Walt Disney World/Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom is in the southwestern part of the Walt Disney World property. Head west on Osceola Parkway from World Drive. Parking is $25 per car, although Disney resort guests can park for free—just show your Key to the World card at the toll gate.

Blizzard Beach is on Buena Vista Drive between World Drive and Osceola Parkway. Parking is free.

Due to the security measures in place for the protection of the animals, you cannot walk to Animal Kingdom, not even from the Animal Kingdom Lodge. If you're not driving, you'll be taking a bus no matter where you're coming from.

There is no direct transportation from Disney Springs. Take the bus to any resort hotel (or walk to the nearby Saratoga Springs resort) and transfer to the Animal Kingdom & Blizzard Beach bus.

Just take the direct bus marked "Animal Kingdom & Blizzard Beach". From the Magic Kingdom, you'll need to get to the Transportation and Ticket Center first.

The Oasis is just the entrance area of the park, taking you from the gates to the central hub of Discovery Island. It's a wooded setting, with several animal enclosures; look for the giant anteater, capybaras, macaws, and many others. Make sure you take both the left and the right paths; each has different animals.

Discovery Island is the central hub of Animal Kingdom. The Tree of Life is located here, as are the majority of the park's shops and a couple of very good restaurants. "Discovery" isn't just a name, either; if you wander off the main drag you'll find yourself in the Discovery Island Trails that wind around the base of the Tree. There you'll find a number of birds and other small animals on display. You'll also be able to take a look at some of the Tree of Life's animal carvings up-close, although the queue area for Zootopia: Better Zoogether! provides the best vantage points.

1 Adventurers Outpost (character greeting). Come on in to the air-conditioning and meet Mickey and Minnie in their safari gear.

2 Winged Encounters - The Kingdom Takes Flight (Near the tree of life). Several shows daily; check Times Guide for show times. This new show near Flame Tree BBQ showcases a variety of macaws, which fly in and out of the presentation. The show lasts less than 10 minutes so it's well worth stopping by if you're in the area.

Zootopia: Better Zoogether!. The newest show based on the Zootopia franchise inside the Tree of Life, this 3D show is performed as a watch party featuring characters from the franchise.

Animal Kingdom's newest land (opened May 2017) transports guests to the fictional planet at the center of James Cameron's epic 2009 film (and its upcoming sequels).

3 Avatar Flight of Passage. A thrilling simulator ride allows guests to experience the landscape and scenery of Pandora from the back of a banshee, the vicious flying beasts ridden by the Na'vi in the film. (updated Feb 2017)

4 Na'vi River Journey. This boat ride lets visitors see Pandora at a much more leisurely pace. You'll have encounters with all sorts of exotic Pandoran flora and fauna, culminating in a visit from a Na'vi shaman. (updated Dec 2018)

Welcome to Harambe, or as they say in this fictional east African town, "Jambo!" The detail here is incredible, from the consistent overarching storyline (of a town on the outskirts of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve) all the way down to a faded Coca-Cola advertisement painted on a wall. Take some time, if it's not too crowded, and see if you can't convince yourself you're in Africa.

5 Festival of the Lion King (To the west of the main island). Acrobatic, colorful, and tuneful, this theater-in-the-round features the characters from The Lion King in a musical revue. This ain't Broadway, though; don't expect the elaborate costumes and choreography of that famous show, nor is it just a retelling of the plot of the movie. Still, kids will enjoy seeing these favorite characters on the stage, there's plenty of audience participation, and the music is still just as good as it was in the movie.

6 Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail (North of the main island). A walk-through area near the exit of the Kilimanjaro Safaris. This forested area is home to hippos, meerkats, and gorillas, among other animals. As you walk through, keep an eye out for research documents from the Harambe Reserve researchers and their student visitors, which serve to both maintain the fictional setting and provide information about the animals.

7 Kilimanjaro Safaris. According to the story of this attraction, you're headed out on a two-week safari through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. Board your well-equipped (and very large) safari jeep, and your driver/guide will point out the animals along the route. This area of the park covers more than 100 acres (40 ha.), with habitats representing wetlands, forest, and savanna. Lions, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, and many more species can be seen during your trip. Absolutely fantastic for photos; many of the herbivores will hang out just feet from the jeep's path, and there are no windows or fences between you and them. (Although Disney has posted safety restrictions for this ride, it is relatively mild, especially compared to rides like Dinosaur and Expedition Everest.) (updated Mar 2024)

Kilimanjaro Nighttime Safaris. The safari experience after dark is very different, a little spookier and a bit more exciting than the daytime ride. Some animals will be the same, but without the hot sun they may be more active. Other animals, like the African painted dogs, are only on display at night. (updated Jun 2016)

1 Wild Africa Trek (Wild Africa tour). Multiple expeditions daily, until mid-afternoon. Take a three-hour guided expedition into the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, including areas not normally seen from the Safari or the Trail. Guests will trek through vines on a bushwalk, cross a rope bridge over a river, peer over cliffs at hippos and crocodiles, and enjoy a private elevated safari camp right in the middle of the animals' habitats. You must be at least 9 years old and 48 in (1,200 mm) tall, and you must weigh between 45 and 310 pounds. $200 (price varies by season); park admission required.

9 Rafiki's Planet Watch is accessible only via the Wildlife Express train from Africa. This is an interactive learning center documenting wildlife conservation efforts around the world. Best of all, it includes a petting zoo!

Affection Section (Just outside Conservation Station). This is the aforementioned petting zoo, featuring some exotic but still domesticated species from around the globe. (updated Dec 2025)

Conservation Station. This is the main attraction at Rafiki's Planet Watch, housed in part of a large building that includes many of the park's animal treatment facilities. Large glass windows even let you look in on some of the procedures as they occur. Other exhibits focus on conservation and attempts to protect endangered species of animals. Trainers and keepers periodically bring out some of the less dangerous animals for up-close encounters. You'll also find some character greetings in here, in particular Rafiki himself.

Habitat Habit!. This is the walkway between the train station and Conservation Station. You'll find cottontop, golden lion, and emperor tamarins here, as well as tips on steps you can take to preserve animal habitat, no matter where you live.

Much like Africa, the Asian section is meant to represent a fictional community somewhere on that continent; in this case, it's Anandapur, a South Asian village on the edge of a jungle and not far from the Himalayas. Again, the attention to detail is incredible and worth some exploration if you have the time.

10 Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. Located in the fictional village of Serka Zong. Defy local wisdom and book a train ride through the heart of yeti country, crossing the Forbidden Mountain to forge a path to Everest. Don't say you weren't warned, however, when you find the tracks are out and your train starts careening backwards! This roller coaster is exciting and includes a number of neat twists and special effects. The queue is also worth seeing; it takes you through an expedition-supply shop and a museum purporting to hold conclusive evidence of the yeti's existence. Very popular ride, so you might want to consider a Fastpass, especially if you've been through the standby queue once already.

11 Kali River Rapids. This is a wild whitewater ride through a tropical forest. Not much educational content here; it's just a fun, very wet ride. You will get soaked, guaranteed, not just from the ride but from the water guns controlled by guests on the surrounding walkways.

12 Maharajah Jungle Trek. Similar to the Gorilla Falls trail, this is a walk through ancient "ruins" showcasing Asian wildlife. The Bengal tigers are the stars, but don't miss the giant fruit bats, or the countless birds inside the aviary. (updated Dec 2018)

As of April 2026, most of DinoLand U.S.A. has been demolished in preparation for the upcoming Tropical Americas pavilion.

Dinosaurs play a dual role in popular culture, representing both ancient mystery and thrilling fantasy. Both aspects are represented in DinoLand U.S.A.. As the story goes, when the Dino Institute, a dinosaur research facility, opened up along a dilapidated stretch of highway, the local service station owners, Chester and Hester, had a brilliant idea. They collected material from the junkyard nearby and created a roadside attraction called Chester & Hester's Dino-Rama! The Institute represents the educational, realistic side of dinosaur enthusiasm, while the carnival atmosphere of Dino-Rama represents the sense of fun and excitement dinos can generate.

13 The Boneyard. At the entrance to DinoLand U.S.A. is this play area for pre-schoolers, where they can dig around in the sand for "bones" and otherwise climb and jump and play.

14 Cretaceous Trail (Connects the boneyard with Dinosaur). A walking path that shows you some static dioramas of dinosaurs, as well as some live animals and plants that have survived from the Mesozoic Era.

15 Dinosaur (Dino Institute). Head back in time to the late Cretaceous, come face-to-face with a variety of dinosaurs, then race against time to escape the asteroid impact that ended their reign. Pretty rough but fun. Very dark and probably too scary for little kids, with lots of "gotcha" moments.

16 Finding Nemo: The Musical (Theater in the Wild). This popular show adds inventive music to an abbreviated version of the story from the film. Acrobatics and puppetry give a feeling of being underwater. Check the Times Guide for show times.

17 Fossil Fun Games (Dino-Rama). This is Dino-Rama's midway, with all of the impossible games and plush prizes you'd expect from any self-respecting carnival.

18 TriceraTop Spin (Dino-Rama). A Dumbo-like ride with Triceratops-shaped vehicles that spin around a central axis and move up and down with a joystick. Great for kids too small to go on Primeval Whirl.

Backstage Tales Tour (Tour begins at the entrance of Animal Kingdom. If you want to arrive on time you may have to take a taxi as resort buses don't run before 7:30). Daily 7:30AM. This nearly 4-hour tour replaces the Backstage Safari tour. Guests (age 12 and up) get a look at the animals' overnight homes and care facilities. You'll also be introduced to Disney's conservation programs. Feel free to ask lots of questions! $95/person. (updated Mar 2015)

2 Wilderness Explorers. Stop by the main station on the bridge to Discovery Island to pick up your handbook and take the Wilderness Explorers pledge, inspired by the Disney/Pixar film Up. Then wander the park and keep an eye out for the activity stations and interpretive exhibits scattered throughout. There are thirty "merit badge" stickers to acquire, and getting them all would be a true accomplishment. The cast members at each station are friendly and have tons of information to share; even adults will be engaged and interested in the discussions they lead.

What's a ski resort doing in central Florida? The Disney Imagineers who created 3 Blizzard Beach claim that they built it after an unusual freak winter storm blanketed the area, only to have it experience a massive meltdown shortly thereafter. When a stray alligator splashed down the former ski jump on his belly, they realized the area would make a swell water park!

Blizzard Beach is the second-most-visited water park in the U.S. (behind only its sister park Typhoon Lagoon), and the incredibly inventive theme is a big reason why. It's almost eerie to see guests walking around in swimsuits while there's snow everywhere. Enjoy the cognitive dissonance by going on some great water slides, including the tallest and fastest body slide on the continent.

Blizzard Beach is not far from Animal Kingdom, and in fact buses to the water park only depart from Animal Kingdom's bus depot. The park is usually open from 10AM–5PM (closing for a couple of months each winter and, ironically, whenever the temperature dips close to freezing), and admission is $52 for adults or $44 for kids ages 3-10. Admission to the water park counts as one of your "Fun Visits" if you've added the Water Park Fun & More option to your Magic Your Way tickets—and just one admission almost pays for the cost of the option.

Chairlift. What's a ski resort without a chairlift? You can use this to get from the park entrance to Summit Plummet, Slush Gusher, Teamboat Springs, Toboggan Racers, and Snow Stormers.

4 Cross Country Creek. A relaxing inner tube ride around the whole park.

5 Downhill Double Dipper. A pair of racing speed slides on which you ride inner tubes.

6 Melt-Away Bay. The park's largest pool. Has some gentle waves, but nothing remotely like Typhoon Lagoon's wave pool.

7 Runoff Rapids. Three "ski slopes" into a pool of melted "snow".

8 Ski Patrol Training Camp. A play area for older children.

9 Slush Gusher. Go over two "moguls" down the mountainside.

10 Snow Stormers. Three slalom-style mat slides, designed for racing.

11 Summit Plummet. At 120 feet (37 m) high, this is the second-tallest and second-fastest water slide in the world. Guests who dare will plummet at over 55 mph (89 km/h) straight down an 85-degree angle. Exhilarating, but creates monster wedgies.

12 Teamboat Springs. A family water slide, with 4- to 6-passenger rafts.

13 Tike's Peak. A play area for younger children.

14 Toboggan Racers. Ride a "toboggan" down a slippery, melting slope, racing up to seven other sliders.

15 Winter Summerland, 1548 W Buena Vista Dr, ☏ +1 407 560-3000. 10AM-11PM. Just outside the Blizzard Beach gates is this inventive pair of miniature golf courses. Winter Summerland makes good use of the snow and ice theme; as the story goes, Santa Claus and his elves have created a vacation resort-away-from-home here in Florida. Half of the elves wanted something resembling home, so they borrowed winter-themed elements from Blizzard Beach to create the "Snow" course; the other half wanted to feel like they were actually in Florida and created the "Sand" course. There are sight gags galore, and the courses are great for kids and adults alike. Be warned: you can take the Blizzard Beach bus during that park's operating hours, and bus service to the All-Star Resorts and Epcot continues until 9PM, but after that you'll need to have a car handy. Adults $14, children $12 per 18 holes (second round, same day, is half price). Before 4PM, a Water Park Fun & More option can be used for one round of golf. (updated Jan 2022)

Bicycle rentals (Coronado Springs). noon-8PM. Rent a surrey bike, elliptical bike, or beach cruiser for a leisurely ride around La Marina. $20 single-seat, $22 double-seat. (updated Jun 2016)

Sense of Africa (Animal Kingdom Lodge), ☏ +1 407-WDW-TOUR (939-8687). Mornings, Tu Sa. Activate all five senses with this 3.5-hour tour experience at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. You'll start with breakfast at Boma, with both American and East African dishes available. Then you'll explore the Lodge and its savanna, with backstage details and animal encounters. Ages 10+ only. $249. (updated May 2016)

1 Flame Tree Barbecue (Discovery Island). 10AM-park close. Don't let the fact that this is a cheap counter-service joint inside a massive corporate theme park fool you—this is some of the best barbecue for miles. Choose from chicken, pulled pork, or a massive half-rack of ribs, all slow-cooked and slathered in Flame Tree's very good tomato-based sauce. If you like your barbecue super-spicy (or if you're a vegetarian), you'll be disappointed, but otherwise these are the best ten-dollar meals in all of Walt Disney World. The seating is al fresco—take a stroll down to the terraces closest to the water for a nice view of the river and Expedition Everest in the distance. $7-11. (updated Mar 2024)

2 Harambe Market (Africa). An open-air marketplace/food court offering menu items inspired by African street foods: sausages, kebabs, and ribs. $9-13. (updated May 2015)

Picnic in the Park (Tier 1: pickup at Dino Bites near Restaurantosaurus in Dinoland; Tier 2: pickup at Kusafiri Coffee Shop near the Tusker House in Africa). Open seasonally, place orders until 2:30PM. This isn't a restaurant, actually; it's a service that lets you order a bagged picnic (with food for two to six people) and take it to one of several picnic tables scattered throughout the park. You can either choose from a selection of sandwiches or get several pieces of rotisserie chicken and a slab of ham to share. Side dishes, desserts, and water are included, as are plates and utensils. A fun and very different option for dining at Disney. $8-11.

3 Pizzafari (Discovery Island). Park open-park close. If the kids are complaining that they haven't gotten to eat pizza in days, bring 'em here. Okay, so you get no choices beyond "cheese or pepperoni?", but the pizza is good and the decor is whimsical and unique. Each room has its own colorful theme, from the Nocturnal Room to the Upside-Down Room... and don't forget the Bug Room. Pizzafari is open for breakfast; you can go traditional if you want, but the adventuresome should try the house specialty: breakfast pizza. $7-9.

4 Restaurantosaurus (DinoLand U.S.A.). 11:30AM-park close. Nothing special here, just your standard fast food meals. The theming indicates that this building is serving double-duty as a dormitory for the local archaeology students; keep an eye out for fun little reminders of the storyline. $6-9.

5 Yak and Yeti Counter-Service (Anandapur Local Food Cafes) (Asia). 10AM-park close. Right next door to the sit-down restaurant is this counter-service location with similar but slightly less exotic (and lower-quality) options. Sweet-and-sour pork, Kung Pao beef and other American-Chinese dishes. Seating is outdoors and not well shaded. $8-11.

6 Rainforest Cafe (just outside the main entrance), ☏ +1 407 938-9100. 8:30AM-park close. One of two WDW locations for this chain restaurant, which features animatronic animals, thunderstorms, and good food. There's a big gift shop packed with Rainforest Cafe logos, too. There are dedicated turnstiles you can use to leave the park and re-enter after eating or shopping. One word of warning—the animatronics can be a bit startling, as they sometimes come to life suddenly; some kids might find them unsettling. Even though it's not a Disney restaurant, the Disney Dining Plan is accepted here. $13-32.

7 Tiffins (Discovery Island). Animal Kingdom's newest eatery, named after the Indian custom of packing light meals in round metal boxes, is all about travel. Each of the three dining rooms features artifacts from Imagineers' research trips: the Trek Gallery (Asia), the Safari Gallery (Africa), and the Grand Gallery (animals). It's a Signature Restaurant, so the menu is adventurous and blends African, Asian, and European flavors. There's an adjacent lounge called Nomads Lounge for those who just want a drink (and maybe some street-food-inspired dishes off the bar menu). While you're here, purchase a hangtag to hang in the restaurant to support Disney's conservation efforts. Dining Plan requires two credits. (updated Jun 2016)

8 Tusker House (Africa). Park open-park close. A family buffet with Africa-influenced flavors, and some standard American options as well. It's also the only restaurant at Animal Kingdom with character dining: Donald's Safari Breakfast and Donald's Dining Safari Lunch. Donald's Safari Dinner starts March 8, 2015. $20-42.

9 Yak and Yeti (Asia), ☏ +1 407 824-9384. 10AM-park close. Asian-style dishes served in a restaurant full of Himalayan trinkets. Unlike the counter-service area just outside, you can sit indoors here. You'll also be paying more, but the food is much better. Mahi-mahi, tempura shrimp, glazed duck, stir-fried beef, and even baby back ribs are among the entrees. The restaurant is run by Landry's, not Disney, but the Dining Plan is accepted here. $14-25.

10 Boma. 7:30AM-11AM; 5PM-10PM. African and American cuisine served buffet style. The menu is varied, with more than 50 different selections, including several kid-friendly items. A good choice if you want some African flavors but aren't ready to try Jiko. $19 breakfast; $30 dinner.

11 Jiko. 5:30PM-10PM. This upscale restaurant, with its authentic African entrees, is very popular, attracting the many Walt Disney World guests looking for new culinary experiences. Kids used to hot dogs and pizza, on the other hand, will have a hard time finding something they consider edible. Don't let that keep you away, though—Jiko is considered one of the best restaurants at Walt Disney World. They also claim to have the largest selection of South African wines in the country, with more than 125 labels. $19-36; Dining Plan requires two credits.

12 Mara. 7AM-11:30PM. This counter service restaurant serves mostly American standards with just a few perfunctory nods to the African theme. $5-10.

13 Sanaa (Kidani Village Villas). 7AM-9PM. This sit-down restaurant blends American, African, and Indian selections to provide a little bit for everyone. That includes vegetarians and vegans; Sanaa has an excellent vegetarian sampler for $17. Breakfast is also available. Go during the day to make sure you can see the animals in the savanna while you dine; if it's dark you're missing half the reason to visit Sanaa! $17-30.

14 Cafe Rix. 6:30AM-midnight. The salads and sandwiches are your standard fare, but the baked goods are fresh and the gelato is ice-cold. $8-11.

15 Maya Grill. 7AM-10PM. Breakfast and dinner at the Maya Grill are table-service, but lunch is a buffet. All of the meals feature mostly American cuisine with just a hint of Mexican influence. $22-34.

16 Pepper Market. 7AM-11PM. An expansive, airy food court with a large number of selections available. Stations include a Chef's Station (specialties), Market Station (sandwiches and salads), Grill Station, Pizza Kitchen, Pasta Kitchen, and Kids' Kitchen. $9-23.

Each of the three All-Star Resorts has its own food court, virtually indistinguishable from one another except for the bold, colorful decor (which is heavily themed to each resort). You'll find End Zone Food Court at All-Star Sports, Intermission Food Court at All-Star Music, and World Premiere Food Court at All-Star Movies. Each one is open from 6AM until midnight (although only the pizza stations are open past 11PM or so) and offers the standard burgers, salads, chicken, and pizza options for $7-10.

17 Avalunch. Open seasonally, park open-park close. BBQ pork, hot dogs, even PB&J if you want it. Outdoor seating. $4-7.

18 Lottawatta Lodge. Park open-park close. This is the main eatery at Blizzard Beach, and the only one open during the slowest parts of the year. It's also the only one with indoor seating, and the one with the most substantial entrees. Burgers, pizza, chicken, turkey, and fish. $6-9.

19 Warming Hut. Open seasonally, park open-park close. Cheese dogs, burgers, taco salad. Outdoor seating. $4-8.

On par with the Pop Century Resort near Hollywood Studios, the three All-Star Resorts are the cheapest hotels at Walt Disney World. That doesn't mean they're in any way bad; they just lack many of the amenities that have become standard at other Disney hotels. They're also among the most popular, as parents discover that they can pay reasonable rates for a Disney hotel and know that their kids won't even notice the lack of a sit-down restaurant or concierge service. If all you need is breakfast, a pool, and transportation to the parks, these hotels will do just fine.

Each resort has exterior-entrance rooms grouped into one of five sub-themes. The decor varies among the three resorts, according to their themes, but in all cases it involves larger-than-life icons and bold, colorful shapes. The gigantic decor is great fun for kids but may be sensory overload for adults. Aside from the whimsically-shaped pools, there's not much to do besides catch a bus to the parks, but that's why you're here, right?

Unlike most Disney hotels, check-in time at the All-Star resorts is 4PM (rather than 3PM).

1 Disney's All-Star Movies Resort, 1991 W Buena Vista Dr, ☏ +1 407 939-7000, fax: +1 407 939-7111. Experience the best of Disney films and animation in one of five themed areas: Fantasia, Toy Story, 101 Dalmatians, The Mighty Ducks, and The Love Bug. $80-160.

2 Disney's All-Star Music Resort, 1801 W Buena Vista Dr, ☏ +1 407 939-6000, fax: +1 407 939-7222. The magic in music. Themes are Country, Broadway, Jazz, Rock, and Calypso. All-Star Music also has some family suites; they sleep six. $80-160; family suites $184-330.

3 Disney's All-Star Sports Resort, 1701 W Buena Vista Dr, ☏ +1 407 939-5000, fax: +1 407 939-7333. Find your inner fan in one of five sports themes: Football, Tennis, Baseball, Basketball, and Surfing. $80-160.

4 Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, 1000 W Buena Vista Dr, ☏ +1 407 939-1000, fax: +1 407 939-1001. A lakeside resort with Mayan flourishes, Coronado Springs is very popular with convention-goers. Featuring the ritziest lounge on property and understated theming, the resort sometimes seems more tailored for adults traveling alone or with colleagues than for vacationers. That said, there is plenty for kids and families to do here, including a very nice pool complex that comes complete with a Mayan pyramid. Restaurants (including an extensive food court) and lounges are centrally located near the entrance. $150-300; suites $350-1300.

5 Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, 2901 Osceola Pkwy, ☏ +1 407 938-3000, fax: +1 407 938-4799. Immerse yourself in a safari adventure at an African-themed lodge where you can view hundreds of exotic creatures on an African wildlife reserve. While it's not connected with the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction at the Animal Kingdom park, the landscape outside the Lodge features a similar array of foliage and live animals. A large proportion of the rooms look out over one of three savannas, which means you can wake up to the sight of giraffes, ostriches, or zebras right outside your window. And you can view them deep into the night; the savannas are active and populated 22 hours a day. While the animals are obviously the biggest draw, the Animal Kingdom Lodge is a luxury hotel in its own right, with one of the best restaurants at Walt Disney World, impeccable service, and all-encompassing African decor. $240-555; suites $735-1,840.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas. Condominiums themed as an African village, in two wings on the higher floors of the main Animal Kingdom Lodge structure (6 Jambo House) and an entirely separate building nearby (7 Kidani Village). These villas feature all of the amenities of the lodge, including the savanna views. $380-575; suites $525-2,215.