How to do Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom in 1 Day

I have been dreaming since I was a child to go to Walt Disney World but after going to Disneyland a lot growing up I wanted to make sure that I hit up the parks that are unique to Walt Disney World Orlando. If you don’t know already my family is from Kenya, Africa so Animal Kingdom was first on my list.

As part of my Orlando series, it answers the question “how do I get through ____ in one day?” Animal Kingdom with Pandora – World of Avatar and nighttime entertainment is most definitely a whole day park. It is a mix of theme park attractions, live shows and zoological offerings.

The first thing you must consider before entering any Walt Disney World park is FastPass+.

FastPass+

FastPass+ allows you to skip the lines at Walt Disney World by booking an hour window to ride certain attractions. As wait times can be up to three hours (sometimes even more during holidays), FastPass+ vital to planning your day at Animal Kindom.

You can book your FastPass+ 60 days in advance if you are staying at a Disney resort hotel. If you are not staying on the Disney property, then you can book it 30 days in advance. The reservations can be made online at the Disney website or on their app My Disney Experience. I recommend having the app downloaded before entering the park to check your reservations, make/change FastPass+ reservations and check on wait times.

There is a Tier system for FastPass+ in Animal Kingdom. When picking your three reservations, you can only pick one from Tier 1and the other two from Tier 2.

Tier 1 Attractions at Animal Kingdom:

1. Avatar Flight of Passage
2. Na’vi River Journey

If you can get a FastPass+ for Avatar Flight of Passage, then pick that one. I made the mistake of not reserving mine in advance and was forced to stand in a three hour wait line. Unfortunately, during my three hour wait, the ride broke down was not back up until a couple hours later where the wait time was back up to two hours. Needless to say, I didn’t get a chance to ride the attraction.

Tier 2 Attractions at Animal Kingdom:

1. Kilimanjaro Safaris
2. Expedition Everest
3. DINOSAUR
4. Kali River Rapids
5. It’s Tough to Be A Bug
6. Finding Nemo Musical
7. Festival of the Lion King
8. Adventurers Outpost Character Greeting
9. Primeval Whirl
10. Rivers of Light

Outside of Pandora, Kilimanjaro Safaris was the best ride in Animal Kingdom. Lines can be long for this ride, upwards on an hour wait, and is one of the longer rides between 20-30 minutes.

Physical FastPass+ Kiosks are located:

• At Island Mercantile (near Tree of Life)
• Outside near the Dawa Bar and Tusker House Restaurant ( in the front of Africa coming from Discovery Island)
• Outside Kali River Rapids (in Asia)

1-Day Animal Kingdom Itinerary

Morning

The first stop, after rope drop, needs to be Pandora – World of Avatar. If you didn’t get a Flight of Passage FastPass+, do this first. It is an exhilarating 3-D ride on a mountain banshee. Otherwise head over to Na’vi River Journey, cruise down the river into a bioluminescent rainforest. If you couldn’t get a FastPass+ for either of the rides go to Flight of Passage first. Sometimes you can get a FastPass+ for the Na’vi River Journey last minute at the kiosk.

Next head over to Kilimanjaro Safaris, before 11am, for the best photography lighting and animal activity. Avoid going between 11am-4pm as animal activity is lower. Late afternoon, after 4pm, is also a good time for animal activity.

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After an action-packed morning, I would go see Festival of the Lion King, a Broadway-like show filled with vibrant costumes and classic Lion King characters.

Afternoon

Kali River Rapids is perfect for a hot day as you set out on a whitewater adventure through the Asian jungles. Be prepared to get completely soaked and lockers are available for your belongings.

Dry off with the Maharajah Jungle Trek, a self-guided walking tour of Southeast Asian jungle with ancient ruins, Asian tigers and a komodo dragon. Do not skip this one but it can be done at any time during the day.

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UP! A Great Bird Adventure is a bird show that features unique species from all around the world. This is heavily targeted towards families with small children. If this is not for you, then take the time to explore the Gorilla Falls Explorations Trail, Rafiki’s Planet Watch, or the hidden trails around the Oasis. Just keep in mind that the zoological trails do close early.

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain is Disney’s most underrated rollercoaster and reportedly cost $100 million to build. This one definitely does not disappoint and you’ll want to go more than once. I highly recommend getting a FastPass+ for this ride.

Evening

It’s Tough to be a Bug is a fun 3-D film that is entertaining for all. The best part is that it is right around the corner from the Tree of Life.

Tree of Life Awakenings are truly a highlight of the nighttime entertainment as the tree lights up with bioluminescent, animal projections.

Rivers of Light is a nighttime water show on Discovery River with Disney nature footage and music.

Animal Kingdom does close earlier than the other parks but if you stay at a Disney World Resort property than you can get early access to the park and can stay after hours. I recommend getting on Everest or Flight of Passage a couple more times before you head out.

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Food

Animal Kingdom has the best options for food and there are plenty of great places to choose from. Satu’li Canteen in Pandora – World of Avatar offers creative and healthy build-your-own bowls. I’m also an individual who loves to snack rather so I recommend trying something a little different from each of the lands.

Thoughts

Dinoland by far is the most disappointing part of Animal Kingdom. The only ride you should consider is DINOSAUR.

Get the Times & Animal Guide for the street performances. Tam Tam Drummers are a must, the Pandora Drummers are quite entertaining, and there are lots of character greetings throughout the day.