Walt Disney World is well known for both its nostalgia and technologically advanced attractions, but what really brings these parks to a different level are the shows, parades, exhibits, and character interactions offered across property. If you or someone in your travel party isn’t a thrill-seeker, doesn’t meet height requirements, or just doesn’t care for rides in general, there are so many fun things to do and see at the parks. Here are my top 5 favorite things to do at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, besides the rides.

5. Animal Viewing Paths and Wilderness Explorers

Throughout Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you’ll find walking paths that wind through animal enclosures and viewing areas. Each of these dedicated spaces allows guests to get an up-close view of over 300 species of animals at the park. On your way into Discovery Island, pick up a Wilderness Explorers handbook – while this is intended for kids, any guest can participate in this free challenge throughout the park. As you explore the trails and other activities listed below, you can stop at Wilderness Explorers Outposts along the way and collect badges to officially join the club!

The Tree of Life marks the center of the park, and on the Discovery Island Trails surrounding it you’ll spot animals like lemurs, vultures, otters, and kangaroos.  These trails are often quiet, and you feel like you’re in a different world as you wind around the tree and behind waterfalls. As you near the Tree itself, check out the intricate animal carvings on its trunk and branches, and see how many creatures you can spot. Lately, I have also seen characters along these paths, and I was lucky enough to stop and chat with Pocahontas on my last stroll on these trails.

In Africa, you can enjoy the Gorilla Falls Trail, located next to the exit of Kilimanjaro Safaris. Ideally, you’ll walk this path after experiencing your own safari adventure, but it’s fun to do any time of day. In addition to the family of gorillas you’ll meet – including everyone’s favorite OG (Original Gorilla), the patriarch of the troop, Geno – this pathway shows off okapi, meerkat, and African birds. If you are lucky enough to grab a spot near the window in the gorilla section, you can see some really amazing family interactions between the adult gorillas and the little ones. The animal keepers will usually leave food in this area at chow time as well, which draws the gorillas to the area for some prime photo ops.

The last of these three main animal viewing trails has seen heightened popularity lately due to a certain adorable new addition. Bakso, a baby Sumatran tiger was born to mom Sonhi at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in late September 2024 and made his debut on Maharaja Jungle Trek in Asia in early February 2025. This is the first time I have seen a queue to enter an animal viewing area, and for good reason. Seeing baby Bakso learn and play with his mom was really a unique experience, and something you wouldn’t expect to see at a typical theme park. In addition to the Sumatran tigers, the Maharaja Jungle Trek also showcases a Komodo dragon, bats, and Asian birds. This is my favorite walking path at this park, because it is so heavily themed to the land it is in, with Tibetan prayer flags flying throughout, as well as murals and sculptures that look like ruins from an ancient culture.

You’ll find conversation specialists and animal keepers stationed throughout these walking paths to answer questions as well. These cast members are extremely knowledgeable and are happy to engage in conversation about their wildlife friends.  

#4. Streetmosphere Entertainment  

The Disney properties are known for their elaborate parades and Broadway caliber shows (more on that soon!) but the seemingly impromptu “streetmosphere” of Disney’s Animal Kingdom creates a vibe unlike any of the other theme parks. In Discovery Island, you might stumble upon a dance party lead by Viva Gaia Street Band on the stage across from Flame Tree BBQ, and I promise you, it’s impossible not to dance-walk past these performers.  

When you’re hanging out in Africa, there is almost always some type of musical performance happening, whether it be the Harambe Village Street Band, the Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe, or Kora Tinga Tinga. Each of these unique musical acts brings a sense of “being elsewhere” and you start to forget that you are in a theme park in central Florida, and not a bustling village in Africa. When you’re looking to take a break during your day, head over to Dawa Bar in Africa and you’ll have a prime outdoor seat to take in some entertainment with a refreshing beverage.

#3. Animation Experience at Conservation Station

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is comprised of seven lands, and one of these lands is often overlooked by guests. Rafiki’s Planet Watch is a short train ride away from the main area of the park, with the Wildlife Express Train departing from Africa every 10-15 minutes. On this trip out to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, you’ll pass paddocks where the animals sleep at night and where they receive regular treatment and maintenance, which is a neat behind-the-scenes moment. Once you arrive at Rafiki’s Planet Watch and meander down a path to Conservation Station, you’ll get to pet baby goats (who doesn’t want to pet baby goats?!), check out the invertebrate collection, and potentially catch the veterinarians performing a routine medical procedure on an animal inhabitant.

My personal favorite activity in this area is the Animation Experience at Conservation Station – a 25-minute class lead by a real-life Disney Animator, who guides you through drawing a classic Disney character. Guests are provided with sketch paper with guide points, a pencil (No eraser! GASP!), and a clipboard to draw on. I have done this experience a few times, and I am always shocked at how nice my final products are. The Animator does a great job at explaining how to make simple shapes (circles are much, much harder than they seem), and even the most inexperienced artist will take home a sketch to be proud of. The class does move swiftly and though there is no age limit, parents may want to consider their child’s ability to move through the steps without backtracking (or getting too frustrated). Pro Tip: Consider bringing an empty paper towel roll with you in your park bag (if it fits) and use it as a tube to roll up your art for safe keeping.

#2. Enchanting Extras Collection

For those interested in elevating their day, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has far and away the best slate of individually priced tours to choose from. On the Caring for Giants tour, an animal expert will take you on a small group excursion out to a viewing area that allows you to see these magnificent creatures for an extended period of time. I went on this tour in October 2023 with a friend, and it was just amazing to see the elephants grazing and interacting with each other.

If you are looking to get a bit closer to the wildlife at Animal Kingdom, you can aim for the Up Close with Rhinos tour – this experience is only offered once per day, and tickets can be hard to secure. Guests will venture into the rhinoceros’ paddock, and some guests could have an opportunity to actually touch the rhino. I have not been able to secure a spot for this tour yet, and it remains on my “Disney Bucket List.” Each of these tours is moderately priced considering the unique experiences you’ll get to enjoy, with Caring for Elephants priced at $39+tax and Up Close with Rhinos priced at $49+ tax.

There are two other tours offered at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to really tap into your adventurous side – Wild Africa Trek and Savor the Savanna.  Wild Africa Trek is a 3-hour long privately guided tour that will take guests through grasslands, across a rope bridge, and on a safari tour as they learn about animal habitats and behaviors, as well as Disney’s conservation efforts. This tour is priced over $200 (before any discounts are applied) and comes with complimentary photo services as well as a lovely lunch spread. There is more to “know before you go” so check out Disney’s website for all the details about age restrictions and proper attire, linked in the Resources section at the bottom of this post.  

Another “Disney Bucket List” item is Savor the Savanna, a culinary excursion that will take guests on a private safari ride with drinks and tapas awaiting you at your destination. During this 2-hour experience, you’ll get to enjoy African-inspired dishes as you look out over the savanna at grazing giraffes, zebras, and other wildlife. This experience costs $189+tax (before any discounts are applied) and while it is on the expensive end of these “Enchanting Extras,” it is also an experience that you aren’t easily going to find elsewhere.

Note: Guests must also have separate theme park admission to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and park reservations (if required for your type of ticket) in order to participate in any of the four paid Enchanted Extras listed above.

#1. Theater Shows

While we wait for It’s Tough to be a Bug to be reimagined into a new 3D show based on Zootopia in the Tree of Life, there are two fantastic theater shows to check out at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! is an absolute gem, with colorful puppets acting out the story of Finding Nemo on stage. Take a break from the heat in this massive theater, and you’ll be sure to leave with the original song “In the Big Blue World” stuck in your head all day long.

But, in my humble opinion, Festival of the Lion King is hands down, far and away, the best theater show at Walt Disney World, and that is a hill I am willing to die on. Premiering with the opening of the park in April 1998, Festival of the Lion King has been running for 27 years strong. The theater set up lets guests feel like they are part of the show with massive puppetry, acrobats, a fire dancer, and all of the fan-favorite songs from The Lion King that we know and love. The costumes are gorgeous, using bright colors and intricate designs to represent the animals featured in the show. This is a must-see production, and the theater will fill up, so plan accordingly. When I head to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, I like to see one of the earlier shows of the day at 10am or 11am, after I’ve tackled a few rides during the morning hours. (Check out my post about Rope Drop at Animal Kingdom for tips on maximizing your morning at this park!)

There is so much more to do and see at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in addition to the activities I’ve listed above. As you meander around you might run into Kevin – everyone’s favorite mythical giant bird from Up! or DeVine, a park-specific character who blends in with the flora around the Oasis. For avian fans, you can also catch the Feathered Friends in Flight! show in Asia, or Winged Encounters – The Kingdom Takes Flight where the Macaws put on a beautiful show in front of the Tree of Life a few times each day. And, last but not least, I would be remiss if I did not mention how gorgeous this park is at night. After the sun sets, check out the Tree of Life Awakenings projection show and you must head into Pandora – World of Avatar to explore the beautiful land glowing with bioluminescence. It’s honestly breathtaking.

Are you surprised at how much there is to do and see at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, besides the rides? Let’s plan your next unique Magical Quest today!

Resources/Know Before You Go

Caring for Giants Elephants Tour at Animal Kingdom | Walt Disney World Resort

Up Close with Rhinos Tour at Animal Kingdom | Walt Disney World Resort

Wild Africa Trek | Walt Disney World Resort

Savor the Savanna at Animal Kingdom | Walt Disney World Resort