Animal Kingdom

Park Touring Recommendation and Tips

As a client of Lizzy Meeks, you have paid for the following information. Please do not share this with anyone out of your travel party.

What to know before you arrive:

1) Your priorities for the day! Click here for my park worksheets to help you organize your thoughts.

2) ) Know which attractions are included with Multi Pass and which ride is this park’s Single Pass (aka “Fancy Ride” not included in Multi Pass purchase). I’ve listed them for you below.

3) If you do not want to purchase the Multi Pass today, I highly recommend taking advantage of Early Entry. If you want to sleep in, I recommend purchasing the Multi Pass.

4) Tip: Your phone is going to be used A LOT today. To save battery, close out any unneeded apps and turn your phone onto Low Battery Mode.

- Lightning Lane Tips:

  • The Lightning Lane Individual Attraction Selection for this park is Avatar: Flight of Passage (typically sells out quickly). Be ready to purchase this at 7am! Expect to pay between $10-$15 per person.

  • For these popular attractions, getting a Lightning Lane return time can be beneficial in order of most to least popular:

    • Kilimanjaro Safaris

    • Na’vi River Journey

    • Dinosaur – 40in

    • Festival of the Lion King

    • Expedition Everest – 44in

Your day at Animal Kingdom

Where Do I start?: If you have chosen to arrive during Early Entry or right at park opening, you will notice the majority of the crowd is headed straight for Pandora to ride Avatar: Flight of Passage. This is one of the most popular rides in all of Walt Disney World - because it’s amazing!! So, I highly recommend purchasing a Lightning Lane for this attraction at 7am.

With so many people going toward Pandora, the rest of the park will feel fairly empty for the first hour or so. Take advantage of this! Here is what I recommend:

  1. “Rope drop” (be there at park opening) Kilimanjaro Safaris (44in). The animals are much more active first thing in the morning since they’ve just had breakfast and the weather is cooler. The most animal activity I have ever seen has either been in the morning or around sunset.

  2. After Safaris, head over to Asia to ride Expedition Everest. The first hour or so of park opening there should not be a long wait. There is also a single rider line if you want to skip the crowds even more.

  3. After Expedition Everest, head over to DinoLand and ride Dinosaur (40in). This should also be a very short wait.

After you have completed these three rides, the are wonderful options to enjoy before your Avatar Lightning Lane:

  • Festival of the Lion King

  • The Wildlife Express Train to Conservation Station and the Animal Experience (this opens around 10am and ends around 4pm)

  • Finding Nemo Show: The Big Blue and Beyond

  • Feathered Friends in Flight

  • Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail

  • Maharaja Jungle Trek

There is a program for kids called Wilderness Explorers. Complete activities about animals, conversation, and culture to earn up to 25 badges. This is free and can be done at your leisure. Just pick up a map and look for the Wilderness Explorers stations around the park!

Take the Wildlife Express to the Conservation Station! There you will learn about how they care for animals, complete some Wildnerness Explorers tasks, and can draw a famous Disney animal together at the Animation Experience!

Nighttime at Animal Kingdom

Many animal experiences such as the safari and walking trails will close around 4pm due to earlier sunsets in winter.

Animal Kingdom does not have have a nighttime show like the other three parks. Many people hop to different parks in the evening and enjoy what they offer there. You could certainly do the same!

Pandora the World of Avatar is really special to experience at night! The area illuminates with a variety of bright colors.

Animal Kingdom does not have have a nighttime show like the other three parks. Many people hop to different parks in the evening and enjoy what they offer there. You could certainly do the same!

Snacks: 

  • Pork Egg Rolls at Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafe. Two for $8.99 (mobile order available)

  • Chicken Fried Rice at Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafe for $7.99 (mobile order available)

  • Dole Whip Pineapple Float at Tamu Tamu Refreshments in Africa. $5.99. (Add dark or coconut rum for new total of $11.50).

  • Werther’s Original Caramel Butter Bar at Zuri’s Sweet Shop $5.29 (mobile order available)

  • Want some soft serve ice cream? The Anandapur Ice Cream Truck is the place! Look for the bright blue truck on the path between Africa & Asia.

My Favorite Quick Service: 

  • Satu'li Canteen in Pandora. Seen above: The kids cheeseburger steamed pod meal with a side of chips and cutie orange with a drink for $8.59. Add the blueberry mousse for $5.79! (mobile order available)

  • Yak & Yeti Local Foods. The honey sesame chicken and teriyaki chicken salad are both $14 and oh so good!

Food Recommendations