Animal Kingdom Pro Tips: Plan the Park Like an Expert

Top 5 Animal Kingdom Pro Tips to help you rule the wild and plan the park like an expert.

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When it comes to planning a Walt Disney World vacation, it all comes down to how you put together your days in the parks. Even if you are not very familiar with any of the parks, there are some hacks that will help you expand your time and leave more room in your day for stress-free fun and enjoyment. Animal Kingdom is the largest theme park in the world, but don’t worry. Much of the acreage is dedicated to the animal habitats and the safari trams will help you take a load off. It’s still a huge park to hike. So, follow these Animal Kingdom pro tips to plan your day like an expert.

Go Counter Clockwise

Pandora is the newest section of Animal Kingdom and it still draws a crowd. By going in the other direction you keep from being behind all day long. your morning can be pretty relaxed as you stop first at Dinoland USA and walk around to Asia for Expedition Everest. You can walk around the park in a circle, but take advantage of Discovery island which intersects all of the lands and has some quick bites, character meet and greets and trails to offer.

Late Morning Fastpass at Animal Kingdom

A big rookie mistake is to schedule fast passes too early in the day. Not enough time has allowed for a build-up of lines, so make your fast passes a little bit later. You can enjoy Dinosaur, first thing in the morning and take your time heading to a late morning Fastpass for Expedition Everest. Keep logistics in mind and refer to the park map before making your three selections, so that you can do them efficiently. They needn’t be too close together as the park is incredibly scenic and there is a lot more to do in each area before moving on to the next ride.

Stop for the Trails

The purpose of Animal Kingdom is the animals. The other attractions are great, but they are incidental. Get the most value from Animal Kingdom by slowing down. Be more willing to explore than you would be with other parks. There are plenty of trails and animals to glimpse as you move throughout the park. Don’t miss out on the wildlife that is all around you. Space out your Fastpass choices so you are free to experience each section of the park in depth without feeling rushed.

Best Dining Locations at Animal Kingdom

There are a lot of really excellent food options in Animal Kingdom. It just depends on what you are looking for. Satu’li Canteen offers themed dining with healthier build your own options and exciting presentation. Nomad Lounge is a comfortable bar to relax in the afternoon. For character dining, Tusker House in Africa offers a balanced buffet of familiar and exotic cuisine. The best counter service restaurant for your budget is Flame Tree Barbecue and the best Table Service restaurants are Tiffins for signature dining and Yak and Yeti for a nice family restaurant with an eclectic Asia-inspired menu.

Pandora at Night

Finish your day in Pandora. Even if you used Discovery Island to cut across during the day to use a Fastpass on Flight of Passage, make it a point to return after dark to see the way the planet lights up with bioluminescence. Stick around before leaving the park to make sure you catch the Awakening projection show on the Tree of Life. continue your adventures with a late dinner reservation at Jiko, or Boma in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.