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The Top 10 Best Attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Here are some of the best attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park! If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is an African animal-inspired theme park with a touch of the magic of Disney – I highly recommend that you do not skip it during your trip!

Top 10 Best attractions at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park - we love the Expedition Everest roller coaster and the Kilimanjaro Safari!

The best attractions at Animal Kingdom

There are a million and one things to do at Walt Disney World, so I am sure you’ve got questions about what to do, which parks to visit, and how to plan it all out. If you are looking to visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you are probably trying to make a game plan ahead of time and figure out the attractions and best rides at Animal Kingdom!

While I do recommend that you stay at a hotel on property (Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is spectacular!) and visit all 4 theme parks, it can be really tough to do and see everything. Planning is essential! When I was there for the Zootopia movie press event, we carved out some time to check out the Animal Kingdom theme park.

Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, zebras grazing on the Kilimanjaro safari tour

The Top 10 Best Attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park is such a wonderful place to visit when you’re at Walt Disney World. Full of thousands of live, exotic animals across over 300 different species and Disney magic everywhere you turn, there are so many amazing animal themed rides, shows, and things to experience!  Here are the top 10 attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, all which cannot be missed!

Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park rides, View of Expedition Everest Mountain

Buckle up for the best rides at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

1. Expedition Everest Roller coaster – Asia

This was my absolute favorite ride in the entire park! If you love a good, fast, and thrilling ride, this is IT. Coaster tracks cut right through a giant mountain, and in order to escape the resident abominable snow man, you twist, dip and drop your way through! We had a few fast passes available so we rode this twice in a row, so fun!

Tip: Bring an extra rubber band with you, you’ll see why when you get on and ride. I’d say that this is one of the best attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park for people who love thrilling rides. Fast pass available.

Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, riding the Expedition Everest roller coaster

2. DINOSAUR – Dino Land U.S.A.

Get your thrills and chills with this super fast ride! Follow the story as you take off on a scary, prehistoric tour aboard a rip-roaring Time Rover to save a dinosaur from extinction. Small drops in the dark make this a thrilling ride, hope you’re ready to find your way through before it blows up! Fast pass available.

3. Primeval Whirl – Dino Land U.S.A.

Spin your way through Dino Land in this fun roller coaster! This carnival style ride makes you spin and slide on a time-machine coaster back to the dinosaur age through a madcap maze of curves and drops. Fast speeds and small drops make this attraction a thrilling ride! Can you handle it? Fast pass available.

4. Kali River Rapids – Asia

Get ready to get wet on the ripping rapids of the Chakranadi River! This is a rip-roaring, river raft ride that takes you on a tour through a lush jungle landscape ravaged by illegal logging. Thrilling drops and wild, spinning raft make this a fast, exciting ride. Splash – you’re wet! Fast pass available.

The Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Spectacular sights and shows – Must see attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park

5. The Tree of Life – Discovery Island

This is definitely the icon of Disney’s Animal Kingdom park, representing the many animals and living creatures found in the jungle. Discovery Island is home to this massive sight, it’s sitting in the center of the park so it simply can’t be missed. This giant tree is actually a sculpture, if you look closely, you’ll see various animals etched into the trunk and on the branches of the tree. It even lights up at night! Inside the tree is the show “It’s Tough to be a Bug“, which is fun, yet dark and scary -so it’s great for older kids.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Kilimanjaro Safari Savannah Tour

6. Kilimanjaro Safari Tour – Africa

This is definitely one of the best attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park for the whole family. Immerse yourself in the wild with this awesome safari tour! This attraction is great for all ages, ride off in an open-air vehicle for a day or evening tour of a lush African savanna, home to real-live exotic animals. We’ve loved this safari for years, this time we saw lions, hippos, zebras, giraffes, and so many other animals! Fast passes available.

7. Rafiki’s Planet Watch 

This is a fun place to visit at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, it’s accessible only by the Wildlife Express train and home to so many cool activities. Rafiki’s Planet Watch has an “Affection Section” where you can pet and interact with live animals, and a wildlife “Conservation Station“, which gives guests an in-depth look at animal habitats from around the globe and discover the expert care the animals receive. It also had a fun Zootopia movie display up for guests to see. There are various meet and greets, shows and other fun activities!

Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, Zootopia in the Conservation Station, Rafiki's Planet Watch

8. Festival of the Lion King – Africa

Simba, Timon, Pumbaa and all of your favorites are back for this amazing soulful and acrobatic live show! Staged in the pride lands from the movie The Lion King, the whole crowd is involved in the Broadway style show, which is full of stunning puppetry, lights, dancers, colors, and fanfare. Hear all of your favorite songs from the movie, including Hakuna Matata, and Just Can’t Wait to Be King, and join the fun by becoming your own jungle animal. Make your way to the Harambe Theater for it! Fast passes available.

Mickey Mouse cinnamon roll at Animal Kingdom

Good food – The best restaurants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park

9. Tusker House Restaurant – Africa

This is my absolute favorite restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! We were hungry for lunch and stumbled upon the Tusker House while walking through Africa, and decided we’d give it a try.

Oh wow, there are so many delicious African flavors – at lunch, you can choose from salads, pastas, fish, fresh carved meats, sides, breads, jams, desserts, and a special kids buffet bar. Mickey, Donald and Goofy even came by to say hello! Buffet style breakfast, lunch and dinner, with sit down table service – eat all of the African food you’d like!

10. Harambe Market – Africa

African inspired street foods await here at the Harambe market. Venture to this seaside town where 4 walk-up windows await your arrival—each featuring a variety of African tastes, tannins and more. This a quick service, moderately priced option for when you’re short on time.

Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, Festival fo the Lion King show

Enjoy these top attractions at Animal Kingdom!

There are so many great things to do at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Make sure to spend at least a day exploring all 6 of the Animal Kingdom’s lands: Oasis, Discovery Island, Africa, Rafiki’s Planet Watch, Asia and DinoLand, U.S.A. There are so many great ways to get involved with the animals here at Animal Kingdom, I love that Disney is so dedicated to the care, preservation and research of these wild animals.

Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, view of the detailed boat in the water in Africa

Enjoy your time and don’t miss the best attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom when you visit! Make sure you look out for the Zootopia set up in Conservation Station in the Rafiki’s Planet Watch area. Oh, and Zootopia is in theaters NOW, go see it!

Visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL

Book now: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/animal-kingdom/

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