During my recent Disney trip, Animal Kingdom (AK) quickly became my favorite park. The atmosphere here felt less frantic than Hollywood Studios or Magic Kingdom, despite the crowds. On our last day, I decided to revisit AK alone to truly soak it all in, and I’m so glad I did. While many online seem to overlook it, I found the park’s details, cultural stories, and traditions fascinating and well worth taking the time to notice.

Must-Do Rides

• Kilimanjaro Safari: A highlight! Get there early to avoid long wait times. The wildlife and scenery are stunning.

• Avatar Flight of Passage & Expedition Everest: Lightning Lane is a must for these two. We rode them multiple times! Pandora is visually breathtaking, and Flight of Passage offers an unforgettable experience. Na’vi River Journey is a peaceful, magical ride.

  • Avatar Flight of Passage & Expedition Everest: Lightning Lane is a must for these two. We rode them multiple times! Pandora is visually breathtaking, and Flight of Passage offers an unforgettable experience. Na’vi River Journey is a peaceful, magical ride.

    Favorite sites

• Festival of the Lion King: This vibrant, high-energy live stage show is a crowd favorite. It brings the story of The Lion King to life with stunning puppets, music, acrobatics, and heartfelt performances. It’s a must-see for families and fans of the movie.

• Tree of life

  The iconic centerpiece of the park, the Tree of Life, is a must-see. The tree is adorned with over 300 animal carvings, and the nightly “Awakenings” show brings it to life with projections and lights.

Enchanted Extra: Caring for Giants Tour

As an elephant lover, I splurged on the Caring for Giants Backstage Tour. It was incredible to learn about the care of the elephants and how the park designs spaces for these majestic creatures. The highlight? We witnessed a 3-week-old baby elephant, Baby Cora, exploring the outdoors for the first time! While we couldn’t take photos backstage, the experience was unforgettable. And yes, my tour name tag was made from elephant poo!

Character Dining at Artist Point

A visit to Wilderness Lodge is a must, especially for its cozy, log cabin-inspired atmosphere. The massive Christmas tree and peaceful nooks make it the perfect place to unwind. We had a character dining experience at Artist Point with Dopey, Grumpy, Snow White, and the Evil Queen, who definitely stole the show with her mischievous charm. The food was top-notch, with perfectly cooked prime rib and adorable Disney-themed desserts like “poisoned apples” and “miners treasure.” Our server was fantastic, and the entire experience felt magical.

Animal Kingdom provided an enriching, less hurried experience that allowed me to appreciate the park’s cultural depth, beauty, and unique experiences. It was a truly memorable part of my Disney adventure!