Like Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom is currently a park in transition with Pandora- The World of Avatar coming soon, but that doesn't diminish the fact that it is still a must-do during any Walt Disney World vacation. From the exciting sights to the truly unforgettable experiences, Animal Kingdom is always a highlight for me when I travel to Central Florida. For this week's edition of Five Friday Favorites, I count down my top five attractions at DAK!
Only one honorable mention for this list and it's Finding Nemo- The Musical. This thrilling stage show is an excellent staple of Animal Kingdom that is not to be missed. If you enjoy Finding Nemo (and let's be honest, everybody does, right?), you will love this show featuring superb puppetry on display and some catchy songs to compliment the already fantastic story. Disney always boasts the best of the best when it comes to live entertainment, and this musical is no exception.
Now, onward and upward to the top five!
5. Kali River Rapids
Everyone has probably experienced an attraction like Kali River Rapids in theme parks outside of Disney World, but what makes Kali River Rapids special is the message behind the attraction. Animal Kingdom is all about celebrating life and the beauty of nature, and those two themes are never more prevalent than when riding this ride that will leave everyone soaking wet from head to toe. To challenge every guest to take great care of the habitats around us while also entertaining the masses is something that Kali River Rapids achieves to perfection. Plus, if you just like to get drenched, you will be hard-pressed to find a water ride anywhere in the world featuring more water than on this attraction at Animal Kingdom.
4. Dinosaur
If you are like me, you want to experience something one-of-a-kind on every attraction at Animal Kingdom, and you cannot get a more unique experience than with Dinosaur. Based on the underrated and often forgotten Disney film of the same title, Dinosaur is an attraction that will stimulate every single one of the senses now matter how many times you experience it. I've been on Dinosaur quite a lot, and I still discover new hidden treasures upon every experience. Also, dinosaurs are just cool, and what better way to celebrate that coolness than by travelling back in time to roam where they roamed for a few minutes?
3. The Festival of the Lion King
Of all the stage shows at Disney World, The Festival of the Lion King is probably my absolute favorite. First of all, The Lion King is one of my favorites movies of all-time, so being able to sing those songs again with an extremely talented cast and the memorable characters is such a special experience. Additionally, the building and stage where you will find this show at DAK is so unique and so perfect for the show itself. Made in a theater in the round style, guests surround the stage on four sides, allowing the action to take place literally right before your eyes while also allowing for some cool cast/audience interaction. This show never fails to give me chills, and I anticipate that streak staying alive upon my next visit to Animal Kingdom.
2. Expedition: Everest
I will never forget my first time riding Expedition: Everest. My family and I were lucky enough to be vacationing at Disney World the same week that the forbidden mountain opened to the public back in 2006 when I was just eleven years old. Of course, as an eleven year old first experimenting with the idea of thrill rides and roller coasters, this attraction was the best of the best, and Expedition: Everest has maintained that status for me even to this day. Climbing to picturesque heights, this is one of the best thrill rides on the entire Disney property. The section of the coaster where guests are catapulted backwards to escape the legendary Yeti is exhilarating and one of the many highlights of a trip to Animal Kingdom.
1. Kilimanjaro Safaris
I can confidently make the argument that if you could only do one thing at the Walt Disney World Resort, that one thing needs to be Kilimanjaro Safaris. It's as if Disney has quite literally brought a piece of the African savanna along with its diverse wildlife to Central Florida, and I can't tell you how cool it is to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, and so many more incredible animals living life just steps away from your safari vehicle. The amazing aspect of this attraction is that every experience is different. These animals are unpredictable, so you never know what you're going to see from time to time. That, to me, is beyond exciting and something I thoroughly look forward to during every vacation!
As you can clearly see, Disney's Animal Kingdom is so much more than a zoo. While it certainly is home to an abundance of animal life, there is much more to experience at DAK. I implore you to make time to visit this truly unique park. I can almost guarantee that you won't regret it.
-Cody Fleenor
No comments:
Post a Comment