Florida - Orlando - Walt Disney World - Animal Kingdom - Activities and Rides List

Howdy! Since I have visited WDW repeatedly over the last 11 years with kids that ranged in age from infant up to 14 year old, I get asked all the time "what are the best things for a child to do?" Of course, I can't give you a simple answer because a lot depends on the child in question. One of my children loves fast rides while another hates roller coasters and/or dark rides. Just because a child is TALL enough to ride something doesn't mean they will LIKE it. A bad ride experience can also set up a domino effort for all future rides. So I hope this checklist will be helpful as it takes those characteristics into account.

Animal Kingdom:

Name of Ride: Affection Section
Summary: Petting Zoo in the heart of Rafiki's Planet Watch
FP Recommended: N/A
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: N/A
Contains Gravity Drop: N/A
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Live animals
Photopass: No
Misc: This just opened up after a hiatus. Young kids will enjoy petting the goats.


Name of Ride: Animation Experience (new)
Summary: Take a step-by-step pen and paper animation character drawing class
FP Recommended: Yes
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: N/A
Contains Gravity Drop: N/A
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: None
Photopass: No
Misc: This is a small class so it fills up quickly; the entry area is a little chaotic so keep an eye on young kids; some young kids won't be able to sit quietly through the entire class


Name of Ride: Avatar Flight of Passage
Summary: Take a virtual reality ride through Pandora on the back of a banshee
FP Recommended: YES
Height Requirement: 44"
Speed of Ride: Simulated fast
Contains Gravity Drop: Yes
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: A little bit
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: The amount of movement/motion may cause sickness
Photopass: No
Misc: The ride is very realistic (the banshee's sides heave as if breathing), the graphics are amazing, and the movements may cause dizziness/motion-sickness; also, this ride is very popular expect 2+ hour waits without FP (if you can even get one)


Name of Ride: The Boneyard
Summary: Nice playground with dinosaur/fossil theme plus a bridge (over the walkway) to a large dig site sandbox
FP Recommended: N/A
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: N/A
Contains Gravity Drop: N/A
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: None
Photopass: No
Misc: There is limited seating for adults; adults can use the equipment too


Name of Ride: Conservation Station
Summary: This is a newly re-opened learning center at Rafiki's Planet Watch gives guests up-close view into veterinarian work and some animal habitats
FP Recommended: N/A
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: N/A
Contains Gravity Drop: N/A
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Bugs/Animals
Photopass: No
Misc: Calm, air-conditioned building with lots to look at and you might find expert guides wandering round willing to answer questions


Name of Ride: Dinosaur
Summary: Rather intense motion-ride in a truck through the land of dinosaurs
FP Recommended: No
Height Requirement: 40"
Speed of Ride: Medium
Contains Gravity Drop: No but it's bumpy
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: Yes
Contains Flashing Lights: Camera flash
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: It's a very bumpy, motion-heavy ride
Photopass: Yes
Misc: This ride was too intense for my five-year-old who absolutely loves dinosaurs.


Name of Ride: Expedition Everest
Summary: Rollercoaster ride through Mount Everest
FP Recommended: Yes
Height Requirement: 44"
Speed of Ride: Fast
Contains Gravity Drop: Yes
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: Yes
Contains Flashing Lights: Yes, Camera Flash
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Backwards motion, drops
Photopass: Yes
Misc: Intense rollercoaster; there's always a long wait


Name of Ride: Gorilla Falls Expedition Trail
Summary: Walking trail through several animal habitats and a chance to see the baby Gorilla
FP Recommended: N/A
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: N/A
Contains Gravity Drop: N/A
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Animals
Photopass: No
Misc: Several Wilderness Explorer badge activities along trail


Name of Ride: It's Tough to be a Bug
Summary: Cute 4-D show where the audience are honorary bugs
FP Recommended: No
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: N/A
Contains Gravity Drop: No
Can Get You Wet: A little spray
Contains Dark Periods: Yes
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Bugs
Photopass: No
Misc: You need to wear one-size-fits-all 3-D glasses; some of the bug interactions might frighten younger children


Name of Ride: Kali River Rapids
Summary: Large circular tube ride through the river rapids
FP Recommended: Yes
Height Requirement: 38"
Speed of Ride: Medium
Contains Gravity Drop: Yes
Can Get You Wet: Yes
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Water-motion, some spinning, bouncing and one big drop
Photopass: No
Misc: Use the free lockers across from the ride to store your belongings because you will get wet and there's no storage space on the tube


Name of Ride: Kilimanjaro Safaris
Summary: Safari truck ride through an African safari
FP Recommended: Yes
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: Slow
Contains Gravity Drop: No
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: The ride is a bit jerky and bumpy
Photopass: No
Misc: Each ride is slightly different depending on the animals; there are a few different animals on the nighttime safari


Name of Ride: Maharajah Jungle Trek
Summary: Walking trail through Asia including views of tigers
FP Recommended: N/A
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: N/A
Contains Gravity Drop: No
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Animals
Photopass: No
Misc: The tigers seem more active earlier in the day before it gets really hot


Name of Ride: Na'vi River Journey
Summary: Gentle boat ride through the glowing bioluminescent rainforest with views of interesting creatures
FP Recommended: Yes
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: Slow
Contains Gravity Drop: No
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: Dimly lit
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Water-boat motion
Photopass: No
Misc: Lots of Pandora creatures to see


Name of Ride: Primeval Whirl
Summary: Spinning dino-themed rollercoaster
FP Recommended: On busy days
Height Requirement: 48"
Speed of Ride: Fast
Contains Gravity Drop: Yes
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Spinning; drops
Photopass: No
Misc: There's always a long line for this ride


Name of Ride: TriceraTop Spin
Summary: Circling Dumbo-like ride that you can control
FP Recommended: No
Height Requirement: None
Speed of Ride: Slow
Contains Gravity Drop: Up and down motion
Can Get You Wet: No
Contains Dark Periods: No
Contains Flashing Lights: No
Fear factor/Motion-sickness: Height; up and down motion
Photopass: No
Misc: You can control the height from the back seat and the pitch from the front seat