Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World

Where else but Walt Disney World can you stroll through a tropical island jungle, experience life among the dinosaurs, ride across the Serengeti on your way to a safari and plunge down white water rapids all in the same day! For adventure and animal lovers alike, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the only place on earth where you can catch over 1700 animals representing nearly 250 species as you wander and explore the park’s 500 lushly landscaped acres.

Like many of Walt Disney World Resort’s theme parks, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is divided into 7 distinct areas, each highlighting a different period in time or landscape across the planet. Visitors to each area will meet native wildlife, see the indigenous plants and geology, and experience life among the animals. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the perfect theme park for families with inquisitive children who like to touch and feel creatures and critters from around the world.

Oasis.

When you enter Disney’s Animal Kingdom you pass immediately through the Oasis. These lush, tropical gardens are filled with graceful deer, exotic birds and cute wallabies. Follow the garden paths to the Safari Village, which is the center of the Animal Kingdom and home base for your exotic adventure in Orlando.

Africa.

Disney’s Africa is where the most exciting animals live – just take a tram ride through the Kilimanjaro Safari for a close up look at monkeys, lions, elephants and more. After you’ve traveled across the plains by tram, head for the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail where you come face to face with gorillas, hippos and plenty of colorful birds.

Camp Minnie and Mickey.

No trip to Walt Disney World would be complete without hanging out with Minnie and Mickey Mouse, and at Camp Minnie and Mickey, you can meet the mice duo in person, along with their friends Goofy, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and others. Pose for pictures or get their autographs – at Camp Minnie and Mickey it’s all about the Mouse!

Dinoland U.S.A.

Does your little one enjoy dinosaurs? How about taking a whirl on the Tricera Top Spin? Fly up and down and tilt side to side as you move through the jungle with your dinosaur friends. For a little more excitement, don’t miss the DINOSAUR, a fast paced time travel ride that takes you 65 million years into prehistoric times. Dodge meteors and deal with T-Rex as your time travel machine bounces along the road to extinction. Finally, stop by the Boneyard for an interactive dig where the kids can play in the dirt while searching for a woolly mammoth.

Discovery Island.

The centerpiece of Disney’s Animal Kingdom is The Tree of Life. Fourteen stories tall and 50 feet wide, the Tree of Life is home to over 325 animals. At the base you can find the Discovery Island Trails that weave throughout the park, and bring the animals up close and personal. After your explorations, make sure you stop by the It’s Tough To Be A Bug! exhibit. This 8 minute 3-D show puts the life of a bug into perspective. A complete sensory experience, watch out for the creepy crawlies!

Rafiki’s Planet Watch.

No Disney theme park would be complete without its own railroad. From Rafiki’s Planet Watch you can board the Wildlife Express Train, a rustic African train ride that takes you behind the scenes of the various wildlife exhibits at the park. For a close up view of the animal’s living arrangements, visit the Habitat Habit, where endangered species are highlighted and kids have fun learning about unusual and exotic animals. Then head over to the Affection Station, Disney’s Animal Kingdom petting zoo for hands on fun feeding and cuddling with the parks domesticated animals.

Asia.

Some of the best thrill rides are found in this section of the park, including the Kali River Rapids, a water ride that takes riders down a raging river, cruising both under and over some impressive waterfalls. Make sure you bring a change of clothes for this one! After your cruise, head on over to Expedition Everest, a rickety old railroad turned big kid roller coaster that meets its match in the abominable snowman at the base of Mt. Everest. Catch a showing of the Flights of Wonder, a 25 minute entertainment show that features large birds flying up close and personal and conclude your trip through Asia with a stroll along the Maharajah Jungle Trek, your chance to see tigers, Komodo dragons, deer and even more exotic birds.

Even More To See.

If you want to learn even more about Disney’s Animal Kingdom, consider taking a Backstage Safari Tour, where Disney caretakers show you exactly how the animals are cared for. For a lesson in how the Florida wetlands became the Animal Kingdom, book passage on the 3 hour Wild by Design tour, enjoying an insider’s look at the ecological wonders of the Animal Kingdom.

No matter where you explore on foot, book a private tour or ride the thrill rides throughout the park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one wild adventure you will never forget.

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