Is one day enough to see everything at Disney's Animal Kingdom?

Yes, one full day is usually enough to experience all the major rides, shows, and trails at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Since the park often closes earlier than Magic Kingdom, typically around 7 PM or 8 PM, we recommend arriving right at park opening to maximize your time and hit the popular rides before the lines get long.

Which rides at Animal Kingdom have the longest wait times?

Avatar Flight of Passage consistently has the longest wait times in the park, often exceeding 90 minutes on average. Na'vi River Journey and Kilimanjaro Safaris also draw large crowds, so we strongly advise prioritizing these three attractions early in the morning or using Lightning Lane to save time.

Do I need to buy Lightning Lane Multi Pass for Animal Kingdom in 2026?

It depends on the crowd levels during your visit, but it is generally less critical here than at Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios. However, if you are visiting during a busy holiday season, purchasing the pass is worth it to skip long lines for Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Na'vi River Journey.

What is the scariest ride at Disney's Animal Kingdom?

Expedition Everest is the most physically intense ride due to its high speeds, significant drop, and backward motion. However, many guests find DINOSAUR to be the scariest experience purely because of the intense darkness, loud noises, and terrifyingly realistic audio-animatronic dinosaurs jumping out at you.

Can I take a backpack on the rides at Animal Kingdom?

Yes, you can take a bag on almost every ride at Animal Kingdom, including major thrill rides like Expedition Everest and Dinosaur which have storage pouches. The only exception is Kali River Rapids, where you really must use the free lockers located outside the entrance if you want to keep your belongings from getting soaked.

Does Disney's Animal Kingdom have a height requirement for rides?

Yes, the major thrill rides have strict height requirements for safety, such as 44 inches (112 cm) for Avatar Flight of Passage and 44 inches (112 cm) for Expedition Everest. On the other hand, family-friendly attractions like Kilimanjaro Safaris, Na'vi River Journey, and TriceraTop Spin have no height restrictions and are open to everyone.

Which rides at Animal Kingdom cause motion sickness?

Avatar Flight of Passage and Expedition Everest are the most likely to cause motion sickness due to immersive 3D screen visuals and backward roller coaster motion respectively. If you are sensitive to movement, we strongly recommend taking non-drowsy medication before riding or sticking to gentler attractions like the Na'vi River Journey.

What is the best time of day to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris?

The best time to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris is first thing in the morning before 10:00 AM or late in the afternoon just before sunset. The animals are far more active during these cooler parts of the day, whereas they tend to sleep and hide in the shade during the peak midday heat.

Best Rides at Disney's Animal Kingdom: 2026 Wait Times

Let's get one thing straight immediately: Disney's Animal Kingdom is not just a zoo with a few rides thrown in. It is a massive, humid, and visually stunning theme park where you can fly on the back of a banshee, escape a Yeti, and go on a literal African safari before lunch.

Many visitors make the mistake of treating this as a half-day park. If you do that, you miss out on the incredible atmosphere that emerges after sunset. The heat in Florida is no joke, and navigating this 500-acre park requires a solid strategy. We are here to help you prioritize the best rides, manage your time, and understand the new Lightning Lane system so you don't spend your entire day standing in line.

The iconic Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom featuring detailed animal carvings on its trunk during sunset

The Tree of Life is the park's icon, featuring over 300 intricate animal carvings.

The Heavy Hitters: Thrill Rides

If you crave adrenaline, these are the first stops you need to make. These attractions usually have the longest wait times, so we recommend hitting them right at Rope Drop (park opening) or securing a Lightning Lane pass.

Avatar Flight of Passage

This is arguably the crown jewel of Disney World. You link up to an avatar and fly on the back of a banshee through the breathtaking landscape of Pandora. The technology is so advanced that you can actually feel the creature breathing between your legs as you soar.

Thrill Level: High (Simulated drops and diving)
Height Requirement: 44 inches (112 cm)
Lightning Lane: Single Pass (Requires separate purchase)
Motion Sickness: High risk. If Star Tours makes you dizzy, this might be tough for you.

Insider Tip: The queue is exceptionally long but incredibly detailed. If you don't buy a Single Pass, head here immediately when the park opens. Do not wait until midday.

Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

Standing tall in the Asia section, this is not your average roller coaster. You board a tea train through the Himalayas, but things go wrong when you encounter the Yeti. The track literally runs out, sending you plummeting backward into total darkness.

Thrill Level: High (High speeds, backward drops, loud noises)
Height Requirement: 44 inches (112 cm)
Lightning Lane: Multi Pass
Motion Sickness: Moderate to High. The backward section can be disorienting.

Insider Tip: If the standby line is over 50 minutes and you don't mind splitting up your party, use the Single Rider Line. You can often cut your wait time by more than half.

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DINOSAUR

Get it while you can. This ride is a dark, bumpy, and loud adventure back to the Cretaceous period. You board a Time Rover to rescue an Iguanodon just moments before a giant meteor strikes earth. It is chaotic, jerky, and genuinely terrifying for younger children.

It gets loud and dark: The encounter with the Carnotaurus is a genuinely terrifying moment.

Thrill Level: Moderate (Rough and dark)
Height Requirement: 40 inches (102 cm)
Lightning Lane: Multi Pass

Insider Tip: The on-ride photo snaps exactly when the Carnotaurus lunges at your vehicle. Make sure to look terrified!

Water Rides: You Will Get Wet

Florida heat can be brutal, and sometimes you just need to cool off.

Kali River Rapids

This is a whitewater raft adventure through a lush Asian jungle. Unlike Splash Mountain where you might get a splash, here you risk getting soaked to the bone. The raft spins freely, so there is no telling who will be the unlucky one to go backward down the drop.

Thrill Level: Moderate
Height Requirement: 38 inches (97 cm)
Lightning Lane: Multi Pass

Critical Advice: There are free lockers located near the entrance. Use them. Do not take your phone, wallet, or non-waterproof camera on this ride unless they are in a sealed dry bag. You will thank us later.

Family Friendly & Relaxing Rides

When you need to slow down or have little ones with you, these attractions are perfect.

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Kilimanjaro Safaris

This is the heart and soul of the park. You board a massive open-air truck for an 18-minute expedition through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. You see real lions, elephants, giraffes, and rhinos roaming freely. Since the animals are real, every single ride is different.

Real animals in a natural habitat make every safari expedition unique.

Thrill Level: Low (Bumpy roads)
Height Requirement: None
Lightning Lane: Multi Pass

Insider Tip: The animals are most active in the cool morning air or during a light rain. Try to ride this before 10:00 AM or right before sunset. Avoid midday when the animals are sleeping in the shade.

Na'vi River Journey

Located in Pandora, this is a gentle boat ride through a bioluminescent alien forest. There are no drops and no scares. It is purely about the visuals and the music. The Shaman of Songs audio-animatronic at the end is one of the most impressive figures Disney has ever created.

The Shaman of Songs is one of the most advanced and fluid animatronics Disney has ever built.

Thrill Level: Low
Height Requirement: None
Lightning Lane: Multi Pass

The Best Shows to Beat the Heat

Animal Kingdom has two Broadway-caliber shows that are included with your park ticket. We strongly suggest scheduling these for the hottest part of the day, usually between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM, to enjoy 30 minutes of air conditioning.

Festival of the Lion King

Located in the Africa section, this is an explosion of color, music, and acrobatics. It features huge floats, stilt walkers, and fire dancers. It is not a retelling of the movie but a celebration of the music.

Finding Nemo: The Big Blue... and Beyond!

Over in DinoLand U.S.A., this musical uses massive puppets and digital backdrops to tell Nemo's story. The theater is huge, dark, and very cool, making it the perfect rest stop.

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Is Lightning Lane Worth It?

For 2026, the system has changed to Lightning Lane Multi Pass. Given that Animal Kingdom has fewer rides than Magic Kingdom, you might wonder if it is necessary.

If you arrive early and have a good plan, you can often do without it. However, if you are visiting during a holiday or want to sleep in, buying the Multi Pass allows you to skip the lines for Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest, and Na'vi River Journey. Just remember that Avatar Flight of Passage is not included and requires a separate purchase.

Dining and Snacks

You cannot leave without trying the food. Animal Kingdom has some of the best theme park food in Orlando.

Satu'li Canteen (Pandora): The bowls here are healthy, filling, and delicious.
Flame Tree Barbecue (Discovery Island): Follow the smell of smoked meat. The portions are huge.
Pongu Lumpia: A sweet pineapple cream cheese spring roll found in Pandora. It is the perfect breakfast snack.

Healthy custom bowls from Satu'li Canteen and the famous sweet Pongu Lumpia snack

Don't miss the healthy bowls at Satu'li Canteen or the sweet pineapple cream cheese Pongu Lumpia.

Planning your day here is all about pacing. Rush to the big rides in the morning, slow down for the trails and shows in the afternoon, and soak in the atmosphere.

A raft getting soaked while dropping down the waterfall on the Kali River Rapids water ride

You will get soaked: The drop on Kali River Rapids spares no one, so use the free lockers.

Soaring over Pandora on Flight of Passage is widely considered the best theme park experience in the world.

Best Rides at Disney's Animal Kingdom: Ranked & Reviewed 2026