Disney Animal Kingdom: Walt Disney World's First Zoo Theme Park in Orlando FL...

Walt Disney World in Orlando FL is probably at the top of everyone’s list to vacation at, and there are several great theme parks there…  If you love zoos and animals, then you have to see Disney Animal Kingdom!  Walt Disney World originally did not do very much with live animals, and their attractions were mainly audio-animated in addition to other types of theatre shows, but Disney Animal Kingdom is the first real attempt at a full scale zoo and it’s incredible!

As far as acreage goes, the Disney Animal Kingdom Park is bigger than any of the other theme parks, including the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney MGM Studios…  They need the extra space to adequately house all the animals that the park exhibits, and also provide places to care for them and do research.  There are many wide open spaces, plains, and savanna type habitats for the African animals, which is really what the park specializes in because of the “Lion King” theme.  You can see lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and many other species in the Disney Animal Kingdom…

In fact, there are more than 500 acres at this park, and 1,700 animals with over 250 species!  It’s the largest animal theme park in the world, and that’s saying a lot!  The central “symbol” of the park is the Lion King Themed “Tree of Life”, which features a fantastic 4D theatre show that is a must see.  The 4D experience keeps you guessing as to what is going to happen next, because the action does not all take place on the screen in front of you!  You just never know what may be creeping along under you seat, so keep an eye out!

Even though African animals are centrally themed for the Disney Animal Kingdom Park, there is also a big selection of Asian animals with their own themed area.  In fact, one of the most popular roller coaster rides is the “Expedition Everest”, where you may just bump into a Yeti or Abominable Snowman on your journey, so be wary…  Disney pulls out all the stops for anything that they do, and this park is no exception!  You will see things and have experiences that you’ve never had before at any theme park, simply because they spend a great deal of money for research and development of unique attractions for the absolute best guest vacation!

One of the different types of themed lands at the Disney Animal Kingdom is “Dinoland”, which will take you back millions of years ago into the heart of the Cretaceous Period with the dinosaurs…  You can really learn a lot about how dinosaurs lived and interacted at that time, and also experience a few attractions called “Cretaceous Trail”, “Dinosaur”, and the “Fossil Fun Games”…  This themed land is one of my favorite attractions at the park…

Interested in Asian rainforests?  Take an incredibly fun and wet ride on the Kali River Rapids, which will take you on an exciting and educational journey through gushing geysers and waterfalls!  This is a very popular attraction at the Disney Animal Kingdom Park, but on a hot summers day you will probably want to get right back in line as soon as you finish!

There are also many backstage tours and additional add-ons that you can do, and if you’re really interested in learning something extra from the professionals that know the answers, then check with the Disney Animal Kingdom park to see what current backstage tours are being offered for your visit.  A very popular one is the African Savanna tour with a guide, who will drive you out to the plains with the wild creatures…  Watch out you don’t end up as a light snack for a lion or leopard though, as it can be a thrilling tour!  The regular African Safari tour is incredible enough, with the deep ponds that you end up driving through…  It’s an amazing park, and it’s one of my favorites at Walt Disney World!  Plan ahead and you should have a fantastic trip…

Try staying at one of the Disney resorts or hotels located on the property, because they come in all price ranges but the quality level is always very high!  You can pick and choose from hotels such as the Grand Floridian, Polynesian Resort, Contemporary Resort, Wilderness Lodge, or the Swan and Dolphin Resort…  There is even a hotel that your balcony overlooks the African Savanna and you can wake up to the giraffes having breakfast in the morning!  In addition to enjoying a visit to the Disney Animal Kingdom Park, make sure to see the other theme parks as well, and also the 2 fantastic Disney water parks called Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach!  Have fun!

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