Complete Guide to Animal Kingdom Rides
Are you heading to the Animal Kingdom and want to know everything about the rides and attractions in the park? You have come to the right place! You will find a complete guide to all that Animal Kingdom has to offer. You will find the length of each ride, description, height requirements, when you should ride, and most importantly, should you ride.
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Africa Rides
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Height: Any Height | Duration: 18.5 minutes | Lightning Lane: Yes | Ages: All
Kilimanjaro Safaris load guests onto safari vehicles to tour of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. Your knowledgeable tour guide will drive you through the the reserve where you can see over 34 different species of African wildlife. Every trip is different since the animals can roam free so one trip might not be enough for your family!
When to ride: If you want to try and see as many animals as possible, going earlier in the day is best. The animals tend to be out earlier in the morning and you also won’t have to wait in line.
Should you ride: Absolutely! This attraction changes all the time because of the animals, so we tend to go on this more than once.
The Festival of The Lion King
Height: Any Height | Duration: 30 minutes | Lightning Lane: Yes | Ages: All
Easily one of the best shows you can see in Walt Disney World. While it isn’t like the production you would see on Broadway, it is still full of wonder, music, and entertainment. Bring the magic of The Lion King to life and don’t miss this show!
When to ride: The shows are scheduled, so be sure to check My Disney Experience, but you should be able to get into almost any show unless it is an extremely packed park day.
Should you ride: Absolutely. I wish there were more nods to The Lion King in Animal Kingdom, but I am thrilled to at least have this show It is fun, magical, and if you sit close to the front, interactive! Plus sitting down in air conditioning is a welcome bonus.
Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
Height: Any Height | Duration: Self Paced | Lightning Lane: No | Ages: All
The entrance to the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail is located by the exit of Kilimanjaro Safaris. Take a walking tour of the Pangani Forest to see the animals in their own habitat. You can take photos, learn more about the animals, and see them up close!
When to ride: It is a self paced walking trail, so there isn’t a line or a wait. However, this does close earlier than the park does so check your app to get there in time.
Should you ride: This is a great place to go if you or your kids love animals. It isn’t a must-do, but it is an entertaining time filler.
Asia Rides
Expedition Everest
Height: 44″ or taller | Duration: 3 Minutes | Lightning Lane: Yes | Ages: All
Expedition Everest is a roller coaster that takes you on a thrilling expedition through the Himalayas. It is an excellent roller coaster with a twist. This coaster has it all – a green forest, a yeti, and even some broken tracks!
When to ride: It is a good idea to get a Lightning Lane for this ride, but if you don’t have Genie+, head over there within the first hour of the park opening.
Should you ride: This is an incredible ride for any thrill seekers who are tall enough for the expedition. Be warned the ride will go backwards so it can scare some people who prefer a more mild coaster.
Kali River Rapids
Height: 40″ or taller | Duration: 3.5 Minutes | Lightning Lane: Yes | Ages: All
This is Disney’s version of a river raft ride. You’ll go on a scenic tour of the Chakranadi River. If it wasn’t clear from the name, this is a water ride so prepare to get wet. Depending on the time of year, extremely wet.
When to ride: This can get a line on hot days as people are looking for something to cool them down. It doesn’t need to be ridden immediately, but getting here before midday is a good idea on warmer days.
Should you ride: I think this is a great ride, however, if you have no interest in being wet, don’t go on it. You never know if you’ll be slightly wet or completely soaked. There are free lockers across from the entrance to leave you valuables. There isn’t anywhere on the raft to store your things so drop them off first.
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Height: Any | Duration: Self Paced | Lightning Lane: No | Ages: All
The Maharajah Jungle Trek is a walking path through the Anandapur Royal Forest, complete with trees, ruins, and wild animals. You might see an Asian tiger, Komodo dragon, water buffalo, and more!
When to ride: The tigers are more active in the morning so it is better to go earlier. Plus this also closes before the park so check the schedule for the day.
Should you ride: It is a time filler for most, but anyone who loves animals should go! One personal warning – I am terrified of bats so I refuse to do this even though you can completely skip them. If your kid is afraid of a particular animal, check out the map before you head on the trail.
Feathered Friends in Flight
Height: Any | Duration: 25 Minutes | Lightning Lane: Yes | Ages: All
This bird show gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how these birds are cared for and trained by animal behavior specialists.
When to ride: The shows are timed so check your My Disney Experience app for the daily schedule.
Should you ride: While this isn’t a b=must-do show, it is entertaining for children and a good time filler. If you are low on time you can skip it.
Dinoland USA Rides
DINOSAUR
Height: 40″ or taller | Duration: 3 minutes | Lightning Lane: Yes | Ages: Older
DINOSAUR is a thrill ride that will take you back in time to see dinosaurs up close and personal. It can be scary for children because it is a rougher ride and you’ll encounter some pretty scary dinosaurs. Its time travel and dinosaurs, what could go wrong?
When to ride: This will fill up later in the day so try to go before the park fills up in the afternoon.
Should you ride: It is a great thrill ride, but if you or your children scare easily, this ride is not for you. It does have rider switch and there are some other attractions nearby to entertain little ones if you want to ride.
Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond!
Height: Any | Duration: 30 minutes | Lightning Lane: Yes | Ages: All
Finding Nemo – the Musical brings to life one of Pixar’s most beloved movies. It is colorful, energetic, and unique. Original songs and elaborate puppet-style characters, what’s not to love?
When to ride: These are scheduled shows, so check your My Disney Experience for the daily schedule. If you want to be able to pick your seat, arrive 15-20 minutes before the show starts.
Should you ride: As long as your group is okay spending time watching shows, this is good use of your time. It is definitely entertaining for children. However, if shows aren’t particularly your thing, you can skip this.
Fossil Fun Games
Height: Any | Duration: Self Paced | Lightning Lane: No | Ages: All
Fossil Fun Games has six carnival style games for your entire family. They are all prehistoric and dinosaur themed.
When to ride: This isn’t somewhere you wait in line, it is just a bunch of games. You can go whenever!
Should you ride: This is definitely a time filler. You have the chance to win prizes so some kids may really enjoy this area. However, there isn’t anything super special about this that you wouldn’t find at other theme parks.
The Boneyard
Height: Any | Duration: Self Paced | Lightning Lane: No | Ages: Kids
The Boneyard is a dinosaur themed play area for kids to blow off energy. There are slides, a dig site, interactive exhibits, and more!
When to ride: Anytime your kids need to run around for awhile.
Should you ride: This is just an area for kids 10 and under to run around. If the adults want to go on some of the thrill rides in the area, this is a good place to entertain the younger kids in your group for awhile.
Triceratop Spin
Height: Any | Duration: 1.5 minutes | Lightning Lane: No | Ages: Kids
This is similar to Dumbo or the Magic Carpets in Magic Kingdom. It is a spinning ride that allows you to control how high or low you want to fly.
When to ride: Anytime, you will rarely wait to get on.
Should you ride: This is a good time filler for younger kids, but there isn’t anything unique about this that makes it a must-do attraction.
Discovery Island Rides
Discovery Island Trails
Height: Any | Duration: Self Paced | Lightning Lane: No | Ages: All
Discovery Island Trails go around Discovery Island aka where the Tree of Life is. You can see tortoises, lemurs, monkeys and more!
When to ride: This is a self paced trail you can go on anytime. However, it doesn’t have as much coverage from the sun as the other trails so it can get hotter during the warmer months if you do it midday.
Should you ride: This is similar to the other trails. It is a good time filler, but not a must-do. Definitely fun for anyone who likes to see the animals though!
It’s Tough To Be A Bug!
Height: Any | Duration: 8 minutes | Lightning Lane: Yes | Ages: All
It’s Tough To Be A Bug! is a 3D film and live show with your favorite characters from A Bug’s Life. It is located inside the Tree of Life!
When to ride: Anytime, there isn’t usually a long wait for this.
Should you ride: The concept of seeing a show inside the Tree of Life is pretty unique so a lot of families like to do this. However, there are parts that can be very scary for young ones. It is dark and loud so kids can easily get scared. I personally still dislike this show because all of the elements combined freak me out (I love thrill rides, but for some reason these type of shows are my limit).
Pandora – The World of Avatar Rides
Avatar Flight of Passage
Height: 44″ or taller | Duration: 5 minutes | Lightning Lane: Yes | Ages: All
This is a ride unlike any other. You get to ride on a banshee! This is a simulation ride that takes you soaring above the Valley of Mo’ara. You not only feel like you are flying on a banshee, but can smell the valley and feel the banshee breathing between your legs.
When to ride: Before the park opens. This has been open for awhile, but is still the most popular ride in Walt Disney World. If you don’t want to pay extra for the Lightning Lane option, the only way to “skip” the line is to get to Animal Kingdom before rope drop and immediately head there when they open the park. Or be prepared to wait for a few hours.
Should you ride: I love this ride and highly recommend it. However, this ride sometimes has lines anywhere from 3 hours to 5 hours. No matter how good a ride is, it is not worth spending an entire day waiting to ride a single ride.
Na’vi River Journey
Height: Any | Duration: 5 minutes | Lightning Lane: Yes | Ages: All
Take a boat ride through a bio-luminescent rain forest in Pandora. You’ll get to experience the wildlife and even see a Na’vi shaman.
When to ride: This ride might not have as long of a wait as Flight of Passage, however, you will still have to wait if you do not have Lightning Lane. Try to get here as early as possible.
Should you ride: The detail that was put into the river journey is pretty amazing. If you can get a Lightning Lane for this, definitely check it out. However, if you have a choice between this or Flight of Passage, go with Flight of Passage.
Did you find this helpful? Be sure to check out the other ride guides!
- Complete Guide to Magic Kingdom Rides
- Complete Guide to Epcot Rides
- Complete Guide to Hollywood Studios Rides
Want to know more about the rides at Disney World? Check out some of these posts:
- The Best Tips for Fastpass+ Reservations
- Best Attractions to Escape the Weather – Rain or Heat
- 11 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid at Disney World
- Everything You Need To Know About Extra Magic Hours in Disney World
Are you ready to keep planning? Check out everything you need to know before you go when planning for Disney.
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