I’ll be recapping DAY FIVE of my trip – which marks the last day of my August 2022 visit.
I’ll be sharing tips and tricks that could help you on your next Disney vacation – like how to use mobile order and all the unique experiences in Animal Kingdom!
I opened the My Disney Experience App to check Individual Lightning Lane availability for Flight of Passage – there were plenty of return times to choose from! In fact, all the wait times were just about an hour, and Genie+ availability was wide open for all shows and attractions. I selected a return time of 12:55 pm, so that I could take my time exploring the rest of the park before heading to Pandora - World of Avatar.
All guests enter the park through the Oasis, but many breeze right through without taking in the tropical garden pathways. On my way in I spotted DiVine - she was out posing for photos during my visit! I visited the babirusa, rhinoceros iguana, and some of the other animals that call the Oasis home. I stopped to talk with an animal caretaker who was feeding some Indian Spotbills before crossing a hidden bridge and stepping onto the main path to Discovery Island.
I passed by the Wilderness Explorers Headquarters. Wilderness Explorers is an interactive adventure where you can complete challenges and earn badges as you work your way around Animal Kingdom! This is one my favorite activities in all of Walt Disney World. You can pick up your Wilderness Explorers handbook at the Wilderness Explorers Headquarters or any of outposts around the park and have fun exploring the park and earning badges at your own pace!
I made my way to the base of the Tree of Life and stopped to look at the flamingos! There was a fuzzy brown baby flamingo among the adults; the animal caretakers let me know that it won’t turn pink for another two years! I highly recommend talking to the animal caretakes if they’re out and about – I learned so much on this trip by talking with them for a minute or two.
I stopped at Creature Comforts (Starbucks) to buy a Flat White Latte. Did you know that a portion of the sale of each Flat White sold in Animal Kingdom will benefit conservation programs already underway to help preserve the cotton-top tamarin in Colombia? I took my latte over to visit the tamarins that live at Animal Kingdom.
I explored the Discovery Island trails and all the incredible animal carvings on the Tree of Life. Many guests take the main paths to the other parts of the park, bypassing the trails completely! All the hidden, quiet areas make Animal Kingdom so unique.
Around 9:30 am I made my way to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. I boarded the train at the Harambe Railway Station and relaxed on the backstage journey though Animal Kingdom to Conservation Station – a wildlife conservation center home to a few exhibits, including the veterinary treatment room, creepy crawlies like tarantulas and scorpions, Affection Section, and more.
You can take a drawing class here! During the Animation Experience a talented Disney animator gives step-by-step instructions on how to illustrate a Disney character. I drew Eeyore! We got to see Jack and Jill, a pair of donkeys who call Affection Section home, as our inspiration. The class lasted about 25 minutes and I left with a piece of artwork. This should be on your must-do list – I had so much fun, and I know you will too!
I took the train back and headed for the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. It was HOT during my visit, and many of the gorillas were hanging out in the shade, All the trails throughout the park are a great way to see many of the animals that call Animal Kingdom home. You can see bats and tigers on the Maharaja Jungle Trek!
I stopped at Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery for some Spiced Potato Hand Pies. Each order comes with two hand pies, which were delicious and surprisingly filling. For dessert I got a Mini Mango Pie from Yak & Yet Local Food Cafes. It was a tasty treat – not too sweet, and just the right size.
Since the animals that call Kilimanjaro Safaris home are usually the most active in the morning and later in the day, I opted to ride Expedition Everest.
This attraction has a single rider line that moves very quickly, so I was able to ride twice in a row in less time than it would have taken to wait in standby once! The single rider line will significantly reduce your wait time, but your travel party will absolutely be separated this way.
On my way to Pandora: World of Avatar, I made a quick detour through DinoLand U.S.A. – home to several restaurants, plus TriceraTop Spin, DINOSAUR, and The Boneyard, a dinosaur dig-site themed playground.
I mobile ordered lunch from Satu’li Canteen – one of my favorite Quick Service locations in all of Walt Disney World. I ordered the Slow-Roasted Sliced Grilled Beef Bowl off the kids’ menu. Anyone can order a kids’ meal at Quick Service locations, which is great if you’re not very hungry or want to try as many foods as possible!
It was time to ride Flight of Passage! I love this attraction – it’s beautiful and exhilarating, and you’ll truly feel like you’re flying on the back of a banshee. Wait times can get long, but Individual Lighting Lane selections tend to be available well into the afternoon, except for the busiest times of year. If you don’t want to purchase an Individual Lightning Lane you can rope drop this attraction, but I recommend rope dropping Na’vi River Journey and coming back to Pandora at night to get in line for Flight of Passage shortly before park close. This section of the park is beautiful at night, as much of the local flora is bioluminescent and glows in the dark! Whatever time you decide to ride – sivako! Rise to the challenge!
I had just enough time for one of my favorite treats – a Night Blossom from Pongu Pongu – before I had to leave. It’s a non-alcoholic frozen concoction made with layers of apple and desert pear limeade topped with boba balls. It’s a perfect blend of tart and sweet and was so refreshing on a hot afternoon! If you’d like to try the boozy version, you’ll ask for the Rum Blossom. I was lucky enough to see Mickey and Minnie pass by on their flotilla on my way out!
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my most recent trip to Walt Disney World. I can’t wait to help YOU plan your trip! Not only are my services priceless, they're also are completely FREE! From hotel accommodations and park tickets to dining reservations and Enchanting Extras, I can help you as much or as little as you'd like. All it takes to secure your vacation package – and in turn my services – is a $200 deposit at the time of booking. So, what are you waiting for?
Glossary
mobile order a feature of many Quick Service dining locations across Walt Disney World which allows you select your arrival time and customize parts of your order without waiting in line at the restaurant; it’s convenient, contactless, and a huge time saver
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