Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of the more under-the-radar theme parks compared to the other three at Walt Disney World. Many assume that Animal Kingdom doesn’t have much to offer or is just a glorified zoo that they could attend back home. But that couldn’t be any further from the truth! This park is home to some of the most interactive and exciting rides and attractions, but you need to know how to do it to do it right. So, if you want to have the best day, be sure to avoid these Animal Kingdom mistakes on your next trip!

1. Getting To The Park Late

For Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, sleeping in and spending the afternoon and evening at the park is a great plan — especially for night owls! However, doing this on your Animal Kingdom park day is a BIG mistake.

While you can see animals roaming around their habitats throughout the entire day inside the park, there are still hours when they are more active than others. And that tends to be the mornings and evenings. With the Florida weather, you can’t blame the animals for wanting to retreat during the hottest parts of the day! This is especially true on Kilimanjaro Safari, where the time of the day you ride can really determine the quality of the experience you have. That’s why we always recommend riding this first thing in the morning.

Additionally, park hours at Animal Kingdom are much different than those at other parks. It isn’t uncommon to see the park closing at 5PM or 6PM. So, if you don’t get to the park until noon, your day is cut short.

2. Buying Lightning Lane Multi Pass

If you’re not familiar, Disney’s Lightning Lane Multi Pass is the new paid way to skip the line at the most popular rides and attractions throughout the theme parks. And, while buying Lightning Lane Multi Pass can be a secret weapon in having a successful park day, it’s really not necessary to shell out the $20-$30 per person when you’re spending the day at Animal Kingdom, in our experience.

With only a limited number of rides, a day at Animal Kingdom is not just about riding rides. In fact, you’ll only do a little bit of that! Instead, you fill your day exploring nature trails, watching shows, stopping for street performers, and grabbing a few snacks in between. So, you’re just simply not getting as much bang for your buck when you buy the skip-the-line service here.

Even when lines are at their longest during the busiest times of the year, we recommend skipping Multi Pass and letting the interactive queues entertain you!

3. Only Planning for a Half Day

At first glance, if you research Animal Kingdom and see that it only has 6 or 7 attractions, I can see why you would think it’s doable as a half-day park. But I’m here to tell you, you’re wrong!

There is so much more to Animal Kingdom than just the attractions, and it is best to explore it slowly. Not only are there nature trails and attractions, but the dining, shows, and shopping are top notch too!

The nature trails alone can take up to 45 minutes each, depending on how many animals are out and what pace you walk at—and there are multiple! If you plan for only a half day at the park, you may end up rushing these unique experiences or missing out on them entirely.

4. Skipping the Shows

I will forever stand by the opinion that the Festival of the Lion King is the best show at Walt Disney World, and if you don’t go looking for it at Animal Kingdom, chances are you’ll miss it! This 40-minute show showcases the best of Disney’s The Lion King, including songs, dancing, acrobatics, and puppetry.

Additionally, Finding Nemo: The Blue… And Beyond! is a stage show adaptation of the beloved Disney Pixar film Finding Nemo, featuring puppets, unique backdrops, special effects, and popular songs.

Not only are both of these shows incredible, but some would even consider them Broadway caliber. They also double as a great way to escape the heat! Of course, pop-up shows also happen throughout the park. So keep an eye out for Beats and Strings in Asia, percussions in Dinoland, and the Harambe Village Street Band!

5. Eating Basic Theme Park Food

Don’t think you have to succumb to standard park dining like burgers and chicken tenders at Animal Kingdom. The park is home to some of the most unique (and BEST!) offerings at Walt Disney World, with a wide variety to choose from, between table service, quick service, fine dining, and food carts.

Quick service options include quality backyard barbeque at Flame Tree Barbeque, customizable health-conscious bowls at Satu’li Canteen, and Asian-style takeout at Yak and Yeti Local Foods Cafe. Plus, if you’re looking to slow down and escape the heat for a meal, table service options here are also amazing, like Yak and Yeti’s Asian-inspired menu (don’t skip the Ahi Tuna Nachos!) and fine dining options at Tiffins. And, for a drink, Nomad Lounge is a hot spot to grab a cocktail and small bites, while Tusker House is an option for those who want a unique twist on a character meal.

Food stands like Mr. Kamals, Kusafi Bakery, Eight Spoon Cafe, and others offer quick snacks like fries, mac and cheese, pastries, and street tacos. Honestly, all of the options are so good that you could spend the entire day just eating your way around the park!

6. Skipping Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Just past the exit of Kilimanjaro Safari is a train that travels to Rafiki’s Planet Watch and the Conservation Station. Skipping this is one of the most common Animal Kingdom mistakes people make!

At Rafiki’s Planet Watch, you’ll find some of the most interactive things to do at the park including the Affection Section (a petting zoo), Conservation Station (where you might see Disney’s vet team working on animals), and The Animation Experience (a free 25-minute class that teaches you how to draw Disney characters!). If you’re traveling with little ones, this is basically a requirement!

Rafiki’s Planet Watch is one of the most overlooked places in Animal Kingdom, so be sure to explore it. Trains run continuously throughout the day but stop running before the park closes, so be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for accurate times.

7. Not Being Aware of Construction/Closures

There is so much to explore at Animal Kingdom, but the park is currently undergoing a major transformation, and you’ll need to know what you can (and can’t) do while you’re there to avoid disappointment.

As of early 2025, parts of DinoLand, U.S.A. are closed to make way for a new Tropical America-themed land. The phased construction plan has already begun with the permanent closure of Fossil Fun Carnival Games and TriceraTop Spin, and it is expected to expand to DINOSAUR, The Boneyard play area, and other restaurants in the area in 2026 and 2027. But, don’t worry, everything will be completed sometime in 2027, and you’ll be able to experience all new attractions, restaurants, shows, and more!

Additionally, It’s Tough to Be a Bug, the 3D show attraction located inside the Tree of Life, themed after Disney Pixar’s A Bug’s Life, recently closed to be rethemed to the popular Zootopia movie. The new version is set to open at the end of 2025.

8. Forgetting Your Camera!

Yes, I know most people nowadays just take pictures on their phones; I’m guilty, too. If that’s the case for you, then I guess you could adapt this tip to “Don’t forget your charger”. However, Animal Kingdom is stunning, with picturesque backgrounds you won’t find anywhere else. If you enjoy photography or just want some great memories, you’ll want to take quality pictures here.

Additionally, being at Animal Kingdom may be the closest you will get to many of these animal species, so a good camera is a must if you are a nature or animal lover!

Comments

What have been your biggest Animal Kingdom mistakes? Let us know your Animal Kingdom mistakes in the comments what you would do differently next time!