Disney Animal Kingdom Interactive Map

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Discovery Island Trails

Location:  Discovery Island

Ride Type:  Walk-through nature trails

Capacity:  N/A

Fastpass?  No

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  The central icon of Disney's Animal Kingdom park is the Tree of Life - a fourteen story structure meant to resemble an African baobab tree.  What makes this artificial tree unique are the 325 animal carvings in its trunk.  Each carving is a unique representation of an animal, and they are fascinating to see up close.  The trails take you around the tree and eventually up close to it so you can see it from all different angles.  There is usually a Photopass photographer on hand to snap your picture with the Tree of Life in the background.

Comments:  If your child enjoys nature, or a "scavenger hunt" type of adventure, the Discovery Island Trails are a good fit.  The shaded trails are sometimes busy, but usually most people bypass them on their way to more exciting attractions.  You might make a game out of how many animals your child can identify by name or by picture - most of the common ones are on the tree, along with quite a few exotic animals.  The paths can be a bit narrow, so if the crowds are high, try coming back towards the end of the day as the park is clearing out.

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It's Tough to be a Bug!

Location:  Discovery Island

Ride Type:  3-D Movie and Audio-Animatronic Show

Capacity:  430 guests

Fastpass?  Yes

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  This attraction is deep within the root system of the iconic Tree of Life.  In effect, you are shrunk down to the size of a bug when you enter the theatre waiting area.  The walk down to the entrance is beautiful - all around the base of the tree of life, so you can see the carvings up close.  As you wait for the show, be sure to check out the movie posters on the walls - our favorite is for the movie "Beauty and the Bees".  Once seated in the theatre, Flik, the adventurous and innovative ant from the 1998 Disney Pixar movie "A Bug's Life", introduces you to a variety of bugs.  His aim is to show you that most of the bad things we see in bugs are actually suvival mechanisms.  Of course, Hopper the bullying grasshopper buzzes in to have his say - and it's not good.  While Flik tries to show bugs in a positive light, Hopper is out for total destruction of the audience.  He is eventually subdued, and the show ends on a high note - some great production numbers by the bugs themselves.  The attraction is an interesting blend of audio-animatronic figures and 3D movie effects.

Comments:   As with all of the 3D movies at Disney, special glasses are required to view the 3-D effects.  The movie contains loud noises and bright flashes, which may overwhelm children with sensory issues.  The scenes with the audio-animatronic Hopper are very frightening, and many audience members are startled by some of the effects in the seats themselves (stinger jabs and the sensation of creepy crawlies).  There is also a scary scene where audio-animatronic spiders descend from the ceiling.  Ask a cast member for a seat near the exit if you feel you might need to leave early.  The final show of the day is usually the easiest to get into.

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To see It's Tough to Be A Bug Image Gallery, click here

Festival of the Lion King

Location:  Camp Minnie-Mickey

Ride Type:  Musical Show

Capacity:  1375 guests

Fastpass?  No

Summary:  This 28 minute festival and musical spectacular is a colorful and acrobatic rendition of some of the favorite songs of the 1994 Disney movie “The Lion King".   The show is a combination of singers, interpretive dancers, puppets, and acrobats.  In addition to singing, the main characters of the show - Timon, Pumba, Simba, etc. - tell jokes and interact with the audience.  Guests may even be selected to sing along with "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" as part of the show.  The show is very visual and energetic.

Comments:  The show is very stimulating visually, and can be loud and overwhelming for children with sensory issues.  Because the show runs nearly 30 minutes, in addition to wait time, children may get restless.  Speak to a cast member about sitting close to an exit if you are uncertain of how much your child will enjoy the show.  Children who are familiar with "The Lion King" movie tend to do better because they recognize the songs and characters in the show.  In one scene, a performer twirls a fire-baton, which may frighten children who do not understand this is make-believe.

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Greeting Trails

Location:  Camp Minnie-Mickey

Ride Type:  Character Greeting Area

Capacity:  N/A

Fastpass?  No

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  If you are interested in meeting Mickey, Minnie, or the rest of their Disney friends, the Character Greeting Trails in Camp Minnie-Mickey is a great place to be.  There are five greeting trails, each with a different character.  You can generally find a few of the "Fab Five" - Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, or Pluto - as well as other nature movie characters, such as Koda and Kenai from the "Brother Bear" movies, or characters from "The Lion King", "The Jungle Book", or "Pocahontas".  During the Christmas holiday season, characters are usually dressed up in their holiday finery.  Goofy is especially festive dressed as Santa Claus!

Comments:  For some children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, meeting characters is a magical experience (especially a favorite character from the movies).  For others, it's a stressful experience.  Character availability rotates fairly often.  Consult the daily park schedule for information, or ask a cast member to help you find specific characters.  Lines at the greeting trails can get very long, so it's best to come right when Camp Minnie-Mickey opens, or later in the day to avoid the crowds and the longer waits.  Some characters are available in the open areas near the greeting trails, so be sure to look for opportunities to meet them.

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Kilimanjaro Safaris

Location: Africa

Ride Type:  Safari

Passengers: 5-6 per Row 

Fastpass?  Yes (and recommended)

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  One of the most popular attractions in the park, this safari takes you through acres of simulated African savannas and allows you to view many species of animals in a natural habitat.  The main stroy line concens poaching on the Harambe Wildlife Preserve, where the safari takes place.  You get an educational message about the evils of poaching as you stand in the queue.  After waiting in line you board your ride vehicle - a rugged oversized jeep of sorts, with your tour guide for the safari.  There are quick reference guides to the animals of the preserve throughout the ride vehicle, to help you identify what you are seeing.  As you go through the Harambe Wildlife Preserve, you can see a whole host of live animals - giraffes, zebras, wildebeasts, crocodiles (or are they alligators?), hippos, gazelles, elephants, and the king of the jungle - the African lions.  As you journey from one group of animals to another, the guide keeps the story alive through various radio contacts with the home base.  It seems as if a group of poachers has stolen a baby elephant, and you are off to help save the elephant from the poachers.  The chases add to the excitement of the safari, but the real treasure is seeing all of the animals just like you would on a real African safari.  Mornings are the best times to see the animals out and about.

Comments:  The ride is between 20 and 25 minutes in length once you board the ride vehicle.  Because your are on a simulated safari, the road can get pretty rough, and you may get bounced around on your seat (there are no seat belts!).  Animals may appear on either side of the ride vehicle, making pictures a bit tricky to snap.  Low-funcioning children may not follow the story line, but generally enjoy seeing the animals on the ride.  The chase scene can get pretty intense, but overall the thrills are mild on this ride.

Fun Facts:  In an effort to get the lions to stay on Pride Rock, Disney installed heaters to keep the rocks toasty warm, and the lions in full view of the safari.  To keep other animals out on the savanna, Disney installs hidden feeders to lure the animals out into the open for better viewing.

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To see Kilimanjaro Safari Image Gallery, click here

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Pangani Forest Exploration Trail

Location:  Africa

Ride Type:  Nature Trail

Capacity:  N/A

Fastpass?  No

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  As you exit Kilimanjaro Safaris, you have the option of walking through the Pagani Forest Exploration Trail.  This self-paced tour allows you to view many exotic species of animals, including then endangered okapi, colobus monkeys, and an aviary of exotic birds.  There is an underwater hippo viewing area, and a gorilla habitat.  You can also enter the trails from the Harambe village area of Africa.

Comments:  This self-paced tour provides a lot of room for children to run and let off some energy.  If you child enjoys a zoo-like experience, the Pagani Forest trails are a great place to visit.  Because the attraction is self-paced, you can leave at any time if your child doesn't enjoy the attraction.

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To see Pagani Forest Exploration Trail, click here

Wildlife Express Train

Location:  Africa

Ride Type:  Open-air Steam Train

Passengers:  Not available

Fastpass?  No

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  To get to Rafiki’s Planet Watch you have to take the Wildlife Express Train.  This slow moving train takes you past the animal care facilities and through the jungles of the park. 

Comments:  The train is a slow moving train that goes between two stations.  You must keep your hands, arms, and head inside the train at all times to prevent injury.

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To see Wildlife Express Image Gallery, click here

Character Greeting Areas at Rafiki's Planet Watch

For some children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, meeting characters is a magical experience (especially a favorite character from the movies).  For others, it's a stressful experience.  The list of characters below is by no means complete, but represents the characters we have personally seen and met at Rafiki's Planet Watch in Disney's Animal Kingdom park.

Not all characters are available at all times - everything listed here is subject to change, but we'll keep it as up to date as possible.  Consult the daily park schedule for information, or ask a cast member to help you find specific characters.

Jiminy Cricket:  At the Conservation Station 

Pocahontas:  At the Conservation Station 

Rafiki:  At the Conservation Station

Affection Section

Location:  Rafiki's Planet Watch

Ride Type:  Petting Zoo

Capacity:  N/A

Fastpass?  No

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  Children and adults have a chance to interact with domesticated animals, including several varieties of goats and sheep.  There are usually cows, llamas, and donkeys in a fenced area for viewing.

Comments:  The goats can be aggressive with children (and adults!), but the Affection Section is a fun way to get up close and personal with animals.  Hand washing stations and sanitizers are available when you are done having fun with the animals. 

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Conservation Station

Location:  Rafiki's Planet Watch

Ride Type:  Science and Observation Center

Capacity:  N/A

Fastpass?  No

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  The Conservation Station is located at the end of Habitat Habit exploration trail.  The whole focus of this building is to educate guests on conservation and animal care issues through a series of interactive displays and presentations.  Animal handlers often have smaller animals (such as birds and snakes) available for children to observe and possibly touch under supervision.  There are audio booths that introduce guests to the sounds of the rainforest.  Videos show the toll pollution takes on the environment. 

But the best two features of the Conservation Station are the Animal Cams that allow guests to view animals in their habitats and the examination room where guests can observe veterinarians performing routine health checks on park animals.  Most exams happen during the morning hours, and can sometimes be surprising.  The guides tell of the experience of finding a golf ball inside a snake during a routine X-Ray exam.  The snake ended up having surgery to remove the object - definitely not routine!  Characters are often on hand for autographs, pictures, and hugs.

Comments:  Coming Soon   

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To see Conservation Station Image Gallery, click here

Habitat Habit!

Location:  Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Ride Type:  Interactive Learning Area

Capacity:  N/A

Fastpass?  No

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  This nature trail takes between the Wildlife Express train station and the Conservation Station.  The point of the exhibit is to show you how to create animal friendly habitats in your own backyard.  This self-paced trail has displays and signs educate guests on conservation principles.  There are animal displays and a Kids Discovery Club location.

Comments:  Most of the displays are better suited to high-functioning children, although lower-functioning children may enjoy the displays and the Kids Discovery Club spot (though they might need help with the scavenger hunt).  Sometimes cast members have animals or displays available for children to enjoy.  If crowds are heavy, you might wish to explore on your way back to the train, instead of on your way up to the Conservation Station.

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Expedition Everest

Location:  Asia

Ride Type:  Rollercoster Thrill Ride

Passengers:  2 per Row, 34 per train

Fastpass?  Yes

Minimum Height:  44 Inches

Summary:  Expedition Everest is a fantastically detailed trek through the Himalayas and a Nepalese village.  You begin the ride by walking through a temple area and a museum dedicated to the story of the Yeti - legendary beast of the mountains.  Once through the museum, you board the train for a trek up Mount Everest itself.  Each seat has its own lap-bar restraint system.  After winding around the base of the mountain, you begin a steep climb straight up the side of Mount Everest - where you find the track ripped up!  You seem stuck - but then the train begins to plummet through the mountain backwards!  You stop - and see the shadow of the Yeti destroying even more of the train tracks in front of you.  To escape, you plunge down the front of the mountain before going back inside - where you come face to face with the angry mountain monster!

Comments:  This is a high speed roller-coaster experience.  The climb up the mountain may be unnerving for anyone with a fear of heights.  The Yeti scenes are loud and realistic, which may be frightening for children who cannot differentiate between make-believe and reality.  As the train moves backwards down the roller-coaster track, you are in nearly complete darkness.  The ride has an 80 foot drop before it ends.  You may wish for an adult to evaluate the ride to determine if its appropriate for your child.

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To see Expedition Everest Image Gallery, click here

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Flights of Wonder

Location:  Asia

Ride Type:  Live Animal Show

Capacity:  1150 guests

Fastpass?  No

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  Flights of Wonder is a 25 minute show featuring over twenty different species of exotic birds from around the world, including eagles, parrots, ibis, toucans, buzzards, and macaws.  Your "guides" to the avian behavior are "Guano Joe" and "Luke" - animal handlers who help demonstrate the avian talents via a series of training cues.  At times, birds fly out over the audience to demonstrate hunting and flying maneuvers.

Comments:  The show is in an outdoor shaded theater.  High-functioning children with an interest in birds or animal behaviors should enjoy the show.  Younger or lower-functioning children may quickly lose interest.  As with any show, you may want to ask a cast member to be seated near an exit in case you need to leave the show early.

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Kali River Rapids

Location: Asia

Ride Type: White Water Raft Ride 

Passengers:  12 per boat

Fastpass?  Yes

Minimum Height:  40 inches minimum to ride in regular seats, although one person between 38-40 inches may ride in the "captain's chair" (one per boat).

Summary:  The Kali River Rapids expedition team wants you to get wet - very very wet!  This white-water rafting adventure takes you up an incline, through some dramatic scenes of burning forest (the ecological message of the ride), and down a 30 foot plunge as you journey along the Kali river.  Each ride is unique, and you never know when you will get wet from raging waters, waterfalls, or elephant statues that squirt you - just in case you made it through without getting wet.

Comments:  You board the ride from a slowly rotating platform, although the rafts are locked up against the platform and move with it.  Boarding the ride can be tricky for children with transition issues.  You will get wet on this ride.  You may wish to invest in a rain poncho to minimize the effects (but where's the fun in that?), and there is a small storage space in the central area to store goods that you don't want to get soaked.  We recommend you bring a small ziplock baggie to protect cell phones, wallets, and other pocket valuables.  The white water rafting experience can get a bit rough.  When you go through the scenes of the burning forest, the smell of fuel can be strong, and you will feel the heat from the fires.  The raft goes down a 30 foot drop before the ride ends.  You can watch the boarding process as well as the end of the ride from a small bridge over the river, next to the ride's exit.  This gives you a good opportunity to preview the ride and see how your child may react.

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To see Kali River Rapids Image Gallery, click here

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Maharajah Jungle Trek

Location:  Asia

Ride Type:  Walk-through exhibit with live animals

Capacity:  N/A

Fastpass?  No

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  The Maharajah Jungle Trek is another self-guided nature trail created featuring the animals of Asia.  At the start of the trail you can obtain a small guide with pictures of birds and animals you may see along the trail.  You can recycle the guide at the end of the trek.  The two stars of the Maharaja Jungle Trek are the Tigers and the Bats.  The Tiger area has several viewing locations, both on ground level and on an upper level, where you can see the big cats at rest and at play.  The Bat enclosure is somewhat open, with bars instead of glass separating you from the nocturnal mammals.  There are also bird exhibits, and lots of places to sit and rest along the trail.

Comments:  Similar to the Pagani Forest Exploration Trail, this nature trail provides a lot of room for children to run and let off some energy.  If you child enjoys a zoo-like experience, the Maharaja Jungle Trek is a great place to visit.  Because the attraction is self-paced, you can leave at any time if your child doesn't enjoy the attraction.

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To see Maharajah Jungle Trek Image Gallery, click here

Cretaceous Trail

Location:  Dinoland U.S.A.

Ride Type:  Nature Trail

Capacity:  N/A

Fastpass?  No

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  Near the Boneyard playarea is the Cretaceous Trail, a self-guided walking tour of prehistoric plants and a primeval forest area.  Along the way you can observe a Pachycephalasaurus dinosaur replica and observe fossil dig sites.

Comments:  This self-paced tour provides some room for children to run and expend some energy, although the theming is probably more suited to higher-functioning children who are interested in botany.  Because the attraction is self-paced, you can leave at any time.

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Dinosaur!

Location:  Dinoland U.S.A.

Ride Type:  Dark Ride

Passengers:  4 per Row,3 Rows per Car

Fastpass?  Yes

Minimum Height:  48 Inches minimum to ride

Summary: Through the marvels of time travel, guests are sent back in time to view (and try to retrieve) dinosaurs.  During the pre-show, the Dino Institute Director (played by former "Cosby Show" star Phylicia Rashad) introduces you to your "Time Rover" vehicle.  Your trip is de-railed by her assistant, who wants to send you back to retrieve a live Iguanadon (featured in the Disney movie "Dinosaur").  Unfortunately, your Time Rover ends up in the middle of an impending meteor shower, with only Carnotaurs to be found (you know, those ferocious meat eating dinosaurs).  As you lurch from scene to scene, the tension mounts as the Carnotaur seems to pursue you.  After a terrifying face-to-face encounter with Carnotaur, you make it back to your time safe and sound - with an Iganadon along for the ride!

Comments:  We do not recommend this ride for low-functioning children with autism, or for younger children at all.  The ride is loud, dark, and terrifying.  The sensory input is overwhelming, and children who cannot tell reality from make-believe will be frightened.  The vehicle is programmed to simulate off-road terrain, and is very bumpy and rough.  The most frightening scene is at the end of the ride when the Carnotaur is directly in front of you, roaring and baring his many teeth.  We recommend you have an adult preview this ride to determine if it is appropriate for your child.

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Finding Nemo - The Musical

Location: Dinoland U.S.A. 

Ride Type:  Musical

Capacity:  1700 guests

Fastpass?  No

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  Through the innovative use of live puppetry, the 2003 Disney Pixar movie “Finding Nemo” is brought to life in a Broadway style musical.  This thirty-five minute show features nearly 20 lives actors who sing and dance while managing the puppet characters of the show.  Although the music is different than in the movie, children will recognize their favorite characters as they tell the tale of Dory, Marlin, Nemo, and the others in their search to rescue Nemo and bring him home.

Comments:  Children familiar with the movie "Finding Nemo" will most likely enjoy the show, although the thirty-five minute run time may be too long for younger or lower-functioning children.  Lines for this show can be long, and the show is very popular.  As with any of the shows at Disney, we recommend you ask a cast member about getting a seat near an exit in case you need to leave early.  You may also wish to use your Guest Access Card for an alternate waiting area if your child is overwhelmed by crowds.

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Primeval Whirl

Location:  Dinoland U.S.A.

Ride Type: Roller-coaster 

Passengers:  4 per Car

Fastpass?  Yes

Minimum Height:  48 Inches minimum to ride

Summary:  The Primeval Whirl is a unique rollercoaster.  In addition to the normal ups and downs, the cars also swing right to left, whirling you through the ride.  Each ride is different as you spin, twist, and drop on your journey.  The cars are themed as campy time-machines, similar to road-side carnival attractions from the 1960s.

Comments:  Although Disney classifies this as a "mild but wild" ride, the motion can be disorienting to riders.  Despite the restraint system, you are flung from side to side as the cars spin and drop.  Noise levels can be loud.  Because it is an outdoor roller-coaster, you can preview the ride to determine if it appropriate for your child.

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The Boneyard Dig Site

Location:  DinoLand U.S.A.

Ride Type:   Playground

Capacity:  N/A

Fastpass?  No

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  The Boneyard Dig Site (located in Dinland U.S.A.) is a playground for children to climb, slide, and dig in the sand looking for fossils.  There are nets, slides, tunnels, and a giant sandbox for excavations.

Comments:  This playground is best suited for children who are moderately independent, as the layout of the Boneyard makes it difficult for parents to observe their children at all times.  There are very few places for parents to sit, and not much shade.  If the playground looks crowded, you may wish to avoid it or come back at another time in order to have better visibility of your child.

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To see The Boneyard Dig Site Image Gallery, click here

TriceraTop Spin

Location:  Dinoland U.S.A.

Ride Type:  Flying Triceratops

Passengers:  4 per Triceratops

Fastpass?  No

Minimum Height:  None

Summary:  Similar to the flying elephants and flying carpets of the Magic Kingdom, the TriceraTop Spin uses dinosaurs as the flying ride vehicles.  You fly around a large spinning top - so the ride name is a great play on words.  Guests control the height of their flight using controls in the back seat, and control the rocking motion (forward and backwards) using the controls in the front seat.  This ride gives you a great view of Chester and Hesterd Dino-Rama area, and most of Dinoland U.S.A.

Comments:  Some children may not enjoy when the ride vehicle tilt.  As the ride ends, it resets by raising all of the dinosaurs to the top of the ride.  They may gently sway/tilt during this reset, so be sure your child is prepared for it (you have no control over it).  If your child is afraid of heights, please prepare them for this by letting them watch the ride a few times so they can anticipate that lift.

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To see Triceratops Spin Image Gallery, click here