Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom Park

This park is divided into seven Lands: The Oasis, Discovery Island, Dinoland USA, Camp Minnie-Mickey, Africa, Asia and Rafiki's Planet Watch.

The Oasis
Garden paradise of exotic plants and animals. The Oasis is your introduction to Animal Kingdom and a good place to see animals early in the day. The Oasis contains many little surprises, most of which are missed by visitors who race through to reach the attractions. The park has a strong emphasis on leisurely walks - with dozens of semi-hidden nature paths and byways filled with scenic views and shows rather than rides, but the rides Animal Kingdom does have are all outstanding and get very crowded.

Camp Minnie-Mickey
Visit Mickey and Minnie at their mountain retreat. Designed primarily for guests to meet Disney characters, this Land also has the park's two live stage productions. A daily parade that winds through the park, Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade brings animal images to life in the form of towering animated puppets in fun costumes.

Discovery Island Area
The central hub of Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, features the Tree of Life - a massive, 14 story structure that is the signature landmark of the park. Embedded in the tree and of endless fascination to visitors are over 325 carvings or other images of various animals. Under its branches lie the bridges that cross to the other Lands and within the trunk itself is the It's Tough to be a Bug show.

Africa Area
Explore the wonders of the African savannah. Africa is the largest of the Lands. The Kilimanjaro Safaris is the park's busies attraction. Guests board open sided trucks driven into an astonishing replica of the East African landscape. During this 20-minute drive you have the opportunity to see many African animals including hippos, rhinos, lions and elephants, all roaming apparently free and undisturbed.

Asia Area
Delve into the mysteries of Southeast Asia. This Land features gibbons, exotic birds and tigers set in a re-creation of post-Colonial Indian ruins. Kali River Rapids offers you a chance to get completely drenched. Expedition Everest takes passengers on a daring high-speed train adventure which combines coaster-like thrills with the excitement of a close encounter with the Abominable Snowman.

DinoLand U.S.A. Area
Discover dinosaurs in a whole new way. This land is a mixed bag of children's play areas, rides, and serious exhibits of dinosaur artifacts. Follow the actual dinosaur skeletons that lead you to the popular ride DINOSAUR, where you'll board a mobile motion simulator that travels back in time. Very young children may find the ride, which is mostly in the dark, quite scary. Younger children will get a lot more fun out of the carnival atmosphere of the outdoor rides including the Primeval Whirl and the TriceraTop Spin, a roller coaster with spinning cars.

Rafiki's Planet Watch
Learn about the world around you and how you can preserve it. The pleasant Wildlife Express, a re-creation of the African train system, takes you to Rafiki's Planet Watch, which features two educational programs, Conservation Station and Habitat Habit. Affection Sections is a shaded petting yard.

Animal Kingdom Characters
Camp Minnie-Mickey is the place to go to see all your Favorite Disney friends. Four short trails lead guests to huts with Mickey, Minnie, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Goofy and others. The Characters and times change throughout the day. Check a guidemap for up-to-date information.

Animal Kingdom Top Tips

• Visit the safari first thing in the morning or late afternoon when the animals are more active.
• Upon entering the park, ignore The Tree of Life for now and head directly to the back of the park in order to get a Fastpass for the safaris, as they are often gone by early afternoon.
• Remember to bring binoculars to get a really good look at the animals on the safari rides.
• Don't overlook the Oasis Exhibits in your rush to get to the rides and shows. Children will be enthralled by being so close to the animals, and there's plenty of educational opportunity both here and in the DinoLand USA portion of the park.
• Too many tourists ignore the trails and treks throughout the park, but they are essential to a full enjoyment of Animal Kingdom and an integral part of the design philosophy. In addition to being well-stocked with wildlife, the vistas and greenery are amazingly beautiful and make for great pictures.
• Since most attractions are outdoors, don't forget the sunscreen.
• The Wildlife Express Train is a great way to get between Africa and Rafiki's Planet Watch.
  

Rainforest Cafe at Disney's Animal Kingdom
Dine among trumpeting elephants and chest-pounding gorillas in the most realistic indoor rainforest in the world. Start the day with breakfast favorites as this restaurant can be accessed from inside or outside Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park and admission is not required to dine in this restaurant . For lunch and dinner, feast on favorites such as rasta pasta, China Island chicken, slow-roasted pork ribs, char-grilled steak, shrimp, fish and paradise pizza. Watch for sudden rain storms (don't worry, you won't get wet)! It's "a wild place to shop and eat."