Getting there from
Miami
Animal Kingdom is located
approximately 286 miles north of Miami Beach, FL. If you
need transportation from Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Pompano
Beach, Miami Beach 411 can arrange a 1-Day
Tour or Multi-Day
trip.
About the park
Disney’s only theme park with live animals, Animal
Kingdom opened on Earth Day, April 22, 1998.
The Park is comprised of different themed lands that represent
continents such as Asia and Africa.
Animal Kingdom is home to 1700 animals, and is the largest
Disney park covering 500 acres. The theme is conservation
and preservation. Like all Orlando theme parks, be warned
much of this park is outdoors. You should prepare for
a full day of walking in the hot Florida sun.
You can get to the Park by car, water taxi or
use Disney bus transportation. The monorail system does
not connect to this theme park.
Animal Kingdom 1-day Ticket - $89 (Ages
10+) - $83 (Ages 3-9)
Hours: Depending on the time of year,
Animal Kingdom park hours can range between 8am and 1am.
Call Guest Services at (407) 824-4321 for park hours and
showtimes during your visit.
Size: Over 500 acres
Parking: $14, Free for Disney Resort
Guests
Address: 2901 Osceola Parkway, Orlando,
FL 32830
Park tips
- Sunscreen and walking shoes are a must.
- Be sure to check the weather before you go to the
park.
- You must pass through a security checkpoint before
entering.
- One ATM is located at the entrance to the Park,
next to the kennel.
- Behind the scenes tours are available.
- Measure your child's height so you know which rids
they can enjoy.
- Use FastPass strategically.
- Ride the most popular rides early in the day.
- The Park closes at dusk, and does not have a nighttime
show.
- Bring your autograph book to Camp Minnie-Mickey.
- Many Disney Cast Members speak more than one language.
The flags on their name tags indicate which languages
they speak.
Park
layout
As you enter the Park you will come to a lush, botanical
area called The Oasis. You need to pass
through here to reach the other sections of the park.
The main "lands" in Animal Kingdom are: The
Oasis, Discovery Island, Africa,
Asia, Dinoland USA and Camp Minnie-Mickey.
Discovery
Island
The
145 foot tall focal point of the Park, the Tree
of Life, is located on Discovery Island.
Although the tree appears to be real, it is the work of
Disney
Imagineers. There are over 300 animal images carved
into the tree. The tree also houses the 3-D film "It's
Tough to Be a Bug". A set of bridges connects Discovery
Island to four other lands.
It’s
Tough To Be A Bug – located inside the
Tree of Life, this 8 minute 3D presentation allows
audience members to see the world through a bug's eyes.
The show incorporates a 3D film with special effects,
movement in your seats and complete darkness. Parents
should use discretion when attending with small children.
Africa
This section of the Animal Kingdom transports you through
the savannah, to an African village where you can experience
shopping, dining and a wild safari. For a leisurely experience,
visitors can board the Wildlife Express at the
Harambe Train Station and take a narrated
tour of the entire Park.
Kilimanjaro Safaris – this 20-minute
safari takes you on a ride through the Serengeti. You
board special jeeps in large groups and go looking for
wild animals. Rhinos, hippos, zebra, giraffe, gazelle,
elephants and lions roam openly. NOTE: Your ride experience
is determined by the animals on the safari. Visit this
attraction early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
The animals are most active during these times.
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail –
these self guided trails allow you to view animals and
explore at your own pace. You will pass several exhibits
to view different animals including a bird aviary, an
underwater hippo viewing area, a savannah overlook, and
a gorilla habitat.
Rafiki’s Planet Watch – to
visit this area you will need to board a train at the
Harambe Train Station for a 5 minute
ride to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. Once you
reach the area, you can tour at your own pace. There are
many exhibits; you can see animal conservation efforts
and learn how people are working to save endangered animals.
There are areas for children to interact with animals
and places to meet Disney characters.
Africa is is the biggest "land"
in Animal Kingdom.
Asia
This section of the park highlights the animals of the
Asian continent. Here you will find rides, walking trails,
dining and shopping.
Kali River Rapids – Coast through
an Asian rain forest, and rush down the turbulent waters
of the Chakranadi River aboard a 12-passenger
raft. NOTE: this is a bumpy and very wet attraction. You
can store your personal items in a locker before you ride
– You must be at least 38 inches tall to ride.
Maharajah Jungle Trek – explore
the Anandapur Royal Forest of Southeast Asia.
Wander the ruins of an ancient palace inhabited by exotic
animals. This self guided tour will take you past tigers,
Komodo dragons and tapirs.
Flights of Wonder – this 20-minute
show highlights more than 20 different species of birds
as they perform in an open air theater. Check your times
guide for daily performance schedules.
DinoLand U.S.A.
This area is devoted to dinosaurs and includes dining,
shopping, games and several attractions:
Dinosaur – this ride takes you
back 65 million years to the Cretaceous
Period. The experience is intense and takes place in darkness–
You must be at least 40 inches tall to ride. Pregnant
woman and guest with health concerns should not ride as
well.
The Boneyard –
this area is designed for young children; it contains
areas to dig for dinosaur bones and other activities.
Children enjoy spending time here.
Primeval
Whirl – a wild roller coaster ride with
independently spinning colorful cars – You must
be at least 48 inches to ride.
Triceratop
Spin – this Dumbo type ride has 16 flying
dinos, perfect for young children. NOTE: The controls
that move the dinosaur up and down are in the back. If
you your child wants to man the controls, you need
to sit in the rear of the vehicle.
Tarzan
Rocks – this 30 minute live show is based
on the Disney's animated feature "Tarzan". See
Tarzan, Jane and Terk perfrom in a rock and roll style
show.
Camp
Minnie-Mickey
Here you can meet characters from classic Disney films.
Live shows include: "Festival of the Lion King"
and "Pocahontas and her Forest Friends". Camp
Minnie-Mickey is a great place to meet characters
for photos and autographs.
Festival
of the Lion King – this 30 minute show
is presented throughout the day. Guest sit in a circular
theater where songs from the film "The Lion King"
are performed. The audience is involved in the show and
some children are asked to perform.
Special
attractions
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade –
this 15-minute daily parade includes Disney characters,
stilt walkers and animal puppets, designed by Michael
Curry who created the puppets for "The Lion King"
on Broadway. Two dozen guests are chosen each day to join
in the fun, riding in elaborate rickshaw taxis.
Animal Kingdom Shows:
•
"Festival of the Lion King" (1,375-seat theater/Camp
Minnie-Mickey)
• "Tarzan Rocks" (1,500-seat Theater in
the Wild/DinoLand U.S.A.)
• "Flights of Wonder" (1,000-seat Caravan
Stage/Asia)
• "Pocahontas
and Her Forest Friends" (350-seat Grandmother Willow's
Grove/Camp Minnie-Mickey)
Restaurants
and dining
The
Rainforest
Cafe
is the only full-service restaurant at Animal Kingdom.
You do not need to buy passes to the park to dine here.
The entrance is outside the park at the front gate.
Other eateries include:
• Flame
Tree Barbecue
(quick dining, outdoor seating/Discovery Island)
• Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery (quick-service
counter/Africa)
• Pizzafari (quick dining/Discovery Island)
• Rainforest Cafe (full-service/Entrance
Plaza)
• Restaurantosaurus (quick dining/character
breakfast/DinoLand U.S.A.)
• Sundowner Terrace (cocktails/Africa)
• Tamu Tamu Refreshments (snack shop/Africa)
• Tusker House Restaurant (quick dining/Africa)
For a full-service meal,
we suggest making reservations in advance by calling:
407-WDW-DINE (939-3463).
Behind the
scenes tours
Wild
by Design –
learn how Disney Imagineers took a huge Florida swamp,
envisioned an exotic wild animal park, and turned the
dream into Disney's Animal
Kingdom Park.
Cost: $58. Duration: 3 hours.
Backstage
Safari –
take a backstage walking safari for an insider's look
at the ways Animal Kingdom cares for its wild inhabitants.
Cost: $65. Duration: 3 hours.
To
schedule Disney tours call: 407-WDW-TOUR.
Orlando
weather
|
Fer. |
Cel. |
January |
62 |
17 |
March |
67 |
19 |
April |
72 |
22 |
May |
77 |
25 |
June |
81 |
27 |
July |
82 |
28 |
August |
82 |
28 |
September |
81 |
27 |
October |
75 |
24 |
November |
68 |
20 |
December |
62 |
17 |
Disney vacations
The
least crowded time to visit is from Labor Day to Thanksgiving
and from the week after President's Day (mid-February)
to the start of Spring Break (mid-March).
You
can definitely make the most of your vacation by staying
at one of the Disney
World hotels. If you do, you will enjoy special benefits
such as Magic Hours, discounts at six Disney
World golf courses, and the special Walt Disney World
quality and service.
But if you choose to stay at one of the many hotels
near Disney World, you can still visit all of the
Disney properties to enjoy the atmosphere, have a meal,
or shop. You may be charged for parking, but you can get
validated for up to one hour of parking for each $10 you
spend while you're there.
Some
of the lesser known deluxe priced resorts
include Walt
Disney's Beach
Club, BoardWalk
Inn , Contemporary
and the Yacht
Club hotels.
Disney
sells Animal Kingdom tickets on their website, but you
can not print the tickets, meaning you must order early
and have the tickets mailed to you. You
can also buy tickets through your local auto club, Disney
Store or through a school or work activities office. Many
offsite hotels also sell Disney passports at the front
desk.
I suggest researching Disney
ticket prices in advance, and buy your pass before
you get to the park. No sense wasting the first hour waiting
in line at the ticket booth.
Wheelchairs
and Electric Convenience Vehicle (ECV) - Rentals are available
for a fee of $10 for a wheelchair (multiple day rentals
are $8/day) and $35 for the ECV.
Strollers - Strollers are available
for rent at the front of the park for a charge of $10/day
for a single and $18 for a double.
Company info:
Animal Kingdom - Disney World Orlando, FL
2901 Osceola Pky, Orlando, FL 32830
Phone: (407) 824-4321
Web:
www.disneyworld.disney.go.com
Project announced: June 5, 1995
Construction began: August, 1995
Grand Opening: April 22, 1998
Employees: 4,500 cast members
Size:
500 acres (2 km²)
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