This Is Disney World’s Least Visited Park and Guests Are Missing a Lot When They Skip It

Attendance figures for the Walt Disney World theme parks puts one of their four theme parks below the other three in terms of attendance figures.

While this theme park is the least visited out of all the parks, there are many overlooked things to do that guests are missing out on.

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This is Least Visited Theme Park at Disney World

According to recent data from this year, the Disney World parks had attendance figures of 11,980,000 for EPCOT, 10,300,000 for Hollywood Studios, and 8,770,000 for Animal Kingdom. As you can see, Animal Kingdom is the least visited of the Walt Disney World theme parks. As for Magic Kingdom, it ranks as the #1 most visited theme park worldwide with its 2023 attendance at 17,720,000 visitors.

Some guests may find that there are fewer big attractions here than the other Walt Disney World theme parks, often labeling it as a zoo that can be skipped. This misses some of what makes this theme park so special.

Animal Kingdom is indeed quite different from the other three theme parks. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s not worth your time. If anything, it only makes it more special. Animal Kingdom has a lot to offer to the guests of Walt Disney World. Let’s take a look at some things that guests often miss when they’re at Animal Kingdom and what others are missing out on when they choose not to visit the park.

Animal Exhibit Trails

When guests want to see animals at Animal Kingdom, the most common location to head to is Kilimanjaro Safaris. While this is a great location to see a number of wild animals, there are other places around the park where excellent sightings can be had.

There are a number of animal exhibit trails located throughout the park. Most of them, however, have somewhat discreet entrances, which leads to many guests walking right past them.

At the front of the park, you’ll find the Oasis exhibits. As you stroll through these lush trails, you’ll have the opportunity to see animals such as giant anteaters, babirusas, barking deer, wallabies, and spoonbills. Most people walk right past this area as they enter the park, either because they’re in a hurry to get to an attraction or because they simply don’t notice it.

Another animal trail can be found in Asia. Here, the Maharajah Jungle Trek provides guests with the opportunity to explore jungle lands, complete with footbridges and waterfalls. While 50 species of birds fly freely overhead, other animals, such as gibbons, Eld's deer, blackbuck, Komodo dragons, Malayan flying foxes, and water buffalo, can also be seen.

When in Africa, make sure you stop by the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. Here, you can walk through a tropical forest that’s home to gorillas, hippos, zebras, meerkats, and more.

These animal trails are special, because you can go through them at your own pace. You can take as little or as much time as you need, walk through beautiful scenery, and take pictures from convenient observation locations. These trails create a space where guests can truly take in and enjoy the animals that they see.

Wilderness Explorers

A fun and often overlooked activity at Animal Kingdom is Wilderness Explorers. Guests can set out to earn badges and become a Wilderness Explorer – just like Russel in Up. To earn badges, you’ll complete a variety of nature-themed challenges. There are over 25 badges that can be earned on this self-guided quest.

Wilderness Explorers is a great activity for children, but adults are welcome to join in on the fun as well! Challenges can be completed individually or as a group.

To start your journey, you’ll need to pick up a Wilderness Explorer handbook. This can be picked up at headquarters (on the bridge between the Oasis and Discovery Island) or at Wilderness Explorer Troop Leader locations, which can be found in Africa, Asia, Pandora – The World of Avatar, and at Rafiki’s Planet Watch.

Live Entertainment

At Animal Kingdom, you won’t find entertainment that’s filled with magic and fantasy. However, what you will find is entertainment that has spirit and lively authenticity.

When you arrive at Discovery Island, you’ll be met by the upbeat sounds of the Viva Gaia Street Band. Wearing brightly colored attire, the Viva Gaia Street Band puts on a Caribbean street party for all guests to take part in. Their energetic melodies are sure to get you moving!

The Tam Tam Drummers also put on a performance that you won’t want to miss. Located in Harambe, these African drummers dance, drum, and perform impressive feats. Their authentic African costumes, upbeat spirits, and captivating drumming always draw in a large crowd.

The Festival of the Lion King brings a classic Disney film to life through a stunning visual performance. Filled with large puppets, acrobats, aerial stunts, pyro, and dancing, this crowd-pleasing show continuously fills the seats throughout the day. Performers wearing beautifully designed costumes tell the story, with the help of our friend Timon, through narration and song.

Ride the Train to Rafiki's Planet Watch

Magic Kingdom isn’t the only theme park at Walt Disney World with a train. There’s one at Animal Kingdom, too! The Animal Kingdom train is called the Wildlife Express Train. Unfortunately, it’s often overlooked. However, if you climb aboard, you’re in for an adventure that includes a look behind the scenes, an opportunity to pet animals, more exhibits, and a special art experience.

The Wildlife Express Train station is located in Harambe, which can be found in the Africa section of the park. From here, guests take a 7-minute ride to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. At Rafiki’s Planet Watch, guests can enjoy the Affection Section, Habitat Habit!, and the Conservation Station.

At the Affection Section, guests can pet animals such as goats, pigs, sheep, cows, donkeys, and llamas. Animal Care Experts are nearby to answer any questions that you may have about these furry friends.

Habitat Habit! is an educational experience that’s located on the walkway between the train station and the Conservation Station. Along the trail are informational signs, which guests can read to learn about conservation. This area has also featured interactive scavenger-like activities for little ones in the past, which connected fun and education.

The Conservation Station is an animal care facility. Here, you can see additional creatures such as snakes, rodents, and insects. Additionally, you can take a peek at the Veterinary Treatment Room, Nutrition Center, and Science Center.

A fun activity that also takes place in the Conservation Station is The Animation Experience. This is an instructional art class that’s led by a Disney Animator. During this time, you'll receive step-by-step instructions and learn how to draw a Disney character (usually an animal such as Simba, Nemo, Timon, and Pua). This class is free and usually lasts about 40 minutes. Afterwards, you’ll be able to take your piece of art home with you!

Amazing Dining

Wonderful dining locations are located all over Walt Disney World Resort. Many of these spots can be found in Animal Kingdom. From a character dining experience to fine dining, specialty snacks, and delicious quick-service options, the food at Animal Kingdom is something that you don’t want to miss out on.

There’s one restaurant in particular that you’ll want to make sure to experience – Satu’li Canteen. This quick-service location can be found in Pandora – The World of Avatar. The exotic foods at this restaurant are designed to reflect the dishes and flavors that the Na’vi enjoy. These unique, yet familiar tastes are brought together healthily, while still providing big, bold flavors. The food here is so delicious that it’s hard to believe that you're eating at a quick-service location. While you’re at Satu’li Canteen, make sure to try the oh-so-popular Cheeseburger Pods!

Another great spot that you must dine at is Flame Tree BBQ. Not only does this restaurant serve saucy, savory dishes, but it also serves some of the best views! Enjoy your meal while taking in sights of the lush plant life, scenic waterways, and Expedition Everest!

Tree of Life Nighttime Awakenings

When visiting Animal Kingdom, guests often choose to leave the park early. While Animal Kingdom does have an earlier closing time than the other parks, there are multiple things that you won’t be able to experience if you leave the park early. One of these is the Tree of Life Nighttime Awakenings.

Unlike the other theme parks, Animal Kingdom doesn’t have a nighttime spectacular. Even if it did, it would be quite different. There would be no fireworks or pyro used in a nighttime show at Animal Kingdom, to keep the animals and their habitats safe.

What you can see, however, is the magic of the Tree of Life awakening at the end of the day. After the sun sets, a beautiful light show takes place on the tree. It starts with the flickering light of fireflies dancing along the tree and waking up the animal spirits that are present within the branches, trunk, and roots. Beautiful lights and color are paired with an enchanting soundtrack to put on a display that celebrates the majestic animals that share our world with us.

There are multiple opportunities to see the Tree of Life Nighttime Awakenings. Once it is dark outside, the beautiful display takes place every 10 minutes until the park closes. Don’t miss the opportunity to come together at the end of the day and celebrate the animals of our Earth.

Contribute to the Disney Conservation Fund

Animal Kingdom isn’t simply a park that’s intended for guest entertainment. It’s also a place that focuses on growth, learning, and education. Of course, animals are the focal point of this. During your time here, one thing that you’re sure to hear about is conservation.

Disney not only aids in the conservation of the animals that live within the park, it also focuses on other animals all around the world. The Disney Conservation Fund is in place to help save different at-risk species. Currently, Disney is working closely with conservation organizations that are helping butterflies, coral reefs, cranes, elephants, gorillas, monkeys, and sea turtles.

Anytime you purchase at Animal Kingdom, you have a chance to help with these efforts. If you’d like to contribute to the Disney Conservation Fund, you can do so by rounding up the total of your purchase or by donating a specific amount of your choosing. This is a unique opportunity that’s not available at any of the other theme parks.

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