Is Disney’s Animal Kingdom worth it? According to one Disney expert, the park isn’t worth the hype – and here’s why.
Are you planning a trip to Disney World and wondering which parks you want to visit? As a mom who recently visited Disney World, I must say that Animal Kingdom is currently a park that’s not worth the hype, and I’m sharing my reasons why it’s the one to skip if you can’t visit all four.
A Lack of Attractions
Compared to other Disney World parks, Animal Kingdom falls short in terms of attractions. While the park does have some standout rides, like Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, Avatar Flight of Passage, and Kilimanjaro Safaris, there isn’t much else to explore once you’ve conquered the mountain and trekked through the jungle.
Photo by Danny Shuster
Although DINOSAUR is a fan favorite, it is set to close in 2026, and the Dinoland area is undergoing a significant transformation as it is reimagined as the Tropical Americas Land. Animal Kingdom features fantastic shows that are worth watching, but it’s not a park you visit primarily for its attractions.
Largest Park, But Not a Lot Of Shade
Animal Kingdom is the largest park of all the parks and requires a lot of walking, and as much as we all prepare for the higher-than-average step counts, you’ll potentially walk way more here. As beautiful as it is to take in all the sights, sounds, and greenery of this truly majestic park, you’ll feet will feel it by the end of the day.
Photo by Danny Shuster
You’d think with all the greenery there’d be a lot of shade, but surprisingly, Animal Kingdom is not only the largest park, it’s the hottest as well! With the park’s focus on nature and animal conservation, there aren’t as many places to escape the elements, such as the heat or rain, as you might find in other parks.
Closes Earlier Than The Other Parks
Among the four Disney World parks, Animal Kingdom has the earliest closing time and does not offer any nighttime shows or fireworks. However, it does feature the Tree of Life Awakenings, a projection show displayed on the Tree of Life. This show is only visible during the fall and winter months, occurring every 10 minutes after dark until the park closes. Additionally, Pandora is stunning after dark, showcasing its fluorescent lighting, which is particularly impressive during the winter months.
If you’re planning to visit Animal Kingdom, you might want to consider purchasing a Park Hopper. You can then split your time between Animal Kingdom and another park. I believe this is an excellent strategy for exploring Animal Kingdom, as it works well as a half-day park, in my opinion. Keep in mind that Animal Kingdom is currently evolving, especially with the addition of Tropical Americas Land and the upcoming Zootopia: Better Together attraction. These changes may make the park well worth the hype in the years to come.
