Sep 4, 20222 min read

Guide to Rides at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Before we get started, we need to explain a few things.

Our rating system:

5 stars is reserved the best of the best in all of Walt Disney World. We use this sparingly.

4 star rides are what we consider "must do" attractions. We are generally disappointed if we don't get to experience it on a trip.

3 star rides are rides we enjoy just fine, but aren't terribly disappointed if we can't do them.

2 star rides are things we usually skip, though you might want to experience them once in your lifetime. These are often originals, historic, or quaint experiences.

1 star rides are those we skip.

Ride types that might need some explanation:

"Nature" trail - The most prominent attraction type at Disney's Animal Kingdom is the nature trail, which we put in quotes because it's not truly nature, but a Disney-built habitat. These are the best ways to see animals, aside from the safari ride. They are very well-themed walkable trails with many animal enclosures and usually cast members stationed periodically to answer questions and educate about the animals.
4D Theater Experience - 3D viewing, plus special effects you can feel
Hands-on Experience - You are the star of this attraction. It's all about something you do.
Petting Zoo - Farm animals and other usually tame animals in pens that either people can reach into or can enter to touch the animals
Carnival games - Games of skill that you can play for prizes
Spinner - Ride vehicles rotate around a central axis
Rapids Raft - This is a raft ride down a watery path that includes rough patches. It is very much Disney-curated, so nothing is left to chance.

For each attraction, we've created a "card" that shares our rating (how much we would recommend this ride), the ride type, whether it is eligible for Lightning Lane (LL) or Individual Lightning Lane (ILL), and a "kid factor" - That is, can you take your children on it without traumatizing them or breaking the rules. We'll also provide our honest description of the ride.

Disney's Animal Kingdom has been said to lack attractions and therefore bill anything from props to playgrounds to carnival games as attractions. And while this may have once been true, it is now the home of many top quality attractions. This park threatens Disney Hollywood Studios in the thrill ride category, and has two of the most popular theater attractions in Walt Disney World. But if it's animals you came to see, then the nature trails are where you want to be. I have happily spent entire days in this park without standing in a single line (and isn't that the best kind of Disney day?) because there is always a trail to walk or something to see. And this list of attractions doesn't even touch the live entertainment that this park really excels at.

So without further ado, here are the attractions at Disney's Animal Kingdom.