Disney's Animal Kingdom

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Overview
The newest park at WDW, Disney's Animal Kingdom (DAK) opened in 1998 and polarizes its audience, half of which think the park is gorgeous and wonderful for wandering around, while the other half thinks there are too few rides and there is too little to do here. The truth is probably a mixture of both opinions. The amazing lush foliage does more than just generate a certain ambiance; it sets the stage for the equally impressive animal exhibits. This is one zoo that doesn't really feel like a zoo. At the same time, it's not a typical Disney theme park, in that the animal exhibits are meant to take a large chunk of your day, and as a result there are fewer rides here than at other Disney parks.

How to Visit
DAK sits on the west side of World Drive, the large boulevard which runs the length of the WDW property. If you're in a nearby hotel or any of the Disney hotels, you can catch a shuttle bus to the park. Otherwise, you'll have to drive: follow the purple signs to the parking lot, and it's a simple matter after you park to walk to the main gate (the tram is almost certainly unnecessary).

Planning Your Day (aka, “Touring” the Park)
Here are some Golden Rules that everyone agrees upon:

1. Use FASTPASS. This is a free electronic ride-reservation system. Stick your admission ticket into the machine, and it spits back a time for you to return, at which point you’ll only have a minimal wait before loading. In essence, a virtual version of you is waiting in line while you go do other things, such as eat, shop, relax, or even ride different rides. FASTPASS is on many of the major rides at WDW, though not all. However, you can’t over-use it. You can only hold one reservation at a time (or, if the “return time” is very far away, it allows you to make a different reservation after two hours). Decide which rides having FASTPASS are crucial for you to visit, and plan your day “on the fly” around the FASTPASS return times.

2. Do crowded rides early. At DAK, everyone runs for Expedition Everest first thing, and the other very crowded ride early on is the Kilimanjaro Safari, because the animals are said to be most active in the morning. The afternoon waits are mostly non-existant, so that is your best bet. But if you'd like to see this one before noon, head here first. One other ride with heavy crowds at times is the rafting ride, Kali River Rapids, in Asia. All of these rides also offer FASTPASS.

3. Or, don’t plan at all. First-time visitors are well-advised to avoid the panic and stress of trying to plot out a visit as if it were a major military campaign. Disney parks are built to encourage discovery, wandering, and whimsy. This is especially true if you are visiting with small children. Let THEM determine the agenda and you’ll stumble across the “magic of Disney” a lot faster than if you try to force a hurried schedule onto cranky kids. The advice about wandering around to experience discovery, while true for all Disney parks, is particularly relevant for DAK, which offers twisting walkways, heavy foliage, and minor surprises throughout.

Where to Eat
If an extraordinary dining experience isn’t your goal, by all means, make use of the frequent fast-food options in the park, including carts along the street. However, if you’re looking for some variation, here are some ideas:

1. Upscale: there are no table-service restaurants in DAK at all. If you are craving table service, check out Rainforest Cafe just outside the park's main entrance. The ambiance and decor match your visit to DAK, but the food quality is hit-or-miss (while the prices, unfortunately, are always high).

2. Character meals: check Donald's Breakfastosaurus. Reservations possible but not really required: 407-WDW-DINE.

3. Moderate-but-different: Flame Tree BBQ near Dinoland offers some real unique items. Find healthier fare at Africa's Tusker House. A limited menu of Asian items can be found at Chakrandi Chicken Shop.

4. Treats: DAK has done a poor job of crafting a unique culinary vision - there are no treats that bear particular mention! The abundance of carts selling McDonald's french fries do not, in our eyes, qualify.

Our Bottom-Line Recommendations
Disney's Animal Kingdom is worth a visit at least once. Some find the experience rewarding only for a half a day, particularly if they do not linger at animal exhibits. Others rave that anything less than a full day is not enough time (note: DAK closes at dusk each day, regardless of season). Do visit once, ride the attractions which catch your eye, allow yourself to wander and discover as much as you can, and make up your own mind. Just don't judge the entire park on the "merits" of the garish carnival plopped into the otherwise-realistically themed archeology section of the park, Dinoland USA.