When it comes to visiting Walt Disney World, spending a few days exploring the four different parks is almost a must. With so much to see and do, my ideal Walt Disney World vacation would involve spending at least one full day in each park. Sometimes, though, time just doesn’t let that be an option. I’ve already shared my outline for exploring the best of all four Walt Disney World parks in one day. But if you’d rather spend the day at just one single park this summer so that you can experience it to the fullest, make it Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Wondering why? Here are my four reasons this should be your must-visit Walt Disney World park.
You’ll Learn as You Explore
Like every park at Walt Disney World, Animal Kingdom has plenty of fun rides and entertaining shows. But above and beyond that, the park has learning experiences and one of the best is the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride. Journey on an African safari so authentic that you’ll almost believe you’ve travelled to another continent. The effort that Walt Disney World has made into both providing a natural habitat for its animals and preserving some of our world’s most endangered creatures is admirable. And the animals clearly feel at home in the environment, which means there’s ample opportunity to see them up close. The guides on the tour are full of facts about the animals and it’s impossible not to come away from the ride feeling a deeper connection to the many fellow creatures that share our planet. For those that prefer walking, the Maharajah Jungle Trek lets visitors view tigers, birds and lizards up close on a green and pleasant walking trail.
There’s Thrills and Chills
The Expedition Everest roller coaster is one of the highlights of the park for those that love speed, yet it’s still a great family ride as well. The winding path to the top of the mountain is part of the fun, especially for kids that love to read since the many artifacts and newspaper clippings feature stories and history about the Yeti said to live on the mountain. Finally, a thrilling ride through Everest, complete with a backwards rush down the rails and a narrow escape from the track-destroying Yeti himself ends the ride in style! For those that prefer their action and adventure in more prehistoric form, DINOSAUR is another great ride choice. Families hop in a time machine to attempt to bring back a peaceful Iguanadon, but almost get caught by a few fierce predators along the way! A final escape from a meteor blast brings riders back to safety…with a special guest riding along too. Both rides are fun, original and perfect for those that love excitement.
Little Ones Will Have Fun
Even the youngest visitors will find plenty of entertainment at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The TriceraTop Spin is a fun twist on the classic Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride and smaller children will love soaring high in the air and looking out over the rest of the park. The Boneyard is a great choice for letting active kids burn off their extra energy with plenty of climbing and running. And learning about bugs is fun for all ages with the fantastic 4D show It’s Tough to be a Bug…though the loud noises and dark might be a little frightening for sensitive viewers. Finally, a visit to the Affection Section petting zoo lets young children interact with adorable and cuddly goats, sheep and more! Toddlers and preschoolers are sure to find Animal Kingdom an animal-filled play paradise!
New Nighttime Adventures
We visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom before the debut of the brand new night attractions and now I can’t wait to go back and check them out. Personally, I’m sure that The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic show will be one of the hottest new attractions of the park. The show combines light, colour and live entertainers to create a stunning celebration of scenes and music from the new movie. With the current popularity of The Jungle Book, this is one show that families won’t want to miss. Plus, to make nighttime even more magical, the majestic Tree of Life will now be coming alive in a whole new way as flickering fireflies awaken the animal spirits within. The Tree of Life is one of my favourite features of the park and I can’t wait to see it alight by night!
Of course it goes without saying that every Walt Disney World park has something special, unique and magical to offer. But with the combination of action-packed rides, fun-filled entertainment and brand new special attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, it really is the hottest park of the summer in my mind. Day passes start at around one hundred dollars and the magic of the park is something that will live in your family’s memories for a lifetime!
sabina Edwards says
I wonder how many weeks you’d need to do all the parks properly? I’ve been to both parks but many years ago, so they prob have new rides etc , both times I was totally exhausted after my days there and we even managed to do more then just Disney !!
Kathryn says
Haha I bet that you would need at least a week in every park to see everything that they have to offer! That’s one of the great things about Disney though, I think; there’s always something new and amazing to discover even if you think you’ve seen it all! 😀
Debbie W says
It’s been years since I have visited Disney. I din’t know they had an animal park. No doubt this would be the first to check out if I return.
Darlene W says
My niece, Skylar would be through the roof if she got to see dinosaur’s while taking a thrill ride
Shirley OFlynn says
So much fun and very educational as well.
CL Chin says
Animal kingdom looks like fun and I think my son would learn a lot about animals too!
Debbie White Beattie says
Disney really is the happiest place in the world and they have so many wonderful attractions
caryn s says
The animal kingdom looks amazing! My kids would love it and so would I!
Nancy Burgess says
The animal kingdom sounds awesome. They have so much to see and do.
Lynda Cook says
Sounds so awesome, I would love the night time tour the most sounds like an awesome show!!
Florence C says
The Night time adventure would be awesome!. Love to go back to Disney.
Gord says
I have never been to any Disney park but would love to someday. So much to do and see, perhaps a whole years worth of entertainment.
Julie says
We went to Disney last year bud sadly, didn’t get to Animal Kingdom…ah well, just gives us an excuse to go back!
nicolthepickle (Nicole Graham) says
My kids would love the animals. They’ve never seen anything very exotic close up so it would be exciting.
Cheryl says
Looks like a fun time! My kids would love it
Mishelle says
Disney looks to have changed so much since I was there in the 90’s – looks like another visit would be a good thing! I know the kids would like it.
M
Stephanie LaPlante says
I’d love to experience the nighttime adventures!
DORIS HUMBER says
I have never visited there yet. Would be lovely to go, lots of interesting things to do!
Carole Dube says
I have never been to Walt Disney World or Disneyland! My daughter is talking about going next year. Maybe she will bring me. Disney’s Animal Kingdom looks very interesting!
Debbie Bashford says
Good to know as I have never been to any of them and wouldn’t know which is besst
Deanna Barkley says
I have not visited Disney since my children were young and now I am a grandmother. I love animals, so I would probably chose this part also.
kathy downey says
Animal kingdom looks amazing my grandson would enjoy visiting he so interested in animals
Wanda Tracey says
Wow,,,that was an awesome experience to have! It would have been such a fun adventure and so intriguing!!Those parks are so beautiful to visit and hope I can get there someday too.Thanks for sharing all the lovely pictures.
Shirley says
There are so many amazing things to see at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I would love to experience the nighttime adventures! Thanks for sharing those great pictures.
Holly MacRitchie says
This is the first thing I would love to do if I visited Disney!
Darlene W says
FOR HUBBY AND I IT HAS BEEN YEARS SINCE WE LAST VISITED, MAYBE TAKE THE GRANDKIDS NEXT SUMMER
Donna L. says
I’d love to visit the animal kingdom. It looks awesome !
Karen E. Hill says
Its been over 14 years since I was in a Disney Park. It is something all kids should be able to experience.
Judy Cowan says
Loved Animal Kingdom when we went their on our last trip to Disney, would love to see their nighttime attractions now!
Cheryl says
On my bucket list!! Fingers crossed in the next few years!! 🙂
Donnas says
I haven’t been to the park since 1988. So much has changed, it’s definitely time I rediscovered the park.
Brandee H says
Those hippos look so happy! I have not been to Disney since I was a kid, and I can’t wait to take my son! That magic show looks really cool!
Jody D says
That nighttime pic is spectacular!
Christine Holliday says
How things have changed..hahaha I went to Disneyland once in the ’70’s! Your photos are brilliant!
heidi c. says
That light show must be amazing! My kids would love it.
Debbie S. says
We have never been to Walt Disney World. That is our dream, and we would love to take the grandkids to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Paula Dumont says
I was lucky as a child to visit Disneyland. I would love to tour Disneyworld, but it seems rather complex actually!
joanne darrell says
My granddaughters just got back from Disneyworld and they loved it.
angela m says
We have been wanting to do a family vacation here for a while now.
Erika p says
Family vacation dreams!
K Yee says
It has been a long time since I have been to a Disney park. Hope to get back sometime and I appreciate your comments as I now better understand just what Animal Kingdom is.
tammy ta says
I would love to take my family some day.
Jamie hall says
My daughter would love to go I know
Mary says
Education is a good reason to go to the Animal part. Good idea to avoid the alligators though.
tiesha says
I went to Disney World in 1978. It has been a while. 🙂
Sandi Tymchuk says
I haven’t been to Disney World in many years, but my husband and I also loved Animal Kingdom the best!
AD says
My kiddos used to love Animal Kingdom when they were little. Great blog.
kristen visser says
looks like so much fun and such an incredible experience. I would love to go with my girls one day
Laurie P says
one day we’ll get there…..
Silvia D says
We have never been yet. Think I would love to go more than the kids! awesome pictures!
Bernice says
its my dream to take my kids there