Animal Kingdom Overview
General
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park opened in April 1998, making it Disney World's newest theme park. The Park focuses on nature and the outdoors! It has a tropical feel and unlike the other parks you do not even need to go on the rides to experience a true magical feeling. Animal Kingdom covers different continents - Africa and Asia.
The parks icon is the 145ft high tree of life situated in the center of the park and features 325 animal carvings! The tree is feaured in the park logo.
The Park is known to be hotter than the other parks by up to 5 degrees C!! This is because of all the plants and trees surrounding the park.
How to get to Animal Kingdom
The park is very well sign posted from the main roads. As with all the parks, you will approach a toll plaza where you can purchase a car park ticket. Once through the plaza follow the signs and you will be directed by a cast member where to park.
Make sure you note down where you parked your car because you'll be amazed how hard it is to find your car again after a day in the parks! - Take a photo if needed!
Once parked you can either take a tram or walk to the entrance depending on how close you are to the park. Once at the entrance you can purchase tickets if you haven't already got them, once you have your tickets in your hand you can head to the turnstiles. There are two sets of turnstiles: there is a set at the main entrance and a set if you walk through the rainforest cafe on your left!
If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort then the only transportation option is to catch the bus, sometimes then stop at one of the water parks aswell depending on where you are coming from.
Main Attractions
- Expedition Everest - A runaway train ride over Mount Everest!
- Kilimanjaro Safaris - Take a Safari into the plains of Africa
- Kali River Rapids - Raft down the turbulent waters of the Chakranadi River
- DINOSAUR - Whoosh back to primeval times for a wild ride
- It's Tough to be a Bug - A 3-D show through a bug's eyes!
There are many other attractions which offer something for everyone.
Entertainment
Animal Kingdom is the only park not to have a fireworks show but this doesn't mean it doesn't have any good entertainment. AK has lots of Broadway style shows: the two big ones are The Festival Of The Lion King and Finding Nemo - The Musical. These are both amazing shows and are free with park admission!
It also holds a great parade called Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade, it celebrates the wild spirit of AK. It shows daily around 3:30pm but for exact times pick up a times guide on the way into the park.
Dining
There are plenty of restaurants from counter service to sit down. The Yak and Yeti is a new restaurant situated near Mount Everest and serves good food in a great atmosphere.
Shopping
This park doesn't have many shops unlike some of the other parks but some of the shops sell fantastic authentic goods from Africa and Asia. Look in the Yak and Yeti Marketplace for goods from Himalaya.
Park Maps
Tips and Secrets
Please click here for tips and secrets about Animal Kingdom
