What Are the Must-Dos at Animal Kingdom?
We’re approaching the end of an era at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Disney just revealed that several attractions and experiences will close for good in January 2025.
Tree of Life
Others aren’t that far behind them, either, which makes this list particularly timely.
Here are nine must-dos at Animal Kingdom…and yes, some of them won’t be here in a few months.
Be a Guest in Someone Else’s Home
Something I love about Kilimanjaro Safaris is that people rarely consider the ride in the correct terms.
As humans, we naturally presume we’re the dominant species and that everyone revolves around us.
Lightning Lane
The genius of Animal Kingdom is that Disney created a fully formed nature preserve in roughly the same place as a theme park.
So, when you visit this theme park, you’re the guest. Conversely, the animals live there.
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Fortunately, the standard rules don’t apply. A zebra won’t expect you to take off your shoes to avoid tracking mud on the carpet.
There’s no carpet, and zebras don’t mind mud anyway. The point is that you’re cordially invited to a lion’s den!
Kilimanjaro Safaris
I’d, you know, stay in the jeep rather than try to get any closer, but it’s a pretty cool party invite nonetheless.
Complete a Flight of Passage
One of the seminal moments in the movie Avatar occurs when Jake Sully attempts to ride a Banshee for the first time. It’s this:
When you ride Avatar Flight of Passage, you attempt the same trial…and with a similarly perilous outcome for failure.
Flight of Passage
You hop on the back of a Banshee and witness all the splendor of Pandora from miles in the air.
The experience is an elevated take on Soarin’, only with an alien setting and fictional creatures and landmarks.
Photo: Disney
Attentive riders will notice just how much action is happening in each scene, with some characters only visible if you know where to look.
Many would argue this is the best ride at Walt Disney World, and its sustained crowds over the past seven years support this argument.
Enter the Bioluminescent Jungle
I’m a Disney contrarian, at least on the topic of Pandora – The World of Avatar.
I view the superior experience here as Na’vi River Journey, a boat ride through an alien forest.
Entrance to Na’vi River Journey
Nobody does boat rides like Disney, and that statement circles all the way back to Jungle Cruise in 1955.
Even by those lofty standards, Na’vi River Journey is a masterpiece, displaying all the fineries of Imagineering.
Photo: Disney
Even its most passionate critics – and there are plenty of them – would acknowledge that it’s visually stunning.
The bioluminescence lights up the night, creating a firefly effect I find utterly mesmerizing.
Na’vi River Journey
Then, there’s the unfolding story of survival as a basic need on Pandora, a place where the line blurs between predator and prey.
Disney tells this story methodically, building to the big finish of an encounter of the spiritual guide of Pandora.
(Kent Phillips, photographer)
The Shaman of Song is Disney’s greatest Audio-Animatronic to date, and I still believe that in the wake of several new ones.
This ride is ethereal and hypnotic and a must-do during your visit.
Get Dripping Wet
Meanwhile, here’s a must-do that comes with an asterisk.
During winter, Kali River Rapids isn’t necessarily a ride I’d recommend.
Kali River Rapids
Disney knows this and usually closes the attraction for seasonal refurbishment.
However, the same sentiment applies to rainy days and, perhaps counterintuitively, super-hot ones.
Kali River Rapids
When it rains, a river rapids ride feels duplicative. On scorching-hot days, the lines for Kali River Rapids swell in size.
Since the wait occurs in an outdoor environment, you’ll get even hotter while you wait.
Kali River Rapids
Thus, this one’s a must-do most but not all the time. Even so, you’ll relish those glorious moments when you’re the big loser.
That’s the time when your raft keeps circling until you’re the one getting drenched at the appropriate moments.
Kali River Rapids
There’s a real chance you exit this ride as drenched as you’ve ever felt in your life…which makes it wonderful.
Go on an Expedition
While everyone debates the best ride at Animal Kingdom, I suspect there’s one area where we can all agree.
Virtually all of us adore Expedition Everest, save for the folks who are a bit on the timid side.
Expedition Everest
Let’s be honest that this is in the conversation for Disney’s most aggressive thrill ride, which is a good thing.
Alas, not everyone is into that sort of thing, which I totally understand.
Expedition Everest
Presuming you are, Expedition Everest provides an inimitable rush as you shoot backward at maximum velocity.
Imagineers seemingly had a chip on their shoulder when they built this one, and it shows. This is Disney set to hard mode.
Join the Crowd at the Festival
You’ll find several non-ride attractions at Animal Kingdom, including multiple shows.
The crowd favorite among them is Festival of the Lion King, which fans pleaded for Disney to bring back during the pandemic.
Festival of the Lion King
At the time, management provided a half-measure of a modified show. It simply wasn’t the same, though.
Crowd participation is what elevates Festival of the Lion King into one of Disney’s best show-based attractions.
Pet a Critter
You’re at Animal Kingdom. It’s a zoo. Take advantage of that fact!
At Affection Section, you’ll find a petting zoo with some of the softest, furriest animals in the world.
Photo: Disney Wiki Fandom
So, pet a pig or a goat or some sheep. They want you to do that, as these creatures make new friends like you every day!
Take One Last Spin
I’ll explain why of it in the next section, but you should take one last opportunity to ride TriceraTop Spin.
Among the things we’re discussing today, this is weirdly THE must-do of them all. It’s on a countdown to extinction.
Triceratop Spin
In fact, it’s not the only thing in this particular Animal Kingdom area.
For years now, families have delighted in taking a spin on the simple but fun dino ride. It’s now or never for one last turn.
Watch the Dinosaurs Go Extinct
Change is coming to Animal Kingdom. Soon, DinoLand USA will begin its conversion into the Tropical Americas.
This repurposing will vastly improve the park by giving it newer, fresher, better theming.
DinoLand USA
Still, I know that many of you are theme park loyalists who grow sad at the thought of anything ending.
Semisonic and I want to remind you that every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.
DINOSAUR
In this case, several attractions will end in three months. So, you’ve got from now until January 12th, 2025 to experience them.
TriceraTop Spin, the Fossil Fun Games, and Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures are all about to join the theme park graveyard.
Chester & Hester’s
Later, the one great ride here, DINOSAUR, will join them, as will The Boneyard, a family vacation classic.
Please take this opportunity to savor the Animal Kingdom you’ve known since the beginning before it becomes a part of the past.
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