Beyond the Rides: Animal Kingdom
Our “Beyond the Rides” series offers tips and activities for each park that don’t involve ride attractions. Don’t shy away from planning a trip if you or yours aren’t big riders. I am a notorious nervous rider. While I try to push myself to try one or two “scary” rides each trip to Disney World, I’m still not a thrill seeker. If you have someone in your group that gets anxious about “thrill” rides, there is still PLENTY to do in every one of the parks at Disney World.
(Updated 2/21/23)
Disney World Imagineers have created amazingly themed and detailed lands throughout all of the parks.
I would argue, however, that they have outdone themselves in one park in particular. Animal Kingdom really does transport guests to different parts of the world or, in the case of Pandora: World of Avatar, out of this world entirely. It’s not just a visual thing, either. The piped in sounds, the scent of exotic spices coming from the dining locations, the various streetmosphere performers and the animals all add up to a pretty immersive experience.
While the park does have a few very popular thrill rides, some of the best parts of Animal Kingdom don’t involve standing in line.
Most don’t even involve any real pre-planning. Many of these things aren’t on every “to do” or Top 10 list out there, but they are some of the best adventures the park has to offer. Not everyone who visits Disney World is a thrill ride seeker. I’m a nervous rider myself, and while I LOVE Flight of Passage, there is no amount of money that could get me on Expedition Everest. This lady definitely DOES NOT find plummeting backwards at great speed in any way entertaining.
The great thing about Disney World is that being a fan of thrill rides is not required to have fun in the parks. Just take a look around and you will find amazing things to do beyond the rides. Below is a list of my Animal Kingdom “must dos” on every trip.
Animal Kingdom at Night
All of the parks at Disney World are a different experience at night, however, that’s when Animal Kingdom REALLY blossoms. The park isn’t open very late but it is generally open after sunset. DON’T miss out on Pandora: World of Avatar at night. The whole land is a bioluminescent forest full of strange animal and insect noises, glowing pathways and freaky illuminated plant life. As breathtaking as this area is in the daylight, it is spectacular once the sun goes down.
Over in the Asia section of the park, the Yak & Yeti table service restaurant is a little glowing beacon. Just as pretty on the inside during a sunset meal as it is on the outside, the food is delicious and the ambiance is top notch. If you can swing an evening meal there, ask for a window seat downstairs or upstairs. It’s a great way to round out a day at Animal Kingdom or to fill you up before exploring Pandora at night.
We always plan a day and an evening visit to Animal Kingdom on our trips. It’s the perfect use of Park Hopper tickets if you have them.
The Walking Trails
There are three different trails that meander through Animal Kingdom. It is easy to forget that you are at a Florida theme park while walking on these pathways. Lush with vegetation that “hides” the main areas and sounds of the park, the trails lead past animal exhibits, some obvious and some subtle. All of these trails are great in the morning before the crowds descend. If you aren’t in a hurry to rope drop a ride, it’s the perfect way to start a day at Animal Kingdom.
The Discovery Island Trails wind around the Tree of Life. Get an up close look at the intricate carvings in the tree that aren’t visible from the main areas of the park. We see something different EVERY time.
In the Africa section, take a stroll on the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. There are more than just Gorillas along the ⅜ of a mile trail that runs along parts of the Kilimanjaro Safari ride.
Maharajah Jungle Trek in the Asia section is my favorite. This path is something right out of Jungle Book. Filled with what looks like the ruins of an ancient temple or palace, there is a beautiful tiger habitat as well as a walk through bird sanctuary.
Winged Encounters: The Kingdom Takes Flight
Although we always seem to just stumble upon this experience, it does take place at scheduled times throughout the day near the Tree of Life on Discovery Island. A flock of brightly colored Macaws swoop overhead in a little bird ballet. It’s pretty awesome. There are also Cast Members there that talk about the birds. You may also catch these guys flying overhead at official park opening as well.
The Path from Africa to Pandora
Pandora is everything everyone is saying it is. Believe the hype. A familiarity or love for the Avatar movie is absolutely NOT a requirement. It is a beautiful place and none of the pictures do it justice. Even having seen the “floating” mountains as they were building it, did not spoil it for us the first time we entered the finished park. The place is breathtaking.
There are a lot of little pathways inside Pandora and I suggest you follow wherever they lead you. Some are just little walkways or ramps that put you up close and personal with the water features and Pandoran plants. Others are the queues to the rides themselves, particularly the walk up through the “canopy” to the Flight of Passage attraction.
One of the best paths, however, is the walkway between Africa and Pandora. Located between the Lion King Festival Show and the area outside of Satul’i Canteen, the path/bridge is a beautiful walk over the water. This path is generally not as crowded as the main entrance into and out of Pandora so take some time to enjoy the view.
Lovely random seating areas
There are a few seating areas in and around Animal Kingdom, particularly in the Asia section, where you can take a load off and people watch. There are often small bistro like tables and chairs near the Disney Vacation Club Information Center booth. A smaller seating area has been expanded behind the Drinkwallah drink and snack stand. It’s a covered area, off the beaten path and overlooks the water. Grab a drink, relax and just take in the scenery.
There is an outdoor patio that overlooks the water at Nomad Lounge. This bar/lounge is located next to Tiffin’s on the way into Pandora. We have passed by it loads of times and always say that it looks so relaxing and inviting but have yet to stroll over and plop ourselves down for a rest. We plan to remedy that this trip. Surrounded by plant life and tucked back away from the main walking paths, it looks like you could just disappear back there for a much needed park hopping break.
Finding Nemo The Musical
This show in the Asia section near DinoLand just never gets the same kind of love as the “Festival of the Lion King” show in the Africa section. At risk of having the wrath of rabid Lion King fans raining down upon my head, I have to say that “Finding Nemo: The Musical” swims circles around it.
This attraction basically encapsulates the major plot points of the Finding Nemo movie into a 25 minute musical with crazy amazing puppets. Visually, the show is stunning. I know some folks find the songs irritating, particularly the “Big Blue World” song that is also used inside the Epcot Nemo ride, but it kind of gets me teary eyed. An argument is often made that it takes too much time away from precious park time, but I think it’s a great way to relax in an air conditioned space away from the park throng for a bit.
You can book a lightning lane if you want to make sure you get a closer seat. It is a first come first served seating situation. You will have your pick of seats if you are there a little earlier. If you like the movie and have the time, this show is more than worth seeing.
It’s Tough to be A Bug
This is not something that, when reading the description, I thought I would ever be interested in before I tried it. Located in a theatre inside of the Tree of Life, is a show patterned after Pixar’s “A Bug’s Life” movie. This is a 3D movie with a 4D sensory experience and a couple of animatronics. There are bad smells, creepy insects, strange things that happen with your seat and slight wind and water effects. It’s silly, a little scary and so much fun. I get a kick out of it EVERY time.
A word of warning for families with younger kids. The show has unpredictably surprising and loud moments. Despite the fact that it is littered with bathroom humor and sounds like it would appeal to young children, it really isn’t a great show for kids that don’t like to be shocked or startled. If your kids are afraid of spiders or ANYTHING creepy and crawly, I wouldn’t recommend this one. My son saw it only once at age 11 and has REFUSED to ever do it again and he is a teenager now. My sister and I still go to see it and nearly pee our pants laughing every time.
THE BEST Rice Krispie Treats on Property
Ok. There is a lot of great food in Animal Kingdom from pot sticker snacks to delicious BBQ to signature dining. It’s a great park to try out different food and expand your palate. It is also the park that has the BEST Mickey shaped Rice Krispie treats on property. I do not know why this is. It just is. I don’t even really like Rice Krispie treats in my real world life outside of Disney. Nevertheless, we always stop at Zuri’s Sweets Shop and grab one whether it be decorated in zebra or giraffe motif. They are delicious and best enjoyed with an iced latte.
Outdoor Entertainment
There a many different musical streetmosphere performers in the park. A Pandora Ranger in a giant robotic looking utility suit does a little demonstration near Satu’li Canteen. There are several dance parties, with and without characters, in Africa and DinoLand U.S.A.
Perhaps the most unique offering here is DiVine. A woman draped in vines and towering on stilts blends in and out of the foliage. If you can catch her, it’s totally worth a minute or two to watch her in action.
In your rush to Everest or Dinosaur or Flight of Passage, take a little time to wander around the park. Check out its meandering pathways. Spend some time really looking at the Tree of Life. Catch a couple of the shows. You might be surprised at what you find when you slow down a little.
For more information on what Animal Kingdom has to offer, check out our Everything You Need to know about Animal Kingdom .
