DisneyTips.com Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
Some of the best attractions at the Walt Disney World Resort are also the most underrated. We love Disney’s thrill rides and classic dark rides as much as the next fan, but there is so much more to explore at the theme parks when you take into consideration all of the live shows, walk-through attractions, and more.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom, in particular, is home to several attractions that far too many Guests tend to skip, especially when it comes to actually seeing the animals. One such attraction had been operating without one of its major features, but the full experience has returned now that Disney has completed its latest refurbishment…
Credit: Brittany DiCologero / Disney Tips
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Asia is one of the most detailed lands to explore at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Here, Guests can encounter the Yeti during a ride on Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, cool off on Kali River Rapids, and enjoy some of the tastiest food in the Park at Yak & Yeti Restaurant, just to name a few of the area’s must-do activities.
This part of Animal Kingdom is also home to some of the most fascinating animals in the Park, with Guests able to spot siamangs (apes) outside Kali River Rapids and several species of birds during the Feathered Friends in Flight show, which shares a look at cranes, owls, macaws, and bald eagles, among many others.
Credit: Brittany DiCologero / Disney Tips
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Maharajah Jungle Trek is not to be missed, as this walk-through attraction features animals like tigers, a komodo dragon, and an expansive aviary unlike what Guests might see at their local zoo when considering the attention to detail in Disney’s theming.
The aviary is a major component of the Maharajah Jungle Trek featuring over 50 species of birds, all in an open-air setting (with a net very high up, open-air in the immersive sense, the birds are safe!) The aviary closed in January of this year for a refurbishment, but Guests who have recently visited the attraction have been able to confirm that the aviary is once again open.
Credit: Brittany DiCologero / Disney Tips
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The aviary is located at the end of the trek, and while some birds will certainly make their presence known to Guests, others remain more hidden. As such, it can take some bird-watching skills to see many of the animals who call this part of the Park home, but if you have some time to spend at this attraction you will find it is well worth it.
We recommend picking up a bird-watching guide near the entrance of Maharajah Jungle Trek or scanning the QR code to open more information about the birds on your phone. You will also find Cast Members throughout the trail who can share more information on all of the animals, including the Asian tigers, Elds deer, water buffalo, and more.
Credit: Brittany DiCologero / Disney Tips
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Like many of the animal-focused attractions at this Disney Park, Maharajah Jungle Trek typically closes slightly earlier than Animal Kingdom’s regular closing time. As a result, you will want to confirm its hours in the My Disney Experience app during your visit, and plan to leave enough time to make it to through the entire walk before closing time.
