The Best Attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Main photo by Garrett Martin
Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the most recent addition to Disney World in Orlando, has been open for over 25 years, and it’s never been better. The extravagant Pandora—The World of Avatar expansion opened in 2017, adding a veneer of alien splendor to what was already the most beautifully designed park at Walt Disney World. With the addition of Pandora—which really comes to life at night, with its bioluminescent “plantlife” shining bright—you could easily spend an entire day at Animal Kingdom, marveling at animals in realistic habitats, taking in a number of live shows, and then braving some of the most exciting rides in Orlando. If you’re wondering what to prioritize during your day at the park, check out our list below. Don’t stress too much about packing all this in, though: the park itself is so breath-taking that you’ll have an unforgettable time even if you don’t make it onto every ride and attraction.
9. Dinosaur
Dinosaur takes a great ride system that’ll be familiar to anybody who’s ridden Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea and turns it into a trek back in time to explore the age of dinosaurs. It may not be as satisfying for adults as the Indiana Jones rides, due in part to an uninspired story featuring Phylicia Rashad and Wallace Langham, but the bounty of dinosaur Audio-Animatronics almost makes up for that. The lurching, speeding jeep and oversized robot lizards make this a ride that all ages can thrill along to. If you’re a fan you better get back to the park to ride it one last time; it’ll be making way for a new Indiana Jones ride soon.
8. Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
If you want to get a close-up look at some animals from Africa, this walking trail is the thing for you. It features gorillas, hippos, meerkats, colobus monkeys, zebras and much more, including an aviary just packed full of birds. (You know you want to see that Hottentot teal.) Along with another walking trail we’ll be getting to in a moment, and one of the park’s major rides, this is the most Animal Kingdom feels like a traditional zoo.
7. Feathered Friends in Flight
Animal Kingdom has had an exotic bird show since the park originally opened. It’s gone through various names, and before the pandemic was themed to the movie Up!; currently its known as Feathered Friends in Flight, and is a must-watch for any birder. The stage show features a variety of birds from around the world, letting guests view their activities and behavior, while also detailing the various conservation efforts made to preserve these birds and their habitats. Set in a beautifully themed stage in the park’s Asia district, Feathered Friends in Flight is a fun and informative show that will introduce you to some amazing animals.
6. Kali River Rapids
This is a fairly basic river rapids ride that ends too quickly. It fills a valuable niche at the park, though, and features some fine themed environments redolent of India, especially in the queue. It also has a commendable (and relatively subtle) message raising awareness about illegal logging. It might be lacking that polish expected from a Disney attraction, but it’s a must-ride on a hot Florida day.
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- The 10 Best Attractions at Disneyland By Garrett Martin September 15, 2014 | 12:04pm