Animal Kingdom

Overview

Best Days

When to Visit

Planning Your Day

What to See and Do

Dining

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Home of the Spectacular Pandora: The World of Avatar

Last updated: July 12, 2026

Overview

Animal Kingdom is the largest park at Walt Disney World, with areas representing several different continents and their respective cultures and environments. The TouringPlans suite of tools will help you navigate both the jungle paths and the park's best rides.

Today's Park Information and Crowd Levels

Sun

Jul 12

Below Average

(7:30am) /
8am–6pm

Mon

Jul 13

Average
Waits

(7:30am) /
8am–7pm

Tue

Jul 14

Below Average

(7:30am) /
8am–7pm

See the full Crowd Calendar

Articles Related to Animal Kingdom

Park Rating

120,014 reader surveys
assessing its attractions

Attractions

33 total
1 closure Question Mark

Ticket Prices

$119-$189,
single-day, single-park, adult ticket

Address

2901 Osceola Pkwy
Lake Buena Vista FL 32830

Phone Number

(407) 939-5277

Best Days of the Week to Visit Animal Kingdom

We've analyzed millions of wait times from rides at Disney's Animal Kingdom to find the best days of the week to visit. That includes checking the effects of the Magic Kingdom's special parties.

Throughout the year, Wednesday's generally a good day to visit Animal Kingdom for short lines. Tuesday and Thursday are close behind. Saturday's a good bet to have longer lines.

Best Days to Visit Animal Kingdom

January - July (No parties)

Average standby wait time in minutes for popular Animal Kingdom attractions during the busiest part of the day.

Days with wait times within 1 minute of each other are grouped together as ties.

Best

Wednesday

~36 min

Tuesday

~38 min

Thursday, Sunday & Monday (tie)

~39 min

Friday

~44 min

Best Days to Visit Animal Kingdom

August - December (Halloween & Xmas parties)

Average standby wait time in minutes for popular Animal Kingdom attractions during the busiest part of the day.

Days with wait times within 1 minute of each other are grouped together as ties.

Best

Wednesday

~28 min

Thursday

~30 min

Tuesday

~35 min

Friday

~39 min

Monday

~40 min

Sunday

~43 min

Best Days to Visit Animal Kingdom

Entire Year (All dates combined)

Average standby wait time in minutes for popular Animal Kingdom attractions during the busiest part of the day.

Days with wait times within 1 minute of each other are grouped together as ties.

Best

Wednesday

~34 min

Thursday

~35 min

Tuesday

~37 min

Monday & Friday (tie)

~42 min

Sunday

~43 min

Lightning Lane Multi Pass Attractions

Animal Kingdom

Attraction

LL Group

Average Time in Line Saved

Average Time At Which Availability is Gone

Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain Question Mark

Does Not Use Groups

17 minutes

6:00pm

Feathered Friends In Flight! Question Mark

Does Not Use Groups

0 minutes

8:00pm

Festival of the Lion King Question Mark

Does Not Use Groups

0 minutes

8:00pm

Finding Nemo: The Big Blue... and Beyond! Question Mark

Does Not Use Groups

0 minutes

5:00pm

Kali River Rapids Question Mark

Does Not Use Groups

15 minutes

7:00pm

Kilimanjaro Safaris Question Mark

Does Not Use Groups

28 minutes

5:00pm

Na'vi River Journey Question Mark

Does Not Use Groups

18 minutes

7:30am

Zootopia: Better Zoogether Question Mark

Does Not Use Groups

Not Yet Available

Lightning Lane Single Pass Attractions

Average Time in Line Saved

Highest Cost

Cost Per Hour Saved

Avatar Flight of Passage Question Mark

45 minutes

^$17

^$22.67

Animal Kingdom
Lightning Lane Availability

As of 6:47am EDT on 7/12/2026

Attraction ▲ ▼	Sun Jul 12 ▲ ▼	Mon Jul 13 ▲ ▼	Tue Jul 14 ▲ ▼	Wed Jul 15 ▲ ▼	Thu Jul 16 ▲ ▼	Fri Jul 17 ▲ ▼	Sat Jul 18 ▲ ▼	Sun Jul 19 ▲ ▼	Mon Jul 20 ▲ ▼	Tue Jul 21 ▲ ▼	Wed Jul 22 ▲ ▼	Thu Jul 23 ▲ ▼	Fri Jul 24 ▲ ▼	Sat Jul 25 ▲ ▼	Sun Jul 26 ▲ ▼	Mon Jul 27 ▲ ▼	Tue Jul 28 ▲ ▼	Wed Jul 29 ▲ ▼	Thu Jul 30 ▲ ▼	Fri Jul 31 ▲ ▼	Sat Aug 1 ▲ ▼
Expedition Everest	2026-07-12T15:30:00.000Z 11:30am	2026-07-13T13:35:00.000Z 9:35am	2026-07-14T13:45:00.000Z 9:45am	2026-07-15T12:40:00.000Z 8:40am	2026-07-16T12:40:00.000Z 8:40am	2026-07-17T12:45:00.000Z 8:45am	2026-07-18T12:45:00.000Z 8:45am	2026-07-19T12:40:00.000Z 8:40am	2026-07-20T12:15:00.000Z 8:15am	2026-07-21T12:05:00.000Z 8:05am	2026-07-22T12:05:00.000Z 8:05am	2026-07-23T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-24T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-25T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-26T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-27T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-28T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-29T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-30T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-31T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-08-01T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am
Feathered Friends	2026-07-12T14:15:00.000Z 10:15am	2026-07-13T14:15:00.000Z 10:15am	2026-07-14T14:15:00.000Z 10:15am	2026-07-15T14:15:00.000Z 10:15am	2026-07-16T14:15:00.000Z 10:15am	2026-07-17T14:15:00.000Z 10:15am	2026-07-18T14:15:00.000Z 10:15am	2026-07-19T14:15:00.000Z 10:15am	2026-07-20T14:15:00.000Z 10:15am	2026-07-21T14:15:00.000Z 10:15am	2026-07-22T14:15:00.000Z 10:15am	2026-07-23T14:15:00.000Z 10:15am	2026-07-24T14:15:00.000Z 10:15am	2026-07-25T14:15:00.000Z 10:15am	2026-07-26T14:15:00.000Z 10:15am	2026-07-27T14:15:00.000Z 10:15am	2026-07-28T14:15:00.000Z 10:15am	2026-07-29T14:15:00.000Z 10:15am	2026-07-30T14:15:00.000Z 10:15am	2026-07-31T14:15:00.000Z 10:15am	2026-08-01T14:15:00.000Z 10:15am
Festival Lion King	2026-07-12T13:30:00.000Z 9:30am	2026-07-13T13:30:00.000Z 9:30am	2026-07-14T13:30:00.000Z 9:30am	2026-07-15T13:30:00.000Z 9:30am	2026-07-16T13:30:00.000Z 9:30am	2026-07-17T13:30:00.000Z 9:30am	2026-07-18T13:30:00.000Z 9:30am	2026-07-19T13:30:00.000Z 9:30am	2026-07-20T13:30:00.000Z 9:30am	2026-07-21T13:30:00.000Z 9:30am	2026-07-22T13:30:00.000Z 9:30am	2026-07-23T13:30:00.000Z 9:30am	2026-07-24T13:30:00.000Z 9:30am	2026-07-25T13:30:00.000Z 9:30am	2026-07-26T13:30:00.000Z 9:30am	2026-07-27T13:30:00.000Z 9:30am	2026-07-28T13:30:00.000Z 9:30am	2026-07-29T13:30:00.000Z 9:30am	2026-07-30T13:30:00.000Z 9:30am	2026-07-31T13:30:00.000Z 9:30am	2026-08-01T13:30:00.000Z 9:30am
Finding Nemo Musical	2026-07-12T14:30:00.000Z 10:30am	2026-07-13T14:30:00.000Z 10:30am	2026-07-14T14:30:00.000Z 10:30am	2026-07-15T14:30:00.000Z 10:30am	2026-07-16T14:30:00.000Z 10:30am	2026-07-17T14:30:00.000Z 10:30am	2026-07-18T14:30:00.000Z 10:30am	2026-07-19T14:30:00.000Z 10:30am	2026-07-20T14:30:00.000Z 10:30am	2026-07-21T14:30:00.000Z 10:30am	2026-07-22T14:30:00.000Z 10:30am	2026-07-23T14:30:00.000Z 10:30am	2026-07-24T14:30:00.000Z 10:30am	2026-07-25T14:30:00.000Z 10:30am	2026-07-26T14:30:00.000Z 10:30am	2026-07-27T14:30:00.000Z 10:30am	2026-07-28T14:30:00.000Z 10:30am	2026-07-29T14:30:00.000Z 10:30am	2026-07-30T14:30:00.000Z 10:30am	2026-07-31T14:30:00.000Z 10:30am	2026-08-01T14:30:00.000Z 10:30am
Flight of Passage	2026-07-12T20:30:00.000Z 4:30pm	2026-07-13T20:00:00.000Z 4:00pm	2026-07-14T16:55:00.000Z 12:55pm	2026-07-15T12:40:00.000Z 8:40am	2026-07-16T12:45:00.000Z 8:45am	2026-07-17T12:50:00.000Z 8:50am	2026-07-18T12:45:00.000Z 8:45am	2026-07-19T12:45:00.000Z 8:45am	2026-07-20T12:20:00.000Z 8:20am	2026-07-21T12:05:00.000Z 8:05am	2026-07-22T12:05:00.000Z 8:05am	2026-07-23T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-24T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-25T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-26T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-27T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-28T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-29T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-30T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-31T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-08-01T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am
Kali River Rapids	2026-07-12T16:15:00.000Z 12:15pm	2026-07-13T16:20:00.000Z 12:20pm	2026-07-14T15:20:00.000Z 11:20am	2026-07-15T13:50:00.000Z 9:50am	2026-07-16T13:45:00.000Z 9:45am	2026-07-17T13:00:00.000Z 9:00am	2026-07-18T14:05:00.000Z 10:05am	2026-07-19T13:20:00.000Z 9:20am	2026-07-20T13:25:00.000Z 9:25am	2026-07-21T13:20:00.000Z 9:20am	2026-07-22T13:05:00.000Z 9:05am	2026-07-23T13:10:00.000Z 9:10am	2026-07-24T13:05:00.000Z 9:05am	2026-07-25T13:05:00.000Z 9:05am	2026-07-26T14:00:00.000Z 10:00am	2026-07-27T14:00:00.000Z 10:00am	2026-07-28T14:00:00.000Z 10:00am	2026-07-29T14:00:00.000Z 10:00am	2026-07-30T14:00:00.000Z 10:00am	2026-07-31T14:00:00.000Z 10:00am	2026-08-01T14:00:00.000Z 10:00am
Kilimanjaro Safaris	2026-07-12T15:05:00.000Z 11:05am	2026-07-13T15:25:00.000Z 11:25am	2026-07-14T13:40:00.000Z 9:40am	2026-07-15T13:00:00.000Z 9:00am	2026-07-16T13:05:00.000Z 9:05am	2026-07-17T13:25:00.000Z 9:25am	2026-07-18T13:20:00.000Z 9:20am	2026-07-19T12:55:00.000Z 8:55am	2026-07-20T12:30:00.000Z 8:30am	2026-07-21T12:20:00.000Z 8:20am	2026-07-22T12:15:00.000Z 8:15am	2026-07-23T12:10:00.000Z 8:10am	2026-07-24T12:05:00.000Z 8:05am	2026-07-25T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-26T12:30:00.000Z 8:30am	2026-07-27T12:30:00.000Z 8:30am	2026-07-28T12:30:00.000Z 8:30am	2026-07-29T12:30:00.000Z 8:30am	2026-07-30T12:30:00.000Z 8:30am	2026-07-31T12:30:00.000Z 8:30am	2026-08-01T12:30:00.000Z 8:30am
Na'vi River	2026-07-12T19:20:00.000Z 3:20pm	2026-07-13T17:55:00.000Z 1:55pm	2026-07-14T18:10:00.000Z 2:10pm	2026-07-15T15:45:00.000Z 11:45am	2026-07-16T15:35:00.000Z 11:35am	2026-07-17T16:25:00.000Z 12:25pm	2026-07-18T16:05:00.000Z 12:05pm	2026-07-19T14:35:00.000Z 10:35am	2026-07-20T12:30:00.000Z 8:30am	2026-07-21T12:20:00.000Z 8:20am	2026-07-22T12:10:00.000Z 8:10am	2026-07-23T12:10:00.000Z 8:10am	2026-07-24T12:05:00.000Z 8:05am	2026-07-25T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-26T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-27T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-28T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-29T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-30T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-31T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-08-01T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am
Zootopia	2026-07-12T12:20:00.000Z 8:20am	2026-07-13T13:10:00.000Z 9:10am	2026-07-14T12:50:00.000Z 8:50am	2026-07-15T12:40:00.000Z 8:40am	2026-07-16T12:20:00.000Z 8:20am	2026-07-17T12:20:00.000Z 8:20am	2026-07-18T12:40:00.000Z 8:40am	2026-07-19T12:30:00.000Z 8:30am	2026-07-20T12:10:00.000Z 8:10am	2026-07-21T12:10:00.000Z 8:10am	2026-07-22T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-23T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-24T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-25T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-26T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-27T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-28T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-29T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-30T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-07-31T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am	2026-08-01T12:00:00.000Z 8:00am

When to Visit

Animal Kingdom is the park most affected by weather since many of the attractions are outdoors. Make sure to check the forecast often before a day at Animal Kingdom.

You will want to know how crowded it will be as well - that's where we come in. Our Crowd Calendar is the single best source for accurate predictions of crowd levels at Walt Disney World. You can also track-a-day with our Crowd Tracker to see when the Crowd Levels change. Even if you have to visit the Animal Kingdom on a crowded day, we can help. Tell us what attractions, shows, and restaurants you want to see, and we'll give you a custom touring plan to optimize your day.

See the full Crowd Calendar

Animal Kingdom Waits In Line

Average Wait In Line By Hour

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Crowd Calendar

See daily crowd predictions, show, parade, and fireworks times, plus special events throughout Walt Disney World.

See the full Crowd Calendar

Crowd Tracker

Select dates to keep an eye on. We’ll keep you updated on changes to park hours and crowd predictions.

Track a Date

Planning Your Day

Live animals are the centerpiece of many of the Animal Kingdom's attractions, shows, and exhibits. Don't miss Kilimanjaro Safaris, which takes you on a journey through Africa and Asia, with giraffes, wildebeests, elephants, and more. For more exotic animals, try Avatar: Flight of Passage, for a 3-D ride atop a flying banshee.

At TouringPlans we use data and math to make your vacation better.

See which Animal Kingdom attractions are best for your family. We’ve collected over 1,900,000 guest surveys from every ride, show, and attraction in Walt Disney World. Results are organized by age group, so you can find the best things to do for your family.

See Animal Kingdom Attractions and Ratings →

See which attractions benefit most from Lightning Lane. Lightning Lane has rules. And Disney won't tell you how to get the most for your money. We will.

See Which Attractions Work Best with Lightning Lane →

Get Shorter Lines by Arriving Early. The Animal Kingdom park-opening process is known as “Rope Drop.” With our advice, you’ll be through the gates and done with your first ride before most people are even in the park.

Read our Animal Kingdom Rope Drop Advice →

Up-to-the minute access to maximize your time

Touring Plans

Save up to 4 hours a day, using our researched and tested plans, or create and customize your own.

View our touring plans

Lines App

Use our app to keep you updated throughout your stay with the latest park hours, closures, and wait times.

Download the Lines app

What to See and Do

Half of Disney’s Animal Kingdom is dedicated to the wildlife and habitats of Africa and Asia. You’ll have up-close encounters with dozens of animal species in authentic settings, so keep your cameras out.

Animal Kingdom’s Best Animal Attractions:

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail

Maharajah Jungle Trek

Feathered Friends In Flight!

Animal Kingdom’s Most Popular Rides & Shows:

Avatar Flight of Passage

Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

Kali River Rapids

Festival of the Lion King

While attractions like Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safaris get the big headlines, make sure to spend time on the numerous walking trails, including Maharajah Jungle Trek, where you can see the majestic tiger and more.

Attractions

Check out how you can make the most of your time with our Attraction listings with reviews and ratings.

View Attractions

Parades & Entertainment

Find show times and plan how to work this fun into your day using our Lines WDW app or the link below.

View Parades & Entertainment

View All 6 Animal Kingdom Lands

Lines are inevitable, but we can recommend the best times to visit each attraction in Animal Kingdom. See sample wait times below.

Select an attraction to see its wait times

Hourly View and Lightning Lane Return Times

Sunday, Jul 12, 2026

Sunday,
Jul 12, 2026

Wait Times for

Kilimanjaro Safaris

As of 6:50 am EDT

Sunday,
July 12, 2026

Park Hours

8:00 AM-6:00 PM
+Early Entry

TouringPlans.com

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Lightning Lane Multi Pass - Second Group Availability For

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Sunday,
July 12, 2026

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Dining

Outdoor restaurants at Animal Kingdom have some of the most beautiful views in Walt Disney World. Grab a snack or quick service meal and immerse yourself in these stunning and well-shaded spots.

Animal Kingdom has some of the best quick-service restaurants in Walt Disney World. Use TouringPlans to find menus and check hours of operation so that you have full access to restaurants like: Top of the list is Satu'li Canteen, serving rice bowls with meat, fish, or veggies, plus salads. A close second is Flame Tree Barbecue, serving house-smoked ribs, chicken, and pork. For breakfast, the sausage and egg biscuit at Pongu Pongu, is good enough to serve to your Southern friends. (But get it fresh from here, not from the carts!)

The highest rated sit-down restaurant in the park is Yak & Yeti Restaurant, with plenty of options for kids. If you're in the mood for drinks and light snacks, the place to go is Nomad Lounge, on Discovery Island.

Animal Kingdom Dining In Detail

Dining resources to make your trip delicious

Food Finder

View all restaurants and snack carts in the park, and search every item on every menu.

Find food

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General

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Overview

Today's Park Information and Crowd Levels

Articles Related to Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom Current Closures / Refurbishments

Best Days of the Week to Visit Animal Kingdom

Lightning Lane Multi Pass Attractions

Lightning Lane Single Pass Attractions

Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane Availability

When to Visit

Animal Kingdom Waits In Line

Subscribe for full access to these TouringPlans tools

Crowd Calendar

Crowd Tracker

Planning Your Day

Up-to-the minute access to maximize your time

Touring Plans

Lines App

Download the Lines app

What to See and Do

Animal Kingdom’s Best Animal Attractions:

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail

Maharajah Jungle Trek

Feathered Friends In Flight!

Animal Kingdom’s Most Popular Rides & Shows:

Avatar Flight of Passage

Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

Kali River Rapids

Festival of the Lion King

Attractions

Parades & Entertainment

Dining

Dining resources to make your trip delicious

Food Finder

Animal Kingdom
Lightning Lane Availability