For animal enthusiasts, Disney’s Animal Kingdom might just be the best section of Disney World. In this park, different areas represent birds and wildlife from around the globe, including some that have been extinct for millions of years. Of course, there are also lots of live critters to see, study, and interact with!
Enjoy your Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom experience even more by strategically planning your visit. If you know beforehand which rides and attractions your family will enjoy the most, you won’t waste any valuable time. Use the following guide to help you decide and navigate!
Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions:
Oasis Exhibits
Enjoy these beautiful, tranquil pathways once you enter the Animal Kingdom. Stroll along tropical foliage, gurgling streams, rock arches, and waterfalls as you remain on the lookout for exotic birds and animals in eleven different habitats. You might see a tree kangaroo, a sloth, a wallaby, a giant anteater, rhinoceros iguanas, Patagonian cavys, spoonbills, black swans, macaws, and flamingos, and there will be cast members along the way to answer your questions.
Oasis Exhibits Height requirements:
Any height
Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions:
Wildlife Express Train
Catch this train at the Harambe, Africa area and travel a little over half a mile across the savanna to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. As you rumble along, you’ll get a great view of the housing areas for several animal species. A train departs about every seven minutes and carries 250 guests. This is the only way to reach Rafiki’s Planet Watch. If you’re in a wheelchair, ECV, or scooter – no problem. You can remain in your device while riding the Wildlife Express.
Wildlife Express Train Height requirements:
Any height
Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions:
Affection Section
This part of the Animal Kingdom is aptly named. Located in Rafiki’s Planet Watch section, Affection Section allows visitors to share the love with numerous critters. You can feed, stroke, and pet goats, sheep, chickens, donkeys, llamas, pigs, and even a cow. In fact, you can even brush the goats and sheep, if you wish. These animals are friendly and seem to thrive on the constant attention. Don’t be surprised if a special animal guest makes an appearance! There’s an adjacent area for hand washing, too.
Affection Section Height requirements:
Any height
Flash photography
Not allowed
Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions:
Habitat Habit!
This attraction is also located in Rafiki’s Planet Watch. This adventure trail enables guests to view the fascinating cotton-top tamarin, an endangered primate species that’s native to South America. While you’re being entertained by the tiny tamarins, you’ll learn about innovative ways to help with animal conservation. Hop aboard the Wildlife Express Train in the Africa area to reach Habitat Habit!
Habitat Habit! Height requirements:
Any height
Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions:
Conservation Station
While you’re in Rafiki’s Planet Watch area, be sure to visit the Conservation Station. In this air-conditioned area, visitors will have the chance to meet animal trainers, watch eggs hatch, see how animal babies are cared for, and learn how the animals’ dinners are prepared. Guests will also enjoy a live animal encounter and interactive games. This is a great way for kids to learn about animal conservation and supporting wildlife around the world.
Conservation Station Height requirements:
Any height
Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions:
DINOSAUR
Wander over to Dinoland USA. Climb into a Land Rover that doubles as a time machine and take a trip back in time to the Cretaceous period. You and the rest of the crew will try to catch a harmless Iguanodon dinosaur. As you travel through the shadowy jungle, you’ll soon realize that you’re not alone – you can hear BIG animals prowling through the brush.
Just as you begin to wonder whether the creatures are friendly or deadly, you’re confronted by a ferocious, hungry predator. And when you think things can’t get any worse, you discover that a giant meteor is about to hit the earth, and you have mere seconds to escape. This attraction provides some real thrills, but it’s not recommended for expectant mothers or those with neck problems, back problems, heart problems, or high blood pressure.
DINOSAUR ride Height requirements:
40 inches (102 cm) or taller
Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions:
Dino-Sue
Dino-Sue is located in the Dinoland USA part of the Animal Kingdom. The real “Sue” T-Rex fossil was found in 1990 in South Dakota, and it’s the most complete specimen ever discovered. Disney’s Sue is an imposing figure – 40 feet long and over 12 feet tall, with mouth agape and fangs that look like they’re ready to sink into the neck of a prey animal. Disney replicated the original fossil with detailed accuracy. Kids love having their picture taken with Dino-Sue!
Dino-Sue Height requirements:
Any height
Flash photography
Allowed
Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions:
Cretaceous Trail
Take a short trek through a forest that’s filled with animal and plant species that have survived for eons. The shady walks are paved, and you’ll find benches along the way. You’ll hear dinosaurs in the brush and see a few of them watching you. You’ll also have the chance to see crocodilian species and dig sites. At the end of the trail is a giant dinosaur that the kids can climb on. This attraction is rarely crowded, and it’s a good place to plop down on a bench and take a break. The Cretaceous Trail is located in Dinoland USA.
Cretaceous Trail Height requirements:
Any height
Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions:
Fossil Fun Games
While you’re in Dinoland USA, check out this attraction. The Fossil Fun Games include the types of competitions that would be found on a carnival midway, except that these all have a dinosaur theme. Test your strength with the Dino-Whamma mallet, shoot some hoops in the Bronto-Score game, try to win a race in the Mammoth Marathon, or try other fun games. There’s something here for all ages, and you’ll have the opportunity to win some great prizes like stuffed dinosaurs. There’s a charge for each game.
Fossil Fun Games Height requirements:
Any height
Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions:
TriceraTop Spin
This is a fun ride for kids that’s located in Dinoland USA. Each friendly triceratops holds four guests as it circles around dinosaur pals and comets, and kids on board can make the vehicles “fly” by controlling the up-down motion. Intermittently, a large surprise emerges from the center of the circle. This is a good way to acclimate small children to the idea of dinosaurs, so that when they encounter them in other areas of the park, the creatures won’t appear threatening.
TriceraTop Spin ride Height requirements:
Any height
Flash photography
Not allowed
Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions:
Primeval Whirl
Also located in Dinoland USA is the Primeval Whirl. This is the traditional kiddie coaster, with a whimsical spin – literally! Instead of the cars being joined together, each one is independent and spins as it travels along the dips and sharp turns of the track. If you have an issue with motion sickness, you might want to forego this ride. Also, expectant moms and people with hypertension, neck problems, back problems, and heart problems should avoid the Primeval Whirl.
Primeval Whirl ride Height requirements:
48 inches (122 cm) or taller
Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions:
The Boneyard
This kid attraction is in Dinoland USA and provides a shady spot for adults to take a seat and watch the little ones play. It’s like a giant sandbox, an excavation site, and a playground all rolled into one. Kids can slide, enjoy a maze, climb rocks, go through tunnels, play on a Jeep, and dig for “fossils.” And don’t worry, Mom – the sand used here won’t stick to the kids, and the floor is soft and springy in order to make playing and exploring safe and comfy!
The Boneyard Height requirements:
Any height
Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions:
Tree of Life
On Discovery Island is the Tree of Life – the symbol for the Animal Kingdom park. This “tree” is nothing short of an amazing work of art, with almost 8,000 end branches and over 100,000 foot-long manmade leaves. This magnificent icon is 145 feet tall and 50 feet wide. The most fascinating aspect of the tree is the animal shapes that have been carved into its trunk – 325 in all – that merge seamlessly into one another. Look closely for elephants, snakes, lemurs, giant tortoises, bears, sea horses, tamarins, birds, and other creatures that share our planet. This is a definite must-see!
Tree of Life Height requirements:
Any height
Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions:
Discovery Island Trails
These beautiful trails surround the Tree of Life and provide visitors with some wonderful views of all sorts of animals and birds. Some of these are the kangaroo, the axis deer, the lemur, the capybara, the giant Galapagos tortoise, the flamingo, the blue-and-yellow macaw, and the West African crowned crane. Be sure to stop and watch the otters in their 67,000-gallon habitat – you’ll be able to see their playful antics above and below the water, thanks to an observation window. If you get to this attraction early in the morning, it won’t be crowded, and you might have a chance to see the animals having their breakfast!
Discovery Island Trails Height requirements:
Any height
Flash photography
Allowed
Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions:
It’s Tough to be a Bug!
Inside the roots of the Tree of Life is a theater where you can watch this amusing 8-minute film. Your hosts are Flik and Hopper from the movie, A Bug’s Life. Special effects, audio-animatronics, and 3-D bug glasses provide the audience with a perspective of the world from an insect’s point of view. Some of the effects are pretty intense, and small children might find them frightening.
It’s Tough to be a Bug! Height requirements:
Any height
Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions:
Expedition Everest
This ride is located in the Asia section of the Animal Kingdom. Expedition Everest is a roller coaster that travels through and around a replica of the world’s tallest mountain. Hairpin turns, high speeds, steep inclines, and sharp drops create plenty of thrills, not to mention the chance of encountering the Yeti, the “Abominable Snowman” of the rugged peaks. This ride should be avoided by expectant mothers and guests with hypertension, neck problems, back problems, and heart problems.
Expedition Everest ride Height requirements:
44 inches (112 cm) or taller
Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions:
Kali River Rapids
While you’re in the Asia section of the park, you have to make time for the Kali River Rapids! A 12-passenger round raft will take you on a wild ride through the rainforest on the Chakranadi River. Along the way, you’ll encounter floating logs, rapids, fires, geysers, bridges, and a waterfall, and you’re sure to get wet. Expectant mothers and visitors with neck problems, back problems, heart problems, and hypertension should avoid this ride. If you’re prone to motion sickness, you might want to bypass the Kali River Rapids, too.
Kali River Rapids ride Height requirements:
38 inches (97 cm) or taller
Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions:
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Take a stroll through this attraction in the Asia section to see some spectacular wildlife, including Elds deer, Blackbucks, a Malayan tapir, bats, a Komodo dragon, and more than fifty species of birds. The big stars here are the Asian tigers, and they can often be seen swimming and playing in the water features. Almost as enjoyable as seeing the animals is experiencing the beautiful scenery of the Anandapur Royal Forest, with its lush foliage, flowers, waterfalls, and pools.
Maharajah Jungle Trek Height requirements:
Any height
Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions:
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
Head to the “Dark Continent” of Africa and take a self-guided walking tour on this spectacular trail. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to see hippopotamuses, lowland gorillas, dik-diks, okapis, antelopes, meerkats, gazelles, and mole rats. There’s also an aviary, where the birds fly around freely. Species here include great blue turacos, bearded barbets, and pygmy geese. Tribal drumbeats in the distance add to the authenticity of being in an African village. The habitat covers five acres, and the trails are wheelchair and scooter-accessible.
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail Height requirements:
Any height
Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions:
Kilimanjaro Safaris
In the Africa section, just across the river from Discovery Island, is this 100-acre replica of a savanna habitat. Guests will board a traditional open-air safari truck and slog through rivers, over hills, and across bumps and bridges to view wildlife. Observable species include elephants, cheetahs, lions, okapis, hippopotamuses, warthogs, wildebeests, baboons, antelopes, giraffes, ostriches, gazelles, crocodiles, zebras, and both black and white rhinoceroses. This is the most authentic safari experience you can have without traveling to Africa! Because the ride gets bumpy at times, expectant mothers and those suffering from problems related to the back, the neck, the heart, and blood pressure shouldn’t participate.
Kilimanjaro Safaris Height requirements:
Any height
Flash photography
Not allowed
Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions:
Kids Discovery Clubs
There are six educational activity stations throughout the Animal Kingdom where kids can enjoy hands-on activities and learn a lot about nature. Once an activity is completed, the participant will get a stamp. When all six stamps are collected, a special reward will be received. The Kids Discovery Club is appropriate for all ages and is a great way to actively engage kids in the learning process.
Kids Discovery Clubs Height requirements:
Any height
There you have it, pretty much all the rides and attractions inside Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom theme park, including ride height requirements. It’s an amazing park filled with every type of jungle animal you would want to see.
Animal Kingdom also has some great rides too, so it has a little for everyone. If you love animals then make sure you spend a full day Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park and have fun!
