Disney’s Animal Kingdom has fewer rides than the other Walt Disney World theme parks, but its best attractions are among the most memorable in Orlando. My top three Animal Kingdom rides are Avatar Flight of Passage, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Expedition Everest. Together, they deliver the park’s strongest combination of immersive storytelling, wildlife, and thrills.
If I could only ride one, I would choose Avatar Flight of Passage. If I wanted the experience that makes Animal Kingdom truly different from every other Disney park, I would choose Kilimanjaro Safaris.
Below is how I rank the rides, including which ones are worth prioritizing, which work best for families, and where I would spend my time if I only had half a day.
Best Animal Kingdom rides at a glance
| Rank | Ride | Best for | Minimum height |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avatar Flight of Passage | Immersive thrills and first-time visitors | 44 inches |
| 2 | Kilimanjaro Safaris | Wildlife and all ages | Any height |
| 3 | Expedition Everest | Roller coaster fans | 44 inches |
| 4 | Na’vi River Journey | Families and gentle rides | Any height |
| 5 | Kali River Rapids | Water rides and hot afternoons | 38 inches |
| 6 | Wildlife Express Train | Animal experiences and relaxed visits | Any height |
These are my rankings based on the overall experience, not simply how intense each ride is. The Wildlife Express Train is more transportation than a traditional theme park ride, but it belongs on the list because it takes guests to Conservation Station.
The three Animal Kingdom rides I would never skip
1. Avatar Flight of Passage
Flight of Passage is my pick for the best overall ride at Animal Kingdom. It combines an enormous visual world with movement, sound, and the sensation of flying on the back of a banshee. Even if you are not particularly interested in the Avatar movies, the experience is impressive.
What makes it worth prioritizing is the combination of scale and payoff. Plenty of Disney rides are exciting, but Flight of Passage feels like an experience you cannot easily find elsewhere in the resort.
The trade-off is demand. It is one of the rides I would plan around instead of assuming I could fit it in whenever I happened to reach Pandora.
- Location: Pandora
- Ride type: Flying simulator
- Height requirement: 44 inches
- Lightning Lane: Single Pass, purchased separately from Multi Pass
- My recommendation: Prioritize it early or consider a Single Pass if avoiding a long standby wait is important.
Flight of Passage uses a ride vehicle that can feel restrictive for some guests, and its motion effects may bother people prone to simulator sickness. If that describes someone in your group, Kilimanjaro Safaris might be the better first choice.
For a closer comparison of the two Avatar attractions, see my guide to Pandora rides at Animal Kingdom.
2. Kilimanjaro Safaris
There is nothing quite like Kilimanjaro Safaris at another Disney World park. Instead of passing animatronics and elaborate sets, you travel through large animal habitats in an open-sided safari vehicle.
It is also one of the few major attractions where the experience can change significantly every time. One visit might bring close giraffe sightings, while another might be memorable for elephants, rhinos, or lions.
I generally prefer riding earlier in the day, when temperatures are often cooler. However, animal activity is unpredictable, and an afternoon safari can be just as memorable. No particular time guarantees better sightings.
Unlike the park’s thrill rides, Kilimanjaro Safaris has no minimum height requirement. That makes it one of my strongest recommendations for families, multigenerational groups, and visitors who do not enjoy intense attractions.
My verdict: If you are visiting Animal Kingdom for its wildlife and atmosphere rather than thrills, this is the single most important ride.
3. Expedition Everest
Expedition Everest is the best traditional thrill ride at Animal Kingdom. It has speed, substantial drops, backward movement, and a dramatic Himalayan mountain setting.
I particularly like how the attraction builds its story before you even board. The mountain dominates the Asia section, and the village-themed queue makes the ride feel like an expedition rather than a standalone roller coaster.
For visitors who enjoy coasters, Everest may offer more re-ride appeal than anything else in the park. I also find it easier to fit into a flexible plan than Flight of Passage, although actual waits vary throughout the day.
Expedition Everest requires riders to be at least 44 inches tall. It is available through Lightning Lane Multi Pass, but I would not necessarily purchase a pass solely for this ride without checking the expected standby wait.
If roller coasters and excitement are your priorities, I have a separate comparison of the thrill rides at Animal Kingdom.
The other Animal Kingdom rides worth considering
4. Na’vi River Journey
Na’vi River Journey is the opposite of Expedition Everest. It is a slow boat ride through a glowing rainforest, with elaborate scenery, music, and the impressive Shaman of Songs figure.
I rank it fourth because it offers something different from the park’s headliners. It is calm, visually beautiful, and accessible to guests of any height.
Still, it is a short attraction, and I would hesitate to sacrifice a large portion of my morning waiting for it. It makes more sense when the standby line is manageable, you have a Lightning Lane Multi Pass reservation, or you are visiting with younger children.
Best reason to ride: You want the atmosphere of Pandora without the intensity or height requirement of Flight of Passage.
5. Kali River Rapids
Kali River Rapids is the ride whose ranking changes most with the weather.
On a hot, humid afternoon, a whitewater raft ride can sound fantastic. On a cool morning, or immediately before a restaurant reservation, getting soaked may be the last thing you want.
It has spinning, churning water, and a drop, but I would not choose it over Flight of Passage or Expedition Everest purely for thrills. Its appeal is the unpredictable splash factor and the chance to cool down.
Kali River Rapids has a 38-inch height requirement and is included among Animal Kingdom’s Lightning Lane Multi Pass experiences. Disney notes that its operating hours can change because of weather.
My verdict: Worth riding on a hot day if everyone in your group is comfortable getting very wet. Otherwise, it is an easy attraction to skip.
6. Wildlife Express Train
The Wildlife Express Train is not a thrill ride, and I would not put it in the same category as the five attractions above. It is a scenic train journey from Harambe to Conservation Station, where you can explore more of Animal Kingdom’s animal-care experiences.
The train has no height requirement and is particularly appealing to families who want a slower part of the day. Conservation Station also hosts Bluey’s Wild World, adding another reason for families to make the trip.
The important consideration is time. You need to account for the outbound train, activities at Conservation Station, and the return journey. I would not squeeze it into a short visit if doing so meant missing one of my top three rides.
Which Animal Kingdom rides are best for your group?
A single ranking does not work for everyone. These are the choices I would make for different types of visits:
- Best rides for adults: Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest, and Kilimanjaro Safaris offer the strongest combination of excitement and unique experiences.
- Best rides for young kids: Kilimanjaro Safaris, Na’vi River Journey, and Wildlife Express Train have no minimum height requirement.
- Best thrill rides: Expedition Everest is my favorite coaster, while Flight of Passage delivers the most immersive simulator experience.
- Best rides for a half-day visit: Focus on Flight of Passage, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Expedition Everest if height requirements and wait times allow.
- Best rides for a relaxed day: Kilimanjaro Safaris and Na’vi River Journey, followed by the Wildlife Express Train if you want to explore Conservation Station.
Families can also use my Animal Kingdom rides for kids guide to narrow the choices by age and height.
What should you ride first at Animal Kingdom?
If I were arriving for park opening, I would make one important decision before getting in line: Am I trying to minimize my wait for Flight of Passage, or do I care more about starting the day with a safari?
Those priorities lead to different mornings.
Choose Flight of Passage first if waiting in line is your biggest concern
Flight of Passage draws substantial demand, and I generally prefer dealing with that early. Afterward, I would check the waits for Na’vi River Journey and Expedition Everest rather than automatically getting in the next line.
Remember that eligible Disney Resort guests may have access to Early Theme Park Entry. Regular opening time and early-entry availability are not the same thing, so check your specific park date.
Choose Kilimanjaro Safaris first if wildlife is your priority
Starting in Africa can make the morning feel more relaxed, and I enjoy seeing the savanna before the hottest part of the day. Just remember that the safari’s operating hours may differ from the park’s opening time.
After the safari, I would consider Expedition Everest in nearby Asia before deciding whether to cross the park for Pandora.
For a more complete route through the park, see my one-day Animal Kingdom itinerary.
Which Animal Kingdom rides need Lightning Lane?
Not every good ride requires a paid Lightning Lane reservation. I would make the decision based on the attractions your group wants most and how much time you have available.
- Avatar Flight of Passage: Available through Lightning Lane Single Pass, which is separate from Multi Pass.
- Expedition Everest: Included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
- Kilimanjaro Safaris: Included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
- Na’vi River Journey: Included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
- Kali River Rapids: Included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
- Wildlife Express Train: Not part of the regular Lightning Lane ride lineup.
If I were paying for only one Lightning Lane experience at Animal Kingdom, Flight of Passage would be the first ride I would evaluate. Whether it is worth the price depends on your budget, the available return window, and what the standby line looks like.
My Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane strategy explains how to prioritize reservations without paying for access you may not need.
Animal Kingdom rides by land
It helps to group rides by location because Animal Kingdom involves more walking than visitors sometimes expect.
- Pandora: Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey.
- Africa: Kilimanjaro Safaris and Wildlife Express Train.
- Asia: Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids.
Grouping attractions this way helps you avoid unnecessary trips back and forth across the park. It is especially useful during hot weather or when you have limited time.
What happened to DINOSAUR?
DINOSAUR used to be one of Animal Kingdom’s major dark rides, but it permanently closed with the remaining DinoLand U.S.A. attractions in February 2026. Its final operating day was February 1.
Disney is transforming the former DinoLand area into a Tropical Americas-themed destination, including a planned Indiana Jones attraction. DINOSAUR is therefore no longer part of my recommended ride rankings.
You can read Disney’s official DinoLand closure announcement for more information.
My final advice for choosing rides at Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom is one park where I would resist the temptation to judge the day by the number of rides completed.
Flight of Passage, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Expedition Everest are the three experiences I would build around. After those, I would let the weather, wait times, and interests of my group determine whether Na’vi River Journey, Kali River Rapids, or the Wildlife Express Train deserve more time.
And I would leave room for the rest of Animal Kingdom. The animal trails, live entertainment, and themed areas are a major part of what makes this park special. For those experiences, see my separate ranking of the best Animal Kingdom attractions beyond the ride list.
