Animal Kingdom Rides Guide 2025 – Best Rides RANKED, Full List, Which to Skip

No planned visit to Disney's Animal Kingdom is complete without an Animal Kingdom rides guide of all its attractions! The last theme park to open at Walt Disney World, Disney's Animal Kingdom is a theme park with “animals… real, ancient and imagined: a kingdom ruled by lions, dinosaurs and dragons; a kingdom of balance, harmony and survival; a kingdom we enter to share in the wonder, gaze at the beauty, thrill at the drama, and learn.” ~ Michael D. Eisner.

Opened on Earth day in 1998, Disney's Animal Kingdom is one of the largest and most unique theme parks in the world. Dedicated and themed entirely around the natural environment and animal conservation, Disney's Animal Kingdom features incredible rides and attractions as well as hundreds of species of live animals on exhibit.

This is your ultimate guide to every ride and attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom. We will cover all of the rides in Animal Kingdom by land, the best rides you shouldn't miss, and important things to know for each attraction. As Orlando locals, we visit Disney's Animal Kingdom often and keep up with everything new in the theme parks so you have the most up-to-date information for your next vacation. 

This article has been checked for accuracy for 2025 and updated with all currently available information.

Important Details to Know About Rides at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Before we dive into our list of all the Animal Kingdom rides, here are some of our other helpful resources you can consult if you are planning a visit to this park. See our Animal Kingdom 1-day itinerary and touring plan detailing how to get to all of the must-do experiences, our Animal Kingdom rope drop strategy with guidance on how to take full advantage of the mornings here, and best Animal Kingdom restaurants for our take on the dining experiences you shouldn't miss.

It would also be helpful to consult the Animal Kingdom map to get a feel for the layout of the park before your visit. 

In our descriptions below, we will note the rides that offer Lightning Lane access. Lightning Lane Multi Pass is the paid service that allows you to access shorter lines for popular rides. You can see our guide to the Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane rides for a full separate list of the rides that offer this and the best strategy for preselecting your Lightning Lanes for Animal Kingdom rides. There is also one ride at Animal Kingdom that offers Lightning Lane Single Pass, a purchase separate from Lightning Lane Multi Pass for the most in-demand attractions. 

In our ride descriptions below, we will cover some key details about the rides, including what you can expect, height requirements, who may want to skip it, videos of the experience, and more.

It's important to know each ride's height requirement so you can understand if you and your party can ride together. If you cannot, you can take advantage of Rider Switch. 1 person stays with the non-rider while the other responsible party (age 14 and up) and accompanying guests (up to 2) enjoy the attraction. Once finished, they can switch riders in order to experience the same attraction without having to wait again in the queue.

Upcoming Animal Kingdom Rides 

This list below will just focus on the current Animal Kingdom rides. A major upcoming expansion opening in 2027 will replace DinoLand U.S.A. with a new land inspired by the Tropical Americas. This new area will introduce the first ever Encanto-themed ride-through attraction, an Indiana Jones ride, and more. There is also a new Zootopia show coming to the Tree of Life Theater opening in the winter of 2025.

You can read about all of the new rides coming to Disney World here. 

Free Walt Disney World Vacation Quote

Our favorite Disney-approved re-seller, Get Away Today, can get you a no obligation Disney World vacation quote for free! In addition to great discount prices, their customer service and easy support is absolutely fantastic. They have an entire department dedicated to making sure every order has a wonderful experience and they are on-call to help you during your vacation if you need them. And at no additional charge, you get FREE concierge Walt Disney World services! These services include having Get Away Today's Walt Disney World expert Brooklyn take care of all your reservations and price monitoring for your trip. This really takes all the stress out of planning a Walt Disney World vacation. Rather than waking up at odd hours of the night to book all your reservations, why not let their travel agents take care of it for you- for free!

Get A Free Vacation Quote Now!

You can read my review on my personal experiences booking through Get Away Today and how much you can save here!

Animal Kingdom Ride Guide: Rides by Area

Just like every other Disney theme park, Disney's Animal Kingdom has gone through several major changes to ensure the guest experience is top notch. Designed by an incredible team of Disney Imagineers led by the Disney Legend Joe Rhode, Disney's Animal Kingdom boasts 500 acres and is home to some 1,700 animals representing 250 different species throughout the theme park. As it stands today, Disney's youngest theme park is made up of 6 different themed area that each offer a variety of rides and attractions for you and your party.

Let's go over all of the Animal Kingdom rides in the park. We will also note what we consider to be the best attractions at Animal Kingdom below!

Best Animal Kingdom Rides Ranked 

1. Avatar Flight of Passage
2. Kilimanjaro Safaris
3. Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
4. Festival of the Lion King
5. DINOSAUR

Here are the rest of the attractions you'll find at Animal Kingdom:

• It's Tough to Be a Bug 
• Na'vi River Journey
• Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
• Rafiki's Planet Watch 
• Maharajah Jungle Trek
• Kali River Rapids
• TriceraTop Spin
• Finding Nemo – The Big Blue…and Beyond!

Below, we will go into more detail on what you need to know about each of these attractions, listing them by land. 

Oasis

Featuring several types of animals and beautiful vegetation, Oasis is Animal Kingdom's version of Main Street, U.S.A. Oasis provides a transition from the world of man to the world of animals. While there are no specific rides here, you can stroll and view beautiful waterfalls, meandering streams, and colorful flora. Here, you can also find fascinating animals and signs giving you interesting facts about them. You also never know if you’ll run into DeVine, pictured above! Going from the hustle and bustle of the Disney parking lot and through the relaxing area around Oasis is a great way to set the stage for the rest of the theme park.

Discovery Island

Located right at the center of Disney's Animal Kingdom, Discovery Island is the central hub connecting you to the rest of the theme park. With the theme park's icon the Tree of Life literally connecting you with the rest of the theme park, Discovery Island houses 1 classic attraction.

It's Tough to be a Bug

This 3D film and live show based off Disney Pixar's A Bug's Life allows you to experience what it's like to be a bug. This attraction, housed inside the Tree of Life, features Flik, everyone's favorite bug, in an “Off- Bugway” show. You'll learn about the survival techniques of bugs, including the flying quills of a tarantula, the putrid “defense stench” of a stink bug, and the (harmless) spray of a soldier termite. Be careful though – when Hopper unexpectedly shows up, the theater goes bug-wild!

Skip If: This attraction features several loud moments, special effects coming from your seats, and a larger-than-life Hopper (grasshopper) animatronic – all in a dark theater. This show may not be suitable for your kiddos if they're easily scared

Access: Lightning Lane Multi Pass 

Height Requirements: Any Height

Tip: While waiting for the next showing, make sure to explore all the “movie” and “play” posters, which are bug-puns based on popular movies and musicals.

Pandora – The World of Avatar

Themed after James Cameron's film series Avatar, Pandora – The World of Avatar is an extremely popular addition to Disney's Animal Kingdom since its opening in 2017. Pandora is a moon 4.37 lightyears away from Earth. Several generations after the great war of the Avatar films, Alpha Centauri Expeditions (ACE) and the Pandora Conservation Initiative (PCI) now use this area as their headquarters for the Mountain Banshee Project, which allows eco-tourists like you to visit Pandora. Let's go over the 2 attractions in this Avatar themed land.

Avatar Flight of Passage- #1 BEST Animal Kingdom Ride!

Avatar Flight of Passage changed the theme park landscape at Walt Disney World. The addition of Pandora – The World of Avatar increased the profile of Animal Kingdom along with this attraction. For good reasons, Avatar Flight of Passage continues to be the most popular attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We see this attraction as the #1 best Animal Kingdom ride.

Thanks to ACE and PCI, you now have the chance to experience what it's like to bond with a mountain banshee. Named “Iknimaya,” this rite of passage for Na'vi hunters peaks with an incredible flight over Pandora, full of breathtaking views of the floating mountains, the ocean, and the wildlife. You'll feel just like a Na'vi hunter on these powerful winged creatures as they soar over the moon's beautiful landscape. This 3D ride is easily one of the best in all of Walt Disney World!

The simulated effect of flying works wonderfully on Avatar Flight of Passage. As Dr. Stevens says during the pre-show of this attraction, “Okay, um, first we need to find a compatible match of your genetic material with the genetic material of one of the avatar bodies that we already have. Once we do that, you’ll be able to link to that avatar, and, uh, fly.”

After you experience this attraction, you will see why this wins the battle of best Animal Kingdom rides. This attraction will have a long wait time most of the day. Disney knows this attraction is popular. That is reflected by this attraction offering an individual paid access Lightning Lane. 

Skip If: You're prone to motion sickness or have a fear of heights

Access: Lightning Lane Single Pass, Rider Switch

Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 44″ (112cm)

On-Ride Video: via YouTube

Tip: While this ride often times sees long wait times, you might want to wait in the standby queue if the wait time is under 1 hour. Once you enter the indoor portion of the queue, you'll be surrounded by the flowing flora of Pandora and eventually walk into an PCI lab, complete with a full-sized avatar. You won't be able to experience this through the Individual Lightning Lane!

Na'vi River Journey

This gentle boat ride takes you deep into Pandora's caves. Full of bioluminescent flora and mystical creatures, this is a must-do Disney attraction simply for its beauty. While it's relatively short at 4.5 minutes, you'll get endless views of plants, insects, and creatures native to Pandora. Toward the end of your journey, you'll get to join the legendary Na'vi Shaman of Songs, an incredible 10-foot-tall creature that moves gracefully and sends positive energy into the forest through her music. There's a reason many guests want to ride this Animal Kingdom ride over and over again.

Skip If: The wait time is longer than 1 hour

Access: Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Rider Switch

Height Requirements: Any Height

On-Ride Video: via YouTube

Tip: Wait times for this ride also tend to be high, but we recommend keeping an eye on wait times in the My Disney Experience mobile app as they can still fluctuate throughout the day. Additionally, since the ride queue isn't nearly as detailed as the queue in Flight of Passage, using Lightning Lane Multi Pass won't have you miss out on much of the queue experience.

Africa

One of the original areas of Disney's Animal Kingdom, Africa is set in the fictional East African port village of Harambe. Named after the Swahili word for “come to gether,” Africa is full of authentic theming, including a faux water-stained, crumbling old building and private home originally seen in Kenya. Africa has a number of rides and attractions for your entire party to enjoy, including some of the best Animal Kingdom rides.

Kilimanjaro Safaris – #2 BEST Animal Kingdom Ride!

Kilimanjaro Safaris, located in the African area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, offers an experience unmatched in terms of theme park attraction. Kilimanjaro Safaris served as the signature attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom until our number one attraction arrived. Kilimanjaro Safaris is an absolute must-do when you visit Disney's Animal Kingdom.

This is a truly wild adventure that is never the same when you ride it again. On Kilimanjaro Safaris, you board an open-air vehicle for a guided tour of a lush African savanna, home to over 30 species living in 110 acres of open plains, shady forests, and rocky wetlands. This 18-minute expedition into Harambe Wildlife Reserve gives you the chance to see some amazing animals, including hippopotamuses, lions, giraffes, cheetahs, and crocodiles. The animals have immense freedom to travel in this savanna. In fact, animals sometimes block the path of the safari vehicles leading to an African traffic jam.

This attraction deserves as many pictures as you can take. This might be the attraction you go home and talk about most after your Walt Disney World vacation.

Skip If: The wait time is longer than 1 hour

Access: Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Rider Switch

Height Requirements: Any Height

On-Ride Video: via YouTube

Tip: For the most immersive experience, we recommend riding Kilimanjaro Safaris either early in the morning when it opens or in the late afternoon right before the theme park closes. Not only will you experience shorter wait times, you'll also likely see more animals.

Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail

One of several exploration trails throughout Disney's Animal Kingdom, Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail allows you to a variety of animals in a lush tropical forest. Along this trail, you'll encounter hippos, zebras, meerkats, hippos, and naked mole-rats. Two crowd-favorites are the gorillas and monkeys. During this self-guided tour, you can take photos of these magnificent animals. You can even learn from knowledgable Cast Members hanging out along the trail!

Skip If: It's hard to find a good reason to skip this trail!

Access: None – there is rarely any wait for this self-guided tour

Height Requirements: Any Height

Tip: This trail is a wonderful way to take a mid-park break, with plenty of shade along the way. Make sure to take your time exploring this trail, asking questions to Cast Members along the way. They're there specifically to help you learn!

Festival of the Lion King – #4 BEST Animal Kingdom Attraction!

While this is not a ride, “Festival of the Lion King,” a Broadway-level show, deserves to be on this list. This stage show rates as the best live show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We might suggest this qualifies as the best show at any of the four Walt Disney World theme parks.

Disney fans can rejoice while watching one of the most classic Disney animated features alive on stage. Festival of the Lion King is an incredibly popular live show based on the 1994 Disney film The Lion King. You'll be treated to 30-minutes of some of Disney's best entertainment, retelling the story of Simba. The crowd will even get to participate in the fun! Full of color and vibrance, Festival of the Lion King is a wonderful show the entire family will enjoy.

“Festival of the Lion King” brings the Disney narrative to life with fine acting, incredible music, impressive athleticism, and creative set design. The 30-minute celebration contains a variety of elements. The costumes and choreography earn high marks. Some of the most talented entertainment cast members perform in this show.

Skip If: It's hard to find a good reason to skip this show!

Access: Lightning Lane Multi Pass 

Height Requirements: Any Height

Tip: Make sure to check the My Disney Experience mobile app for showtimes. Additionally, there's no bad seat in this theater-in-the-round show!

Rafiki's Planet Watch

Located next to Africa, Rafiki's Planet Watch has 3 areas for you to explore and learn more about wildlife. To get to Rafiki's Planet Watch, you must board the Wildlife Express Train. Upon your arrival, you can explore Conservation Station, Affection Section, or Habitat Habitat!

• Conservation Station showcases various conservation efforts supported by the Walt Disney Company. This is also where The Animation Experience is located, where you can learn how to draw beloved Disney characters from a Disney animator.
• Affection Section is a petting area that features goats, sheep, and other domesticated animals.
• Habitat Habitat! is a path you can explore and take a self-guided tour, learning about the efforts taken to protect endangered primates.

This not-so-well-known area is a must-visit for everyone.

Skip If: It's hard to find a good reason to skip this entire area!

Access: No special access. Lightning Lane entry was recently removed for The Animation Experience at Conservation Station.

Height Requirements: Any Height

Tip: If you are really interested in learning about how Disney takes care of animals, make sure to visit Conservation Station before noon. You'll more than likely be able to see a variety of procedures performed on animals!

Asia

Asia is set in the fictional kingdom of Anandapur Named after the Sanskrit word for “place of many delights,” Asia is comprised of 2 villages and is the center of animal research and tourism in Disney's Animal Kingdom. Asia has a number of rides and attractions for your entire party to enjoy.

Maharajah Jungle Trek

This self-guided walking tour of Southeast Asia gives you a glimpse of the many animals from this region. As you cross towering footbridges, roam around jungle bends, and behold cascading waterfalls, you'll encounter many animals, including elds deer, blackbuck, Komodo dragons, and water buffalo. Make sure to spend some extra time in the chirping aviary, full of over 50 species of birds! Don't forget to say hi to the tigers here!

Skip If: It's hard to find a good reason to skip this trail!

Access: None – there is rarely any wait for this self-guided tour

Height Requirements: Any Height

Tip: Like many of the other self-guided tours at Disney's Animal Kingdom, we recommend taking this tour as a break between attractions. It's a great way to decompress, relax, and recharge before your next attraction.

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain – #3 BEST Animal Kingdom Ride!

This well-themed roller coaster attraction offers some solid thrills as one of the best Animal Kingdom rides. Some experienced Disney guests say this coaster is their favorite at Walt Disney World Resort.

From a theming standpoint, this coaster runs at the base of Mount Everest near a Tibetan village. Ancient legends indicate that a snow monster known as the “Yeti” lives in the mountain area. We have been told he does not like visitors of any type. Some say the legend of the Yeti has no truth. Others say the Yeti is real, but no one has seen him up close. They only see his shadow or some light that might be the Yeti.

This thrilling coaster ride takes you through the Forbidden Mountain of the Himalayas. As travelers on a tour of the Himalayas put on by Himalayan Escapes, you'll board a train going through Mount Everest. However, rather than a journey around the “Forbidden Mountain,” your tour goes through it. As you take a steep ascent, your train picks up speed and races into the darkness. Inside the cavern, a mythical tale comes true as you see the shadow of the Yeti! This exciting ride includes a steep climb, a backwards descent, a double-looping turn, and an 80-foot drop!

One of the best features of this coaster involves the single-rider queue. Even though a single-rider queue should not move very efficiently with this attraction style, the single-rider queue moves quickly. If your group does not want to ride Expedition Everest, you can go by yourself using the single-rider line.

Skip If: You're prone to motion sickness, have a fear of heights, or think you or other members of your party may be afraid of loud noises, dark places, or frightening creature effects

Access: Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Single Rider, Rider Switch

Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 44″ (112cm)

On-Ride Video: via YouTube

Tip: We recommend riding this attraction early and getting in the standby queue. It's full of artifacts and detail explaining the story of the mysterious Yeti, a snow monster that lives deep in the mountain. In fact, many of the items you'll see in the queue are authentic items taken from the base of Mount Everest!

Kali River Rapids

If you're looking to cool off on a hot day in Disney's Animal Kingdom, this is it. Kali River Rapids is a thrilling whitewater adventure through the lush jungle in the heart of Asia. You'll load a large, circular 12-passenger raft that glides up a 90-foot knoll into a mist. You'll then sail through an erupting geyser and descend the mountain that includes a dramatic 20-foot slope. If you don't get wet from any of these obstacles, you'll likely get wet from other guests spraying water on you through the elephant-themed water sprayers!

Skip If: You're prone to motion sickness or do not want to get wet

Access: Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Rider Switch

Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 38″ (97cm)

On-Ride Video: via YouTube

Tip: If you want to ride this attraction but do not want to get soaked, we recommend wearing a poncho while riding. Additionally, there are lockers located across from the entrance of the ride that you can place your belongings (free for a limited amount of time).

DinoLand U.S.A.

DinoLand U.S.A. is a completely different from what you'll find in the rest of Disney's Animal Kingdom. So the story goes, DinoLand U.S.A. started as a small highway town where an amateur fossil-hunter found some dinosaur bones. After contacting a few scientist friends, they gathered their money together to purchase the site. Since then, scientists, volunteers, and grad students have been living there trying to find answers about dinosaurs. Meanwhile, Chester and Hester, 2 locals, were determined to make a quick buck and converted their gas station into a fossil souvenir shop and the parking lot into a small amusement park!

Dinosaur – #5 BEST Animal Kingdom Ride!

Though this attraction has seen better days and undergone several changes since Animal Kingdom’s opening day, DINOSAUR continues offering thrills. This enhanced motion vehicle-style ride combines action-packed fun with visual effects.

This Animal Kingdom ride allows you to travel back in time on a perilous race to rescue an Iguanadon before the meteor strikes. This dark thrill ride based on the 2000 Disney film Dinosaur takes you on a 12-seat Time Rover through the Late Cretaceous time period. After boarding your Time Rover, you'll go back in time and explore a primeval forest filled with life-like dinosaurs, careen through unpredictable hairpin turns, and dart around fearsome predators. As the clock counts down, you won't quite know whether or not you'll make it!

DINOSAUR creates an anxious, dark, and unpredictable experience. The attraction provides lots of bumping around. Secure your belongings in the proper pouches before this ride begins. 

Skip If: You're prone to motion sickness or dislike loud sounds in the dark, or menacing dinosaurs

Access: Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Rider Switch

Height Requirements: Guests must be at least 40″ (102cm)

On-Ride Video: via YouTube

Tip: If you're familiar with Disneyland Park's Indiana Jones Adventure attraction, you'll be familiar with the ride track layout for Dinosaur. Both attractions share the same layout!

TriceraTop Spin

Guests of all ages can enjoy TriCeraTop Spin! This carnival-inspired attraction takes you up into the air as you bob up and down, forward and back through the air to festive music. With 4 guests to each gondola, everyone is able to control their gondola's motion. Don't be surprised if something prehistoric appears from the giant crown in the center of the top!

Skip If: You're prone to motion sickness or have a fear of heights

Access: None (other than standby queue)

Height Requirements: Any Height

On-Ride Video: via YouTube

Tip: In general, this area of Disney's Animal Kingdom is exposed to the sun. When it's hot, the sun reflects off the ground to make you feel even hotter. We recommend riding this attraction earlier in the day or later in the afternoon.

Finding Nemo – The Big Blue… and Beyond!

Based on Disney Pixar's film Finding Nemo, this live-action musical stage show is filled with puppets and singers and is set underwater! This exciting show invites you to experience the tale of Nemo and friends from a whole new point of view. It also features fan-favorite songs such as “In the Big Blue World” and “Go with the Flow.” With live performers, animated backdrops, and a theater decked out with innovative lighting, sound effects, and special effects, you'll be sure to love this show.

Skip If: It's hard to find a good reason to skip this musical stage show!

Access: Lightning Lane Multi Pass

Height Requirements: Any Height

Tip: Make sure to check the My Disney Experience mobile app for wait times as this musical is shown several times per day

Plan Your Walt Disney World Vacation

To get a head start to planning your Disney vacation, subscribe to our FREE Deals newsletter. Here you will have access to useful planning information, exclusive Disney deals, and access to the lowest priced Disney tickets anywhere. Find more information on planning your vacation here:

• Best Magic Kingdom Rides
• Animal Kingdom vs. EPCOT – Which Disney World Park is Best?
• What are the Best rides at EPCOT and Which Should You Skip?
• Best Months to Visit Walt Disney World