Animal Kingdom rides for toddlers

Animal Kingdom is an engaging, immersive Disney park and was created for the whole family to enjoy. So what are the best Animal Kingdom rides for Toddlers? That is exactly what we will be looking at today. 

Is Animal Kingdom good for toddlers? 

Animal Kingdom do have a selection of rides that are designed with young children and toddlers in mind but they also have some fun activities and attractions for those youngsters too. If your child enjoys animals then this is the perfect place for them, especially with attractions such as Kilimanjaro Safari offering encounters with animals and the zoological trails being loved by many. 

Animal kingdom rides for toddlers

Kilimanjaro Safaris

As mentioned above, this is a fantastic ride to enjoy with the family and is often placed as the best ride at Animal Kingdom by many. This is a 20-minute lon safari ride though the African savanna, giving you a chance to see real live animals. You are’t allowed to touch the animals but each safari ride is different and if you’re lucky, you will experience the animals coming up close to your vehicle.

Try to get a fastpass for this ride or get to the park at rope drop to experience shorter wait times. 

Na’vi River Journey

This popular river journey has no height requirements and is a great pick for young children. The calm boat journey moves you along a selection of fictional animals and plants. This is a low light ride in the Pandora world and is a great ride to fastpass if you can. 

TriceraTop Spin

This aerial carousel can be found in the Dino-Rama area of Animal Kingdom and offers a slight thrill for those brave young ones. 

Kali River Rapids (38’ height requirement)

So this is not a ride for toddlers but if you have a young child over 38’ this is a fun water raft ride. You will get wet as you twist, turn and drop along the Kali River, a really fun ride to experience with the family at Animal Kingdom. 

Animal Kingdom Attractions for Toddlers

It’s tough to be a bug

This 3D show is inside the Tree of Life and offers a 10-minute long performance, hosted by Flik from A Bug’s Life. The 3D is standard but be aware that there are some loud surprises in the show, so if you have children who frighten easily, it maybe worth watching a performance online first. 

The Zoological Trails

The Oasis Exhibits, Maharajah Jungle Trek and Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail are great walking routes for children to experience and interact with different animals in a zoo-like setting. 

The Boneyard

This is an outdoor play area with a dinosaur excavation theme. Young children love to explore the themed dig site, breaking up your day at Animal Kingdom. 

Rafiki’s Planet Watch

This land is accessible via the Wildlife Express Train; a slow moving train that moves through the greenery of the park and is a nice attraction in itself. The zoological focused area showcases exhibits like the veterinary treatment room and small animal exhibits. Young children love the petting zoo too. 

Festival of the Lion King

This is an acrobatic performance based on the Lion King. This is a virtual explosion of colour which the family will definitely enjoy. Shows are 30 minutes and you will experience classic songs from the film with excellent costumes, staging and dance that will keep your child engaged throughout. 

Finding Nemo – The Musical

This is another fantastic performance that immerses you into the undersea world of Marlin and Nemo. Expect to see puppetry, dance and acrobatics as your favourite fish stop is bought to life in this 40 minute show. Remember to get in line around 30 minutes before the show starts as the queues can fill up quickly for this popular show. 

UP! A Great Bird Adventure

Watch Wilderness Explorer Russel and his doggy Dug discover species of birds from around the world at the Caravan Theater in Anandapur Village. The show features flying exotic birds with fantastic bird of flight demonstrations. 

Which rides should you fastpass in Animal Kingdom with toddlers?

This depends on what your child is into but we would suggest use aim for these fast passes in the following order:

1. Na’vi River Journey
2. Kilimanjaro Safaris
3. Kali River Rapids (for over 38”)
4. Festival of the Lion King
5. Adventurers Outpost Character Greeting
6. Rivers of Light
7. Finding Nemo – The Musical

For the shows, you will likely be able to get a seat without a fastpass as they perform multiple times a day, however, to guarantee a good seat and specific time, it is best to book a fastpass. 

The first three rides are great ones to aim for early in the morning at rope drop but if you don’t want to be at the park for opening, then try to get a fastpass. 

Make sure you read our full post on the best fastpass rides at Animal Kingdom. 

Tips for visiting Animal Kingdom with toddlers

1. Stroller rentals are available to the right of the main entrance, costing $15 per day for a single-passenger stroller or $31 per day for a double. 
2. Animal Kingdom is fully accessible and also offers plenty of shade, making your day a little easier with young children compared to the other parks. 
3. DinoLand USA is the best area for toddlers; with the Oasis area nearby and big shows like the Lion King and Finding Nemo also in this area. 
4. Bring your own food if you have fussy eaters. Alternatively, the Rainforest Cafe is an amazing experience for young children whilst the Tusker House restaurant offers character dining, with Donald Duck and friends joining you during breakfast and lunch hours. 
5. The Animal Kingdom’s Baby Care Center is located on the way to Africa, just past the Pizzafari restaurant. It is spacious and well-equipped in terms of items to purchase whilst also offering a nursing room, large changing room and a feeding room with a microwave and highchairs. Diapers are also available here and there are vending machines in the park’s restrooms that also sell diapers too. 
6. Character Meet and Greets can be found in DinoLand USA with times available of the My Disney Experience app.
7. The Mickey Jammin’ Jungle Parade circles Discovery Island during the afternoons.
8. If you are visiting with older children, establish a meeting spot before they wander off around the park. 

Where to eat – Animal Kingdom Parents Guide

There are a few great restaurants that you can enjoy with toddlers in Animal Kingdom:

• Tusker House – This is a great character breakfast and lunch option, with Simba and Nala waffles in this buffet restaurant. Make sure you reserve a table before your trip. 
• Sa’tuli Canteen – With excellent theming, this restaurant offers a great range of food options and amazing desserts. 
• Yak and Yeti – Fantastic food with cute theming and good kid meal options, although the price is a little higher than other restaurants and wait time can be long. 
• The Rainforest Cafe – As we mentioned before, this themed restaurant is a great choice for families but be aware there are some “storms” inside the restaurant too that maybe a little scary for some. 
• Pizzafari – A quick-service pizza place with other kid-friendly options. Price is fair and you can order on the my Disney Experience App

Have an amazing time in Animal Kingdom with you family – let us know what your favourite attraction in the park is in the comments below!