How Animal Kingdom Works - Dustless Pixie

(Updated 11/20/2022)

Animal Kingdom is:

animals, nature conservation, Lion King, Nemo, Avatar, dinosaurs, Africa, and Asia.

The park is beautifully detailed and doesn’t feel like an amusement park. Each of the areas is distinctly different and the whole place is teeming with animal and plant life.

After you enter through the ticket touch points, the main park pathway heads through the Oasis towards the center hub area, Discovery Island. Animal Kingdom is broken down into 4 main sections: Africa, Asia, DinoLand U.S.A. and Pandora – The World of Avatar. Each section spokes from the Discovery Island hub area in the center of the park.

Oasis

This is the entryway into the park. Here you can find animal exhibits, a restaurant, and gift shops.

Discovery Island

The Tree of Life, the icon of Animal Kingdom, is in this area. The pathways to each of the other sections of the park (Africa, Asian, Dinoland U.S.A and Pandora – The World of Avatar) spoke from this central hub. Meander down pathways full of plant and animal life. Marvel at the wood carvings on the Tree of Life. Grab something to eat or poke around the gift shops. Watch a creepy but hilarious show about bugs.

Dinoland U.S.A.

Obviously, this area is themed around dinosaurs. Take a whacky Jeep ride through prehistoric times. Play a game of chance or dig for bones.

Africa

Go on a real safari. Yep, a REAL safari. Walk gorgeous pathways past animal exhibits. Watch a celebration for a certain lion cub. Take a train and learn how to draw Disney characters or watch real life large animal vets in action. Pet a goat.

Asia

Walk along even more gorgeous pathways past exotic animals. Escape from a Yeti. Brave the Kali River. Listen to the coolest monkeys make a racket.

Pandora – World of Avatar

This is the most unique part of Animal Kingdom. It is based on the Avatar movie (and future movies on the way) and fits into the overall nature/animal/conservation theme of the park better than you would expect. Be an eco-tourist on the moon of Pandora. Ride on the back of a banshee. Float down river through a bioluminescent forest full of strange wildlife. Grab an out of this world cocktail or mocktail.

Make sure to grab a map and schedule when you enter the park or check My Disney Experience for that day’s activities.

Animal Kingdom is good for fans of:

Animals, Finding Nemo, Lion King, Avatar (the movie), Dinosaurs, World Culture, Food & Drink

Thrill/Spinny Rides:

Expedition Everest, DINOSAUR, Triceratops Spin, Avatar Flight of Passage, Kali River Rapids

Dark/Slow Boat Ride:

Na’vi River Journey

Slow jeep ride through nature preserve:

Kilimanjaro Safari

Other activities:

Wildlife Express Train ride to a petting zoo, animal exhibits and the Animation Experience activity

Shows:

Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond, Festival of the Lion King, It’s Tough to be a Bug, various musicians and a couple of different bird shows.

Character Sightings:

Find characters at Tusker House Character buffet, and on flotillas that meander down the Discovery River throughout the day. For more details, be sure to grab a schedule and map when you enter the park. You can also check on My Disney Experience . Locate Animal Kingdom on the map and select “Characters” from the top pull down menu.

Dining:

1 Signature Table Service, 1 Character Buffet, 3 Table Service, Creature Comforts (Starbucks), many Quick Service restaurants, a couple of bar/lounges and walk up ice cream/snack/beverage locations

Evening Entertainment:

Beacons of Magic celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Disney World through March 31, 2023.