We wrapped up our Disney trip at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and it honestly ended up being one of the most relaxed yet unforgettable park days. If you’re planning a Disney World trip in 2026, here’s exactly how our day went, what worked well, and what I’d recommend.
Read about our full day at Magic Kingdom
Read about our full day at EPCOT
Watch all my Instagram Stories from our Disney trip
Canada Residents: Get a 4-Day Theme Park Ticket Starting at US$115 Per Day, Plus Tax
Canadian residents can purchase specially priced 4-day or longer Walt Disney World theme park tickets—with 4-day tickets starting at US$115 per day plus tax (total price starting at US$459 plus tax). Up to 10-day ticket options are available.
Decide how you want to use your theme park days. You can visit all 4 theme parks once or visit your favourite more than once. One theme park per day.
These are date-based tickets that require you to select a start date at purchase. Valid for tickets with start dates from January 4 to October 4, 2026.
You can even get specially priced tickets for Canadian March Breaks and summer! Learn more here.
Starting the Day Early (and Why It Helped)
We arrived around 8:30am even though the park opens at 8am. One thing we noticed right away is that Animal Kingdom feels calmer in the morning compared to other parks, but getting there early still makes a big difference for ride wait times and animal sightings.
First stop was a quick family photo. We’ve learned this the hard way… if you don’t do it right away, the kids will absolutely veto it later in the day once the excitement kicks in.
First Ride: Zootopia
We kicked off the day with Zootopia, and it was the perfect energy boost to start.
The ride itself was fun, immersive, and super kid-friendly, and meeting Judy and Nick afterwards was such a highlight. The characters were interactive and really set the tone for the day.
Expedition Everest: The Unexpected Favourite
Next, we headed straight to Expedition Everest, and this quickly became one of the biggest surprises of the trip.
It’s fast, thrilling, and honestly more intense than it looks from the outside. The kids were instantly hooked, especially Everleigh, who ended up riding it FOUR times by the end of the day. That alone says everything.
Walking Through the Jungle: Maharajah Jungle Trek
After the excitement, we slowed things down at Maharajah Jungle Trek.
This felt like stepping into another world. You walk through lush pathways and get up close with animals like tigers, exotic birds, and more. It’s self-paced, which made it a nice break from the rides, and there were so many little details along the way that made it feel really immersive.
Cooling Off: Kali River Rapids
Next up was Kali River Rapids and yes… You WILL get wet.
It’s one of those rides where you think “we’ll just get a little splash” and then suddenly everyone is soaked. Highly recommend bringing ponchos or a change of clothes if you’re doing this one with kids. That said, it was SO fun and definitely one of the more memorable water rides.
Midday Break: Festival of the Lion King
Around midday, we stopped for Festival of the Lion King and it was the perfect reset.
It’s indoors, air-conditioned, and a great way to rest your feet while still keeping the kids entertained. The music, performers, and energy of the show made it feel like a mini Broadway production inside the park.
Safari Highlight: Kilimanjaro Safaris
One of the most anticipated parts of our day was Kilimanjaro Safaris.
We used Lightning Lane here, which saved us a lot of time. The safari itself feels different every time depending on the animals you see. We saw giraffes, elephants, and zebras up close, which was such a cool experience.
Tip: sitting toward the back of the vehicle gives you a great view looking back at animals as you pass them.
Pandora: A Must-See Area
Next, we explored Pandora, and it truly feels like stepping into another world.
Even just walking through the area is incredible, especially at night with the glowing details. If you can only choose one ride here, I’d go with Avatar Flight of Passage. It’s immersive, fast-paced, and easily one of the best rides in all of Disney World.
We rode Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey, but Flight of Passage was the clear winner for us.
Ending the Day
We finished the day by heading back for Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!, which is a great option if you have kids who love shows and need a sit-down break.
Then we squeezed in one last ride on Everest (of course), and ended things the best way possible with a Mickey pretzel in hand.
Final Thoughts
Animal Kingdom ended up being such a perfect final park. It’s less rushed, more immersive, and gives you a mix of rides, animals, and shows that feels really balanced compared to the other parks.
If I could change anything, I’d still say this: don’t rush it. Take your time walking through the trails, watching the animals, and soaking it all in.
It’s one of those parks that surprises you in the best way.
