Hello, and welcome (or welcome back)!
Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope everyone is doing well and feeling safe, healthy, and happy :).
This week continues the Park Spotlight series, where I spotlight 5 areas of Disney World in Florida and tell you my favorite things about them. I have been to Disney Springs, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom, but I have yet to venture to Hollywood Studios (I do plan on going very soon…). For ‘Hollywood Studios’ week, I will detail what I am looking most forward to about that park.
Let’s dive in!
I went to Animal Kingdom park for the first time in years in 2019, and I had so much fun. Animal Kingdom makes you feel like you are in 10 different countries on 3 different continents all at once. It is such a step away from the typical Disney World features you see at the other parks, but yet there is still a real magical feel. It truly is a worldly experience walking through Animal Kingdom.
Food: I strongly encourage you to take full advantage of the different types of cuisines that they have at Animal Kingdom. Sure, there are the usual options like hamburgers and chicken nuggets, but if you can, try something new. I went to the Harambe Market, and I found a lot of really delicious options with the African feel I was looking for.
Rides: Animal Kingdom has a nice mix of laidback and action-packed entertainment. My favorite rides at Animal Kingdom were Avatar Flight of Passage, DINOSAUR, and Kilimanjaro Safaris. Disclaimer: for Avatar Flight of Passage, your best bet is to get a fast pass for this ride, because you will be waiting in line a long time for this ride. Especially if you go to Animal Kingdom during Disney’s peak season (summer and around the holidays).
Shopping: I didn’t do a lot of shopping when I went to Animal Kingdom, but the shops are definitely present and bountiful.
Nighttime Entertainment: Animal Kingdom’s nighttime show differs from those of Epcot, Magic Kingdom, and I presume, Hollywood Studios. At Animal Kingdom, there is a River of Lights show with music and light projector effects. After seeing the show for the first time in 2019, I enjoyed it. It was unique and told a story about the world and the living creatures on earth, and it makes you reflect about how, in someway, we are all connected. Very Lion King-esque. I will say that the seating is not my favorite. You are sat in bleacher seating, on benches, with no backs, for at least a half hour. Be prepared….(lol)
My recommendation: You can spend an entire day at Animal Kingdom and still not see absolutely everything, there is just so much at the park to explore. My suggestion to you would be to get fast passes for the most popular rides (like Avatar’s Flight of Passage and the Safari), and spend sometime wandering around at all of the different animal exhibits that they have at the park. Go to each continental section and learn as much as you can. When the nighttime show opens up again, plan on going at the end of the day.
That is my take on Animal Kingdom! Make sure to check back next week for my deep dive into Disney Springs!
Until next time….
Stay safe and stay magical!
Ashley, MCT
My Chronic Travels 