Walt Disney World With Kids (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [87]
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Map Location 10
Another lovely walking path, this one goes through habitats of Asia. The Bengal tigers are the undisputed stars of the show, but you’ll also encounter Komodo dragons, gibbons, and, most intriguing of all, giant fruit bats. Take time along the path to appreciate the glorious landscaping and the beauty of the architecture. In fact, if you only have time to choose one animal path, the Maharajah Jungle Trek gets the nod over Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, largely because the tigers lie around more—and thus are more likely to be in viewing range—than the gorillas.
Hidden Mickey
The Maharajah Jungle Trek is Hidden Mickey city. There are several in the drawings on the ruins just as you enter the tiger habitat.
Flights of Wonder
Map Location 9
The Caravan Stage is home to this lovely display of birds in free flight. The show’s premise is a bit silly, but you can count on seeing falcons, vultures, hawks, and toucans demonstrating their unusual talents. Several members of the audience, including kids, are invited onstage to interact with the birds. Showtimes are noted on your entertainment schedule; be there 10 minutes before showtime to assure a good seat, 20 minutes during the on-season. Flights of Wonder is a good choice for the most crowded times of the afternoon.
Expedition Everest
Map Location 7
Expedition Everest is the Animal Kingdom’s most popular ride, and one of the most exciting attractions in all of Disney World. The premise is that your mountain train is chugging up the snowy mountainside when it suddenly encounters a break in the track. Uh-oh. The trip back down not only involves wild plunges and even wilder speeds, but you also meet up with the yeti that lives in the mountain, and, rumor has it, he’s not in a good mood. Your train races both forward and backward through bamboo forests and glacier fields as you attempt to escape his rage. There are tight turns and you take some of them going backward.
The Scare Factor
Although Expedition Everest doesn’t have the corkscrews and flips that are at Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, the yeti is indeed slightly more frightening than Steven Tyler. Also, the train moves at almost twice the speed of Space Mountain, which means the ride will probably be too intense for kids under 8. The height requirement is 44 inches.
Helpful Hint
Expedition Everest draws major crowds. Although the ride does board quickly and the lines do move fast, come in the morning, or use Fastpass. The ride is a huge hit with our readers, with almost 80% of them listing it as their favorite attraction in the Animal Kingdom. “I expected my 11-year-old to like it,” wrote one mom from Arizona, “but to my surprise my 6-year-old loved it just as much. Even my father-in-law insisted on riding twice!”
Food Choices in the Animal Kingdom
Since the Animal Kingdom closes the earliest of all the parks—usually between 5 and 7 PM, depending on the season—people rarely eat dinner there. There are two sit-down restaurants: the Rainforest Café, which is just as you enter the park, and open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and the Yak & Yeti, an Asian-fusion restaurant with table-service, a full bar, quick-service options, and a beer garden.
Insider’s Secret
The Animal Kingdom provides interactive entertainment throughout the park. Cast members are stationed with animals throughout the park and kids are welcome to ask questions and have up-close encounters with the bugs, birds, reptiles, and small mammals. At the Dawa Bar in the Africa section you’ll find storytellers, music, African drumming, and acrobats.
And keep an eye out for DeVine, a moving human topiary, who can often be found literally hanging around the park. She blends in so well with the vegetation that she’s been known to startle some guests.
There’s also a cute 15-minute parade in