10 Things to Know About Disney's Animal Kingdom

Disney's Animal Kingdom is among the best family holiday spots in the US. If you are already know of some of the essential things to do in the Disney's Animal Kingdom, your trip will be that much more fun. This spectacular place is special for animal-loving kids and adults alike. It is replete with remarkable attractions and if you look at the Disney Animal Kingdom map, you will see just how vast it is!

It is one of the best places to visit in the US with family and friends for a Halloween party. Just make sure to reach early, like in all other Disney parks. Established in the year 1998, the Disney Animal Kingdom is home to spectacular animal species kept in enclosures that mimic their natural habitat.

Not only is this is a great place to spot wildlife, but it is also extremely helpful to scientists who'd like to study these animals in their natural habitat.

For a park do incredibly rich in details, it becomes vital that you take in as much information about things to do at Disney animal kingdom before the visit. So, let's take a look at some of the most essential things to know about Disney's Animal Kingdom before you visit.

But instead of hurrying down there on last minute flights, take the time to know a bit about the place. Learn about the must-experience Animal Kingdom attractions and the cool things to do at Animal Kingdom for adults and not just kids!

Disney Animal Kingdom

Take a look at the list below of the important things to know about Disney's Animal Kingdom.

1. Disney Animal Kingdom Hours


Animal Kingdom hours are among the most important things to know about Disney's Animal Kingdom. The park opens at 9:00 am every day and is closed sometime between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm. The Extra Magic Hours which guests at the Disney Hotel enjoy will add an additional one to three hours to the park timing. For further details, check the official Disney Animal Kingdom hours' link.

2. Disney Animal Kingdom Tickets


The tickets to Disney Animal Kingdom will vary depending on the time of the year you visit. While many people will only need one day at the park, there will be long lines at pretty much every attraction. So, you may need to visit more than just once. For your convenience, buy tickets that have the park hopper option. This will give you access to all of the Disney parks in Florida for the price of just one ticket.

All Disney World Park tickets come with the FastPass+ included. This can be scheduled at least 30 days before you arrive and 60 in case you are staying at the Walt Disney hotel or resort. The pass allows you to skip serpentine return lines during the hour-long return window on three Disney Animal Kingdom attractions per day.

For the rides, FastPass+ can be used in two separate tiers. You have the option to pick one ride from the initial group and two from the next one.

3. Free transportation


This can be very time consuming because its a shared bus system, but zero cost. Large resorts might offer their own bus, which would waste less time. Once you get anywhere INSIDE WDW, Disney transportation is free and will take you everywhere.

4. Disney Animal Kingdom Attractions


This is among the best things to know about Disney's Animal Kingdom. There are four absolutely thrilling rides to experience here:

The Avatar Flight of Passage: The most popular ride here, it will take you through the magical land of Pandora from the movie Avatar.

DINOSAUR: It is a journey back in time to look for a fabled dinosaur and is one of the best rides to fastpass at animal kingdom.

Expedition Everest: The thrilling roller coaster ride through the Himalayas in search of the mythical Yeti is as exciting as it can get!

Kali River Rapids: This remarkable white water rafting adventure is best enjoyed during the summer.

Exciting Disney Animal Kingdom attractions are what people book business class flights to the park for! As you enter, the terrific Tree of Life is what you will encounter. The Kingdom Takes Flight is where you will see a breathtaking display of birds soaring overhead. Also, there is A Great Bird Adventure that is undertaken by Dug and Russell from the famous movie Up.

There are two Broadway-type shows as well: Finding Nemo - The Musical and Festival of the Lion King. These are just some of the many Animal Kingdom attractions to enjoy. For details check out the official Walt Disney website. DO NOT buy any of the extras: park hopper, photopass, meal plan, etc. Figure one park per day, and you still won’t see it all.

5. Disney souvenirs are high priced but good quality


If you MUST have something “Disney” to take home, limit yourself and *maybe* settle for something from a junk store outside the park. *OR* go to one of the many flea markets where some booths may have “out of date” souvenirs at a much lower cost.

6. Night-time Entertainment at Animal Kingdom


This is among the top things to know about Disney's Animal Kingdom. The night-time entertainment at Disney Animal Kingdom was started fairly recently. The Rivers of Light show offers a remarkable spectacle of lights on the waterfront. Kilimanjaro Night Safaris offer a unique wildlife sighting experience.

Rides such as the Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids are completely awesome when set against the spectacular night sky. Also, The Tree of Life Awakenings is an experience not to miss!

7. Stay in a nearby motel/hotel/resort


Accommodation is among the most important things to know about Disney's Animal Kingdom. There are hundreds. Decent motels just outside the gate are less than $40/night, and you can get weekly rentals that cost less than $30/night. True resorts offer deals for $40/night. You can even rent whole houses by the week for less than $30 per night.

Check online booking sites for deals. Not many people are aware that this is the sole Walt Disney World Park that features a hotel based on its theme - the Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge. There is a bus ride to reach the hotel as it is not situated within the theme park.

Since there is a remarkable Savannah on the hotel property, guests can spot animals right from their room balcony. Enjoy dining at Sanaa located Disney Vacation Club of the hotel. This, in turn, is located in Kidani Village.

8. Avoid buying any food or drink in the parks


It's a shame, in a way, because some of the Disney dining venues are wonderful treats and part of the magic. *BUT* not cheap. So maybe you just go in for a snack. The other issue is carrying the kitchen sink with you. DON’T. The average guest walks 12 miles per day in the park. You don’t want to do that with a ton of crap on your back.

But you *can* pack light and bring food. WATER (and ice) is free at every restaurant and snack counter. It will come in a paper cup with no lid and no straw. Bring a piece of plastic wrap. Add powdered drink mix, maybe soup mix, maybe Ramen noodles. On most days, the Florida sun can provide enough heat for a hot lunch.

If you wanna get fancy, bring your own clear water bottle and a piece of tin foil (to focus more sunlight on your noodles). A couple meals will fit in one pocket if you are clever about it. Outside WDW, restaurants in Florida are very cheap. So plan on eating breakfast before you go. Many motels include breakfast. Grab a banana to go. ($2.25 in the park). Dinner is more of a problem, since you will be in the parks well past dinner time.

What and where to eat are among the most essential things to know about Animal Kingdom. There are scores of quick-service eateries at Disney Animal Kingdom such as Harambe Market, Satu'li Canteen, Tree Barbecue, and Pizzafari. The best restaurant, however, is the Adults adore Tiffins. Reservations to dine here must be made at least 180 days in advance.

So, if it is possible for you to make the reservation to dine here, you absolutely should at the Disney animal kingdom restaurants. Top restaurants are not worried about how many times they can seat a table in a given evening; they are concerned about providing exemplary food and service. Dining duration can be three hours or more.

Many people are unaware that Walt Disney World has one of the most exclusive restaurants in the US, Victoria and Albert’s at the Grand Floridian. This dining venue has three distinct dining rooms, each with its own tasting menu. The cheapest menu, in the main dining room, starts at $165 per person.

New and proper silverware (true silverware, not the cheap crap you get at restaurant supplies stores for 10 for a dollar) is placed at each guest’s spot, and new wine glasses are served, with each new pairing. The wine is served in the proper glasses to ensure the notes and flavors are detected.

9. Is Alcohol Allowed at Disney Animal Kingdom?


This is among the important things to know about Disney's Animal Kingdom for adults. Not only is alcohol allowed at Disney Animal Kingdom, but wine, beer, and cocktails are sold all throughout the park! Do try the Safari Amber Ale, an absolutely delicious beer that’s a Disney exclusive. A couple of places you can down some drinks at the Disney Animal Kingdom are Dawa Bar, Nomad Lounge, and Tamu Tamu Refreshments.

10. Beware of anything on or near International Drive


The central tourist trap. The exception is the “Worlds Biggest McDonalds” that offers far more than burgers and is an attraction worth seeing all by itself. It used to be shaped like a giant box of fries, but they needed more room and remodeled the iconic building.

Having read through all these amazing things to know about Disney's Animal Kingdom, are you ready to make the exciting trip to the park yet? Book cheap flights to USA from India or anywhere else in the world and come to enjoy the spectacular Disney Animal Kingdom Park. Spot wildlife, go on thrilling rides, and enjoy remarkable night-time entertainment. Have the best and most fun family vacation yet!

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Kalyan Panja