DisneyTips.com Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is filled with great rides, shows, character greetings and even encounters with real, live animals. There are animal encounters located throughout the park, and plenty of things to do and see that don’t have lines. In my opinion, Animal Kingdom is a great park to wander and enjoy on your own time, without feeling the pressure of having to get to everything. In order to make sure you have plenty of time to explore, you will want to be intentional with your FastPass+ choices so you don’t miss out on the best attractions or spend all day waiting in line. Here are my picks for the 6 rides or attractions you really should FastPass at Animal Kingdom:
6. Expedition Everest –
This ride is a must-do if you are 44” or taller and enjoy thrill rides! It also attracts some of the longest lines in Disney, so it is a no-brainer as a FastPass+ selection. You will twist and turn your way through the Himalayan Mountains and come face to face with the legendary Yeti. (Note: this ride does have a single rider lane, so if everyone in your party is old enough to ride alone, you might skip this FastPass+ and hope for a short wait in the single rider line.)
5. Kali River Rapids –
While many of the attractions at Animal Kingdom are educational, this one is just pure fun! You will buckle into a 12-person raft for an adventurous ride down the Kali River. Prepare to scream and laugh as you spin, drop, and splash your way down the river with your crewmates. You will get wet, and potentially soaked, so planning ahead for this ride is key. Choose a Fastpass+ time in the heat of the afternoon so that you will welcome getting wet or one that allows you time to dry off before your next attraction!
4. Kilimanjaro Safaris –
This attraction is one of the most unique in all of Walt Disney World, as it takes you on safari to see real, live animals, and it is definitely worth using a FastPass+ for. Animal Kingdom’s 110-acre Harambe Wildlife Preserve is home to over 30 species of wildlife, and the Kilimanjaro Safaris let you see them – up close and personal! The guides do a great job of pointing out the animals, teaching you about them, and making sure that you get good photo ops. This ride really makes Animal Kingdom what it is and, since every safari is different, you may want to get a FastPass+ for the morning and then revisit later in the day if the lines aren’t too long!
3. Finding Nemo – The Musical –
This is another great option for a FastPass+ at Animal Kingdom. Walt Disney World is known for the quality of its live entertainment, and Finding Nemo – The Musical is one of its best productions. With Broadway-quality songs, beautifully designed puppets, and talented performers, this show is a must-see. It can be easy to skip shows when there are long lines, so using a FastPass+ will ensure that you see it!
2. Festival of The Lion King –
Festival of The Lion King is another great FastPass+ option, for similar reasons to Nemo. There are often debates among Animal Kingdom visitors about which show is better – Finding Nemo – The Musical or Festival of The Lion King. I encourage you to see both and decide for yourself! If you are in the mood for singing along to your favorite Lion King songs, then you will love this show.
1. Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventure Outpost –
No trip to Walt Disney World is complete without a character photo. However, for older kids and adults, the traditional character greetings can seem a little “young” and if you have visited the parks a lot you might be tired of the traditional characters. Meeting Mickey and Minnie at Adventure Outpost is a great experience for visitors of all ages. You get to meet the two most classic Disney characters with the added spin of the safari outpost theming. Another bonus – the greeting is inside, so it offers a nice air-conditioned break from the heat!
