Hi, I'm Pat and welcome to my blog, Life's A Trip!
I love traveling, food and getting a great deal on anything - which is what this blog is about.
I'll share not only my travel destinations including accommodations, dining hot spots, and top (and weird!) travel attractions with you - but how to make any trip more budget friendly.
Next to EPCOT, Animal Kingdom was my favorite WDW park.
If I had to do it over again, I'd skip Hollywood Studios and spend it at Animal Kingdom instead.
And we timed it just right. Baby gorilla Grace had just been born. She was so cute!
To get the most out of Animal Kingdom you want to be there when the park opens. The animals are most active in the early morning and late afternoon hours. I recommend you head straight for Kilimanjaro Safari.
Kilimanjaro Safari
Kilimanjaro Safari is like an African safari in a vehicle like the one in the photo at right.
The animals you'll see aren't penned, they're out in the open.
The ride moves at a good clip so you'll bounce around a lot and taking photos is very difficult due to the camera bouncing right along with you.
This is one of the most popular rides in Animal Kingdom.
Expedition Everest
THE best ride in all of Disney! It scared my sister so badly she wouldn't ride it again. I LOVED it, especially when you hit the peak of the ride where it looks like the track is all mangled, you hang there momentarily then start going backward. It's the ultimate adrenaline rush!
Avatar Flight of Passage
Based on the Avatar movies. This is a thrilling 3D ride that simulates the sensation of flying on a Banshee over the stunning landscapes of Pandora. This must-do ride is perfect for fans of “Avatar” and offers breathtaking visuals and an exhilarating sensation of flight.
Festival of the Lion King (Live show)
If you see nothing else at Animal Kingdom you have to see this show. It's the best show in all of WDW - incredible music, costuming and the 'tumble monkeys' are incrediible and steal the show.
The performers get the crowd involved by dividing it into different competing animal-named sections. They even bring the kids onto the stage to dance with the performers.
Disney hit it out of the park with this show!
Na’vi River Journey
Drift through Pandora’s mystical, bioluminescent rainforest on this relaxing boat ride. The highlight is an impressively lifelike animatronic Na’vi shaman.
This is not a thrill ride, just a nice slow relaxing ride.
Dinosaur
This is NOT a favorite ride of mine AT ALL. I'm posting it as a warning: I got injured on this ride.
It jostles you back and forth a whole lot and rather violently. I have a really bad back, the ride put me in pain so I tried to brace myself with my knees. I ended up injuring my knee in the process and spent the rest of the night with an ice pack on my swollen knee.
I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS RIDE FOR ANYONE WITH BACK OR JOINT PROBLEMS!!!
Kali River Rapids
Drift down an unpredictable river rafting adventure, plunging through rapids and gushing waterfalls. The guaranteed splashes make it a playful way to cool off on hot days. Getting wet, possibly soaked, is inevitable. YOU WILL GET SOAKED TO THE SKIN! Wear a rain poncho if you don't want to get drenched.
Feathered Friends in Flight! (Bird Show)
Feathered Friends in Flight is a 35-minute show that features birds displaying their natural behaviors and talents. This educational and entertaining experience offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of birds, which never cease to amaze with their intelligence and agility.
gorilla falls exploration trail
Trek through a lush tropical forest and spot gorillas, hippos, zebra and more in their natural habitats.
This is where we saw baby gorilla Grace after she was born.
DiVine
There I am, standing on the walkway just minding my own business when I get "accosted" by this vine that's come to life! Startled the hell outta me!
DiVine is a mesmerizing performer covered with vines and foliage. She camouflages so perfectly with her surroundings that it becomes quite challenging to spot her subtle movements as you walk on the wooded paths in the park.
Pandora – The World of Avatar… at Night
Visiting Pandora at night is a must. The bioluminescent flora and ambient sounds create an otherworldly atmosphere that provides a tranquil reprieve from the daytime crowds. Many visitors consider the effect nightfall has on Pandora to be one of the best things to do at Animal Kingdom.
Wildlife Express Train
The Wildlife Express Train is a delightful and frequently overlooked method to see more of the park. It provides a relaxing 7-minute journey to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, where guests can learn about conservation efforts and animal care. The ride also provides a glimpse of remote areas of the park that visitors rarely see, such as the animals’ backstage habitats.
dining
We didn't eat inside the Animal Kingdom. We ate at Rainforest Cafe, right outside the entrance to Animal Kingdom.
I'd signed up for a free Landry's rewards program and received $50 just for signing up.
I paid for our lunch with that $50.
We both had a burger with fries that was pretty good. We also got priority seating.
The only money that came out of my pocket was the tip for the server.
