This is Disney’s newest park and has a totally unique character. The pace is here is much slower than the other parks & the landscaping is just breathtaking. As you pass through the entrance pick up a map to plan your day and head through ‘The Oasis’. It’s hard to remember that this is a Disney park as tropical plants & flowers, exotic creatures & birds surround you. There’s a calming & restful atmosphere as you make your way to the centrepiece of the park ‘The Tree of Life’.
This huge masterpiece is 50 feet wide at the base and 14 storeys tall! It features carvings of over 325 animals and strolling around the base of the tree you can see lemurs, tamarinds, kangaroos, exotic birds & even tortoises. Information points make learning about the environment fun. Housed within the Tree itself is the great ‘Its Tough to be a Bug’! This is a 3D show featuring all the favourites from Bugs Life – brilliant! (But one to miss if insects aren’t your thing!)
The first of the two continents represented at Animal Kingdom is Africa, entered through the ‘village’ of Harambe. After browsing the very authentic village stalls take the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail; a research centre filled with African animals, birds & fish. Don’t miss the underwater hippo viewing area or the gorillas! Then why not go on Safari? In open-air safari trucks you travel through the savannah & river, on sometimes very bumpy roads! You may see lions, giraffes, rhinos, lions & gazelles –every trip is different but this is not just a nature ride, things get a little ‘hairy’ when poachers are spotted!!
The second of the two continents is Asia & the change in atmosphere is quite startling! Again there is a nature trek but this time through the ruins of an ancient palace where you may encounter komodo dragons, tapirs, giant bats & even tigers! In Asia also is Kali River Rapids. This is the type of ride where you clamber into a giant raft and you just know you’re not going to stay dry – it doesn’t disappoint!! After all this riding & walking try ‘Flights of Wonder’, a show featuring all types of beautiful birds.
Rafiki’s Planet Watch is the place to learn even more about the environment – a look behind the scenes at how the animals are cared for and a place to meet some of the friendlier ones in the pets corner.
But for those for whom Disney must mean more rides by now, head off to Dinoland USA. There’s the Primeval Whirl spinning coaster and the scary ‘Dinosaur’, with Triceratops Spin for the smaller members of your party. There’s also a great playground and dig site & a live show ‘Tarzan Rocks’, features gymnasts & stuntmen.
There is the usual afternoon parade in Animal Kingdom with Mickey & the gang in safari vehicles and in Camp Minnie-Mickey there’s another show, this time with Pocahontas and her real life forest friends but the un-missable event of the park is The Lion King Show. The wonderful characters are brought to life by the cast of dancers, singers & gymnasts and it is a performance worthy of several repeat visits.
Some visitors have criticised Animal Kingdom for having the least to do but that’s unfair – it simply depends on what you enjoy. If you are willing to put in a little effort then the whole family can be rewarded with a great day out which is great fun and you are likely to learn a lot too!!! Our favourite park!