TamuTamu Refresh

Camp FireTreats

HarambeFruit

EXPEDITIONEVEREST

KALI RIVERRAPIDS

DINOSAUR

KILIMANJARO SAFARIS

PanganiForestTrail

WildlifeExpress

Train

WildlifeExpress

Train

HabitatHabit

ConservationStation

A�ectionSection

MaharajahJungle Trek

Ra�ki’sPlanet Watch

Flights ofWonder

Festival of theLion King

FindingNemo

Musical

PRIMEVALWHIRL

Tricera-TopSpin

TheBoneyard

It’s Toughto be a Bug

Treeof Life

OasisGreetingTrails

TuskerHouse

DawaBar

Restaurant- asaurus

Flame TreeBBQ

Pizzafari

RainforestCafe

Yak & Yeti

ResortBus Stop

Kusafari Co�ee

Baby Care

GuestServices

and

TS QS 3a3b4a

4b

5a

5b

6a

6b

16a

16b

14

Animal Kingdom –With Young Kids– Family Hybrid

1. Kilimanjaro Safaris - Obtain FASTPASS2. Kilimanjaro Safaris 3a. Expedition Everest3b. Character Meet and Greet4a. Expedition Everest - Obtain FASTPASS4b. Greeting Trails 5a. Primeval Whirl 5b. Greeting Trails6a. Dinosaur 6b. TriceraTop Spin 7. Kali River Rapids - Obtain FASTPASS8. Maharajah Jungle Trek 9. Finding Nemo the Musical10. Lunch11. It's Tough To Be A Bug - 12. Flights of Wonder13. Kilimanjaro Safaris - With FASTPASS14. Kali River Rapids - With FASTPASS15. Parade - 3:45pm16a. Expedition Everest - With FASTPASS16b. Snack or In-Park Break17. Festival of the Lion King 19. Exit20. Open

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Animal Kingdom –With Young Kids– Family Hybrid

This easyPlan is designed for families with kids of different ages or groups that otherwise have diverging interests. For example, one part of the group might be interested in riding the thrill rides/rides with a height requirement (Expedition Everest (44” minimum height), DINOSAUR (40” minimum height), and Primeval Whirl (48” minimum height)), while the other part of the group prefers to meet characters. This is especially true when families consist of older and younger children. Because some small children may be upset that they aren’t tall enough to ride Expedition Everest or Primeval Whirl, you can split up for a portion of the day and pay special attention to the younger children as they visit attractions that are more suitable for their age. Most of the “splitting up” occurs between 9:30am and 11am. Most of the rest of the day is spent together, including meals and all major stage shows.

Group A and Group B

Group A consists of those that wish to visit Expedition Everest, DINOSAUR, and Primeval Whirl. Group B consists of those interested in skipping these attractions, either due to their intensity or height restrictions. If you’re only looking to skip one of these attractions (DINOSAUR, for example), you may wish to use one of the Adult easyPlans and simply skip/replace one or two attractions that aren’t of interest. All Steps with an “a” or “b” after them indicate that the group is split up. All attractions without the “a” or “b” designation are together as one group.

Variable Show Times and Deviation From the Plan

More so than Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom’s shows run on a variable schedule with different show times throughout the year. For example, the late morning Finding Nemo the Musical may begin at 11:30am or 11:45am. An afternoon Flights of Wonder show could begin at 1:00pm or 1:30pm. Check the Times Guide for the week to double check show times and make small adjustments as necessary. We’re seeing most of the shows in the afternoon when there’s a lot more flexibility in your schedule. The key to the day is arriving early and taking care of the major attractions first thing in the morning. After lunch, attractions can be rearranged as necessary to arrive in time for the various stage shows.

Variable Closing Time and Extending the Day

Animal Kingdom’s operating hours may run anywhere from 9am – 5pm to 8am – 9pm. The most common operating hours are 9am – 5pm or 9am – 6pm in Value/Regular Seasons and 9am – 7pm or 9am – 8pm during Peak and Holiday Seasons. During extremely busy times, we may see 8am – 8pm or 8am – 9pm operating hours, but this is only during about 20 dates throughout the year. This easyPlan runs from 9am – 5pm or so. If Animal Kingdom is open later, you can extend the day by adding a return visit to attractions you particularly enjoyed or visit attractions that were previously skipped. Crowds at Animal Kingdom dissipate shortly after the 3:45pm

Parade. The last 60 to 90 minutes of operation is usually a great time to return to the major attractions with short waits. Hold off on returning to Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safaris until the very end of the day. If you’re planning to return to Kilimanjaro Safaris near Park close, make sure you check your Times Guide to see when the last Safari leaves – it may be about 30 minutes before Park close.

Kali River Rapids in Winter and Summer

Kali River Rapids, Animal Kingdom’s principal flume ride, has wait times that fluctuate enormously based on weather. When it’s hot, FASTPASSes may run out before Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safaris and standby waits may be longer than either headliner. This is due to a lower capacity and slower loading/unloading times. If you’re visiting in summer, you’ll want to collect FASTPASSes for it as early as possible and ideally before 11am. Keep in mind that you will likely get soaking wet without a poncho or other protection. In winter, Kali River Rapids has much shorter waits because fewer people want to get wet. You may want to skip the attraction altogether if the temperature is below 70 degrees or you don’t want to get wet.

The Attractions in Order:

Arrival: Arrive at Animal Kingdom’s turnstiles at least 15 minutes prior to opening. Have one person from your party collect all theme park tickets and move to the front of the pack on the left side of the rope drop area (this person is known as the FASTPASS runner). A brief preshow should begin about ten minutes prior to Park opening and then you will be let into the Park to line up for the ride of your choice.

1. Have the FASTPASS runner head straight to Kilimanjaro Safaris to collect FASTPASSes. Most of the people in line will be headed in the same direction. Continue up to the Tree of Life, where there will be one path to the left and one path to the right. Take the left path up into Africa. The Kilimanjaro Safaris FASTPASS machines are located directly to the right of the standby entrance underneath a hut-like area in the back of Africa. Collect FASTPASSes for everyone in the group. Alternatively, everyone can stick together and collect their own FASTPASSes.

2. Everyone else in the group should follow the same path, continuing up toward the Tree of Life and taking the left path into Africa. Meet the FASTPASS runner outside of the Kilimanjaro Safaris standby line and get in line as quickly as possible.

3a. Exit Kilimanjaro Safaris and walk back the way you came until right before you cross the bridge back over to Discovery Island. Take a left instead at the path that connects Africa with Asia. Continue walking this path until you get to Expedition Everest, which is several minutes away. Ride Expedition Everest in the standby line unless you’re eligible for another FASTPASS already, in which case you’ll want to collect FASTPASSes first, then ride.

3b. Walk with group “A” above to the path that connects Africa with Asia. Instead of continuing all the way to Expedition Everest, meet with the characters along the path. You should see characters from Jungle Book and It’s A Bug’s Life. There aren’t any characters past the Yak & Yeti Restaurant as you walk toward Asia. They are clustered much closer to Africa.

4a. Collect FASTPASSes for Expedition Everest. As you look at the standby entrance, the FASTPASS machines are located underneath an awning directly to your left.

4b. Walk back toward Africa and take a left across the bridge back into Discovery Island. Keep walking until you see Pizzafari quick service on your right. Just past Pizzafari is the walkway to Camp Minnie-Mickey (also on your right). Walk to the back of this area to meet characters at the Greeting Trails. Check your Times Guide to see when the Greeting Trails characters begin appearing and try to arrive just before they appear to find the shortest lines.

5a. Continue walking away from Africa in the same direction. You’ll see the Finding Nemo Theater on your left as you continue to DinoLand USA. Stick to the left path and enter DinoLand – Primeval Whirl is located in the center of this area, across from TriceraTop Spin and past the various carnival games. Ride Primeval Whirl in the standby line.

5b. Continue meeting characters at the Greeting Trails until you’re ready for something different.

6a. Ride DINOSAUR in the standby line. As you exit Primeval Whirl, continue walking down through DinoLand USA. You should see Restaurantosaurus, the large quick service, ahead of you. Take the path to the left of it and continue up the path to the left. DINOSAUR is located in the back of this area. If the posted wait time is 20 minutes or more, consider collecting FASTPASSes and return later. The posted wait should be about 10 minutes though. After riding DINOSAUR, meet up with the rest of the group outside The Boneyard.

6b. Exit Camp Minnie-Mickey back the way you came. Take a right and walk through Discovery Island and around the Tree of Life. You’ll see the bridge to DinoLand USA on your right hand side just before Flame Tree Barbecue quick service. As you head to DinoLand, you’ll see an additional character meet and greet location on your right across from Flame Tree Barbecue. Visit if you like. Ride TriceraTop Spin, which is located in the middle of DinoLand. After TriceraTop Spin, head over to The Boneyard playground, which is also located in DinoLand. You should have passed the entrance on your left side as you entered DinoLand. The kids can play in the Boneyard for as long as they/you like.

Meet up logistics – In this day of rampant cell phone usage, most people will be able to text their locations to other members in the group. If that’s not possible, you may want to set a meet up place/time. As it stands, both groups should be done with their respective itineraries by 10:45am. Plan to meet at the entrance to TriceraTop Spin at 10:45am (or another location of your choosing).

7. Walk up through DinoLand USA towards Expedition Everest and Asia (in the opposite direction as Step 5a). You’ll pass the Finding Nemo Theater and Expedition on your right. Keep walking until you come to the pathway that takes you to Kali River Rapids on the right side, just before the seating area for Yak & Yeti quick service. You should see the FASTPASS machines for Kali River Rapids right in front of you. Collect FASTPASSes for Kali River Rapids. Note that most people get drenched on Kali. In the fall and winter, FASTPASSes may not be available because demand is much lower than the summer. If this is the case, simply ride in the standby line in Step 14 later in the day.

8. Check your Times Guide for the start of the next Finding Nemo the Musical. If it’s within 20 minutes, head over to the Theater now. If you’ve got 35+ minutes, walk the Maharajah Jungle Trek in Asia until about 15 minutes before Finding Nemo the Musical is set to begin. Maharajah Jungle Trek is located behind the Kali River Rapids FASTPASS machines on the left hand side. If you don’t have time now, return later in the afternoon or after 5pn if Animal Kingdom is open until 6pm or later.

9. Watch Finding Nemo the Musical, which should begin around 11:30am – 11:45am depending on time of year. Unless Animal Kingdom really isn’t crowded, you’ll want to arrive at least 15 minutes early for the show. We’ve passed the theater several times already. Walk back toward DinoLand USA, past Expedition Everest. The theater is on the left side.

10. It’s time for lunch. As written, we’re headed to Flame Tree Barbecue, which serves some of the best barbecue in Disney World. You’re also free to visit one of the other quick services if you so choose. Restaurantosaurus has plenty of indoor seating and offers a lot of your standard Disney burger/nugget/salad fare. Pizzafari also offers a lot of air-conditioned seating and serves Disney pizza, salad, and a Hot Italian Sandwich. Yak & Yeti Quick Service, also known as Anandupar Local Food Cafes, serves Asian-inspired dishes, salads, and sandwiches.

11. See It’s Tough to be a Bug. The show is located inside the Tree of Life. Note that this show is surprisingly dark (both literally and figuratively) and may scare children around the age of ten and younger. Be careful if you have kids that were scared at any other dark attraction, as this is the scariest. The entrance to the theater is located right across from Flame Tree Barbecue in Discovery Island, where we’re planning to have lunch. If you’re coming from elsewhere, look for the entrance across from Flame Tree Barbecue and the walkway into/out of DinoLand USA from Discovery Island.

12. See Flights of Wonder, which should begin around 2:00pm. The theater is located on the path that connects Africa and Asia, near Yak & Yeti restaurant. Unless Animal Kingdom is very busy (45+ minute waits at Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safaris), you should be able to arrive 5-10 minutes early and have no problem getting seats. While I thoroughly recommend Flights of Wonder, you may wish to skip it in order to see or do something else.

13. Ride Kilimanjaro Safaris with the FASTPASSes collected earlier in the day if you would like to ride a second time. Keep in mind that it takes about 40 minutes to wait for and ride the Safaris, even with FASTPASS. Continue back to Africa and head to the back of the area. The FASTPASS return line is located about 50 feet down a path to the right of the standby entrance.

14. Walk the path that connects Africa and Asia back to Kali River Rapids. The FASTPASS return entrance is located next to the standby entrance to the right of the FASTPASS machines. Ride Kali River Rapids with the FASTPASSes collected earlier in the day. Just a reminder – it’s highly likely that you’ll get soaked. See the ride review for tips on staying dry.

15. See the 3:45pm Parade. The least crowded spots are along the path that connects Africa to Asia, which is right where we are. It takes about 15 minutes for the Parade to get here, so you may have some time to grab snacks, use the restroom, etc. If you’re planning to use FASTPASSes Expedition Everest right after the Parade goes by, position yourself as close to the walkway to Expedition Everest as possible so that you don’t have to wade through the gobs of people that inevitably follow the Parade around Discovery Island as it passes by them.

16a. Ride Expedition Everest with the FASTPASSes collected earlier in the day. The FASTPASS entrance is right next to the standby entrance.

16b. It only takes about 10 minutes to ride Expedition Everest with FASTPASSes in most situations. You’ll have a little bit of time to grab snacks for the group, meet a character, walk Discovery Island, or whatever else you’d like to do. We’re headed back to Camp Minnie-Mickey in Step 17.

17. See Festival of the Lion King. There should be a show around 4:30pm – 4:45pm. The theater is located in the back of Camp Minnie-Mickey. This area is accessible via a path in front of Pizzafari in Discovery Island.

18. It should be around 5pm – 5:15pm. If Animal Kingdom closes at 5pm, congratulations, you’ve accomplished a ton in a short amount of time. The various shops will continue operating for 30 – 60 minutes after close. If Animal Kingdom is open until 6pm or later, feel free to hang around and revisit any attractions you particularly enjoyed or previously skipped. Lines only get shorter after the 3:45pm Parade and the last 60-90 minutes of operation is usually an excellent time to return to the headliners or other attractions. Check your Times Guide to see what time certain attractions close and when characters will begin disappearing backstage.

19. Exit Animal Kingdom.

Skipped Attractions and How to Fit Them In

Pangani Forest Exploration Trail – Although I fully endorse this zoological exhibit, most people won’t want to spend time here over some of the other major attractions unique to Disney

World. This is a fantastic exhibit if you have time or interest. Consider visiting during the Parade if you’re not interested in seeing that or in place of one of the stage shows. Most people spend between 20 and 30 minutes, but you can spend as much or as little time as you like.

Rafiki’s Planet Watch – “Group B” should head here in place of the character meet and greets in the morning if characters aren’t of interest. Some kids will prefer the educational opportunities at Rafiki’s Planet Watch, including live veterinary exhibits in the morning (not guaranteed to be happening every day, they occur as necessary). You may also want to head over here as a group in the afternoon. The easiest way to do it would be to substitute Planet Watch for Flights of Wonder and the second ride on Kilimanjaro Safaris.