Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Today, we visited the third and final park of our trip, Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We opted for the two-bus transportation route and arrived at the park gates around 7:45 a.m. After quickly passing through security, we scanned our Disney cards and entered the park, which hadn’t yet officially opened. A crowd had begun to gather along a winding pathway bordered by lush, tropical vegetation.
Right at 8:00 a.m., the crowd started moving forward, gradually spreading out as people made their way deeper into the park. As we walked, Jane and I spotted a massive baobab tree up ahead. I found myself wondering how such an enormous, ancient African tree could’ve possibly been transplanted here—until we got closer and saw that the leaves were artificial and even the trunk was constructed. The illusion was convincing enough that it momentarily fooled even me—a retired forester—so I imagine most visitors never question its authenticity.
—— Entering ——
Jane had her heart set on Kilimanjaro Safaris as our first stop, having learned that the animals are more active and visible in the morning. So, we hiked to the safari entrance in the Africa section on the far end of the park. After a brief wait, we boarded our rugged, open-air safari truck, complete with elevated seating and a canopy overhead to shield us from the sun. As we set off, our guide launched into a rapid but informative narrative, and we began spotting animals almost immediately as we traveled through Disney’s meticulously recreated African savanna.
During the journey, we passed through a variety of habitats, including open grasslands, forests, and wetlands. The diverse array of animals we encountered was impressive: zebras, kudu, elephants, giraffes, lions, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, Ankole cattle with their massive curved horns, crocodiles, flamingos, ostriches, cranes, and more. Having previously been on safari in South Africa’s Kruger National Park and Sabi Sands, we found this experience similar, though the frequency of sightings was notably higher and the level of danger lower. While the animals here are free-roaming, they are within a controlled environment, which makes encounters with them more likely.
All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience and left the safari pleased with the wide variety of animals we had observed in such a comfortable and brief outing.
—— Kilimanjaro Safaris ——
Before we made our way to our next stop, we revisited Harambe for a restroom break. This vibrant East African village had come to life with energy, and we couldn’t resist pausing for a few moments to soak in the sounds. A group of authentically dressed men were drumming, dancing, and singing, filling the air with African rhythms and life. It was a captivating sight, and after taking in some of the performance, we continued onward.
—— Harambe ——
Our next stop was the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, where we strolled along a scenic path surrounded by lush foliage and informative signage. Early on, we passed through a small research station, where, among other fascinating exhibits, we saw naked mole-rats being studied. After leaving the station, we entered the Aviary, one of the highlights of the trail for me. There, we spotted numerous species of vibrant birds, while beautifully colored fish swam gracefully in the crystal-clear waters beneath a waterfall. I was particularly captivated by the golden weavers flitting around the water, as well as soaring overhead, darting in and out of their intricately woven hanging nests.
After exiting the aviary, we passed by a meerkat colony before entering the gorilla habitat. Our first glimpse of the gorillas came through a large window, where we saw a young gorilla lounging on its back, casually picking something from between its toes and eating it! Not long after, she shifted positions, leaning against a wall and nibbling on a bundle of romaine lettuce. We then continued walking through another viewing area, where we spotted more gorillas roaming freely through the diverse landscape of forest, waterfall, and wetland habitats designed by Disney.
Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed this self-paced trail, which offered a rare glimpse into the lives of African wildlife while immersing us in a peaceful, natural surrounding.
—— Gorilla Falls ——
After exploring Gorilla Falls, we wandered out of Africa and into Asia, taking in the exotic sights and vibrant atmosphere around us. Along the way, we spotted the same baobab tree, The Tree of Life, across the still river on Discovery Island. This time, I wasn’t fooled—but still it added to the lingering African ambiance, blending seamlessly with the transition among the lands.
—— Walking About ——
Our park tramping eventually brought us to the fictional village of Anandapur, nestled in Southeast Asia, where we queued up for a river adventure hosted by Kali Rapids Expeditions. The winding line took us past dense, lush vegetation, ornate temples, and weathered shrines, immersing us in the atmosphere of a remote jungle outpost. Warning signs along the way made one thing abundantly clear—we were going to get wet, possibly completely soaked.
Soon, Jane and I boarded our circular raft alongside a group of fellow explorers, and we were off—floating downriver into wild rapids, spinning currents, a misty cave, and splash zones that lived up to their name. I timed the final big drop perfectly, snapping a photo just before quickly tucking my camera under my hat. It was a brief moment of triumph—before we were all thoroughly drenched.
Just when we thought the soaking was over, we drifted past two elephant statues that sprayed us with water from their trunks. It wasn’t until we disembarked and crossed the bridge above the river that we realized the surprise spray had been triggered by previous riders using a mischievous “shower button.” Of course, we seized the opportunity and gleefully returned the favor—sending a refreshing spray down on the next unsuspecting raft below.
—— Kali River Rapids ——
Next, it was time for a peaceful stroll through part of Asia on the Maharajah Jungle Trek, to dry off. Surrounded by lush jungle vegetation, we wandered through the weathered ruins of a bygone kingdom—worn temples, faded murals, and vine-draped archways that whispered stories of ancient rulers and sacred lands. Along the way, we encountered a variety of fascinating wildlife, including Komodo dragons, Malayan flying foxes (enormous, tree-dwelling fruit bats), and the majestic Bengal tigers, lounging in their sun-drenched temple domain. The trail concluded with a serene walk through the aviary, where a vibrant mix of colorful Asian birds fluttered through the canopy and perched along mossy branches. Once again, this tranquil journey offered a refreshing escape—an opportunity to connect with nature while observing some of the world’s most exotic creatures.
—— Maharajah Jungle Trek ——
As we made our way through Asia, we approached the towering peak of Mount Everest, which had been looming in the distance throughout our walk. We paused for a bit to watch fellow park-goers aboard Expedition Everest, silently bracing themselves during the steep ascent and the eerie trek into the mountain’s shadowy caves—only to erupt into shrieks and laughter as their train plunged into a rapid descent. It looked like a thrilling ride, full of energy and excitement, but with a very long wait time and the day moving on, we decided to keep going and leave the Yeti for others.
—— Expedition Everest ——
After departing the shadow of Mount Everest, we crossed the river via a scenic bridge and arrived at the Theater in the Wild, just in time to catch the next performance of Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!. This vibrant stage musical brought the ocean to life through large-scale puppets, dynamic animation-style visuals, and original songs. The performance retold the heartfelt journey of the lovable clownfish Nemo, as well as the determined quest of Marlin and Dory to find him. We thoroughly enjoyed this creative and engaging reimagining of a familiar story—and appreciated the chance to sit back, relax, and enjoy a cool indoor break from walking.
—— Finding Nemo ——
After relocating Nemo, our journey brought us into DinoLand U.S.A. We enjoyed a leisurely stroll through this area, taking in the outdoor dinosaur displays, including the playful Chipmunk-o-Sauruses, Chip and Dale, who were happily posing for photos with young fans. We decided to skip the attractions here and didn’t linger for long on the Cretaceous Trail, instead choosing to journey on.
—— DinoLand U.S.A. ——
After our journey from the Cretaceous period back to modern times, hunger struck. Using the Disney app, Jane found a lunch spot in the Asia section with a reasonable wait time. We decided to take a shortcut—crossing the river, passing through Discovery Island, and then crossing the river again to re-enter Asia.
—— Walking across Discovery Island to Asia ——
Yak & Yeti offers both a full-service indoor restaurant and a quick-service outdoor café, and we opted for the latter. While I waited in the café’s order line, Jane headed around the corner to claim a spot for us under the shade of the open-air pavilion. Eventually, I emerged from the bustling crowd, carefully navigating my way with our food and drinks balanced on a tray—making a quick stop at the condiment kiosk to grab napkins, utensils, and sauces. Lunch was solid: I went with the sweet-and-sour tempura shrimp, while Jane chose the vegetable tikka masala. I also couldn’t resist a Safari Amber draft beer, which turned out to be a perfect pairing for my meal—smooth and just hoppy enough. Refueled and recharged, we were ready to head out for the next leg of our Animal Kingdom adventure.
—— Outdoor Lunch ——
We finished lunch just in time to catch the next showing of Feathered Friends in Flight, conveniently located nearby in the Asia section. Seated under a covered outdoor amphitheater, we were treated to an impressive showcase of beautiful, free-flying, well-trained birds—including macaws, hawks, owls, parrots, hornbills, and even a bald eagle. Many soared directly over the audience, with a few swooping through “tunnels” formed by guests holding their arms aloft. One clever bird even snatched a twenty-dollar bill from an audience member and delivered it to the onstage trainer—returning it later after some humorous suspense and playful banter. A pair of parrots stole the show, at least for me, by performing a charming little English language duet.
The experience was not only entertaining but also educational. The trainers, decked out in cheerful tie-dyed shirts, shared fascinating insights into each bird’s behavior and the ongoing conservation efforts supporting them. It was a memorable and enriching highlight of our day.
—— Feathered Friends in Flight ——
We planned to head back to Africa for our next stop, but as we were leaving Asia, we unexpectedly came across a live sitar and drum performance. The unusual, melodic music caught our attention, so we paused for a moment to enjoy it. The calming rhythms and rich tones added a soothing, authentic flavor during our departure from Asia.
—— Trail-side Musical Performance ——
Back in Africa, we boarded the Wildlife Express Train for a short, seven-minute ride to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. Along the way, we got glimpses of backstage animal care facilities—a behind-the-scenes peek into how the park supports its animal residents.
The heart of Planet Watch is an indoor, air-conditioned building. Inside, we explored various exhibits, including a veterinary treatment room, a nutrition center, and several interactive displays focused on conservation and animal care. Outside, we came across the Affection Section, a charming petting zoo. While we didn’t go in ourselves, we enjoyed watching kids interact with friendly farm animals—goats, sheep, and pigs, all clearly used to the attention. As we turned back toward the building, we stumbled upon a row of glass enclosures housing various venomous creatures, including a massive reticulated python—quite the startling contrast to the petting zoo just steps away!
Soon, we boarded the return train and were departing this slower-paced, educational escape tucked into a remote corner of the park.
—— Planet Watch ——
While in Africa, we made our way to the nearby Harambe Theater to catch the next performance of Festival of the Lion King. What followed was a lively, high-energy tribute to The Lion King, blending elements of Broadway-style theater and circus performance. The show featured towering stilt walkers, energetic dancers, a stunning aerialist, and vibrant costumes and floats that brought the savanna to life.
The large theater was arranged in-the-round, with audience sections divided into four animal groups—lion, elephant, warthog, and giraffe (our group). Each section was encouraged to cheer and make animal sounds, adding an extra layer of fun and interaction, especially for the younger guests.
Throughout the show, powerful vocalists delivered beloved songs from the film, including “Circle of Life,” “Hakuna Matata,” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” often with the audience singing along. It was a visually spectacular and uplifting performance. We were thoroughly impressed as we continued on with our day.
—— Festival of the Lion King ——
We were starting to feel the effects of a long day of exploring, but there was still one major part of the park we hadn’t yet visited, Pandora – The World of Avatar. So, we crossed the park and entered the Valley of Mo’ara, the lush, otherworldly landscape on the moon of Pandora. As we strolled through the area, we were immersed in an alien world filled with floating mountains, exotic plant life (some real, some created), and cascading waterfalls. One of the most striking features was the Tree of Souls, sacred to the Na’vi people—a centerpiece with its own tranquil water feature that gave the space a serene, almost spiritual feel.
I had been especially eager to experience Avatar Flight of Passage, a cutting-edge 3D ride where guests “link” to a banshee and soar through Pandora’s breathtaking scenery. Unfortunately, the wait time for this wildly popular attraction remained over two hours—well beyond my threshold—so we made the tough call to skip it. With a final glance at the amazing flora of Pandora, we departed the land, still awed by its beauty, even if we had to forgo one of its most iconic experiences.
—— Pandora – The World of Avatar ——
With a touch of remorse, we made our way out of the park, guided by a whimsical, oversized hornbill sculpture cheerfully pointing toward the exit with its outstretched wing. Our journey back to the motorhome was smooth and efficient: a bus from Animal Kingdom to the Outpost, followed by another to the Settlement at Fort Wilderness.
—— Way Out ——
Back in our motorhome, we settled in for the evening—preparing for tomorrow’s departure, enjoying a quiet dinner, catching up on the news, and reflecting on all the incredible sights and experiences from our wonderful adventure in the Sunshine State. As we drifted off to sleep, the memories of the last three days—filled with adventure, nature, and a touch of Disney magic—lingered, leaving us grateful for the unforgettable moments we had shared in Florida.