Here’s Your Summer Itinerary at Animal Kingdom
Every Disney theme park is currently undergoing a transformation as Disney splashes around $60 billion in cash.
While we’ll be eternally grateful for these changes in a few years, they’re adding a layer of complexity right now.
Photo: Disney
Several classic experiences like Tom Sawyer Island and Muppet*Vision 3D either have already closed or will close soon.
So, your typical Disney vacation plans require an adjustment, and MickeyBlog is here to help.
Photo: Disney
All week long, we’ll provide you with updated park tips to guide you through this transitional period.
Here’s your summer itinerary at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The Must-Do Attractions
When you plan your park visit, the first thing you must understand is how long you’ll wait for various attractions and experiences.
Animal Kingdom provides the perfect entry point for this discussion due to its smaller total of conventional rides.
When you visit this summer, you’ll only ride a maximum of six attractions at Animal Kingdom.
Only two of those will require what I’d describe as extensive line time, the amount of time you spend standing in line at the attraction.
An Ilm can be spotted on Avatar: Flight of Passage
Those rides are Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey, both of which I recommend.
The only other attractions that could involve significant line times are Kilimanjaro Safaris and, on hot days, Kali River Rapids.
Kali River Rapids
Animal Kingdom’s other two rides of note are DINOSAUR, which is in its final year, and Expedition Everest.
You probably won’t need to wait long for either of them, and even if you do, Expedition Everest offers Single Rider.
Photo: Facebook/Imagineer Podcast
Of course, the other thing to remember is that the rides represent only a small part of the Animal Kingdom experience.
You should never forget that you’re really there for the animals. So, you should prioritize attractions involving the animals.
Image Credit: Disney
Specifically, a visit to Conservation Station is an absolute must, and I’d strongly suggest Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail and Wild Africa Trek as well.
The Animal Kingdom Itinerary
I usually tell friends that they shouldn’t start at Pandora – The World of Avatar. Then, they text me that morning…from Pandora.
There’s an inevitability to this behavior. No matter when you arrive at the park, you turn left and head to Pandora, possibly stopping at the Tree of Life along the way.
Pandora at Night with the Bioluminescence
So, I just accept that you’re going to do this, and you’ll probably spend about three hours here.
The must-dos at Pandora include the two rides, a meal or snack at Satu’li Canteen, and MANY photos of the luscious scenery.
Pandora is legitimately one of the most beautiful places at Animal Kingdom. Relish every second while you’re there.
However, other than shopping at Windtraders and possibly watching the drum ceremony, there isn’t much else to do here.
Photo: Disney
Once you’re done exploring and have ridden Na’vi River Journey and Avatar Flight of Passage, you can go.
If possible, you should try to sneak in a meal at Satu’li Canteen, though.
Landscape around Pandora
I strongly encourage you to head north, as that’s the smartest play. This path leads to Harambe, the village themed land for Africa.
You’ll want to spend two or three hours here. First, you should learn when the next showtime is for Festival of the Lion King.
Try to work the rest of your schedule around catching this show, presuming you never have.
If it’s something you’ve done, decide whether it’s worth your time today.
Bird Dancer – Festival of the Lion King
Your top priority is Kilimanjaro Safaris, the ride that doubles as the heart and soul of Animal Kingdom.
On your way out of this area, stop at Gorilla Falls and take the Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. It’s home to Conversation Station.
These experiences embody what differentiates Animal Kingdom from other theme parks. So, you don’t want to miss them.
Asia and the Last Goodbye
Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
Once you’ve finished at Africa – I hope you watched a band, ate some street corn, and grabbed a drink at Dawa Bar! – head east to Asia.
Depending on the weather, and whether you mind soggy socks/shoes, now is probably the time to ride Kali River Rapids.
Photo:Disney
You should head straight there if you’re hot, but please be prepared to stand in line for an hour or so in an outdoor line.
That’s the oddity of this particular attraction. You ostensibly ride it to cool off, but waiting in line this long isn’t ideal.
Photo: Disney
While you’re in this area, I highly recommend the Maharajah Jungle Trek and possibly Feathered Friends in Flight! If a show fits your schedule.
You’ll also want to do Experience Everest, and if you’re anything like me, then you’ll circle back around, get back in line, and ride it again.
Image Credit: Disney
Depending on the time of day, you should consider a meal at Yak & Yeti Restaurant, a Table Service meal that has a Quick Service option off to the side.
So, this place fits any budget, and the food is otherworldly. It’s also a nice way to relax a bit after a kinetic park visit. Animal Kingdom can get a bit intense.
Photo: Disney
Once you’ve finished with Asia, follow the circular path to the east.
If you have time, you should consider watching Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!
Disney rebooted this show a couple of years ago, and it’s really, really good.
More importantly, you’re walking the path to your last goodbye. It’s time to visit DinoLand USA.
The End
DINOSAUR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
In case you haven’t heard, DinoLand USA is on its deathbed. Disney has already closed some parts of this themed land.
The rest will shut down at the start of 2026 as Disney preps for its replacement, the Tropical Americas, which will have Encanto.
Photo: Disney
So, this is it for DinoLand fans. We’ve entered now-or-never territory for your favorite experiences here.
You’ll want to ride DINOSAUR one last time, and if you have fond memories of The Boneyard, you should stroll through here as well.
If you still have children of age, let them happily play at the dig site while you take photos and videos to commemorate the occasion.
One day, you’ll have these photos to prove that your kids visited the park before it tilted toward the IPs of Encanto and Indiana Jones.
Photo: Disney
This is a watershed moment for Animal Kingdom, one with a clear before and after. Take the time to look around so that you’ll remember it well.
Other Things to Know
Animal Kingdom
The itinerary at Animal Kingdom is as straightforward as you’ll ever find at a Disney theme park.
You start at Pandora and then go clockwise. And few of the rides beyond Pandora require extensive waits.
So, you can get more done at Animal Kingdom and in quicker fashion than the other parks at Walt Disney World.
The food here is also quite good. I didn’t mention a few other options, but most fans hold Flame Tree BBQ and Tusker House in high esteem.
In terms of Lightning Lane, I strongly suggest that you pass on Multi Pass, and Premier Pass would be a total waste.
However, you should consider the Single Pass for Avatar Flight of Passage. It’ll save you at least an hour in line.
Photo: Disney
There is one scenario where Multi Pass makes sense, but it’s only when you plan to Park Hop to Magic Kingdom or Disney’s Hollywood Studios afterward.
Also, I should alert you to the fact that you’ll walk more at Animal Kingdom than at any other Disney park.
As such, comfortable shoes are a must, as are cooler clothing and some sort of rain slicker/umbrella.
You’re in Central Florida and unless you’re a witch, you can’t control the weather.
What’s most important is that you have a great time. The animals at this park create magical experiences each day that are inimitable.
Please never lose sight of that while you’re at Animal Kingdom.
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