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Top 5 Things To Do at Animal Kingdom



5. Meet Mickey and Minnie

DAK is the only park you can meet Mickey and Minnie together. All other parks they have separate meet and greets. Usually they are wearing safari outfits. However, during Christmas they are wearing winter sweaters and scarves.  This is one of the only character meets that have fastpasses available. And the que is inside, so you can cool down in A/C before heading off to your next adventure!

4. Rafiki's Planet Watch

This little-known gem is a must! The only way to get to Rafiki's Planet Watch is to hop on board the Wildlife Express. Train lovers will enjoy the scenic route. Once you are dropped off at the train station, follow paths sprinkled with gardens and cotton top tamarin exhibits to the conservation station. Inside you will find vet rooms where examinations are preformed and reptiles and insects on display. You can also take a short animation class and learn to draw a Disney animal character. The best part of Rafiki's Planet Watch is the Affection Section, which is as cute as it sounds. It is a petting zoo with goats, sheep, a pig and even an alpaca that animal lovers of all ages will enjoy. Be sure to look for the sheep with the hidden Mickey shaven into it's wool! Rafiki's Planet Watch is also home to 6 Wilderness Explorer badges.

3. Become a Wilderness Explorer

The movie of UP! comes to life in this hands-on activity that is both fun and educational.  The Wilderness Explorers Headquarters is located on the Discovery Island bridge. Here you will be given the handbook learn the Wilderness Explorer call.  This activity is a great way to really experience all of the park. Badges include Asian Culture, Animal Find, and Fossil Fun. Explorers of all ages can learn something. See if you can earn all badges in one day!

2. The Festival of The Lion King Show

This is the #1 rated show in all of Walt Disney World, and for good reason. This is not a simple, condensed reenactment of the movie in the way that The Voyage of The Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast Live is. It is a celebration of the movie and all that it has taught us. There is a lot of crowd involvement. As a tip, if you sit close to the front or the aisles, your kid might have a chance to  even be in the finale number!


1. SEE THE ANIMALS!

You have to see the main attraction of Animal Kingdom: the animals! It is what makes the park unique from the others. Most people will recommend the Kilimanjaro Safari ride, which is great. However, there are other ways to see animals. There are walking trails and exhibits throughout DAK that are self-paced. Go see the baby gorillas on the Pangani Forest Trail in Africa, the Tigers on the Jungle Trek in Asia, the tamarins on Discovery Island, and the macaws on the Oasis trails. My personal favorite are the muntjacks, also in the Oasis. You'll miss them if you walk straight forward on to Discovery Island. In order to see most of these animals, you'll have to channel your inner explorer and turn corners and wander down new paths.

*This post was updated 08.16.21




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