Animal Kingdom is Disney's newest park and opened in April 1998. With it's emphasis on nature and conservation it represents a completely different Disney experience. The park has a very relaxed atmosphere, elaborate theming and a lush tropical feel.

Disney has made a great success in combining animals, nature, conservation and thrill rides all in one wonderful package. The center piece of Animal Kingdom is the spectacular Tree of Life which is 145ft high, and covered in 325 animal carvings which represent the "Circle of Life" from lions to dolphins.

Animal Kingdom can get very crowded and it also seems to be a "hotter" park, so make the most of the earlier opening time. Animal Kingdom is split into 7 distinct areas.
Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade, one of Disney's liveliest parades also takes place here.

2010 Attendance figure = 9,686,000

Arriving at Disney's Animal Kingdom

The signs for Animal Kingdom are well laid out and you can follow these from the US-192 or I-4 to the Animal Kingdom Toll Plaza where you can purchase a Car Park ticket. Once past the Toll Plaza you will soon be at the Car Parks. You will be directed by the CM's as to where to park.

Make a note of where you parked, these car parks are vast and it's easy to forget where you left your vehicle.

You can either walk to the entrance or wait for one of the Trams, this will depend on where you are parked.

Once at the entrance you can purchase tickets if you do not already have them, if you do you can head straight for the turnstiles.


DIBB Tip:

If the turnstiles are busy then you may be able to jump the lines by going through the Rain Forest Cafe Shop to the left of the entrance. Go straight through the shop and out the other side and you will see another set of turnstiles

Lockers
There are Guest Lockers available to secure your items located just outside of the park entrance and on the inside of the park near to the Rain Forest Cafe

Attractions
There is a very wide choice of attractions to entertain everyone.
For details on the main attractions please select an item from the Animal Kingdom Menu on the left

Parades and Fireworks
The Animal Kingdom hosts a daily parade called "Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade"
There are no fireworks at the Animal Kingdom due to the Animals.
For more details please make a selection from the left menu.

Dining
There is a very wide array of dining experiences available in the park. These range from snack food to full restaurant dining.
For details of the main dining facilities please click on the Dining Link from our Top Menu.

Shopping
There are lots of opportunities for you to spend your Dollars. This park has less shopping opportunities than the other parks but still has enough to lighten your pockets!
For more details on Shopping please click the Shopping link on the Top Menu.

Attractions & Entertainment

Africa
1 Kilimanjaro Safaris
2 Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
3 Tusker House Restaurant
4 Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade
5 Kusafiri Coffee Shop

Rafiki's Planet Watch
6 Wildlife Express Train
7 Habitat Habit!
8 Conservation Station
9 Affection Section

Asia
10 Kali River Rapids
11 Expedition Everest
12 Maharajah Jungle Trek
13 Flights of Wonder
14 Yak & Yeti Restaurant

Dinoland U.S.A
15 The Boneyard
16 Fossil Fun Games
17 Primeval Whirl
18 TriceraTop Spin
19 Dino-Sue
20 DINOSAUR
21 Kids Discovery Clubs
22 Cretaceous Trail
23 Finding Nemo - The Musical
24 Restaurantosaurus

Oasis
25 The Oasis Exhibits
26 Rainforest Café

Camp Minnie-Mickey
27 Festival of the Lion King
28 Camp Minnie-Mickey Greeting Trails

Discovery Island
29 The Tree of Life
30 It's Tough to be a Bug!
31 Discovery Island Trails
32 Flame Tree Barbeque
33 Pizzafari

Tours
Explore the marvels of the Animal Kingdom with one of the Behind the Scenes Tours.

• Backstage Safari - Take a backstage walking safari for an insider's look at the innovative ways that Disney's Animal Kingdom cares for its special inhabitants.
• Wild by Design - Discover how Disney's creative wizards looked at a huge Florida swamp, envisioned it as an exotic and untamed wild animal wonderland and led the effort to turn that dream into Disney's Animal Kingdom Park.

Download and print the Magical Beginnings Park Maps specially designed for Guests with little ones!

DOWNLOAD HERE (6.95Mb PDF)


DIBB Bits:

• There are some 850 species of trees, 2,000 species of shrubs, and 260 different types of grasses growing in Disney's Animal Kingdom®.
• There are 27 hidden Mickeys in the mural in the Animal Kingdom Conservation Station.
• Look out for "Wes Palm" the moving, talking Palm Tree. Usually appears near the entrance and can be quite amusing.
• Look out for "Devine" she is a living vine, be careful, if she isn't moving you'll probably just walk right past without realising.
• At the bridge between Camp Minnie Mickey and Discovery Island look towards the water and you can see dinosaurs and a dragon waterfall
• Construction of Animal Kingdom started August 1995
• Grand opening of Animal Kingdom was 22nd April 1998
• Animal Kingdom has about 1500 Animals, representing 250 species of which most were acquired from zoos accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association

Satellite Maps

• Google Map of Disney's Animal Kingdom
• Windows Live Local Map of Disney's Animal Kingdom
• Flash Earth Map of Disney's Animal Kingdom