Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Wild adventures, thrilling attractions, dinosaurs, Disney characters, and spectacular shows are a winning combination. Walt Disney World Resort's fourth and largest theme park is 500 Central Florida acres of vast jungles, lush grasslands and rainforests, plus a savannah and dinosaur dig site. The park is home to more than 1,000 animals representing some 250 species.

Disney's Animal Kingdom opened in 1998 and is the first Disney theme park to be themed entirely around animal conservation, a philosophy often championed by Walt Disney himself. Here is part zoo, part animal sanctuary, but all done as only Disney can do, with fascinating looks at animals both real and imagined, in ways that will mesmorize young and old.

The park is made up of seven themed lands, each dedicated to different aspects of the Animal Kingdom, both the real and imagined, as seen through the unique eyes of Disney’s Imagineers.

Oasis

Upon entering the park, guests must walk through this area to get into any of the other lands in the park. The Oasis consists of different paths leading to Discovery Island which walk guests past animal habitats such as giant anteaters, boars, massive Hyacinth Macaws, and others.

Discovery Island

The main land in the park, it is the home of the The Tree of Life, a massive thing chock full of adventure. It is the center island in the park and has paths to all six of the other lands. Here things are massive, to give you a bug’s eye view of the world.
One of the best places to start is at the bottom roots of the Tree of Life. Here you can see It's Tough to be a Bug - see what life is like as a bug as Flik from A Bug's Life shows a 3-D Film about bugs and their daily lives. There are also more shops, exhibits and rides popular with the younger set.

Camp Minnie-Mickey

This has a feel of a scout jamboree, with attractions designed around a log-house feel. This land is the home of two shows and four character greeting spots where Guests can see such characters as Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and others. It includes Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends - A children's show with live animals based on the film Pocahontas. This is an absolute hit for young children For something even better for kids and adults alike, see the Festival of the Lion King. This is a high-energy musical performance featuring songs and characters from the film The Lion King.

Africa

Africa is part jungle and part African Bush. Quite an impressive feat in the middle of Florida swampland! This is an animal-display heavy area. But while in someways this is the most “zoo-like” of the lands it still comes away with a uniqueness only Disney can accomplish.The Africa area features an exhibit of Silverback Gorillas.

Kilimanjaro Safaris lets you climb aboard an open-sided safari vehicle for an exciting expedition for the entire family. Animals from Africa freely roam through acres of savanna, rivers and rocky hills. Look out for giraffes, hippos, elephants, rhinos, lions and poachers too!

You can ge some exercise on the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail - Trek into the forest in search of gorillas! Along the way, enjoy a nature walk through a verdant African valley filled with Nile hippos, birds and fish. Enter an exotic bird aviary, an underwater hippo viewing area, a savanna overlook, and have an intimate up-close encounter with a magnificent troop of gorillas.

Rafiki's Planet Watch

Formerly Conservation Station and still accessible by train only, this area contains small animals, a petting zoo with domesticated goats, and exhibits teaching about conservation efforts. The veterinary hospital's viewing window allows guests to watch medical procedures conducted by the veterinary staff.

Wildlife Express Train - Ride the rails on this rustic African train that travels the savanna for a behind-the-scenes journey through several animal housing and care areas of the park. In just over five minutes, your guided train ride transports you to the core of the park's conservation center. All aboard!

Habitat Habit! - See endangered Cottontop Tamarin primates up close. Trek down this adventure trail and help your animal friends in ways that you never thought possible. It's fun to share your world and your own backyard with animals!

Affection Section - Don't be shy! Enjoy this delightful animal encounter with goats, sheep, pigs, chicken, llamas and more. Watch for special guest appearances by some of the park's friendlier animals. This is a great way to help little ones begin to "open their eyes to the world around them.

Conservation Station - At trail's end, the discovery has just begun as you visit the center of Disney efforts to promote wildlife conservation awareness. Inside, there is a whole herd of wild animal experiences, interactive games and fun-filled shows. See animals up close in this rare behind-the-scenes adventure!

Asia

Asia is much more ride-orientated, with lots of thrills for those tired of the more educational aspects of the park.

Flights of Wonder is a great live show. You can get a seat at the Caravan Stage and join a trainee bird handler and a wayward tour guide who teach each other about the delicate state of nature. See birds such as vultures, hawks, colorful macaws, crowned crane and the American Bald Eagle up close. May your spirits fly sky-high!

It is time to cool off on the Kali River Rapids - Raft down the turbulent waters of the Chakranadi River aboard a 12-passenger raft through an enchanting Asian rain forest. A blazing inferno rushes toward you! Escape down a rushing waterfall! Beware of gushing geysers! Get set to get wet!

The Maharajah Jungle Trek takes you into the lush forests for an unparalleled adventure into the mystical Anandapur Royal Forest of Southeast Asia. Have up-close encounters with Komodo dragons, tapirs and tigers. Make eye contact with stalking tigers. Wander among the ruins of an ancient palace inhabited by beautiful and exotic animals!
Don’t leave before you attempt Expedition Everest - In this runaway-train roller coaster, Himalayan trekkers board refurbished steam trains on their way to the base camp of Mount Everest, using a shortcut that passes through the "forbidden mountain" guarded by the legendary yeti.

DinoLand U.S.A.

The theme here is dinosaurs and extinction, brought forth in a dazzlingly fun way.
Start at The Boneyard where you slip, slide, slither and slosh through a play maze filled with fun fossils. Would-be paleontologists young and old play amidst a world of dinosaur discoveries like a Triceratops, T-Rex and Wooly Mammoth. Frolic among the fossils!

One of the best rides you’ll ever find is DINOSAUR - Whoosh back to primeval times for a wild ride of an expedition to complete your dangerous mission. The clock is ticking on your Time Rover and you have mere minutes to rescue a stray dinosaur. Beware the hungry clutches of one large meat-eating predator and the devastating power of an impending asteroid! It's a blast!

On the Cretaceous Trail you will enjoy a lush, shady, relaxing and surprising walking tour amidst plant and animal survivors that have outlived the dinosaurs. Play with a Pachycephalosaurus, encounter living animal species that have survived since prehistoric times and discover fossil dig sites!

DinoLand also contains "Dino-Rama!", an area made to look like a tacky 1950s roadside attraction built on an old parking lot. Animals facing possible extinction are also located in Dinoland, including an American Crocodile, Abdim's Storks, and Asian brown tortoises.

ANIMAL WORLD TIPS

Finding Nemo - The Musical – The original musical stage show developed by Walt Disney Creative Entertainment tells the story of the Disney/Pixar film Finding Nemo with new songs by Avenue Q composer Bobby Lopez and puppets designed by Michael Curry. Seats are scarce, so come early!

Walt Disney World Resort
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
407-934-7639