Animal Kingdom Without Rides: Still Worth it
If you want to visit Disney World but rides aren’t your thing, this park is a great option because they aren’t really the focus. What can you do at Animal Kingdom without rides?
What Can You Do at Animal Kingdom Without Rides?
1. Take in the Detail
2. Visit the Animals
3. Learn to Draw a Cartoon Character
4. Watch the Shows
5. Check Out Dino-Sue
6. Play at the Playground
7. Become a Wilderness Explorer
8. Meet Some Characters
9. Eat Good Food
10. Consider an Extra Tour
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.
Animal Kingdom Without Rides
1. Take in the Detail
Unlike most theme parks focusing on rides and games, Animal Kingdom is a heavily themed, stunning property with African and Asian culture. There is something new to see at every turn. Take your time exploring to appreciate the details and enjoy the live music you are almost certain to encounter along the way.
2. See the Animals
Animal Kingdom is a zoo with more culture and a few rides sprinkled in. You could spend several hours walking the trails and viewing the animals if you wanted to take your time.
Animals in Africa
The Africa section of the park has the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. Here, you can see lots of big animals, including elephants, lions, gorillas, monkeys, okapis, and hippopotamuses.
Animals in Asia
Asia features the Maharajah Jungle Trek. You can see a lot of popular animals, including tigers, gibbons, and Komodo dragons.
Discovery Island Animals
The Discovery Island Trails in this section feature otters, lemurs, tortoises, and a red kangaroo, among others.
Dinoland U.S.A. Animals
This section doesn’t have a ton of animals, but you can see crocodiles.
Oasis Section Animals
The Oasis section of the park is the first one you will encounter upon entering the park. It features several animals, including spoonbills, anteaters, and wallabies.
Rafiki’s Planet Watch Animals
Rafiki’s Planet Watch is basically a petting zoo with some gross insects in tanks. You can brush and pet goats and pigs. It’s a little like the county fair, but quite fun.
Note: To reach Rafiki’s Planet Watch, you must ride a commuter train. There is no way to walk there. The train is purely a mode of transportation, not an attraction. Wheelchairs can be driven directly onto the train.
3. Learn to Draw a Cartoon Character
If you have been dying to draw a Disney character, you’re in luck. The Animation Experience is a 25-minute class during which an artist teaches you how to do just that. The characters change throughout the day. The class takes place indoors and in air conditioning.
Note: You must ride the commuter train to reach this class.
Location: Rafiki’s Planet Watch
4. Watch the Shows
Pro tip: If shows are important to you, check the show times early and plan your day around them so you don’t miss one. You can visit the animals any time at your leisure.
Festival of the Lion King
Festival of the Lion King is a 40-minute, mini version of what you will see on Broadway. The set is elaborate, the costumes are detailed, and all of the actors can sing. Large animals from the movie come out and encourage guest participation. Best of all, there is air conditioning. It is worth a watch.
Location: Africa
Donald’s Dino-Bash
This stage show with characters takes Donald through a lesson on evolution (essentially). Launchpad McQuack makes an appearance, which is reason enough to catch the show.
Location: Dinoland U.S.A.
Feathered Friends in Flight
Feathered Friends in Flight is a presentation about how the birds at the park are cared for and trained. Think educational.
Location: Asia
Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond!
Finding Nemo is a 25-minute stage show starring people dressed like fish and also holding fish puppets. There is singing. This will be especially popular with little kids.
Location: DinoLand U.S.A.
It’s Tough to Be a Bug
It’s Tough To Be a Bug is a 3D show with the characters from A Bug’s Life. It gets dark and can be scary for young children. This show runs constantly and never has any wait. Ever.
The queue for this line and the theater itself walk through the Tree of Life, an enormous tree with animals carved into it.
Location: Discovery Island
Winged Encounters
Winged Encounters stars a lot of birds flying around at the same time near the Tree of Life.
Location: Discovery Island
5. Check Out Dino-Sue
Sue is a replica of a Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil, not the real thing, but it’s still fun to see.
Location: DinoLand U.S.A.
6. Play at the Playground
The Boneyard is a large play area open to only kids ages ten and under. It has slides, bridges, and a dirty sandbox place to dig for fossils. This area is sure to be a hit with kids who need to burn some energy.
7. Become a Wilderness Explorer
Wilderness Explorers is a free game that lets kids earn stickers badges in various stations throughout Animal Kingdom. As an adult looking in from the outside, it looks like a lot of effort for not much of a payoff. However, kids get super into it. It is a great way to get your kids engaged in learning about the animals.
Pro tip: The main area to pick up your books is on the bridge between the Oasis and Discovery Island sections, but you can grab one at any of the stations. Don’t walk out of your way to get the book at the beginning.
8. Meet Some Characters
You can meet characters throughout the day in various locations. The usual characters, like Mickey and Minnie, are there, but you will also find more obscure characters like Moana. Check the schedule at the time of your visit.
In addition to those you can meet, characters periodically float by on a boat with live music.
9. Eat Good Food
Animal Kingdom has more dining establishments than rides. There are several high-quality options despite being a theme park.
Disney is great about accommodating dietary restrictions. Most restaurants have special allergy menus. At a minimum, your server will work with you. Don’t be afraid to eat at the park.
Pro tip: Everyone can make dining reservations 60 days before his or her visit to the park starting around 5:45 a.m. EST. If you stay in a Disney hotel, you can make reservations for up to ten days at once starting 60 days from the day you check into the resort. Set an alarm. The popular ones go fast.
Some restaurants to consider are:
Flame Tree Barbecue
Flame Tree Barbecue is a quick-service restaurant with decent food and reasonable prices. Gluten-free buns are available. Seating is outdoors but under an awning.
Pro tip: Use mobile order to skip the line.
Location: Discovery Island
Nomad Lounge
Nomad Lounge is a bar with some small plates and snacks, including, wait for it, gluten-free churros. If you’re gluten-free, you have likely not seen a churro you can eat at a theme park, ever. It doesn’t have a full menu for adults, but it does for kids. Disney knew what it was doing with this one.
Location: Discovery Island
Satu’li Canteen
Satu’li Canteen is arguably the most popular quick-service lunch and dinner choice. It features rice bowls that are fairly priced.
Pro tip: Use mobile order.
Location: Pandora
Tamu Tamu Refreshments
Tamu Tamu Refreshments is a snack stand that has cocktails and some quick-service breakfast items. The real reason to visit is the alcoholic Dole Whip.
Location: Africa
Tiffins
Tiffins is the nicest restaurant in the park. The food may be good, but it is stupidly expensive. It is a great choice if you want to have an adults-only meal, but skip this one with kids.
Pro tip: If you pay with your Disney Visa credit card, you get 10% off.
Location: Discovery Island
Tusker House
Tusker House is a buffet with African and American food. Mickey, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy walk around and take photos with guests. It is expensive, but the food is good, the characters are fun, and it is indoors in air conditioning. It is worth a stop.
Location: Africa
Yak & Yeti
Yak and Yeti has an extensive Asian menu with gluten-free entrees. The food is awesome and not that expensive when you account for the Disney upcharge. Air conditioning is plentiful.
Pro tip: Yak & Yeti has a quick service counter. It is outdoors and not as good, but you can try it if you can’t get into the real restaurant.
Location: Asia
10. Consider an Extra Tour
You can easily fill a day at Animal Kingdom without rides without taking on an extra cost. If you are interested in something extra, Disney offers several tours for an upcharge. If you want a personalized experience or more interaction with the animals, look at the offerings, but keep in mind that there is plenty to do and these tours aren’t cheap.
Final Thoughts: Animal Kingdom Without Rides
The park has animals, shows, characters, great food, and a lot of detail to take in. It is worth a visit, even if you don’t step foot on an attraction. A day at Animal Kingdom without rides is still a worthwhile experience.
Visit Disney World with your family. You will not regret it.
