All about the Animal Kingdom

The Animal Kingdom! Disney World meets the wilderness. The most recently built park, Animal Kingdom opened in April 1998. This park opened up a whole new world to Disney goers and was unlike any other park.

At over 500 acres, Animal Kingdom is also the largest Disney World park and has over 4,500 cast members to date just in this park. Obviously, Animal Kingdom is full of over 300 species of animals and holds about 2,000 animals. Just to finish explaining this park in numbers, Animal Kingdom has over 4 million trees, ferns, bushes, vines, and more. If you spend even a minute in the park, you will see how much detail went into all of the aspects of the park. Disney is always all about the little details and this park is no different. Each decor element is researched and done with the most accuracy. Animal Kingdom is comprised of 5 different areas in the park: Africa, Asia, DinoLand USA, Discovery Island, and Pandora the World of Avatar.

Park ”lands”  overview

Africa takes you into the wildlife of Africa. A recreated African village allows for fun and authentic look into this continent. One of the biggest attractions in the Africa area of the park is the Kilimanjaro Safari. You will hop on an open-air safari vehicle and drive into the recreated lush African savanna for an 18-minute ride. This attraction puts your up close and personal with some amazing animals such as gazelles, giraffes, warthogs, flamingos, and many more. Kilimanjaro Safari is perfect for all ages- bring on the whole family!

Asia has many different attractions to help you step into the many aspects of Asia. From the rapids to the rainforest, Asia has many different things to offer. One of the most popular attractions in Asia is Expedition Everest. This runaway coaster brings you to the edge of the rapids and many more places. Expedition Everest takes you through the famous Himalayan Mountains as you try to stay away from the Abominable Snowman. This coaster is for all riders 44 inches and up.

Dinoland USA is the best land for all you dinosaur experts out there! There is a dig site for the kids, a stage show with original songs, and a whirling coaster. If you enjoy adventure and learning about those dinos, make sure to spend some time in Dinoland. Dinoland is full of great attractions from The Boneyard to the Primeval Whirl and TriceraTop Spin. If you are over 48 inches, you can hop on the Primeval Whirl for a spinning good time. This spinning and sliding coaster takes you back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. 

Discovery Island is home to what is probably the most known element of Animal Kingdom- the Tree of Life. The Tree of Life also has a theater that plays a funny 3D show. This famous attraction celebrates all living creatures big and small. The tree is this parks iconic symbol like the Magic Kingdom has the castle. And not only does the tree look impressive, but it also has the theater built into it.

Pandora is a newer land that celebrates the well-known film Avatar and embraces nature. One exciting attraction in Pandora is the Avatar Flight of Passage. This attraction brings rides and 3D action together to create one exciting attraction. Hop onto the back of a flying banshee and take off on this interactive 3D ride. This thrill ride is open for those who are 44 inches and taller.

Fun Facts

The first animal born in Animal Kingdom was a large African Antelope which is called a Kudu.

Animal Kingdom runs a Disney Conservation Fund and it has raised more than $70 million dollars to help over 600 nonprofit organizations.

One of the leading zoo hospitals in North America is located right inside Disney World in the Animal Kingdom.

Like we mentioned before, over 4 million plants, shrubs, and more were planted inside Animal Kingdom. You’re surrounded by many different kinds of greenery all the time.

The floating mountains in Valley of Mo’ara are actually about 130 feet above the valley floor.

There are 325 animal carvings on the Tree of Life. It took 10 artists and 3 Imagineers about 18 months to create all of the intricate carvings on the tree.

There are over 103,000 leaves on top of the Tree of Life.

Are you wanting to plan a fun trip to Animal Kingdom? Let us help you plan the perfect vacation!