Our 1-day Animal Kingdom itinerary particulars step-by-step technique for minimizing wait occasions & avoiding crowds on the theme park’s hottest rides & exhibits, together with Avatar Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and extra. This Walt Disney World touring plan covers points of interest, eating places, zoo reveals, and extra. (Up to date January 28, 2025.)
We go to Animal Kingdom often “for the sake of analysis” (and to observe our otter homies hanging out of their grotto), monitoring wait occasions, testing varied approaches, and fine-tuning our technique as crowds have elevated and decreased throughout that point. That is the revised Animal Kingdom itinerary for 2025 that we’ve devised because of this, with updates for the closure of Dino-Rama, in addition to altering crowd ranges and working hours.
We’ve additionally made seasonal tweaks and accounted for adjustments in reputation and wait occasions on account of Lightning Lane Multi-Cross (LLMP) and Single Cross (LLSP). Nevertheless, this itinerary assumes you’ll not be shopping for these line-skipping providers–it as a substitute works round them. In the event you do plan on spending the additional, seek the advice of our Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane Multi-Cross Journey Ranks.
This publish continues our sequence of Walt Disney World Park Itineraries & Touring Plans designed to reply the often requested query, “what would you do should you solely had sooner or later in ____ Disney park?” Animal Kingdom is an fascinating mixture of zoological choices and conventional theme park points of interest requiring a balanced strategy that juggles the park’s varied forms of points of interest.
It’s doable to expertise what we name “animal fatigue” on this park, which is precisely what it appears like–dropping curiosity within the surplus of animal reveals and strolling trails. To fight this, we advocate scattering these all through your day, doing a wholesome mixture of rides and walkthroughs.
Pandora – World of Avatar helps higher obtain this stability, and most of the people will need spend extra time in the remainder of Animal Kingdom because of that land. Consequently, you can spend a full day in Animal Kingdom should you tempo your self to keep away from the aforementioned animal fatigue.
Nonetheless, Animal Kingdom is the simplest park to perform in a partial day; you’ll be able to both arrive early or keep late at Animal Kingdom and do all the park with relative ease. See our Animal Kingdom Afternoon Arrival Technique. The identical normal rules apply when arriving throughout Early Entry–you basically simply reverse the order of points of interest.
As long as you are able to do main points of interest exterior of the window between 10 am and three pm, Animal Kingdom is fairly straightforward on regular days at Walt Disney World. It’s gotten to the purpose that I don’t actually see enough worth in shopping for Lightning Lane Multi-Cross for Animal Kingdom in any respect, even on days you’re Park Hopping to or from one other park.
That is much less about Animal Kingdom not having sufficient to fill a whole day and extra concerning the aforementioned animal fatigue and poor pacing. The tip consequence is similar; there’s a mass exodus round 3 pm and the park is comparatively quiet over the last two hours of the day.
We’ve careworn this in different current planning assets, however figured it was value reiterating as there’s an enormous distinction between early/late wait occasions and people through the center of the day. If you wish to know which strategy is at present greatest for each park, see our current Greatest Time-Saving Methods at Walt Disney World. That particulars one of the best and worst methods to avoid wasting time in strains, and is actually helpful should you’re overwhelmed and don’t need to learn a dozen others!
Now, on with the 1-day Animal Kingdom itinerary…
Zig When They Zag (Possibly) — In the event you’re doing Early Entry, it’s best to completely begin in Pandora: World of Avatar. Even should you’re not at Animal Kingdom for the Early Entry prolonged a.m. hours, take into account beginning with the Avatar rides if official park opening time is 8 a.m. and also you’re there for that. It’s nonetheless early sufficient that you would be able to beat the crowds and longest wait occasions for Avatar Flight of Passage.
Nevertheless, should you’re rolling up after 8 am on a busy day, head elsewhere. Over 90% of visitors (actually) will make a beeline for Pandora within the morning, ensuing within the longest strains and wait occasions of the day at Avatar Flight of Passage within the morning hours. At that time, you’re not going to beat the Pandora crowds, so zig when others zag.
Animal Kingdom’s different headliners all must be near-walk ons for the primary hour (if not 90 minutes) of the day—you don’t even must arrive at rope drop for something aside from Avatar. Sleeping in and exhibiting up Half-hour late is okay for Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest, and so on.
Begin Your Journey on the Outpost – In the event you’re arriving “too late” to begin in Avatar land, start with Adventurers Outpost, which is the Minnie & Mickey Mouse meet & greet in Animal Kingdom. It may appear foolish to begin right here, however that is the 4th longest line in Animal Kingdom on common, and only a few individuals assume to do it first.
Consequently, it’s slower within the morning and wait occasions are considerably longer between round 10 am and three pm. Meet & greets with no wait will be knocked out in a short time, it’s in your approach into the park, and it’s good to get photographs earlier than the Florida warmth & humidity do their factor to your hair and normal look/demeanor/and so on.
All of this is the reason we advocate knocking this meet & greet out within the first hour of the morning. You will be out and in shortly, and in your method to the second cease of the day. (If it’s extra handy, you in all probability can do that second as long as you’re not visiting on a peak season day.)
Two-Week Safari — This can be a nice choice each from a time-savings perspective and for the absolute best expertise.
The rationale we advocate Kilimanjaro Safaris within the morning is as a result of it’s nice for animal exercise and in addition for photographing the animals with good, mushy gentle. From 11 a.m. till round 3 p.m., Kilimanjaro Safaris isn’t almost as enjoyable, except you want watching huge cats and different creatures sleeping. Late afternoon can also be good when it comes to gentle, and has an honest quantity of animal exercise as everybody on the savanna begins getting hyped for dinner.
Kali River Soaking – This rapids rafting trip is a crowd-pleaser that’s value doing should you haven’t achieved it earlier than. It’s enjoyable and goes by cool environments (albeit missing present scenes) with a conservationist message.
The potential for getting soaked is extremely excessive, so don’t do it if that’s going to be an issue. Conversely, since you’ll get soaked on Kali River Rapids, it’s much less fashionable when the climate is cooler. Heading into the winter, its reputation is dropping once more–nevertheless it’s nonetheless best to knock out Kali River Rapids en path to the following cease.
Peak XV Summit – After you’ve gone by the wash cycle on Kali River Rapids, it’s time to air dry on one among Walt Disney World’s greatest curler coasters. Even an hour or extra after official park opening time, Expedition Everest ought to nonetheless have a comparatively affordable wait time. If it’s posted time is below 45 minutes (otherwise you’re fantastic going within the Single Rider line) do it now. In any other case, put it aside for nearer to sundown.
Expedition Everest affords implausible thematic particulars, among the best queues, and sweeping views of the park (and past). You may need to do it once more in the direction of the top of the day, when wait occasions can be almost non-existent.
See the Awesomest Animals – Everybody is aware of dinosaurs are one of the best animals ever. Regardless of this unassailable fact, Dinoland USA will quickly go extinct. The Dino-Rama sub-section already closed at first of 2025, however fortunately, that’s not one of the best a part of the land.
Whereas it’s nonetheless round, that you must make a degree to see DINOSAUR earlier than it’s reimagined into Indiana Jones Journey. If in case you have children, you may also need to make a while to take a look at the Boneyard, which is among the greatest play areas wherever in Walt Disney World. Likewise, we don’t advocate eating at Restaurantosaurus, nevertheless it might be value popping in to see among the kitschy and enjoyable themed design.
DINOSAUR and the remnants of Dinoland USA will shut someday in 2026. See When Will DINOSAUR Shut at Walt Disney World? for a way lengthy your Time Rover has to make its remaining particular mission.
Begin Seeing Reveals – In the case of a day at DAK, pacing is paramount (that must be the park’s mantra). At this level, you’ve already achieved a number of rides, so it’s time for some exhibits. Because you’re within the neighborhood, it’s an excellent time to watching the newly-reimagined “Discovering Nemo: The Huge Blue and Past!” musical. You must have the ability to catch the primary efficiency at this level, however should you’re late for it, seize a snack and do the second exhibiting.
On this reimagined stage present, fish inform Nemo’s story on this up to date 25-minute present, incorporating reside performers, puppets, and screen-based visuals. The refreshed manufacturing takes place within the Discovering Dory timeline and options beloved songs and numbers from the unique Discovering Nemo: The Musical, together with “Within the Huge Blue World” and “Go With the Movement.”
Snack Time – In the event you’re getting hungry, it’s an excellent time for a pit cease at Dino-Chew Snacks (possible closing in mid-2025). This location serves a wide range of, because the identify suggests, snacks. Surely, the spotlight is their ice cream sandwiches. The choices range by season, however the shared commonality is that they use freshly-baked, house-made cookies. In consequence, they’re all wonderful.
If you end up on the opposite aspect of the park, Creature Comforts Espresso Store and Bakery is Animal Kingdom’s Starbucks location, and so they even have some loopy animal cupcakes. They’ve a rotating lineup of Lion Cub, Zebra, White Chocolate Elephant or Cotton High Tamarin cupcakes which can be every like 3 ft tall (slight exaggeration).
Otter Odyssey – At this level, you’ll be able to moderately decelerate and begin take pleasure in walk-through trails and animal-centric points of interest whereas “ready out” the crowds.
One we’d direct your consideration to that’s simply neglected is Otter Grotto (close to the aforementioned Starbucks). It’s simply across the nook from Creature Comforts and options a few of Animal Kingdom’s most enjoyable and rambunctious critters.
Strategically, there isn’t any good or dangerous time for any of the varied animal trails and reveals, however you’ll need to area them all through your day at Animal Kingdom to keep away from fatigue of the park’s zoological options.
Lunch – Animal Kingdom actually brings it in terms of eating. For lunch, we advocate slowing down and having a desk service meal. Animal Kingdom will get fairly scorching noon, and this can be a nice time to flee that warmth with an extended, stress-free meal. At the moment, our #1 choose for these wanting an distinctive, fantastic eating caliber (in a realized setting) meal is Tiffins. One of the best meal at Animal Kingdom, and among the best total at Walt Disney World.
In the event you don’t need one thing fancy, go for the superb Yak & Yeti as a substitute. You may’t go flawed with both of those for desk service eating in Animal Kingdom. If you would like a personality meal, Tusker Home has additionally returned as a family-style meal, though our expertise there was not one of the best.
Flights of Fancy – Beforehand generally known as UP! A Nice Chicken Journey, this present is now known as Feathered Mates in Flight and has mercifully reduce Russel and Dug from Up. It’s nonetheless a fowl present focused in the direction of households with babies, nevertheless it now not feels dumbed all the way down to a 3 yr outdated stage. No offense to the characters from Up–a film we love–however this present is significantly better with out them.
Earlier than or after the fowl present, discover trails or watch varied animals within the park. From fully-fledged points of interest like Pangani Forest Exploration Path to smaller reveals across the Oasis, Animal Kingdom has quite a bit to see that’s usually neglected. Decelerate and take the time to discover, discovering varied animals and particulars tucked away in quiet corners. Stumbling upon these hidden gems could be very rewarding!
Maharajah Jungle Trek – That is one other animal path that you would actually do each time. No matter if you select to do it, we strongly advocate that you simply don’t skip this one.
Maharajah Jungle Trek is one other under-appreciated Animal Kingdom attraction, as this walk-through exhibit has some fantastically imagineered environments. Undoubtedly don’t skip it, however you additionally don’t essentially must do it on this spot.
Pageant of the Lion King – Acrobats, singers, and different performers in tribal apparel and vibrant costumes, plus parade floats with Lion King characters and different creatures enact scenes impressed by the Lion King in a really energetic theatrical present. There’s plenty of stuff happening, in what principally quantities to plenty of audio-visual stimulation. The present simply flat out works, and the just about summary nature permits the viewers to only sit again and benefit from the wow-inducing performers.
Pageant of the Lion King is an distinctive present–a calming, indoor method to break up the day. It’s now completely again to regular, which implies the tumble monkeys and aerial acrobats have returned. For decrease crowds and shorter waits, we advocate one of many late afternoon exhibits.
Winged Encounters – Periodically, there’s a present immediately in entrance of Tree of Life known as “Animal Kingdom: Winged Encounters – The Kingdom Takes Flight.” In the event you can’t discover showtimes for this, ask a Solid Member across the Tree of Life when it’s scheduled to happen.
This isn’t a significant present, nevertheless it’s a magical one that’s completely value seeing. Attempt weaving it into your itinerary as you head again in the direction of the entrance of the park. Additionally make an effort to see the opposite birds and critters across the Oasis, that are in any other case simply neglected.
Insect Interlude – It’s Robust to Be a Bug is an efficient choice to spherical out the center of the afternoon right here. It’s a enjoyable 3D present housed contained in the park’s iconic Tree of Life, which is arguably the best factor concerning the expertise.
With that mentioned, you’ll be able to really do It’s Robust to Be a Bug each time. No technique required for this one, so slot it in each time is handy for you.
Two-Week Sundown Safari – We’ve already gone to totally different corners of the globe, scaled the Earth’s highest mountain (a few occasions), and now, we’re going to do just a few weeks value of safaris. That’s extra spectacular than going around the globe at Epcot in a day!
For this trip aboard Kilimanjaro Safaris, we advocate ready till late afternoon, getting nearer to sundown time. Together with the early morning, the animals are most lively in mid to late afternoon, so this expertise must be totally different from the primary however equally eventful.
Unwind at Dinner Time – One of many greatest “issues” you’ll have with visiting Animal Kingdom is that there are too many good locations to eat. I assume that’s an excellent downside to have. On the one hand, there’s Satu’li Canteen in Pandora – World of Avatar. This counter service restaurant has creative, high-quality, and even wholesome delicacies that’s wonderful.
However, Flame Tree BBQ is an efficient choice should you’re searching for one thing unhealthy and distinctly carnivorous. One of many issues this brings to the desk is beautiful views of Everest from the seating space. The meals can also be actually good at Flame Tree BBQ, however we expect it’s gone downhill lately with increased portion sizes.
Journey 4.4 Mild Years Away… – The ultimate cease of your day must be Pandora – World of Avatar. Proper now, we advocate arriving to the land round 90 minutes earlier than park closing. At that time, Na’vi River Journey ought to have a posted wait time of 55 minutes or much less, with an precise wait time normally round Half-hour. (Regulate your arrival accordingly based mostly on the wait time in My Disney Expertise.)
That must be a enough buffer to complete the boat trip and make your method to the park’s headliner, Avatar Flight of Passage, with 15-Half-hour left within the day. At this level, the posted look forward to Flight of Passage will possible be over an hour (it’d even be triple digits!), however the precise wait time can be considerably decrease than that. In the event you don’t arrive throughout the first Half-hour Animal Kingdom is open, these would be the shortest waits of the day at each Pandora points of interest.
In your approach out, make sure you watch the Tree of Life Awakenings, that are temporary montages that play on the Animal Kingdom park icon. That ought to mark the conclusion to a satisfying day at Animal Kingdom. Whereas the park continues to be comparatively relaxed and fewer traumatic of a touring expertise than Magic Kingdom or Disney’s Hollywood Studios (particularly after the three pm mass exodus), it’s best to nonetheless observe this technique to keep away from the few complications that do exist at Animal Kingdom.
Even just a few years after Pandora – World of Avatar opened, wait occasions for each Avatar points of interest can nonetheless be fairly lengthy, particularly at rope drop, so pack your endurance! If you wish to expertise different points of interest in addition to these we’ve listed, be certain that to take a look at our Animal Kingdom Park & Points of interest Information, which charges and opinions all points of interest.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study lodges on our Walt Disney World Inns Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces that you must know!
Your Ideas
What would you embody in your very best day in Disney’s Animal Kingdom? In the event you’ve been again to DAK since Lightning Lanes launched, what was your expertise with crowd patterns and wait occasions? Did you do Na’vi River Journey and Avatar Flight of Passage first, final, or someplace in between? What did you consider Pandora – World of Avatar? In the event you haven’t visited Walt Disney World, what do you intend on doing throughout your day in Animal Kingdom? Any questions? Share your questions and ideas within the feedback!
