Animal Kingdom Kids' Tour
Animals fascinate young children, but when their attention wanes, you'll find plenty of other diversions: stage shows, fun-filled rides, and one very imaginative playground.
It's a Creatures Great and Small World
Upon entering, stop at the Wilderness Explorer kiosk to the right and sign kids up to earn their Wilderness Explorer badges. Badge stations around the park will help teach kids about wildlife, conservation, and culture. When you're traveling with young children, there's no better way to kick off a visit to this park than with a ride aboard Kilimanjaro Safaris. Your kids will enjoy seeing live hippos, rhinos, crocodiles, giraffes, gazelles, wildebeests, zebras, and elephants roaming their natural habitats. Hang on to toddlers, though–-it’s a bumpy ride!
When you disembark, go straight to Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, where kids can see gorillas and the real meerkats behind the animated character Timon from The Lion King. Children flock to the glass-walled habitat where tiny hairless mole rats scurry through tunnels.
Turn the kids loose on the Maharajah Jungle Trek in the park's Asia area to see giant fruit bats, Eld’s deer, and Bengal tigers. Aviaries on both Pangani and Maharajah walks offer bird-spotting guides, so your family can find and compare different species.
Ride, Play, See a Show, Meet a Mouse
If the kids meet height requirements (38 inches) and are ready for some adventure, head for Kali River Rapids—an exciting family raft ride. Steer smaller children toward DinoLand U.S.A., where they'll be happy whirling around TriceraTop Spin and exploring the Boneyard play maze with its cool slides and its climbing and sandy fossil-dig areas.
Break for lunch at Flame Tree Barbecue, and then head around the corner to Finding Nemo: The Musical, where kids love the character puppets and lively, Broadway-style music. Toddlers may use this stop to nap in your arms.
Afterward, visit one of the park’s character meet-and-greet areas, where you might find Mickey or Chip 'n' Dale. Back in Africa, you can take in Festival of the Lion King, where several children get to join "animal" dancers for one show number. Or take a break at UP! A Great Bird Adventure to marvel at the high-flying birds.
Board a Train, Save the Planet
Try to find time to board the Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki's Planet Watch, where the kids can see cotton-top tamarins and learn about taking care of the world's animals. You might be able to take part in a critter encounter with a Disney animal-care specialist at Conservation Station. The Affection Section petting yard is a comfortable place to meet domesticated animals from around the world.
Wrap up your day in Pandora, where the kids will marvel at the alien plant-life on the gentle Na'vi River Journey. Dinner at Satu'li Canteen offers a healthy but kid-pleasing bowl of roasted meats or grains, and a drink that might glow in the dark.
