Animal Kingdom in Disney World is fantastic for families with little kids. This theme park has many fun and educational experiences, making it the perfect destination for families looking for a memorable day out. We visited the theme park when our son was two years old, and we weren’t sure what to expect from him at that age and skipped his nap. I had never been to a Disney-them park before, so naturally, I was equally excited as the rest of my family. We went in February 2020, before the world shut down because of the COVID-19 virus. This was before Genie +. Instead, we could book lightning lane passes. For tips on navigating Genie +, please visit my other blog post. We chose to do the park in one today with some of our friends and their family and had a blast. In my opinion, here are some of the best things to do at Animal Kingdom with little kids:

Take a ride on the Kilimanjaro Safaris: This exciting ride takes visitors on a journey through the African savanna, where they will see various exotic animals, including lions, elephants, and giraffes. The ride is perfect for little kids as it provides an up-close and personal experience with nature. My son especially enjoyed seeing the Okapi, an engaged African animal that resembles a zebra.

Explore the Boneyard: This playful playground is perfect for little kids and offers a variety of fun activities, including a giant slide. My son especially loved digging in the boneyard for dinosaur bones.

Visit the DinoLand U.S.A.: This themed area is dedicated to all things dinosaurs and offers a variety of fun and educational experiences for little kids. From the DINOSAUR ride, which takes visitors back in time to the age of the dinosaurs, to the Fossil Fun Games, where kids can test their skills, DinoLand U.S.A. is a must-visit for any little kid who loves all things prehistoric.

See the Festival of the Lion King show: This live show features all of your favorite Lion King characters and is a fun and colorful celebration of the movie. Little kids will love the lively music, singing, and dancing, making it a must-see experience.

Meet and greet with Disney characters: Little kids will love meeting their favorite Disney characters, including Mickey and Minnie, who can be found in Adventurers Outpost. You could also find other characters like Rafiki and Timon throughout the park.

Visit Pandora- The World of Avatar, and take a peaceful ride on the Na’vi River Journey. Afterward, explore what Pandora offers and let the kids play on all-realistic terrain as it feels like you’re in the movie. Kids, young and old, will love this unique experience. Also, try your best to get on the Avatar Flight of Passage – you won’t regret it.  

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain: Take them on this incredible ride, but watch out for yetis. If riding the coaster isn’t in the cards, still be sure to check out the realistic setting and see the lake and the monkeys. We ate lunch at Yak and Yeti’s, and the food was incredible, with an Asian flair with a standard kid’s menu.  

Watch the birds take flight: The iconic Life Awakenings is impossible to miss as you enter the park. The Birds of Flight show takes place several times during the day and evening, and trust me, your family will be impressed.

Get wild with the other animals: Walk through the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail and see gorillas, hippos and zebras!

The theme park has several themed areas, each with rides and attractions. Here is a list of the areas and their respective attractions:

• Discovery Island:
  • Tree of Life Awakenings
  • It’s Tough to be a Bug!
• Pandora – The World of Avatar:
  • Avatar Flight of Passage
  • Na’vi River Journey
• Africa:
  • Kilimanjaro Safaris
  • Festival of the Lion King
  • Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
• Asia:
  • Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
  • Kali River Rapids
  • Flights of Wonder
• DinoLand U.S.A:
  • DINOSAUR
  • Primeval Whirl
  • TriceraTop Spin
• Rafiki’s Planet Watch:
  • Affection Section (petting zoo)
  • Conservation Station

* Please note that this list is subject to change as Disney’s Animal Kingdom periodically adds or removes attractions.

Animal Kingdom is a fantastic destination for families with little kids, offering various fun and educational experiences. From up-close animal encounters to exciting rides and shows, there is something for everyone at this magical theme park. We can’t wait to go back now that our son is older and can experience some of the other attractions the park has to offer, and perhaps we will finally get on the coveted Avatar Flight of Passage!

What’s your favourite thing to do at Animal Kingdom?