Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Animal Experiences In the Mighty Jungle
Take a safari through Disney’s Animal Kingdom, interacting with its inhabitants along the way!
Discover okapis, rhinos, giraffes and wildebeests on a journey through Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
It was a typical Orlando afternoon when I checked into Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. The skies opened briefly for a rain shower, and an hour later, it was over. By then I was securely nestled in my room, playing trivia and soundscapes on the Hey Disney! app. I went out on the balcony in my savanna-facing room during the rain, only to find the giraffes and zebras slowly meandering out of sight.
The balcony door was full of condensation after the rain, and I was hit with a wall of humidity when I opened it. But then came the reward: a giraffe standing so close, it looked like I could reach out and touch it.
Could there be a better place for an animal-lover to stay in Central Florida? The lodge’s rooms are laid out in a horseshoe-curved design that pays homage to the African kraal, a group of huts that surrounds an enclosure for livestock. Exhibits in the lobby introduce you to the cultures of Africa.
It felt like I was in the middle of one of my favorite movies, The Lion King.
In all, the rooms look out over four lush savannas that are home to more than 200 hoofed animals and birds. The most active in my savanna were the family of giraffes and the playful herd of wildebeest, who only stopped chasing each other around long enough for a quick drink at the watering hole before galloping off again.
The next morning treated me to a sighting of a magnificent kudu, lying in the grass, seemingly wanting to be admired. It was hard to tear myself away, but I wasn’t going very far: next up was Animal Kingdom itself and I was scheduled for the day’s first tour of Kilimanjaro Safaris.
The open-air safari played upon my lodge experience by allowing me to get even closer to the animals—this time I would have been able to reach out and touch a giraffe, but that’s not allowed on the tour. Which doesn’t matter because your hands will be busy trying to photograph all the gorgeous animals.
If you’re itching to pet some animals, you’re in luck. Affection Section is the only petting zoo at Walt Disney World Resort, and visiting the animals here is a don’t-miss. Among the cuties are Jack and Jill, miniature donkeys who have been residents since the park opened in 1998, and the sweet and lovable Dottie, a pig who loves to have her belly rubbed.
You’ll also find goats, sheep, llamas, cows and more pigs and donkeys at Affection Section. The Affection Section is located inside Rafiki’s Planet Watch; take the Wildlife Express Train to cuteness overload!
Animal Kingdom, at 580 acres, is Walt Disney World’s largest theme park, and there’s plenty more to explore here. But first, lunch is in order, and the park has the most exquisite dining experience for you inside Tiffins. Its menu is full of international favorites, from the Korean Barbecue Mushroom Bao Buns to Whole-Fried Sustainable Fish to the Land Salad made with young lettuces from the Land Pavilion at EPCOT.
While you’re waiting for your food, look at the artwork—it was informed by the travels of the Disney Imagineers who created Animal Kingdom.
Tiffins is a coveted reservation, so make yours as soon as you can. Just select your date and time in the My Disney Experience app, and voila!
After lunch, I took some time to visit animals I hadn’t seen on the safari. My first stop was the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, where I met the king of the habitat, Gino, a western lowland silverback gorilla who’s been at the park since it opened. This charmer loves to sit atop his rock and adores the lavish attention bestowed upon him.
I also swung around to see the big cats lounging in the sun and marveled at the beautiful okapi before heading over to my only non-animal pursuit: the World of Avatar. I was watching the wait times in my app and found a 90-minute wait time for Avatar Flight of Passage, which was well worth it. The waiting, mostly inside, gave me another chance to cool down. The well-designed attraction is made to look like a research facility and provided much to look at.
Then, bringing my journey full circle, I took in the last showing of the Festival of the Lion King, which was full of puppets and pageantry. Even though I ended the day with my highest step total yet, it left me full of pep. Thanks to Disney for hosting us for these unforgettable experiences! disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/animal-kingdom
