Ultimate Guide to Animal Kingdom Attractions (2025): Rides, Shows, Trails & Character Tips

Practically Perfect Pixie Dust
Mar 16
14 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is part theme park, part wildlife sanctuary—and it’s about to get even wilder. 🐾 Big changes are on the horizon as Disney begins reimagining DinoLand U.S.A. into Tropical Americas, a brand-new land inspired by the cultures, landscapes, and wildlife of Central and South America. While timelines are still being finalized, this transformation is part of a larger wave of park-wide updates over the next few years.

🧭 Curious about what else is changing? Explore the full breakdown in our D23 announcements recap.

This guide will walk you through all of Animal Kingdom’s current attractions—from thrilling rides to peaceful animal trails and live entertainment—so you can plan your perfect day. Whether you're traveling with adventurous teens or tiny explorers, we'll help you decide which experiences are right for your family.

🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Check the latest refurbishment and closure list before your visit to avoid any surprises!

🔗Jump to

Discovery Island

🐜 It’s Tough to be a Bug! (Now Closed)

Status: Permanently closed as of March 16, 2025 Reimagined as: Zootopia: Better Zoogether! – opening in 2026

This creepy-crawly 3D show inside the Tree of Life has officially taken its final bow. It’s Tough to be a Bug! was a quirky mix of humor and jump scares featuring Flik and friends from Pixar’s A Bug’s Life. While it might have startled a few guests (and sent more than a few toddlers running for the exits), it was a long-standing part of the park’s opening-day lineup.

🧭 A brand-new show called Zootopia: Better Zoogether! will take its place in 2026, bringing a fresh set of characters and a new storyline to the heart of Discovery Island.

🏕 Wilderness Explorers

Calling all junior adventurers! If you’ve ever watched Disney•Pixar’s Up, you might remember Russell—the lovable, badge-earning Wilderness Explorer who joins Carl on his journey. At Animal Kingdom, guests of all ages can join in on the fun through the Wilderness Explorers program.

Start your adventure by picking up a handbook at Wilderness Explorers Headquarters, located just across the bridge into Discovery Island. Then, as you explore the park, stop by various badge stations marked with the signature Wilderness Explorers logo. You’ll learn about topics like conservation, fossils, animal habitats, and more—all while earning up to 30 unique badges.

🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: This is a fantastic way to engage younger kids between rides, and it helps encourage curiosity and learning as you explore the park. Bonus: it’s free!

Let me know if you want help writing the next section (Pandora? Africa?), or want me to insert internal links (like to your Up character locations or educational activities in the parks).

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Character Meet & Greets at Animal Kingdom

While Animal Kingdom is all about wildlife and immersive lands, you’ll still find some of your favorite Disney characters ready to greet you—often in adorable safari outfits you won’t see anywhere else in the parks!

You might spot:

Mickey & Minnie in their safari best over at Adventurers Outpost
Russell & Dug from Up near Discovery Island
Pocahontas, Moana, and even Kevin the bird wandering the paths!
Plus unique flotilla sightings—characters floating by on boats along the Discovery River

Most character locations are scheduled and appear in the My Disney Experience app, but some are pop-up surprises that make the day extra magical.

🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Want the full list of locations, flotilla routes, and interaction tips? Check out our Animal Kingdom Character Meet & Greet Guide for everything you need to know—including downloadable resources!

Pandora - The World of Avatar

🌊 Na’vi River Journey

Step aboard a slow-moving boat and drift through the bioluminescent rainforest of Pandora – The World of Avatar on Na’vi River Journey. This family-friendly attraction is more of a serene experience than a thrill ride, but its glowing scenery, tranquil soundtrack, and beautifully detailed animatronics (including the impressive Shaman of Songs) make it a must-see for Avatar fans.

While it doesn’t pack the adrenaline punch of its neighbor across the way, this ride is a perfect option for guests who can’t (or don’t want to) ride Avatar Flight of Passage. It’s also a peaceful break from the hustle and heat of the park.

🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: The line here moves slowly and can stretch to 60+ minutes—especially in the afternoon. Use a Lightning Lane Multi Pass selection if you're prioritizing lower-intensity or family attractions.

🐉 Avatar Flight of Passage

Get ready to bond with your very own banshee and take flight over Pandora! Avatar Flight of Passage is easily the most popular attraction in Animal Kingdom—and for many guests, a highlight of their entire Walt Disney World trip.

This 3D simulator ride uses groundbreaking motion technology to simulate flying through the Valley of Mo’ara. You’ll feel the wind in your face, smell the flora, and experience the pulse of your banshee beneath you. It’s breathtakingly immersive—but also intense.

Because it’s so popular, Flight of Passage often has one of the longest waits in the park, regularly exceeding 90 minutes.

🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: If motion simulators trigger your nausea, bring meds or skip this one. Want to avoid the long standby line? Either head here first thing at rope drop, or purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass to ride with minimal wait.

Africa

🦁 Festival of the Lion King

Located in the Africa section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Festival of the Lion King is a high-energy, 30-minute live show that brings the music and spirit of the beloved animated film to life. With vibrant costumes, talented singers, tumbling acrobats, and interactive animal floats, this fan-favorite performance is more celebration than story—and it’s an absolute must-do for many guests.

The show takes place in an enclosed theater with bleacher-style seating on all four sides of the central stage. No matter where you sit, you’ll get a good view of the action. It’s a great opportunity to cool off, rest your feet, and be thoroughly entertained.

🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Check showtimes in the My Disney Experience app—they usually run on the hour. During busy seasons and holidays, plan to arrive at least 15–20 minutes early to secure a good seat, especially for midday performances.

Kilimanjaro Safaris

🐘 Kilimanjaro Safaris

Ever dreamed of going on an African safari to spot elephants, giraffes, hippos, and more—without having to leave Florida? Kilimanjaro Safaris brings that dream to life with a 22-minute guided adventure through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve in the Africa section of Animal Kingdom.

You’ll board a rugged safari truck and travel across a sprawling savannah where over 30 species of animals roam freely. From majestic giraffes to lumbering rhinos and lounging lions, every ride is a little different depending on where the animals are hanging out.

This attraction is great for all ages and is a favorite for multigenerational families, wildlife lovers, and photography buffs alike.

🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: The best time to ride is early in the morning, when the animals are most active and the Florida heat hasn’t kicked in yet. If you can’t make it first thing, we recommend grabbing a Lightning Lane Multi Pass to skip the (often long) standby line.

🦍 Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail

Just off the exit of Kilimanjaro Safaris, you’ll find the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail—a peaceful, self-guided walking path where you can get a closer look at some of the most fascinating animals in Animal Kingdom. From playful meerkats to massive hippos and striking zebras, this trail is full of surprises… but the stars of the show are definitely the western lowland gorillas.

You’ll wind through lush landscapes, shady pathways, and viewing areas with helpful animal educators stationed along the way to answer questions. It’s a great way to slow down and appreciate the wildlife at your own pace.

🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: This trail is stroller-friendly and shaded, making it a good midday break from the crowds. But if you’ve got a toddler in a hurry, you can zip through it pretty quickly.

Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Take a break from the crowds by hopping on the train over to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. Even when the park is super crowded this area is generally pretty calm. Over at Rafiki’s Planet Watch you’ll find the Conservation Station, where you can get a behind the scenes look as real life vets care for the real life animals from around the park. Then you can pop over to the Affection Section where young and old alike can actually interact with and pet some furry friends like sheeps, goats, llamas, and donkeys among others. Finally there is the Animation Experience where you can learn how to draw Disney and Pixar characters, and take a class where you will get the chance to create your very own work of art featuring Simba, Zazu, Pumbaa, or Timon from Disney’s The Lion King. All in all, Rafiki’s Planet Watch is an often overlooked gem at the Animal Kingdom with unique experiences and fun activities for the whole family.

🎒 Behind-the-Scenes Tours at Animal Kingdom

Want to go beyond the standard park experience? Animal Kingdom offers several incredible behind-the-scenes tours that let you dive deeper into conservation, animal care, and the park’s immersive storytelling.

A few standout experiences include:

Caring for Giants – Get up close (but safely distanced) with the park’s African elephants while learning from animal specialists who care for them daily.
Up Close with Rhinos – One of the most underrated tours at Disney, this experience gets you backstage to meet one of Animal Kingdom’s white rhinos.
Wild Africa Trek – A guided VIP adventure that includes rope bridges, private safari access, and African-inspired snacks—it’s a bucket-list-worthy splurge for animal lovers and thrill seekers.

🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: These tours are limited in space and often sell out, especially during peak travel seasons. You can book up to 60 days in advance through the My Disney Experience app or Disney’s website—so plan ahead!

👉 Want the full scoop on all of Walt Disney World's special tours? Check out our complete Disney World tours guide for reviews, pricing, and booking tips.

Asia

🐦 Feathered Friends in Flight!

Ever notice birds soaring over to the Tree of Life in the morning? Those aren’t just random winged visitors—they’re part of a carefully trained flock, guided by Disney’s expert animal care team. If you think that’s cool (and we do!), then you’ll love Feathered Friends in Flight!, a live bird show located near the Asia section of the park.

This 35-minute educational show features a variety of exotic birds, from parrots to owls to hawks. Animal behavior specialists showcase the birds’ natural talents, conservation stories, and even some fun flying stunts—yes, right over the audience’s heads!

It’s a great, family-friendly way to sit down for a bit and learn something new while enjoying some truly impressive avian feats.

🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: If you’re not a fan of birds flying overhead, this may not be your favorite—but otherwise, it’s a solid option for animal lovers and curious kiddos. Check My Disney Experience for showtimes, and you can usually grab a seat 5–10 minutes before the next performance.

🐅 Maharajah Jungle Trek

Just beyond the entrance to Kali River Rapids, you’ll find one of Animal Kingdom’s most immersive walking trails: the Maharajah Jungle Trek. This self-guided path winds through ancient Asian ruins and lush forest habitats, home to an incredible mix of animals.

As you explore, you might encounter:

A Komodo dragon basking in the sun
A Malayan flying fox (a truly giant bat—don’t say we didn’t warn you 🦇)
Over 50 species of birds in the colorful aviary
And the star of the trail—majestic Asian tigers

This trail is a choose-your-own-adventure type of experience, making it easy to linger where you're curious and breeze through spots that may not be your thing (looking at you, giant bats 🫣).

🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: The tiger enclosures are spread out, and you’ll have the best chance of spotting one at the first two viewing areas on the left of the path—but don’t skip the rest! Sometimes they’re napping further down on the right-hand side.

🐯 Want to learn more about the youngest residents of Animal Kingdom? Check out our guide to baby animals at Animal Kingdom, including the adorable Bakso the tiger cub, who can sometimes be seen right here on this trek!.

🌊 Kali River Rapids

Kali River Rapids is Animal Kingdom’s signature water ride—and it’s not for the faint of dryness. If you're visiting on a hot Florida day and looking to cool off in a big way, this is your go-to attraction.

You’ll board a circular raft and spin your way through a lush, rainforest-themed river journey, complete with swirling rapids, misty drops, and plenty of surprises. And by surprises, we mean you will get drenched. Rain ponchos offer little protection here, so come prepared or embrace the splashy chaos!

The theming includes a subtle environmental message about illegal logging, but most guests are too busy screaming (and laughing) through waves of water to notice.

🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Bring a change of clothes or stash dry socks in your park bag—you’ll thank us later. This ride typically has shorter wait times than other headliners, so it's a great Lightning Lane Multi Pass add-on after you've locked in Flight of Passage or Kilimanjaro Safaris. You can also just keep an eye on the My Disney Experience app and hop in the standby line when the wait is low.

🏔️ Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

If you're hunting for thrills at Animal Kingdom, you’ll find them at the towering peak of Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. This high-speed roller coaster is one of the most iconic rides at Walt Disney World, and for good reason.

Tucked into the back corner of the Asia section, you’ll board a train destined for the Himalayas—but things take a turn when you come face to face with the mythical yeti. The immersive queue winds through a museum-like base camp where you’ll learn about the legend of the yeti before venturing into the mountains yourself. Spoiler: the legend might be more real than you think. 😉

Once the ride kicks off, get ready for fast-paced turns, backward drops, and dark tunnel dives that make this coaster a favorite among thrill seekers.

❤️ Why we love it: From the detailed theming and storytelling to the swooping thrills and happy screams, this ride is a 10/10 for us. We never skip it—and we always get off laughing (and ready to ride again).

🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: This is a great ride to rope drop if you’re skipping Pandora in the morning. You can also use a Lightning Lane Multi Pass or try the single rider line, which is usually less than 10 minutes!

🦖 DinoLand U.S.A.

📍 Status: Phased closure through 2025

Big changes are coming to DinoLand U.S.A., as Disney begins a multi-year transformation to create a brand-new land inspired by the cultures and wildlife of the Tropical Americas. The reimagined area will be called Pueblo Esperanza, and it will bring new attractions, dining, and storytelling to the back corner of Animal Kingdom.

🧭 Want a preview of what’s coming? Check out our full breakdown in the D23 announcements recap.

While some parts of DinoLand are already closed or in transition, there’s still a hidden gem or two worth visiting (especially if you have younger kids):

🦴 The Boneyard

📅 Closing: Late 2025

The Boneyard is an outdoor dig site-themed playground designed just for kids—especially those with energy to spare. With tunnels to crawl through, rope bridges to cross, and faux fossils to discover, it’s the perfect place for little ones to burn off some steam while the grown-ups rest.

Located near the back of the land, it’s often a quiet retreat from the crowds—and a lifesaver if you’ve got a kid who needs a break from lines and shows.

🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: If older kids or adults in your group are off riding Expedition Everest or Dinosaur (while it’s still around), the Boneyard is a great place to keep younger ones happy and entertained in the meantime.

🐠 Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!

Love Finding Nemo but wish it had more songs? Then this colorful, high-energy live stage show is for you! Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! tells the story of Nemo, Marlin, and Dory using larger-than-life puppets, immersive lighting, and a Broadway-style soundtrack created just for this stage adaptation.

You’ll hear catchy original songs like:

🎶 “In the Big Blue World, we’re ready to gooo!”
🎶 “We swim tooogetheeer!”
🎶 “Go with the flow-o-o-o-o-o-o!”(...pardon our singing voices!)

At around 25 minutes long, it’s a great way to take a break from the crowds—and the air conditioning is a much-needed bonus on hot Florida days. The theater features bench seating, which isn’t super plush but totally worth it for the cool air and engaging show.

🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: If you’re hoping for front-and-center views, plan to arrive 20–25 minutes early. That said, we’ve often strolled in 5–10 minutes before showtime and still found decent seats. Check the My Disney Experience app for current showtimes.

🦖 DINOSAUR

📅 Closing: Late 2025

Looking for a smooth, relaxing ride aboard a Time Rover to the early Cretaceous Period? Yeah... that’s not happening. Every time we try, we somehow end up at the very end of the Cretaceous—just in time to rescue an Iguanodon seconds before the asteroid hits Earth. Go figure. 😅

This dark ride/thrill hybrid is loud, jerky, and packed with unexpected turns, flashing lights, and one very aggressive Carnotaurus who seems a little too excited to chase you through the prehistoric jungle.

It’s not quite a coaster, but it’s not gentle either—definitely better suited for thrill seekers and those who love a good jump scare. Younger kids and sensitive riders might want to sit this one out.

🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: This ride usually has short standby waits early or late in the day, making it a solid filler option if you’ve already used your Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections.

🚧 Heads up: DINOSAUR will be closing permanently in late 2025 as part of the transformation of DinoLand U.S.A. into the new Tropical Americas–themed Pueblo Esperanza. Want to know what’s replacing it? We’ve got all the D23 expansion details here.

Tricera Top Spin and Fossil Fun Games

📅 Permanently Closed: January 12, 2025

These two classic DinoLand U.S.A. carnival-style attractions officially went extinct in early 2025 to make way for Animal Kingdom’s upcoming Tropical Americas expansion.

TriceraTop Spin was a gentle, dino-themed ride (think Dumbo, but with triceratops) perfect for little ones.
Fossil Fun Games offered boardwalk-style carnival booths where you could toss rings and play games for prizes.

While not headline attractions, these offerings were fan favorites for families with younger kids—and they definitely added some vintage charm to the back corner of the park.

🗺️ Animal Kingdom Maps & Cheat Sheets

Want to make navigating Animal Kingdom actually easy? We’ve got you covered with printable maps and planning cheat sheets designed to simplify your day—from ride heights and character locations to walking trails and showtimes.

Whether you're a visual planner or just like having something handy in your park bag, these guides are perfect for staying organized while exploring the wilds of Walt Disney World.

🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: These are especially helpful for first-time visitors or families traveling with kids who like to see what's next.

👉 Grab your copies now from our Animal Kingdom Maps & Cheat Sheets post.

🏁 Wrapping Up Your Animal Kingdom Adventure

From soaring banshees to safari trucks, jungle treks to Broadway-style shows—Disney’s Animal Kingdom is full of wild experiences for every kind of traveler. Whether you're planning your first visit or looking to make the most of a return trip, we hope this guide helped you map out your perfect day.

But don’t stop here—there’s still more magic to discover! ✨