Animal Kingdom gets skipped by a lot of people planning their first Disney World trip, and that is a mistake. It is actually my favorite park to go to for many reasons. While you can easily start early here and get everything done in half a day, it’s also easy to spend an entire relaxing day here. Figuring out what to do in Animal Kingdom is pretty easy when you realize it is not just a zoo with rides attached to it. Between the safari, the walking trails, Expedition Everest, and Festival of the Lion King it might be the most surprising park at Disney World, especially when you compare what each park is best for. A lot of guests treat it as a half day stop on their way to another park, and they end up missing most of what makes it special. Here is what to actually do there, based on a real day in the park.

Quick Answer: If you’re wondering what to do in Animal Kingdom, prioritize Kilimanjaro Safaris, Pandora, Expedition Everest, Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, Festival of the Lion King, and at least one great food or drink stop. Animal Kingdom can be a half-day park if you rush, but I think it’s much better when you slow down and give it a full day.

If you’re still deciding how much time to give each park, my guide to how many days you need at Disney World can help you build the rest of your trip.

What I love most about Animal Kingdom is that it doesn’t feel like a park you have to “conquer.” It’s one of the few Disney parks where wandering without a strict plan can actually be the best part of the day. Grab a drink, explore the trails, slow down in Pandora, and let yourself notice the details you’d normally rush past.

Start with Kilimanjaro Safaris

This is the one thing you should not skip. You ride in an open sided truck through a real animal habitat, and you will see giraffes, elephants, rhinos, and if you are lucky, lions, all without a fence in your photo. The animals are not staged and they are not on a set path, so every single ride looks different. Two people who rode an hour apart on the same day can come back with completely different photos, because the animals move around on their own.

The ride itself takes around 20 to 25 minutes and covers a stretch of savanna that is bigger than it looks from the queue. Your guide will point things out along the way, but keep your own eyes moving, since some of the best sightings are the ones nobody else in the truck notices right away.

The safari is one of those Animal Kingdom experiences I never get tired of because every ride feels a little different. You never know which animals will be active, and I love that it gives you a chance to slow down and enjoy the park without feeling like you’re rushing to the next attraction.

Best time to go: Make sure you do at least one ride first thing in the morning! Morning rides tend to have more animal activity since it is cooler out. Animals move around less and tend to rest in the shade once the Florida heat picks up in the afternoon, so if seeing animals up and moving matters to you, ride early.

I always do a morning ride and an afternoon ride (when I need a break) and the morning always has way more animal activity.

Walk the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail

After the safari, this walking trail is an easy way to see more animals up close and slow down for a bit. When thinking about what to do in Animal Kingdom that will help you relax and unwind this is a great option. There is no ride vehicle, just a path, so you move at your own pace instead of being rushed past anything. The trail winds past a gorilla habitat, an aviary full of birds you will not see anywhere else in the park, and a flamingo pool near a huge baobab tree.

It is right next to where Kilimanjaro Safaris lets out, so it makes sense to do both back to back. There is no wait to get in and no line to manage, which makes it a good spot to catch your breath between bigger attractions.

Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail is for nature lovers like me. It’s one of my favorite ways to slow down in Animal Kingdom. It feels tucked away from the busier parts of the park, and getting to see gorillas, birds, and other animals up close makes it feel more like an actual wildlife experience than just another attraction.

Go to Pandora, even if you don’t know Avatar

If you’re wondering what to do in Animal Kingdom, make time for Pandora even if you don’t know anything about Avatar. You do not need to have seen the movie to appreciate this land. The attention to detail here is out of this world, and you can see how much care went into this part of the park. The floating mountains and glowing plants are worth seeing on their own, especially once the sun goes down and everything starts to light up. It looks like nothing else at Disney World.

Pandora has two rides. Avatar Flight of Passage is a flying simulator that a lot of people call one of the best rides at any Disney park, and it is popular enough that it is worth planning around, whether that means riding early, late, or using Lightning Lane at Disney World. Na’vi River Journey is a slower boat ride through a glowing forest, and it is a good option if you want something calmer or if you are traveling with someone who cannot ride Flight of Passage. I also HAVE to mention that the line queue for these rides might be the best part.

Definitely make sure you hit Flight of Passage as one of your top rides. If you’ve seen the movies, you know you’ve always wanted to ride through Pandora on the back of a Banshee… and that is exactly what this ride is. It’s a thrilling and fun experience, not to mention unlike any other ride in Disney World.

Ride Expedition Everest

This is Animal Kingdom’s big coaster, and the mountain itself is a landmark you can see from a lot of the park, so it is a useful way to get your bearings even if you are not riding. Expedition Everest is themed around the legend of the Yeti, includes a section that runs backward, and moves at a good clip without being one of the most intense coasters at Disney World. There is a height requirement, so check that ahead of time if you are traveling with younger kids.

If the regular line looks long, it is worth checking whether a single rider line is open. It usually moves much faster and gets you on the same ride, just not necessarily sitting with the people you came with.

Try to get a fastpass for Expedition Everest but even if you don’t, make sure you ride this one if you like coasters and thrill rides. It is just pure fun and adrenaline at one part of the ride which I won’t spoil for you. Just ride it and find out what makes this ride so unique! You’ll love it.

What to do in Animal Kingdom for Food and Drinks

Animal Kingdom has fewer dining options than the other Disney World parks, but the ones it does have tend to stand out. Between table service spots and quick service counters scattered through Africa, Asia, and Pandora, there is more variety here than people expect on a first visit. A drink with a view over the water near one of the restaurant decks is also a nice way to take a break mid-afternoon.

Make sure you stop at Nomad Lounge for hand-crafted cocktails! Fun fact: you can also get a drink to-go! Nomad Lounge is one of the best places in Animal Kingdom to slow down with a cocktail and a few small plates. The relaxed atmosphere, creative drinks, and location near Pandora make it a perfect mid-day break.

It’s also one of the reasons I think Disney World is absolutely worth it for adults, even without kids.

Satu’li Canteen is one of the best quick-service spots in Animal Kingdom when you want something that feels a little fresher than typical theme park food. Located in Pandora, it’s best known for its customizable bowls with your choice of protein, grains or greens, and sauce, which makes it easy to build a meal that’s filling without feeling too heavy. The indoor seating and immersive Pandora theming also make it a great place to cool off and recharge in the middle of the day. Yes, this photo is a kids quesadilla because I love eating smaller meals while in the parks. But the food here in general is great! Not to mention a great view while you eat outside.

And if food is a big part of your Disney trips like it is for me, I also have a full guide to the best snacks in Magic Kingdom.

Festival of the Lion King

Festival of the Lion King is one of my favorite shows at Animal Kingdom because it feels way more energetic than a typical theme park performance. I’m from Las Vegas and it feels like I’m watching a fun Cirque Du Soleil show! Between the live singing, acrobatics, colorful costumes, and familiar Lion King music, it’s a great break from the heat without feeling like you’re wasting park time. I’d plan about 45 minutes to line up, find a seat and the show is about 30 minutes long. This is always a must-do show when I bring family or friends to Animal Kingdom.

Timing: the show usually runs every hour on the hour starting at 10am and last show at 4pm. Always check the Disney World app or website for all showtimes and details.

Quick answers/ FAQs

Is Animal Kingdom worth a full day at Disney World?

Yes. Between the safari, Pandora, Expedition Everest, and the walking trails, it easily fills a full day, especially if you are not rushing between attractions.

Crowd levels can make a big difference in how much you fit into that day, so it’s worth checking the best time to visit Disney World before choosing your dates.

What is the best ride at Animal Kingdom?

Kilimanjaro Safaris is the one thing most people say not to skip, since no two rides look the same. Avatar Flight of Passage is the other one people build their whole day around.

How long does Kilimanjaro Safaris take?

The ride itself runs about 20 to 25 minutes, not counting whatever time you spend in the queue beforehand.

Is Expedition Everest too intense for a first time rider?

It moves fast and has one backward section, but it is not among the most extreme coasters at Disney World. If you can handle a standard roller coaster, you can likely handle this one. It almost reminds me of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Disneyland.

Is Festival of the Lion King worth planning to see?

YES! Especially if you want a break. They run every hour usually from 10am-4pm. It is about 30 minutes long, and while kids will go crazy for this Cirque Du Soleil inspired show I think adults enjoy it just as much.