Animal Kingdom is a massive conservation-focused zoo with some great thrill rides, a few dark slow rides, a huge safari, and even a couple of fun Disney stage shows. Although it may seem like there’s only going to be animal exhibits throughout the park, you’d be surprised to know that there are actually some pretty great rides and attractions unlike the ones you’d find at any other Disney World park.
Below, I’m going to rank all of the top attractions and rides at Animal Kingdom from best to worst. Please just remember that this is entirely my personal opinion and preferences, especially if I rank something too low or too high 🙂
So with that being said, here are the best rides at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park!
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Best Rides at Animal Kingdom
Here’s my ranking of the best Animal Kingdom rides:
1. Avatar Flight of Passage
This is by far the best ride at Epcot, and second best at Disney World (behind Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind in Epcot).
Avatar Flight of Passage is an incredible and immersive ride located in Pandora – The World of Avatar area, an area of the park where you’ll be transported to the mesmerizing world of James Cameron’s Avatar movie as soon as you take one step inside.
Avatar Flight of Passage is a 3D simulator attraction that takes you on a thrilling adventure of a lifetime where you’ll become an “avatar,” just like in the movie, and link to a banshee, a magnificent flying creature native to Pandora. Through the magic of cutting-edge technology, you’ll feel as if you’re actually riding on the back of one of these majestic creatures.
As you soar through the skies of Pandora, you’ll witness stunning landscapes, lush forests, and breathtaking waterfalls. The attention to detail is mind-blowing; you’ll feel the banshee breathing beneath you and the wind rushing through your hair. It truly feels like you’re flying!
One of the best things about Avatar Flight of Passage is that it’s suitable for adventurers of all ages (who meet the height requirement) and thrill-seekers alike. Even if you’re not familiar with the Avatar movie, you’ll still be captivated by the sheer beauty and excitement of this ride.
Keep in mind that this attraction is highly popular, so it’s a good idea to buy and Individual Lightning Lane selection or head there as soon as the park opens to avoid long wait times.
This is also probably the best rides for adults followed by Everest.
- Category: Thrill Ride
- Height Requirement: 44 inches or taller
- Genie+ or Lightning Lane: Individual Lightning Lane
- Location: Pandora – The World of Avatar
2. Kilimanjaro Safari
The Kilimanjaro Safari is a thrilling and unforgettable adventure that takes you on a wild journey through 110 acres of open plains, shady forest landscapes, and rocky wetlands. Buckle up and get ready for a safari like no other, as you embark on a remarkable expedition through the African savannah.
As you step aboard the safari vehicle, you’ll be greeted by an expert guide who will be your charismatic and knowledgeable companion throughout the journey. The ride takes you deep into the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, a sprawling and lush landscape that resembles the real African savannah.
On each safari ride, you will encounter and get up close and personal with an incredible array of over 30 species of exotic wildlife. From elephants majestically roaming the plains to graceful giraffes snacking on tall trees, and from powerful lions basking in the sun to speedy cheetahs on the prowl – the diversity of animals you’ll encounter is simply astounding, especially for a theme park.
Throughout the journey, your guide will provide fascinating facts about the animals, their habitats, and the conservation efforts that Disney is actively involved in to protect these magnificent creatures. It’s not only a thrilling adventure but also an educational experience that will leave you with a deeper appreciation of African wildlife.
Kilimanjaro Safari is an attraction that offers something unique every time you ride it since the animals’ behavior may vary leaving you with the high possibility of getting a unique experience each time you go. Plus, it’s even pretty fun in the light rain.
- Category: Slow Rides
- Height Requirement: None
- Genie+ or Lightning Lane: Yes
- Location: Africa
3. Expedition Everest
Expedition Everest is a roller coaster that is sure to get your heart racing as it takes you on an exhilarating adventure and thrilling journey through the majestic Himalayas. and leave you with unforgettable memories.
Once you hop on board, the excitement builds as you ascend higher and higher, offering breathtaking views Animal Kingdom park as well as most of Walt Disney World Resort. But just when you thought the climb couldn’t get any steeper, the track suddenly takes a daring twist, and you find yourself hurtling backward into darkness!
The spine-tingling surprises don’t end there as you will soon encounter the elusive Yeti, the guardian of the mountain, in all its fearsome glory. As you twist and turn through icy caverns, you’ll feel the adrenaline pumping through your veins, and your heart pounding in anticipation of what’s to come.
The attention to detail on Expedition Everest is simply extraordinary. The scenery, the sounds, and even the scent of the mountain air make you feel like you’ve truly been transported to the Himalayas. It’s a perfect blend of excitement and immersion that Disney Imagineering is known for.
I truly love this ride and it’s one of the few rides that you can ride over and over again and never get tired of it. Plus, even if the wait times are a little long, you can always use the Single Rider Line to get on a little bit quicker.
- Category: Thrill Rides, Big Drops, Dark
- Height Requirement: 44 inches or taller
- Genie+ or Lightning Lane: Yes
- Location: Asia
4. Dinosaur
On this thrilling dark ride, you’ll step into a time machine and travel back millions of years to a world ruled by dinosaurs.
As hop on ride and pull on those iconic yellow tabs, you’ll be greeted by an awe-inspiring prehistoric landscape, complete with lush vegetation, cascading waterfalls, and the distant roars of dinosaurs echoing in the air. Buckle up and hold on tight as your journey begins.
The ride takes you on a wild and educational escapade, showcasing the fascinating diversity of dinosaurs that once walked the Earth. You’ll encounter the gentle giants like the Brachiosaurus, towering high above the trees, with their long necks and peaceful demeanor, marvel at the Stegosaurus, adorned with its iconic plates and spikes, and learn about its intriguing defensive capabilities.
But it’s not all about the calm giants because you’ll abruptly encounter the fierce and mighty predators like the ferocious Tyrannosaurus rex and the cunning Velociraptors, both of which will surely get your heart racing!
Throughout the ride, you’ll be accompanied by friendly and knowledgeable guides who will share interesting facts about each dinosaur species, all while you’re trying to find your dino before the meteor strikes.
I personally enjoy riding on this ride during the middle of the day especially when it’s scorching out since it’s one of the few air conditioned indoor queues in the park.
- Category: Thrill Ride, Small Drops, Dark, Scary
- Height Requirement: 40 inches or taller
- Genie+ or Lightning Lane: Yes
- Location: DinoLand U.S.A
5. It’s Tough to Be a Bug
Get ready to shrink down to bug size and enter a whole new universe where you’ll meet Flik, that lovable ant from Disney-Pixar’s “A Bug’s Life” in this fun 3D show. He’ll be your hilarious guide on this wild and wacky journey.
Once the show begins, you’ll be treated to an impressive array of sights, sounds, and even smells! As an honorary bug, you’ll get to experience what life is like in the as an insect insects – both the good and bad.
But don’t worry, it’s all in good fun, and you’ll have plenty of laughs along the way. The show features a fantastic cast of creepy crawlies, each with their own unique personalities and quirks. You’ll meet spiders, termites, and beetles, and even get a taste of what a stink bug is capable of!
This attraction is perfect for the whole family. It can get a little scary at some points but it goes by quick. Best of all, It’s Tough to Be a Bug always has a pretty short wait.
- Category: Dark, Scary, Loud
- Height Requirement: None
- Genie+ or Lightning Lane: Yes
- Location: Discovery Island
6. Na’vi River Journey
Na’vi River Journey is an indoor boat ride that will take you on a magical journey through the bioluminescent forests and mystical landscapes of Pandora.
You’ll find yourself surrounded by the lush greenery and vibrant flora of Pandora. The whole atmosphere is so immersive and beautifully crafted that you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into the blockbuster movie “Avatar” itself.
The heart of the adventure lies in the breathtaking Na’vi Shaman of Songs. This incredibly lifelike animatronic figure will captivate you with her mesmerizing movements and soul-stirring music. It’s truly a sight to behold, and you might even find yourself tapping your feet to the rhythm of her enchanting melody.
As your boat glides peacefully through the winding river, you’ll encounter exotic creatures and fascinating plant life unique to Pandora. Keep your eyes peeled for the colorful creatures hiding among the foliage and the glowing plants that you may recognize from the movies.
Honestly, if this ride had a significantly shorter wait, I would gladly go on it more. But it always has a 45 min wait or longer, on average, which really isn’t worth your time.
- Category: Slow Rides
- Height Requirement: None
- Genie+ or Lightning Lane: Yes
- Location: Pandora – The World of Avatar
7. Kali River Rapids
Kali River Rapids is raft ride that takes you on a wild and wet journey through the dense jungles of Kali River.
As you step aboard your colorful raft, you’ll encounter swirling rapids, surprising waterfalls, and even a few mischievous geysers along the way.
But it all ends up to the grand finale – a large drop where a portion of the raft will get absolutely soaked.
To be honest, this may be one of the worst rides at Disney. Don’t get me wrong, it does have one fun moment, but it’s actually kind of boring, at least compared to other raft rides at similar theme parks like Universal Orlando.
If anything, make this your last ride of the day, especially if you already rode Flight of Passage.
- Category: Thrill Rides, Small Drops, Spinning
- Height Requirement: 38 inches or taller
- Genie+ or Lightning Lane: Yes
- Location: Asia
8. TriceraTop Spin
TriceraTop Spin is basically just Dumbo but with a dinosaur theme.
You’ll hop on to a color triceratops and slowly lift into the air for a panoramic view of DinoLand U.SA.
This is a good, slow spinning ride for little kids especially since it doesn’t have a minimum height requirement.
Wait times usually aren’t that bad so this is a good ride to hop on before or after you go on Dinosaur.
- Category: Slow Rides, Spinning
- Height Requirement: None
- Genie+ or Lightning Lane: No
- Location: DinoLand U.S.A.
Best Rides at Animal Kingdom for Genie+ and Lightning Lane
When planning out your day, there are a few priorities that you should use Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lanes for. These not-to-missed rides and attractions are:
- Avatar Flight of Passage
- Kilimanjaro Safari
- Na’Vi River Journey
- Expedition Everest
Avatar Flight of Passage, Kilimanjaro Safari, Expedition Everest are arguably the most in-demand attractions in Animal Kingdom.
Currently, the only ride that you can pay to ride via Individual Lightning Lane Selections is Avatar Flight of Passage. And honestly, it’s one of the few Individual Lighting Lanes worth the price of $11 to $16.
The other three rides are are equally as popular so I recommend that you book using your Genie+ selections.
The rest of the rides have decent wait times that get significantly shorter as the day progresses. And in all honesty, Animal Kingdom is probably the best parks to visit without Genie+ especially if you visit in the late afternoon to early evening on a weekday.
Animal Kingdom Character Experiences
Here are all of the wonderful characters that you can meet and greet at Animal Kingdom (as well as some you may see from afar):
- Chip ‘n’ Dale (DinoLand U.S.A.)
- Daisy Duck (DinoLand U.S.A.)
- Donald Duck (DinoLand U.S.A.)
- Pluto (DinoLand U.S.A.)
- Goofy (DinoLand U.S.A.)
- Mickey and Minnie Mouse (Adventurers Outpost in Discovery Island)
- Moana (Character Landing in Discovery Island)
- Kevin (Discovery Island)
- Russell and Dug (Wilderness Explorers Clubhouse in Discovery Island)
- Pocahontas (Discovery River Cruise)
All of these characters have specific meeting times so please check out the schedule on the My Disney Experience app.
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So how’d I do? Are there any rides and attractions at Animal Kingdom that you rate rate higher or lower? If so, please let me know below!
Thanks for reading and hopefully this helped you learn more about the best rides at Animal Kingdom, while making it easier to plan out your Animal Kingdom day priorities!
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