How I Spend the Day at Animal Kingdom
All the recent hubbub at Disney’s Animal Kingdom has got me feeling a bit melancholy.
While I’m quick to admit it’s my least favorite Walt Disney World theme park, that’s like saying it’s my least favorite ice cream.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
I’m still gonna love ice cream every time I have it, just like I’m gonna bask in the glory of Animal Kingdom each time I visit.
So, while we all wonder about the park’s bigger, brighter future, please indulge me as I tell you how I spend the day at Animal Kingdom.
An Early Start
Most Disney debates include some variant of “Rope Drop” vs. “Stay until they kick me out.”
I happen to fall into both categories, as my family has adopted a different park strategy.
Tree of Life
We show up early, do a lot, and then leave for a while. Then, we come back later and stay until closing…at most parks.
At Animal Kingdom, I do things a bit differently. That’s because this park’s opening is earlier than most.
As I type this, Early Theme Park Entry begins at 7:30 a.m., which forces me to be on a bus by 6:45 a.m. at the latest.
So, I’m way too tired and cranky to stay at the park all day or even to leave and come back.
The latter option doesn’t work well for me due to the fact that the park closes at 8 p.m.
Unless I eat dinner at the park, I cannot get back there in time to enjoy it afterward.
Floating mountains in Pandora
Ultimately, my Animal Kingdom day starts early, and then I tend to leave around 2 p.m.
Sure, that sounds like I’m leaving early until you remember I’ve already been there for six and a half hours.
Pandora in Animal Kingdom
So, what I usually do is follow the crowd when Early Theme Park Entry begins. We’re all heading to Pandora – The World of Avatar.
I’ve tried outsmarting everybody and taking different approaches, but it just doesn’t work out for the most part.
Photo: D23
Like everyone else, I want to start the day in Pandora, preferably riding Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey.
In between shopping and snacking, I rarely leave Pandora before 10 a.m.
What’s Next?
Photo: Disney
I typically leave Pandora and head due north to Kilimanjaro Safaris.
As a rule, I buy the Park Hopper version of Disney Genie+.
Photo: WDW Magazine
Then, I spend my downtime in Pandora trying to book a Lightning Lane for the safari.
Thankfully, I’m usually successful and can experience this attraction soon after I arrive at Harambe Village.
Photo: Disney
Since that ride takes at least 20 minutes and often longer when the animals aren’t behaving, it’s roughly 11 a.m. by this point.
After a quick stop at Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, we usually do one of two things, depending on the plans we’ve made ahead of time.
Yak & Yeti
We either return to Pandora, which I readily admit is a ridiculous thing to do, or we head east to Asia.
The decision comes down to whether we’re eating lunch at Satu’li Canteen or Yak & Yeti Restaurant.
Photo: Facebook/Yak & Yeti
Since we’re members of Landry’s Select Club, the time difference between the two options is negligible, which may surprise you.
However, I’m only talking about the time to get seated and food to arrive at the table.
Yak & Yeti
Eating at a Table Service restaurant will always take longer than a Quick Service locale.
Still, no matter which restaurant we pick, we’re going back to Asia for the attractions and experiences.
I’m a big fan of Maharajah Jungle Trek, which nearly rivals Gorilla Falls, my favorite Animal Kingdom experience.
Early Afternoon Thrills
Photo: Disney
Even better, when we walk through the Jungle Trek and then ride Kali River Rapids, we give our food time to settle.
That’s important because I’m someone who WILL ride Expedition Everest three or four times in a row when the wait times are shorter.
Photo: Disney
What I like to do is line up a Lightning Lane with my arrival time. Then, we go Single Rider immediately afterward.
After that, we can stand in line for the full experience, which includes all the authentic Himalayan antiquities.
Photo: Disney
Early in the pandemic, when lines were comically short, we had ridden Expedition Everest five times by 9 a.m. I’m that guy.
Alas, I need a break after that much excitement. So, we usually head to Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond!
Photo: Disney
This show relaxes us and works well as we circle back to the front of the park.
Our day is already almost over, but we’ll hit the highlights first. For me, the Nemo show works perfectly.
Photo: Lauren S
I say this because DINOSAUR offers lots of thrills as well, so much that I’m really going to miss it when it’s gone.
Not everyone feels this way, but I’m absolutely fanatical about what I consider a top four ride at Animal Kingdom.
While we’re in this area, we can also check off one of my wife’s favorites, the character greeting at Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama.
Depending on our mood, we may take a spin on TriceraTop Spin as well.
Photo: Disney
Our rule is basically that we’ll ride if the wait is 15 minutes or less. Otherwise, we’ll skip it.
A Couple of Other Must-Do Experiences
Depending on Extenuating Circumstances, we may schedule three or four other activities during our visit to Animal Kingdom.
Animal Kingdom is Disney’s largest American park, and it’s often the hottest one as well.
So, we like to experience the Festival of the Lion King as a break from the heat.
Alas, the popularity of this show, combined with its unique scheduling, sometimes prevents us from doing so.
We’re just like every other tourist when it comes to the Tree of Life, though. We’re gonna take pictures here no matter what.
Similarly, we try to catch It’s Tough to Be a Bug! at least every other park visit.
Finally, when Dug and Russell greet guests, my wife can stand in line for an hour to hug them if necessary. I’ve watched her do it.
Personally, I’m never willingly waiting an hour for a character greeting, but I’ve lost a LOT of 1-1 votes over the years.
Photo: Disney
Once we’ve checked everything off our list, we head back to our resort, recharge before dinner, and then enjoy our evening.
Typically, on Animal Kingdom mornings, we’ll spend the night at EPCOT or Magic Kingdom.
However, we will NOT stay until closing since our Disney day started at 6 a.m.
So, that’s our Animal Kingdom routine. How different is it from yours?
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