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Disney's Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – it’s time for your holiday to get really wild

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is spread across 580 acres, making it the largest theme park in the world, so make sure you’ve got comfy shoes on for this one. It’s part of the huge Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida.

Because there are live animals at the Park, it’s been set up a little differently from other Theme Parks. It’s well away from the noise and bustle of the rest of the Resort, and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park attractions are designed to be quieter and less intrusive. You can see animals that are on the brink of extinction in the wild, and the efforts being made to protect them.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Resort


Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park rides and attractions

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Safaris, Treks and Adventures

A great blend of natural and typical Theme Park attractions, through the original and oldest part of the Park. The safaris, treks and adventures include Kilimanjaro Safaris, where you tour around an African savannah, home to 34 species, including giraffes and lions.

If you fancy upping your adrenaline levels then two adventure rides in particular are top of the list of must-dos: Kali River Rapids and Expedition Everest™ runaway train roller coaster.
Disney's Animal Kingdom

Maharajah Jungle Trek

An adventure into the tropical forest, where tigers burn bright and mystical ruins give the whole scene a wonderful ‘Indiana Jones’ or ‘Lara Croft’ vibe. It’s located in the Asia land, and you genuinely believe you’ve been transported from Florida to the Asian continent in just a few steps.

Look out for gibbons, Malayan flying foxes, and real-life dragons (okay, giant Komodo dragon lizards).
Disney's Animal Kingdom

Discovery Island

Right in the centre of the Park is Discovery Island, which is also home to the Tree of Life, the Park’s man-made baobab tree that’s the natural equivalent of Cinderella Castle.

Our top tip: visit this part of the Park at night to see the breathtaking Tree of Life Awakenings.
Disney's Animal Kingdom

Pandora – The World of AVATAR

The Park combines both real and mythical animals, and this land takes us into the mythical, with a swooping ride through the incredible world of James Cameron’s AVATAR.  For an unforgettable 3D experience, swing by AVATAR Flight of Passage to take flight on the back of a mountain banshee as it soars over the land.

Be sure to also stop by the bioluminescent rainforest in Na’vi River Journey, an ‘after dark’ attraction that’s really got the wow factor.
Disney's Animal Kingdom

Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Hop on the narrow-gauge Wildlife Express Train (which the kids will love) and head over to this special land to learn all about conservation.
Conservation Station is one of the main attractions in this land, which introduces budding botanists to the wonders of the natural world, and what mankind is doing to protect the habitats, plants and animals in some of the planet’s most threatened environments.
Disney's Animal Kingdom

Disney Characters

It wouldn’t be Disney without a good helping of friendly faces, and here you’ll find The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and of course, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse (dressed in safari suits, naturally).
Animal Kingdom - Dining

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park Food and Drink

As with all Disney Parks, there’s plenty of food and drink on offer, from the fine dining at Tiffins Restaurant to the wonderful Anandapur ice cream truck in Asia. Be sure to enjoy a meal at Satu’li Canteen, found at Pandora – The World of AVATAR to enjoy healthful dishes all while indulging in the culture of the Na’vi. Another one of our favourites is the Flame Tree Barbecue in Discovery Island for their genuinely amazing pulled pork buns – a tasty treat not to be missed!


Hotels near to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Disney's All Star Resorts

Disney's All Star Resorts

 

What could be better than three resorts in one? Disney's All-Star Resorts has movies, music and sports, so there really is something for everyone! Each resort has its own pools and themed activities going on, so you'll always be spoilt for choice.

7 nights from £1016pp
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

If Animal Kingdom is your favourite park, then this will surely be your favourite Disney hotel! From restaurants, viewing platforms, and possibly even your room, you can watch zebra, giraffes and gazelles roam free and graze in their natural environments. 

7 nights from £1753pp
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Sat on the lakeside, Disney's Coronado Springs will treat you to relaxed vibes, as well as fun for all the family. Little ones (and big kids!) will love the huge waterslide, and be sure to catch a movie under the stars when the night rolls in. 

7 nights from £1353pp

Getting in and around Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is part of the huge Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Fly into Orlando International Airport, and either rent a car at the airport or if you’re staying at one of the Disney Resort Hotels hop onto Disney’s Magical Express, a complimentary ride that takes you from the airport to your hotel. Pack comfy shoes, because you’ll probably do a lot of walking during your visit.

Once you’ve arrived, there are two main ways to get to the Park:

  • By bus: Buses to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park run from all across the Resort, as well as from the other Disney Parks. Depending on where you’re staying, the journey can take from five minutes to half an hour.
  • By car: If you’ve hired a car then you can drive to the Park. There are several parking lots, and it’ll cost you from around $25 (depending on the size of your vehicle) for the day to park. Disabled parking is closer to the main gates

Walt Disney World Resort Tickets

Our advice is to go for the only ticket you’ll need for your trip – Disney’s Magic Ticket*. Choose from 7 or 14 day passes that give you access to not just Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, but other parks and attractions too, including:

Magic Kingdom Park

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Epcot

Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

Disney Springs

Access to ESPN Wide World of Sports, Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course and one round of miniature golf per day.

Disney’s Ultimate Tickets also include Memory Maker**, where you get unlimited digital downloads of your Walt Disney World holiday photos, and the new complimentary digital service Disney Genie, which lets you create your best Disney Park day with a recommended personal itinerary based on your own attraction and dining interests.

Find out more about Walt Disney World Resort Park tickets and prices.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park map

Getting around the Park itself is done mainly on foot. Download a map onto your phone or pick one up as you enter the Park. Our top tip is to go online and download the My Disney Experience app **. That way you get to see all your favourite attractions without walking further than you need to.

See more Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks

1 Disney’s 7-Day Magic Tickets expire 15 days from the first day of use and Disney’s 14-Day Magic Tickets expire 18 days from the first day of use. For child tickets, children must be aged 3-9 at the time of use.

2 Water Parks subject to seasonal and weather closures.

3 Greens fee only; subject to availability and tee time reservations required — call 001 407 938 4653 to book.

4 One round of miniature golf per day available at either Disney’s Winter Summerland or Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Courses; round must start before 4pm.

5 Valid only on event days; some events priced separately.