Animal Kingdom: go at opening, done by 3

Why mornings matter here

Animal Kingdom is part zoo, part theme park. The animals on the safari and along the walking trails are most active in the cooler early hours. By the middle of the day many of them are asleep in the shade. Lines for the most popular rides also build quickly after opening.

The park often opens earlier and closes earlier than the other Disney parks. Check the hours for your date, then plan to arrive before opening.

The park also covers a lot of ground. Paths wind through gardens and forests, which is lovely but slow. Expect to walk more here than at Magic Kingdom, and to spend time standing still watching animals. Kids who love animals often rate this as their favorite park. Kids who only want rides may get restless by lunch, which is one more reason to start early and finish early.

Getting there

Animal Kingdom sits on the western side of Disney property, a little apart from the rest. Driving, you park in the lot and walk or take a tram to the gate. From Disney resorts the buses run directly. Allow extra time if you're coming from the Lake Buena Vista area or Kissimmee.

Because the park opens early, the drive often happens before breakfast. Eat something in the car or bring food in; outside snacks are allowed, and the first hour is too valuable to spend in a food line. Pack light, too. You'll carry your bag on long trails, and the raft ride means anything loose may get wet.

A morning-first plan

1. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before opening.
2. Head to Pandora first for the flying ride, the park's most popular, unless you have Disney's paid line-skip option booked for it.
3. Go to the safari next, while the animals are up and about.
4. Walk one of the animal trails, which have short waits and good shade.
5. Eat an early lunch, catch a show, and finish with the rides you skipped.

What's in the park

The park is divided into lands around the central Tree of Life. Pandora has the flying simulator and a gentle boat ride, plus glowing plants that are worth seeing at dusk if you stay late. Africa holds the safari and a walking trail with gorillas. Asia has a raft ride that soaks you, an expedition coaster and another trail with tigers.

One corner of the park is being rebuilt, and the ride line-up there is changing. Check the Disney app or site for what's open before you go, and for the current details of Disney's paid line-skip option.

The live shows are well done and give you a shaded seat for 20 to 30 minutes. Times are in the app.

Tips that make the day easier

• Bring a change of clothes or a poncho for the raft ride. You will get wet, sometimes very wet.
• Use the trails as breaks. They're shaded, they rarely have lines, and kids enjoy them more than you'd expect.
• Stay hydrated. The paths are long, and the park feels hotter than it looks. Free ice water is available at quick-service counters.
• Don't expect fireworks. There aren't any here. That's another reason to leave early.
• Watch the weather. Summer storms usually roll in mid-afternoon. A morning plan avoids most of them, and the safari may pause during lightning.
• Ride the safari twice if you can. The animals are in different places each time, and a second trip is often the best part of the day.

Food and pairing

Animal Kingdom has some of the better quick-service food at Disney, with African and Asian flavors in the matching lands. Mobile order through the app and eat at 11 to beat the crowds.

Because the park closes early, it pairs well with an evening somewhere else. If you have a park-hopping ticket, you could head to Magic Kingdom for the fireworks. Traveling with little ones? Our Orlando with toddlers guide has nap-friendly ideas. Still choosing parks? Read which park first.