Countdown - 102 Days to Go!

102 days to go!

OK, I confessed that Hollywood Studios is my “eh” park. It’s fine, but it just doesn’t spark joy the way the other three do. Now those—Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom—are my favorites. Depending on my mood, the rankings shift a bit, but today Epcot edges out Animal Kingdom by a hair. So naturally, we’re starting with Animal Kingdom!

Let’s talk about why this park is such a hidden gem. First off, it’s basically a zoo… but make it Disney. I mean, how can you not love a place where you can ride a roller coaster and wave to a kangaroo in the same afternoon? The monkeys swinging into Asia? Adorable. The flamingos are chilling near the Tree of Life? Iconic. And don’t even get me started on the safari—it's like stepping into a National Geographic special, but with Mickey-shaped snacks.

one of my favorite spots! Photo Credit: JillianWallin

Now, I’ve heard people say Animal Kingdom is light on rides. To that I say: nope. The rides here are just more nature based  😉. From the thrilling Expedition Everest to the breathtaking Flight of Passage, there’s plenty to keep your adrenaline pumping. And in between, you’re surrounded by birds, otters, butterflies, gibbons, gorillas, tigers, and so many more incredible creatures.

So if you’ve been sleeping on Animal Kingdom, it’s time to wake up and smell the jungle. This park is wild—in the best way.

🏞️ Ride	⭐ Rating	💬 Notes
Kilimanjaro Safaris Hippos! photo credit JillianWallin	10/10	Morning is best! Reminds me of Kruger National Park—so much animal activity! 🦒🦓
Tree of Life – It's Tough to Be a Bug Photo Credit JillianWallin	10/10	Great spot to cool down and be entertained. Sad to see it go, but excited for Zootopia! 🐛➡️🦊
Avatar Flight of Passage IYKYK Photo Credit JillianWallin	9/10	One of the coolest rides ever! Loses a point because the 3D glasses sometimes make me nauseous. 🧚‍♂️🌌
Dinosaur Outside Dinosaur Photo Credit JillianWallin	8/10	Going to miss this one! Feels like a Dino-themed version of Indiana Jones at DL. 🦖⛏️
Expedition Everest photo credit JillianWallin	7/10	Classic coaster thrills, but it gives me a headache if I ride more than once. 🎢🧠
Na’vi River Journey Photo Credit JillianWallin	7/10	Stunning theming 🎨, classic boat ride 🚤—watch the walls for cool moving effects 👀✨
Kali River Rapids Photo Credit JillianWallin	Haven’t tried	I’ll avoid the wet 💦… but my daughter loves it! 😄🎢👧
Wildlife Train Express	Haven’t tried	Plan to on the next visit! 🗺️🎉🐾