Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the largest Disney park in the world!
Its surface area is equal to 300 Serie A soccer fields.
It opened its doors on April 22, 1998, but only became popular eight years later with the debut of Expedition Everest — the most expensive attraction ever built at the time ($100 million).
This record was only broken in 2019 with the construction of Hagrid’s motorbike coaster at Universal Orlando Resort ($300 million).
But in May 2017, another gem was unveiled at the park:
Pandora – The World of Avatar is an incredibly immersive land with two absolutely WOW attractions.
And it’s from this marvel that our visit to Animal Kingdom begins.
Let Pandora welcome you — everything here is designed to fully engage your senses. Your sight, smell, and hearing will be captivated by your surroundings.
Take a moment to observe the lush vegetation, the flowing streams, and the iconic floating mountains. Listen to the sounds of the forest, which will cradle you from the moment you arrive until the moment you leave.
Na’vi River Journey and Avatar Flight of Passage are the two attractions in this land.
The first will immerse you even deeper into Pandora’s forest, with visual effects, lighting, sounds, and the most advanced Disney animatronic ever — guaranteed to leave you in awe!
But don’t leave your mouth open too long — you’ll need that jaw for Avatar Flight of Passage, a true blast of technology!
In this attraction, you’ll have the chance to become an Avatar, ride a Banshee (Ikran), and soar through the skies of Pandora.
It was one of the few attractions in the world that left me speechless — I was almost moved to tears when I got off.
Also the shows at Animal Kingdom are top-notch.
“Finding Nemo – The Musical” and “Festival of the Lion King” are two musicals you can’t miss.
The first is perhaps the most original musical I’ve ever seen. The actors and characters blend so well that it feels like you’re inside the movie, and that it’s truly Nemo and his friends singing.
Festival of the Lion King is a celebration of Africa — a burst of colors, dances, and acrobatics. These 30 minutes will feel like 5 thanks to how captivating it is.
But the celebration of “Mother Africa” doesn’t stop there!
Kilimanjaro Safaris is a real African safari where, aboard huge trucks, you’ll see 34 different species roaming the land.
What’s most fascinating is that the animals aren’t enclosed in cages or big fences — they’re free to roam the entire area.
Lions included!
After this tour, I highly recommend walking the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail.
A walking path winding through a rainforest filled with animals. Unmissable!
The Asia-themed area is naturally highlighted by Expedition Everest — this massive mountain hosts a coaster like no other.
I won’t spoil it for you, but know that thrilling moments and surprises are guaranteed.
This area is also home to another attraction: Kali River Rapids, a must-have for any park — except here, everything is bigger! The rafts are huge, and so are the drops!
No covering up allowed — getting soaked is part of the experience! haha
Also in this area is the second walking trail: Maharajah Jungle Trek, fully dedicated to Asian flora and fauna.
DinoLand U.S.A. might seem like a kids-only area — that’s only partially true, because DINOSAUR will definitely give you a jolt at a certain point in the ride!
For those who aren’t fans of intense thrills, you’ll find Dino-Rama and The Boneyard.
The first is a fairground-style area with classic games, a few small attractions for younger guests, and even a spinning coaster — Primeval Whirl.
The Boneyard is a true Jurassic-themed playland, with soft flooring, slides, and splash areas. Warning: if you bring your little ones here, they won’t want to leave! hahah
Discovery Island is the central land of the park.
Here stands the “Tree of Life,” a massive 40-meter tall baobab whose bark is carved with bas-reliefs of 325 different animal species.
In this area, the only true attraction is It’s Tough to be a Bug! — a 4D cinema experience that’s incredibly immersive and fun.
In conclusion
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is massive and packed with attractions, shows, environments, restaurants, and shops.
To truly experience it, you’ll need at least two full days.
Because of its size, I strongly recommend planning a route that avoids backtracking between lands.
Even in two days, you won’t see everything — I had to make choices too. Make a list of your personal must-sees, but also let the park guide you to something unexpected and unpredictable.
