Take an amazing safari expedition through a beautiful landscape, view exotic animals and incredible live shows, and enjoy thrilling attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, which opened on April 22, 1998, as Walt Disney World Resort’s fourth theme park (Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios being the other three Disney World parks). Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park drew an estimated 9.5 million visitors in 2008.
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Attractions
Highlights of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park include Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade, a lively musical street party; Festival of the Lion King, an spectacular production that features songs and characters from the hit Disney animated film; Conservation Station, a wildlife conservation awareness exhibit; It’s Tough to be a Bug!, an entertaining 3-D film; Kali River Rapids, a thrilling rafting adventure along the turbulent Chakranadi River; Kilimanjaro Safaris, an open-sided expedition into the heart of Africa; and The Tree of Life, the theme park’s stunning 50-foot-wide icon that features more than 300 animal carvings.
In addition, don’t miss Expedition Everest, the newest Disney thrill ride in the Asia section of the Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park that features roller coaster-like thrills along with a theme based on the folklore of the mysterious yeti (also known as the abominable snowman). Guests board an old mountain railway, journeying through thick bamboo forests and past thundering waterfalls on their way to the foot of Mount Everest. Suddenly, the track ends “in a gnarled mass of twisted metal” and the train starts racing backward through mountain caverns and icy canyons toward a showdown with the ferocious yeti.
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Dining
Disney’s Animal Kingdom offers a variety of dining opportunities such as Rainforest Cafe®, Restaurantosaurus (character dining) and Tusker House Restaurant & Bakery, a colorful African-themed eatery. For a more eclectic dining experience, try Boma or Jiko – The Cooking Place, both located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is open daily at 9 AM (seasonal hours; call ahead before visiting).
Anandapur Ice Cream Truck
Beastly Kiosk
Camp Soft Serve
Campfire Treats
Chakranadi Chicken Shop
Dawa Bar
Dino Bite Snacks
Donald's Safari Breakfast at Tusker House Restaurant
Flame Tree Barbecue
Harambe Fruit Market
Harambe Popcorn
Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery
PetriFries
Pizzafari
Rainforest Cafe
Restaurantosaurus
Safari Barbecue
Safari Coffee
Safari Popcorn
Safari Pretzel
Sunaulo Toran Fries
Tamu Tamu Refreshments
Trilo-Bite
Tusker House Restaurant
Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes
Yak & Yeti Restaurant
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Shopping
Beastly Bazaar
Chester & Hester's Dinosaur Treasures
Creature Comforts
The Dino Institute Shop
Disney Outfitters
Duka la Filimu
Garden Gate Gifts
Island Mercantile
Mandala Gifts
Mombasa Marketplace
Out of the World
Outpost Serka Zong
2009-2010 Disney World Holiday Events
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
November 10 – December 18, 2009
Holidays Around the World
November 27 – December 30, 2009
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
November 10, 2009 – January 4, 2010
Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade
November 27, 2009 – January 3, 2010
New Year’s Eve at Walt Disney World Resort
December 31, 2009
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