Disney's Animal Kingdom

Humankind's enduring love for animals is the inspiration for WDW's fourth theme park, Disney's Animal Kingdom. Opened in 1998, the park explores the stories of all animals—real, imaginary, and extinct.

At 500 acres and five times the size of the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom is the largest in area of all Disney theme parks worldwide. The space gives Disney Imagineers plenty of scope for their creativity, and it allows for growth, an example of which is Expedition Everest. Opened in 2006 it's the park's biggest thrill attraction—a runaway train ride on a rugged mountain complete with icy ledges, dark caves, and a yeti legend.

As you enter the park through the Oasis, exotic background music plays, and you're surrounded by a green grotto, gentle waterfalls, and gardens alive with exotic birds, reptiles, and mammals. The Oasis opens early, so you can do a lot of critter-watching before its inhabitants settle down to snooze through the heat of the day.

Just before the park opens (or an hour before it opens on Extra Magic Hours mornings when resort guests are admitted early), Minnie Mouse, Pluto, and Goofy arrive at the iconic Tree of Life in a safari vehicle to welcome the first guests into the heart of the park. (Keep an eye out for Mickey waving from a distance.)

In the park, animals thrive in careful re-creations of natural landscapes in exotic lands ranging from Thailand and India to southern Africa. You'll also find rides, some of Disney's finest musical shows, eateries, and, of course, Disney characters—where else does the Lion King truly belong? Cast members come from all over the world—Kenya and South Africa as often as Kentucky and South Carolina. That's part of the charm of the place. All this is augmented by an earnest educational undercurrent that's meant to foster a renewed appreciation for the animal kingdom.

The park is laid out very much like its oldest sibling, the Magic Kingdom. The hub of this wheel is the spectacular Tree of Life in the middle of Discovery Island. Radiating from Discovery Island's hub are several spokes—the other "lands," each with a distinct personality. South of Discovery Island is Camp Minnie-Mickey, a character-greeting and show area.