A 1 Day Plan for Disney's Animal Kingdom

Before Dinnertime:

As the afternoon starts to wind down, consider these other wonderful activities. The two walking trails (Discovery Island Trail and the Maharaja Jungle Trek) offer close-up views of the animals and a reprieve from the crowds. The Animal Kingdom is also a great place to meet characters for autographs and pictures. (For some unknown reason, the characters here always have shorter lines.)

And lastly, if you’re a thrill-seeker, you can’t leave the park without riding Expedition Everest. This rollicking coaster takes you up and down the ominous mountain, all while evading a hostile yeti. Better yet, this ride has a single-rider line and it’s usually pretty quick. So truly, there are options for all types of explorers!

Evening:

To top off the perfect evening at the Animal Kingdom, you can’t miss the Rivers of Light nighttime spectacular. This glorious show features dancing water fountains, floats, projections, an original score, and a beautiful message that unites humankind with Mother Earth. It’s sure to delight longtime fans of EPCOT’s Illuminations with its splendor. There’s one downside though – the arena doesn’t seat many guests. (It’s much smaller than the Hollywood Studio’s comparable Fantasmic! arena.)

To ensure you have a seat, you have two options. You can either snag a seat using a FastPass+ reservation or you can book a dinner package. (Both Tusker House and the Tiffins restaurant offer these.) For an upcharge, you can enjoy a full-course meal and sit in a special reserved section for Rivers of Light. Assuming you’ve already started your day out at Tusker House, I recommend an indulgent Tiffins dinner. This upscale eatery features a more foodie-oriented menu with items like charred octopus and tamarind-short ribs. An evening like this is designed to delight all of your senses.

Nighttime:

Even though your belly is full and you’ve seen the grand finale of the evening, there’s still a very important stop to make. Pandora: The World of Avatar is breathtaking at all times, but even more so at night. At night, this mystical area is lit up in bioluminescent glory. This means everything from the plants to the walkways itself are glowing in vibrant shades of violet, blue, and green. Please make time for a luxurious stroll through this area. Prolong the evening by grabbing a drink or jumping in line for one of the attractions. There truly isn’t a better way to top off your adventure.

Again, even if you only complete half of this itinerary, you’re still going to walk away with wonderful memories. So, strap on your MagicBand, book those reservations, and look forward to a park experience unlike any other!