There are a million Disney guides online. Entire blogs dedicated to planning the perfect trip. Where to stay…what to eat…how to get Fast Passes for the best rides…. And, while I’ll add a few blog posts of my own to this extensive library over the next several months, I’m certainly not an expert when it comes to Disney! Heck, I barely qualify as an amateur in the subject.
One thing I did notice during my planning stages, though, was the lack of information about actual animals at Animal Kingdom. I could find guides on exactly what to eat (yummy suggestions!), how to order food on my phone (very handy!), how not to wait in line forever for the rides (there’s a single rider line at Everest!), where to stand to see the projections on the Tree of Life (probably not written for short people like me!), and so on…. All great articles and super helpful for my trip. But what about the animals?!?!?! It is called Animal Kingdom after all…and the living, breathing creatures at this park were half the reason for my Disney trip.
Keep reading to learn about the animal experiences offered at Animal Kingdom….
Kilimanjaro Safaris
One of the best covered animal attractions at Animal Kingdom is Kilimanjaro Safaris. Here, you board safari vehicles for a bumpy ride through the ‘wild’ for a close up view of the animals. As all things Disney, the theming here is on point! It really does feel like you’ve wandered far off the beaten path onto a wildlife preserve. You’ll get to see a variety of animals from the trucks including ankole cattle, multiple different types of antelope, elephants, giraffes, lions, wild dogs, hippos, rhinos, and more! Because this is classified as one of the ‘rides’ offered at Animal Kingdom, the wait time can get quite long. I recommend going first thing in the morning (when everyone else is lined up for Pandora) or using a Fast Pass to help eliminate wait time.
Exploration Trails and Exhibits
Animal Kingdom is home to many more animals that just those highlighted on Kilimanjaro Safari. Scattered throughout the park you’ll find several exploration trails and multiple animal exhibits where you can encounter gorillas, zebras, komodo dragons, tigers, multiple types of monkeys, a variety of colorful birds in free flight aviaries, anteaters, and so much more. Each exhibit is well designed, maintained, and themed for its area. One thing Disney really excels at is education. At least one staff member was posted at each enclosure, ready to answer any questions guests had about the animals.
A Great Bird Adventure
The use of animals in shows is a controversial practice for zoos. (Check out this blog post on ethical zoos.) Disney wisely features only one show using live animals which focuses on education and natural behaviors. At UP! A Great Bird Adventure you can see some amazing birds in flight while learning more about them. The show also features appearances from some of your favorite characters from UP.
Up close and personal
Want a little animal hands on time during your visit? Take a trip out to the conservation station and visit the affection station where you can meet alpacas, goats, cows, and other friendly creatures. You can also learn a whole lot more about Disney’s extensive conservation work as well as peek into Animal Kingdom’s veterinary facilities while you’re there!
Special tours
You can easily fill an entire day with just the standard offerings at Animal Kingdom, but if you want a bit of a different experience, the park offers lots of special animal focused tours for an additional price. Get up close to some of the park’s largest residents…or enjoy a taste of Africa on a food safari…. The offered tours change depending on the day and season…and it’s advisable to book ahead of time. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to check out any of the additional tours during my quick trip to the park, but I’m looking forward to exploring them more in the future.
