 times before the line gets too long.
The beacon to Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the Tree of Life. This artificial tree is 14 stories tall and has 325 animals hand carved in to its trunk. You can see it as you pull in to the parking lots. The Tree of Life is located on Discovery Island, which is the center of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The park is made up of seven themed areas. If you think of the park as a wheel, the Tree of Life is the hub with the other six themed areas extending out like spokes to the wheel. Once you have entered Disney’s Animal Kingdom get your Times Guide & New Information brochure along with a Guidemap of the park. The Times Guide changes weekly so make sure you have the correct date on the top of the brochure
The Oasis - This is where you enter into Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You have to go through The Oasis to get to Discovery Island. The Oasis consists of many different paths that take guests by animal habitats and eventually leads you to Discovery Island. When you reach Discovery Island you can then split off to the other five lands from there. The Oasis is where the Rainforest Café – Animal Kingdom is located. Don’t forget to pick up Times Guide when you enter the park.
Discovery Island - This is the center of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You have to go to Discovery Island to get to the other lands. The island is home to the Tree of Life, which has the hilarious “It’s Tough to be a Bug” 3-D film playing in the base of the tree. After leaving the movie enjoy the many tropical trails all around the Tree of Life. The Flame Tree Barbeque and Pizzafari are located on Discovery Island.
DinoLand U.S.A - If you travel Disney’s Animal Kingdom in a counter clockwise circle, the first area you will come to is DinoLand U.S.A. Here you will find the thrill ride DINOSAUR which takes you back to primeval times. Be sure to check out Dino-Sue, which is a reproduction of the largest, most complete T-Rex ever found. The kids will love Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama that was built to look like a tacky 1950s roadside attraction with a couple spinning rides. Before leaving the area you will pass Finding Nemo – The Musical. The show is performed several times daily and last 30 minutes. Check your Times Guide for show times. Guest may remain in their wheelchair, ECV, or motorized scooter to see the show. Restaurantosaurus is located in DinoLand U.S.A.
Asia - All of this area is set in the fictional village, Anandapur. Expedition Everest is located here and it is one of the best rides in the world (Walt Disney World). Beware of the legendary Yeti when passing through the Forbidden Mountain. Check out the Disney Magic on this attraction. When they built the mountain, they made things smaller the higher they went. This gives the illusion that it is much bigger and seems farter away than it really is. If it is hot outside and you feel like getting wet, the Kali River Rapids are here in Asia. Check your Times Guide and don’t miss the Flights of Wonder live bird show. The Yak & Yeti Restaurant and the Yak & Yeti Local Food Café are located in this area.
Rafiki’s Planet Watch - This section is accessible by the Wildlife Express Train only. You will travel through the savanna to Rafiki’s Planet Watch where you will find many up close encounters with some animals you are familiar with, and some that you are not. Affection Section is a petting zoo area the kids will love. Habitat Habitat is an adventure trail where you will see the cotton-top tamarin, one of the most endangered primates in the world. At the end of the trail is Conservation Station. It is a center to promote wildlife conservation. Here you will see wild animals, shows, and interactive games.
Africa - All of this area is set in the fictional village, Harambe. Kilimanjaro Safaris is located here and it is one of the two most popular rides in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You ride in an open-sided safari vehicle through acres of the African savannah. The Disney Imagineers made many research trips to Africa to make sure the landscape on this ride looks as much like the real thing as they could. You ride through the area where the animals from Africa roam freely. Guests must transfer from their motorized scooter or ECV to an available wheelchair to experience this ride. The Tusker House Restaurant and the Kusafiri Coffee Shop are located in this area.
Camp Minnie-Mickey - This area is home to four character greeting spots and the Festival of the Lion King. The Festival of the Lion King is a high-energy musical and dance performance featuring songs and characters from the best selling home video of all time, The Lion King. Check your Times Guide for show times. Guest may remain in their wheelchair, ECV, or motorized scooter to see the show.
This park does not have any fireworks or light shows at the end of the day because they do not want to upset the animals. Like the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom does have a daily parade. At this time the parade is Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade starring Rafiki, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald Duck. Watch out for Donald Duck because you could get wet. The parade route goes through Africa, Discovery Island, and Asia. There are some designated viewing areas for guests with disabilities along the parade route. Check with Guests Relations on the day of each visit.
DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM TOURS
The Wild By Design Tour is a walking tour that shows you how the Park’s designers combined native art, authentic architecture, actual historical artifacts, and Disney storytelling to help transport you to exotic lands of fantasy. It is a 3-hour tour and it cost $60 per person. You must be 14 years old to take the tour.
The Backstage Safari Tour is a behind the scenes walking tour revealing the new and creative ways the specialists at Disney’s Animal Kingdom meet the unique challenges of animal care & behavior issues to help promote wildlife conservation. You will visit the Animal Nutrition Center, the state-of-the-art Veterinary Hospital, and other backstage housing areas. It is also a 3-hour tour and it cost $70 per person. You must be 16 years old to take this tour.
Both of these tours require admission to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. They can accommodate Guests with special needs with prior notice. If you want to take one of these tours, we highly suggest booking the tour well in advance. To make reservations call 407-WDW-TOUR (407-939-8687)
For the ultimate Disney Experience you can book a tour with VIP Tour Services. They can customize a tour for you and help you with show times and the FASTPASS system. They can help you get the best seats in the house for live shows, parades, and nighttime spectaculars. There is a 6-hour minimum at a cost of $125 to $150 per hour per party. They will allow up to 10 people in your party. Theme park admission is required. To schedule your VIP Tour call 407-560-4033 Monday through Friday 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. eastern time. You have to be within 90 days of the day you want to schedule your tour to make reservations.
RESERVATION DINING
Donald’s Safari Breakfast - Don’t forget your autograph books and cameras as you join Donald Duck & friends for a Character Breakfast Buffet at the Tusker House Restaurant in Africa. It is an all you care to eat Breakfast Buffet featuring many items the kids will love. They do participate in the Disney Dining Plan.
Tusker House Restaurant – This restaurant is located in the Africa’s bustling Harambe Marketplace. It is the center of the Africa area and is right by the Kilimanjaro Safari ride. They serve American cuisine with an all-you-care-to-eat Lunch & Dinner Buffet. They provide indoor and outdoor seating areas. Enjoy the Dawa Bar located in the outdoor seating area. They feature many specialty drinks along with ice-cold beer and several wine offerings. They do participate in the Disney Dining Plan.
Yak & Yeti Restaurant - The story behind the Yak & Yeti Restaurant is that at one time it was the home of one of Anandapur’s wealthiest merchants. Since then it has been converted to place of fine dining. Many of the merchant’s collection of artifacts are still through out the restaurant. They provide table service and serve Pan-Asian cuisine off of the menu for Lunch & Dinner. The Yak & Yeti Restaurant is located in the Asia section of the park. They have indoor and outdoor seating. Enjoy the full service bar located inside the restaurant. They do participate in the Disney Dining Plan.
Rainforest Café – Animal Kingdom - This restaurant is a feast for your eyes. You will see waterfalls, erupting volcanoes, jungle creatures, large saltwater aquariums with vibrant tropical fish, and a thunderstorm all indoors. There are many menu options with seafood, steak, chicken, salads, & pasta. The children’s menu is good for the little ones. They have indoor dining only and a large full service bar inside the restaurant. They provide table service and serve American cuisine off of the menu for Lunch & Dinner. The Rainforest Café – Animal Kingdom is part of the Oasis section of the park and they are located at the entrance to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Admission to the park is not required to dine at this restaurant.
For any of the RESERVATION DINING experiences, we highly recommend to call 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463) and make reservations as soon as you can. You cannot make reservations on line. You have to call 407-WDW-DINE. Create a vacation schedule and write your time & reservation # along with the Disney Dining # 407-WDW-DINE. They will allow you to make dining reservations up to 180 days prior to your visit. It is better to be safe than sorry. When you call, be sure to ask about the Disney Dining Plan. It can save you up to 30% on your dining at the Walt Disney World Resort.
COUNTER SERVICE DINING
Flame Tree Barbeque - Enjoy the sights and sounds of a tropical jungle while you dine on savory barbeque overlooking the Discovery River. They provide full meals for Lunch, Dinner, & Snacks through out the day with counter service only. The Flame Tree Barbeque is located on Discovery Island. They do participate in the Disney Dining Plan.
Pizzafari - They feature sandwiches and individual pizzas fresh from the oven. It is a counter service only restaurant with outdoor seating. It is located on Discovery Island near the entrance to Camp Minnie-Mickey. They do participate in the Disney Dining Plan.
Kusafiri Coffee Shop - This place features gourmet coffee along with cookies, muffins, cakes, and pastries. It is located in the Africa section in the bustling Harambe Marketplace.
Yak & Yeti Local Food Café - This place has counter service only and serves similar Pan-Asian cuisine as the adjacent Yak & Yeti Restaurant. The seating is outdoors among lush greenery and authentic Himalayan artifacts. It is located in the Asia section of the park. They do participate in the Disney Dining Plan.
Restaurantosaurus - Student paleontologists have inhabited this place and it is evident by all the dinosaur memorabilia they left behind. You can get a full meal here for Lunch, Dinner, or a Snack through out the day with counter service only. They serve American cuisine including burgers, chicken nuggets, and French fries. Restaurantosaurus is located in DinoLand U.S.A. and they have indoor or outdoor seating. They do participate in the Disney Dining Plan.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Call Guests Relations at 407-939-6244 to get your Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities before you take your Disney trip. It provides a detailed overview of services and facilities available for guest with disabilities. Most attractions, restaurants, shops, and shows are accessible to all guests. There may be some rides that a guest in a wheelchair may need help from a member of their party to transfer from the wheelchair on to the ride. Most of the restrooms in the Walt Disney World Resort have facilities to accommodate a guest in a wheelchair. There are designated handicap parking spaces through out Walt Disney World, but you must have a valid disability-parking permit to use them.
Pet owners please take note that pets are not allowed at any of the Theme Parks or Resorts. For the 4-legged members of your family, there are Pet Care Kennels located adjacent to each of the Theme Park entrances and one by Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Pet Care Kennels at: Disney’s Animal Kingdom 407-938-2100 - Epcot 407-560-6229 – Disney’s Hollywood Studios 407-560-4282 – Magic Kingdom at the Transportation and Ticket Center 407-824-6568 – Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground 407-824-2735. Reservations are not required but they do suggest calling and making reservations
Disney’s Animal Kingdom does offer stroller rentals at the front entrance. The stroller rental fee is $15 per day for a single passenger and $31 per day for a double passenger stroller. You can also rent wheelchairs for $10 a day and an Electric Convenience Vehicle (ECV) for $45 a day. The rented units must be returned to the original rental location for the deposit refund. All of the rental items are issued on a first come first served basis. If you want to be sure to have an ECV for the whole trip, you can call Buena Vista Scooter Rental at 407-938-0349.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is sure to please everyone in the family young and old. Explore the exotic lands and go with expectations of learning a little something about Mother Earth along the way. Don’t visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom with the plan of running from ride to ride. Go with the idea of strolling along the pathways of Animal Kingdom, discovering and learning about the animal world we live in.