If you’re new to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, you could find yourself making a LOT of mistakes during your first visit.
This park is fairly different than the other three in Disney World, as it’s home to a variety of live animal exhibits and has a focus on conservation and nature. There’s a lot to do here outside of your typical rides and shows, so we’re breaking down the mistakes you might make if it’s your first time in the park!
Skipping the Animal Trails
First things first, we’ve got to mention those famous animal trails! In particular, Maharajah Jungle Trek and Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail are home to dozens of species, as well as some awesome Cast Member guides who can share fun facts about the animals.
These are open limited hours during the day, so you’ll want to make sure to check their times in the My Disney Experience app, but they’re a great option for filling in time between Lightning Lanes or shows, and they’re a great way to relax and enjoy the atmosphere while you sip on your afternoon coffee.
Skipping Entertainment
Another thing you don’t want to do? Skip the entertainment offerings in Animal Kingdom! This park is home to TWO Broadway-style shows (Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and BEYOND!) as well as a spectacular bird show and several streetmosphere bands and performers.
These shows are a great option when you need to sit down and take a break, and you’ll likely be wowed by the quality of the production overall. We’ve definitely shed some tears watching the Lion King and Nemo shows a time or two.
Not Checking Park Hours
One big thing you need to know before visiting Animal Kingdom is that its park hours are typically different than those of the other parks. This park often opens and closes the earliest.
Sometimes you can get into Animal Kingdom as early as 7AM, and in the off-season it can close as early as 6PM. Hours will vary often depending on the day of the week or how busy the park is projected to be, so make sure to check the Disney World website or app before you go.
Waiting for Flight of Passage at the Wrong Time of Day
Even though it has been open since 2017, Avatar Flight of Passage remains the most popular ride in Animal Kingdom, and that means it typically has the longest wait time. Because of this, you should AVOID waiting for Flight of Passage in the middle of the day.
To get the shortest wait on this ride, you’ll either want to rope drop it (get in line as SOON as the park opens), preferably with Early Theme Park Entry, or hop in line during the last hour of the day. Those are the times when the wait will be the shortest. Don’t forget, you can get in the queue up until the time that the park closes!
Thinking There’s a Big Nighttime Show
Unlike the other parks, Animal Kingdom does not have a big nighttime show. If it gets dark before the park closes, there will be short projection shows on the Tree of Life (called the Tree of Life Awakenings), but these often don’t happen in the summertime due to the late sunset.
This park doesn’t have fireworks due to safety concerns for the animals, and its old nighttime show Rivers of Light did not return after the 2020 pandemic. Alas, we’ll have to hold out hope for a new nighttime show here in the future.
Skipping the Best Snacks
The real ones know that Animal Kingdom is home to some of the BEST snacks in Disney World! From Mr. Kamal’s french fries to cheeseburger pods at Satu’li Canteen to the yummy mac and cheese options at Eight Spoon Cafe, you’ll find tons of options in this park that you probably didn’t know existed.
Make sure to scope out the menus of all the little snack stands that you pass as you walk around — they’re home to some of the best hidden gems in Disney World!
Missing an Entire Land
If it’s your first time visiting Animal Kingdom, you might miss out on an entire land! Rafiki’s Planet Watch at Conservation Station is an entire section of the park that can only be accessed by taking the Wildlife Express train from Africa.
This area is home to several insect, reptile, and amphibian exhibits, an entire petting zoo, a fun animation class, and an operating room where you can sometimes watch the animals get medical procedures done. It’s a can’t-miss!
Trying to Bring Your Mickey Balloon
Last but not least, we’ve got to mention one special rule for this park that you may not know. You can’t bring your Mickey balloon to Animal Kingdom! Or any balloon for that matter.
To ensure that nothing hazardous gets into the animal enclosures, balloons are not allowed in Animal Kingdom. Make sure to leave it in the hotel room for this park day!
Those are the big things you need to know before visiting Animal Kingdom. If you’re heading to the park soon, check out our complete guide on YouTube!
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We Tried Out 7 Bizarre Tricks in Animal Kingdom (and 4 Worked!) — Click Here!
Have you ever been to Animal Kingdom? Tell us in the comments!
Do the Wilderness Exlporer sticker book to ensure you don’t miss the trails and stations mentioned above! I started my book back in 2022 and still haven’t finished it. I will be taking my third trip there since I got the book next month, and hope to have it finally completed by the end of the trip!
That’s a great idea, Paul!