Best Rides At Disney Animal Kingdom

​Some of the destinations and events mentioned on this post were complimentary or a media rate was extended as part of my attendance to the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration–an invite-only conference held by Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line.

When I was growing up and living in Colombia we used to travel to Walt Disney World for vacation. We always visited Magic Kingdom and Epcot Center. Visiting Animal Kingdom was on my wish list and this year I was able to take that off my bucket list. Since I enjoyed the park so much, we visited not only once and twice during our February trip. During that visit we learned how to get the most of our day and the park and now I am sharing that with you.

So if you only have one day and want to be able to enjoy the best rides at Animal Kingdom here are our recommendations. Make sure you book fast passes in advance for Flight of Passage, Kilimanjaro Safaris and Expedition Everest. We are not talking about the shows here, although we do recommend the Lion King Show. In between rides you can explore the animals. The focus of this post is to tell you how to get on the best rides in one day. Hopefully you have more than one day to explore the park because there are so many cool opportunities for pictures and other shows, but if you only have one day, this is what we recommend.

Also please note this is a recommendation for adults with older kids that can ride in roller coasters and are not afraid of heights. 

​1. Flight of Passage 

What if you could fly high above Pandora on the back of a banshee? Now you can. This is by far one of my favorite rides at Walt Disney World. Worth the wait if you are unable to get a fast pass, but I totally recommend trying to grab one because the line can be as long as 3.5 hours.
You are part of the story here. You can even smell the flowers in the luminescent cave. The banshee under you moves and you can feel it. It is super cool. 
You must be 44″ tall to ride.
​Fast passes available

2. ​Na’vi River Journey

Get on a boat and ride through out the bioluminescent rainforest in search of the Na’vi Shaman of Songs. Imagine It's a small word with elements of Pandora. Very relaxing and beautiful. 
Any height. If you have little ones with your party, they will enjoy this ride. 
​Fast passes available

3. ​Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

This one is perfect for thrill explorers and those that are not afraid of heights. It goes fast, backwards and in dark areas. Here you hurtle down the track at break-neck speeds and then you hurtle backward down that same track.
Fast pass available 
You need to be 44in to ride

4. ​Kali River Rapids

Nothing like getting soaked during a hot day at the park. Here you ride on the rip-roaring, river raft ride through a lush jungle landscape. We recommend doing this in the middle of the day when it is really hot. You will get refreshed and dry very fast.
You need to be 38in to ride.
Fast pass available

5. ​Kilimanjaro Safari

Ride off in an open-air vehicle for a day or evening tour of a lush African savanna, home to real-live exotic animals. This is a great way to see the animals when your focus is trying to ride as many rides as you can.
Fast pass available
​Any height

6. ​Dinosaur 

This is a prehistoric tour aboard a rip-roaring Time Rover to save a dinosaur from extinction. It might be a little scary for little ones. If you have been at the Indiana Jones at Disneyland this is a very similar ride. 
You need to be 40in to ride.
Fast pass available.

7. ​Primeval Whirl 

Spin and slide on a time-machine coaster back to the dinosaur age through a madcap maze of curves and drops. Hold on tight because you will be spin around and around.
You need to be 48in to ride.
Fast pass available.

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