Animal Kingdom Rides

How Many Rides Are at Animal Kingdom?

Animal Kingdom currently has six main ride-style experiences, if including the Wildlife Express Train.

These rides range from the high-speed Expedition Everest and immersive Flight of Passage to Kilimanjaro Safaris, where the focus is on spotting real animals rather than following a fixed theme-park storyline.

The relatively small ride count can be misleading. Animal Kingdom also contains walking trails, animal habitats, stage shows and Conservation Station, meaning there is far more to fill a day beyond the rides.

Best Rides at Animal Kingdom

Avatar Flight of Passage

Avatar Flight of Passage places you on the back of a banshee for a simulated flight across the mountains, forests and oceans of Pandora.

Movement, 3D imagery and physical effects work together to create the sensation of soaring through the landscape rather than simply watching it on a screen. It is the park's biggest immersive thrill experience and requires riders to be at least 44 inches tall.

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Instead of sets and Audio-Animatronics, Kilimanjaro Safaris takes you through expansive habitats occupied by real African wildlife.

Safari vehicles travel across the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, where sightings can include giraffes, elephants, rhinos, hippos, lions and many other species. Because the animals move freely around their habitats, no two journeys are exactly alike.

There is no minimum height requirement, which makes this one of the easiest major Animal Kingdom experiences the whole family can enjoy.

Na’vi River Journey

Na’vi River Journey explores the quieter side of Pandora. Small boats drift beneath glowing plants and through a bioluminescent rainforest filled with unusual creatures, atmospheric music and intricate scenery.

There are no major drops or height restrictions, so it works particularly well for families who want to experience Pandora together.

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

Expedition Everest begins as a journey into the Himalayas, before things (quickly) go wrong!

After discovering damaged track high in the mountain, the train changes direction and sends riders racing backwards through darkness, before continuing through drops and fast turns.

With a 44-inch minimum height, it is Animal Kingdom's main traditional roller coaster and a very different experience from Flight of Passage.

Kali River Rapids

Kali River Rapids is a circular raft ride through the dense landscapes of Asia.

The raft spins freely as it travels through turbulent water, meaning you cannot predict which side will take the biggest splash. A significant drop adds to the experience. Getting properly wet is all part of the fun!

Riders must be at least 38 inches tall.

Best Animal Kingdom Rides for Kids and Families

Animal Kingdom's strongest family experiences are often the ones that make the park feel least like a conventional theme park.

Kilimanjaro Safaris

For many families, Kilimanjaro Safaris is an essential part of the day.

Children can look for animals from an open-sided safari vehicle while adults get just as much from the changing scenery and wildlife. With no height restriction, everyone can ride together.

Na’vi River Journey

Na’vi River Journey is calm enough for younger children while still offering the impressive scenery that makes Pandora such a popular area.

Its glowing environments and unusual creatures ensure there's plenty to look at, without the more intense experience of Flight of Passage.

Wildlife Express Train

The Wildlife Express Train connects the main park with Rafiki's Planet Watch and Conservation Station.

The train ride itself is relaxed, but its real value is where it takes you. Once there, families can discover more about Disney's animal-care work and enjoy additional wildlife experiences away from the busiest areas of the park.

Best Thrill Rides at Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom's thrill rides are few in number but very different from one another.

Expedition Everest is the choice for anyone wanting a proper roller coaster, complete with speed, drops and its famous backwards section.

Avatar Flight of Passage provides its thrills through motion and simulation rather than a physical coaster track, creating the sensation of flying across Pandora.

For something less intense but much wetter, Kali River Rapids adds spinning rafts, rushing water and a sizeable drop.

If you are visiting primarily for bigger rides, those three will form the core of your day.

Pandora Rides at Animal Kingdom

Pandora – The World of Avatar contains just two rides, but they sit at opposite ends of the intensity scale.

Avatar Flight of Passage

Flight of Passage is the headline attraction and the one most likely to appeal to older children, teenagers and adults seeking something exhilarating.

Its 44-inch restriction means it will not work for every family member, so checking children's heights before arriving is worthwhile.

Na’vi River Journey

Na’vi River Journey provides a much calmer alternative. Instead of speed and simulated flight, the attraction focuses on atmosphere, lighting, music and scenery, as boats travel through Pandora's nighttime rainforest.

With no minimum height, it gives younger visitors a chance to experience the world of Avatar too.

Animal Kingdom Safari and Wildlife Experiences

Kilimanjaro Safaris deserves to be treated differently from a normal ride because the animals determine much of what happens.

One journey might bring a close view of giraffes beside the road, while another could produce better sightings of elephants, rhinos or lions. There is no fixed cast of animals appearing at specific points, which makes it all the more exciting!

The Wildlife Express Train adds another dimension by taking guests to Rafiki's Planet Watch and Conservation Station, where the focus shifts towards animal care and conservation.

Together, these experiences are a major reason Animal Kingdom feels distinct from the other Walt Disney World parks.

Animal Kingdom Rides With No Height Requirement

Three main rides are currently suitable for guests of any height: Kilimanjaro Safaris, Na’vi River Journey and the Wildlife Express Train.

That might sound limited compared with Magic Kingdom, but rides are only part of what younger children can enjoy here.

Animal trails, wildlife viewing areas, shows and other walk-through experiences provide plenty to do without needing to meet a height requirement.

Which Animal Kingdom Rides Have the Longest Waits?

Avatar Flight of Passage is usually the attraction most worth building a plan around, while Na’vi River Journey and Kilimanjaro Safaris can also attract sizeable queues.

Rather than assuming the busiest ride will stay the same throughout your visit, check current waits in the My Disney Experience app.

Animal Kingdom's smaller number of rides means a temporary closure can quickly push more visitors towards the remaining attractions, so being flexible is particularly useful here.

Lightning Lane for Animal Kingdom Rides

Lightning Lane can help if you want to fit the headline rides around Animal Kingdom's wildlife experiences and shows.

Avatar Flight of Passage is treated separately from the main Multi Pass selection, while attractions such as Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Kali River Rapids and Na’vi River Journey can feature within Multi Pass.

Options and availability can change, so check the current setup for your travel dates rather than planning around an old attraction list. Our Disney World Lightning Lane Guide is a good place to know how best to approach your park day.

Best Order to Ride Animal Kingdom Attractions

Animal Kingdom is easier to tackle when you think in terms of areas, rather than following a strict numbered itinerary.

If Avatar Flight of Passage is a must, heading towards Pandora early can make sense. Na’vi River Journey is nearby, allowing you to cover both Avatar attractions without returning across the park later.

Kilimanjaro Safaris is another attraction worth fitting into the earlier part of your plans, if spotting wildlife is a priority.

Over in Asia, Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids sit close enough together to tackle during the same part of the day.

From there, let live ride waits, weather and any Lightning Lane bookings shape the rest of your day!

Tips for Animal Kingdom Rides

Don't judge the park by its ride count. Allow plenty of time away from queues for wildlife trails, animal viewing and shows. If Flight of Passage is important to you, decide how you plan to ride it before arriving, rather than leaving it until the end of the day.

For Kilimanjaro Safaris, remember that the animals are not following a schedule. Sightings will vary, which is part of what makes the experience interesting.

Kali River Rapids is also one to plan around. You may come off barely splashed or completely soaked, so think twice before riding immediately before dinner or when carrying anything that needs to stay dry. Bring a rain mac!

Above all, avoid trying to rush Animal Kingdom simply because it has fewer rides. Much of its appeal comes from slowing down and exploring the environments between them.

Extra Information

• Disney World tickets
• Animal Kingdom Restaurants
• Guide to Animal Kingdom
• Guide to Magic Kingdom at Disney World
• Guide to EPCOT
• Guide to Hollywood Studios