Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Ten Expedition Tips for Pandora

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Ten Expedition Tips for Pandora

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Ten Expedition Tips for Pandora

Pandora – The World of Avatar opened on May 27, 2017 in Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. While fans of “Avatar” and the Animal Kingdom wondered how this mythical land would come alive, the unveiling of Pandora quieted the skeptics with out-of-this-world scenery. Nearly ten years after “Avatar” touched viewer’s hearts at cinemas, Pandora is now experiencing intense fandom.

With peak crowds rushing to Pandora and waits for Flight of Passage over two hours, I wanted to share these tips before you journey to this exotic land. Don’t miss a thing; Pandora is worth the effort!

It’s time to step inside the Valley of Mo’ara; here are your expedition tips:

Welcome to the Valley of Mo'ara Sign Disney's Animal Kingdom

Welcome to the Valley of Mo’ara.

FastPass Plus for Pandora Attractions

My Disney Experience and FastPass+ (FP+) are going to be your must-use tools for a visit to Pandora.

I recommend narrowing down your FastPass+ choices before your booking window opens. Book your Animal Kingdom day first, and grab any availability for Flight of Passage. If it’s not available on your first-choice touring day, go to your second choice, and so on. You can go back and edit your FastPasses and touring plans once you secure a FastPass for this incredible attraction.

Flight of Passage Queue in Pandora The World of Avatar.

Flight of Passage Queue.

What if you don’t secure a FastPass+ before your Walt Disney World Arrival day? Don’t panic. In fact, the same thing happened to us recently. I kept looking for availability and one popped up while we were at Walt Disney World. It was about midnight when I secured the FP+ for a late Animal Kingdom morning that was three days away. Score!

What if you are unable to reserve a FastPass for Flight of Passage? You have two options: one, plan to be at the Disney’s Animal Kingdom one hour before opening and put yourself in the swarm of early-risers headed for Flight of Passage. Two, enter the standy-by line about 60-90 minutes before park closing.

SIGN UP TODAY for your FREE FastPass+ Planning Worksheet.

A quick guide to reserving WDW attractions.

Watch “Avatar” Before Your Trip

To appreciate Pandora’s beauty and excitement, it’s not necessary to see the film. However, your personal journey to Pandora will be somewhat richer after seeing the movie. Consider “Avatar” to be a familiarization travel video. Then, let yourself wander Pandora and experience the interactive power of nature.

Pandora explores the power of nature.

The power of nature.

Visit Pandora Day and Night

Repeat visitors to Walt Disney World already know that many attractions should be seen in the daylight and after nightfall. However, this is absolutely a must for the bioluminescent world of Pandora.

Beautiful Bioluminescence in Pandora.

Beautiful Bioluminescence.

You’ll see and hear details by day and by night that are of otherworldly beauty. Visually inventive, Pandora’s emotional resonance is memorable for the whole family.

Sample the Unique Food and Beverages at Pandora

Fortify your troops at Pandora’s Quick Service Restaurant — Satu’li Canteen.

Satu'li Canteen

The chocolate cake is one of my must eat snacks at Walt Disney World!

Chocolate Cake at Satu'li Canteen in Pandora

Chocolate Cake at Satu’li Canteen.

The friendly expats working at Pongu Pongu have concocted some unique frozen cocktails. Get one with a glowing Unadelta Seed!

Pongu Pongu serves up drinks in Pandora.

Pongu Pongu in Pandora.

Bonus Tips: Satu’li Canteen is a welcoming refuge from the elements. However, this place gets jam-packed by lunch time. A word of caution: signs note that tables are for the canteen’s patrons only. Really need a respite? Get a beverage and small snack!

Dining Room at Satu'li Canteen in Pandora.

Dining Room at Satu’li Canteen.

To save time, use Mobile Order to pre-order your meal at Satu’li Canteen.

Mobile Order at Satu'li Canteen Pandora

Save time with Mobile Order.

Plus, you’ll want to see the morning “entertainment” here:

Yes, we did jump the “rocks”!

Avatar Flight of Passage – a Pandora Thrill Ride

Relive one of the film’s powerful scenes by taking your own flight atop a banshee. Imagineering marvels outdid themselves when they created this 3-D simulator. It’s a multi-sensory thrill ride like none other at Walt Disney World.

Flight of Passage in Pandora

RDA – Mining the Universe, together

So, there are no disappointments, note before your visit that the minimum height for riders is 44 inches.

Na’vi River Journey through Pandora

Gently floating down this mysterious river, your reed boat will journey through exotic caves filled with wondrous plants and creatures. Through music, the Na’vi Shaman of Songs fills the rainforest with positive energy.

Top Ten Expedition Tips for Pandora The World of Avatar

Watch the Weather on Pandora

Disney’s Animal Kingdom has always been the park that our family avoids on rainy days. It’s also a really tough park to tour in the Florida heat and humidity. While the park is lush with greenery, it’s difficult to find air-conditioned spots to recharge and dry areas to get out of storms. This is even more of a concern in Pandora.

On a recent visit, we had to wait for our FastPass+ time at Na’vi River Journey underneath a sparse tree that did little to keep us from getting soaked in the pouring rain. After the attraction, we found a hidden cave to escape the downpour and lightning. Yet, a lot of Pandora visitors were heading to Discovery Island to seek shelter. Expect long walks to find a place to take cover and be prepared with rain jackets or ponchos.

Shop at Windtraders

Even on Pandora, the main attraction, Flight of Passage, dumps you right into a gift shop. Or you can enter at your leisure.

Windtraders has an assortment of mystical treasures to take back to Earth. Look for items that glow in the dark, an Avatar Maker, Adopt a Banshee opportunities, and all kinds of souvenirs.

Souvenirs at Windtraders in Pandora.

Take a souvenir back to Earth!

Be an Explorer

Informative Alpha Centauri Expeditions (ACE) guides can teach you Na’vi phrases, point out special plants and creatures, and answer your questions about this exotic land.

In this interactive world, find the creatures and plants that react when touched by a human. Will it light up, mist, or spit? You’ll only find out if you take time to explore!

Flaska Reclinata, near the entrance to Pandora, sprays a mist of spores when humans transfer their energy by touching it.

Flaska Reclinata is an interactive plant in Pandora.

Flaska Reclinata.

The landscaping is stunning!

Lush landscaping and floating mountains at Pandora World of Avatar WDW

Lush landscaping and floating mountains.

Bonus Tip: Look for two Wilderness Explorer stations in Pandora. Kids can begin Wilderness Explorers at any station throughout Disney’s Animal Kingdom. These are fun and free activities for young trekkers.

Kids can earn Wilderness Explorer Badges in Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Earn Wilderness Explorer Badges.

Visit During Extra Magic Hours for WDW Resort Guests

While you’ll be arriving Pandora with many other excited trekkers, Walt Disney World hotel guests can still get ahead of the masses by touring on a day that Disney’s Animal Kingdom has a scheduled morning Extra Magic Hour.

Explore nature in Pandora The World of Avatar.

Explore nature in Pandora.

Bonus tip: Get a FastPass+ for later in the morning so that you can ride Flight of Passage twice!

With some advance planning, your adventure to Pandora can be stress-free.

Contact Us, Friend Us on Facebook, or comment below to share your tips for exploring Pandora. Let us know when you’ll be traveling to Pandora!

WDW Quick Service Snack Review: Satu’li Canteen

WDW Quick Service Snack Review: Satu’li Canteen

WDW Quick Service Snack Review: Satu’li Canteen

Now that our family has made the exciting trek to Disney’s Animal Kingdom to explore the all-new Pandora – The World of Avator, it’s time to take a look at some of our latest Walt Disney World trip highlights. We discovered the treasures within this new land by day and by night, including a visit to Satu’li Canteen.

Bioluminescence in Pandora World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Pandora’s night time illumination is awe-inspiring.

During a quick walkabout to get more photographs, Michael and I surveyed the provisions available at Pandora’s Quick Service Restaurant — Satu’li Canteen.

Satu'li Canteen

As expected, the bounty grown in Pandora boasts fresh ingredients of wholesome grains, crunchy vegetables, and hearty proteins. Satu’li Canteen, therefore, features many health-conscious menu items that can be customized at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Menu Options at Satu'li Canteen at Pandora The World of Avatar.

Menu Options.

Upon arrival, you’ll first notice the outdoor seating area tucked inside the Quonset-hut.

Outdoor seating at Satu'li Canteen.

Outdoor seating.

Tables for Satu'li Guests in Pandora.

Tables for Satu’li Guests only.

Indoor seating is also available. High chairs are stocked for smaller Pandora tourists.

High Chairs at Satu'li Canteen.

High Chairs.

Weary travelers will discover that the venue is now owned and operated by Alpha Centauri Expeditions (ACE). ACE is the sole provider of eco tours to Pandora from Earth. And you’ll be so glad that you took the tour!

Cast Members at Satu'li Canteen.

Cast Members.

Learn the backstory to Satu'li Canteen.

Photos and letters are framed near the ordering queue.

Look for documents that explain the backstory of Satu’li Canteen, including a document signed by Marshall Lamm, ACE’s founder. Pictures show his successful efforts to partner with the Na’vi.

Satu'li Canteen's backstory is on display in the restaurant's queue.

Backstory items are on display in the queue.

Photographs at Satu'li Canteen.

Photo Wall.

Upon closer inspection, Na’vi artifacts such as tapestries and cookware decorate the canteen.

Na'vi artifacts decorate Satu'li Canteen.

Na’vi artifacts.

Na'vi artifacts decorate Satu'li Canteen at Pandora - The World of Avatar.

Satu’li Canteen Decor.

Na’vi art and culture is celebrated throughout this former RDA (Resources Development Administration) mess hall. Look for Earth references as well.

Satu'li Canteen

Some equipment has been offworld tested.

Satu'li Canteen is the former mess hall for the Resources Development Administration (RDA).

Former mess hall for the Resources Development Administration (RDA).

Celebrate the Na'vi culture at Satu'li Canteen.

Na’vi cultural influences.

Satu'li Canteen

Satu’li Canteen

Satu'li Canteen.

Satu’li Canteen.

Satu'li Canteen.

Satu’li Canteen.

Our first visit to Satu’li Canteen was for an early afternoon snack accompanied by thirst-quenching beverages. We needed a quick recharge and hydration as the summer heat was zapping our strength as we hiked through the Valley of Mo’ara.

Valley of Mo'ara Photograph

Valley of Mo’ara.

My husband and I shared a Chocolate Cake, Pandoran Sunrise, and Diet Coke from the fast-casual menu. One of the nice perks of dining here — your food selections will be served on beautiful dishes with nice cutlery. After dining, return your Earthly materials to these bins.

Satu'li Canteen

Return dishes here.

Chocolate Cake

The chocolate cake was quite airy. And while I wasn’t sure how the crunchy cookie layer would play out, it was an absolute winner. You’ll want to get some of that scrumptious banana cream topping and crunchy bottom in every bite.

Chocolate Cake at Satu'li Canteen in Pandora

Chocolate Cake at Satu’li Canteen.

Now, one of my must eat snacks at Walt Disney World!

Satu'li Canteen serves up a delicious chocolate cake. Visit Pandora!

Order the Chocolate Cake!

Topped with healthy Goji Berries, the current cost is $5.29.

Satu'li Canteen Dessert at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Stop by Satu’li Canteen for dessert.

Pandoran Sunrise

The Pandoran Sunrise is a refreshing balance of Tropical Juices blended with Powerade® Melon for a current price of $4.49. Since it’s non-alcholic, it’s fun for all ages.

Pandoran Sunrise at Satu'li Canteen.

Pandoran Sunrise.

Go ahead and take a sip when it’s time to hydrate. This drink is delicious! And not too sweet. Pineapple fans will appreciate the garnish.

Pandoran Sunrise at Satu'li Canteen at Pandora The World of Avatar.

Pandoran Sunrise – take a sip!

Assorted Fountain Beverages include:
Coca-Cola®, Diet Coke®, Coca-Cola Zero®, Sprite®, Sprite Zero®, Fanta® Orange, Barq’s®, Minute Maid® Light Lemonade, Powerade® Mountain Blast, Vitamin Water [Acai-Blueberry-Pomegranate], Coca-Cola® Cherry, Gold Peak Sweet Iced Tea, and Gold Peak Unsweetened Iced Tea.

The price is a hefty $3.29 as of July 2017, however you’ll enjoy free refills while you dine. For animal safety, Disney’s Animal Kingdom restaurants serve beverages with paper straws.

Diet Coke fountain beverage at Satu'li Canteen.

Diet Coke.

Draft Beer is also offered. You might want to taste test the Pandora Amber Ale or the green-tinted Pandora Grog Ale.

Draft Beer at Satu'li Canteen.

Beer on tap.

Recommendation and Tips

If you’re in a hurry to get back to Earth (or to delve deeper into Pandora’s gorgeous paths), consider Mobile Food and Beverage Ordering via the My Disney Experience app.

Note that picky eaters may have difficulty here although the kids menu will be a safe bet for most guests. Yes, adults can order kid food too!

Nestled within Pandora, Satu’li Canteen provides quick service meals for hungry travelers. We recommend stopping by during your tour.

Disney Restaurant Facts

  • Animal Kingdom Theme Park/Pandora
  • Health Conscious and Vegetarian Options
  • Kids Menu
  • Fast Casual/Quick Service
  • Mobile Food and Beverage Ordering
  • Some Dining Plans Accepted
  • Menu

What item do you most want to try on your tour to Satu’li Canteen? Contact Us, Follow Us on Twitter, or comment below to share your firsthand Satu’li experience.

Relaxation at Walt Disney World: Tips for Vacationing Families

Relaxation at Walt Disney World: Tips for Vacationing Families

Tips for Relaxing at Walt Disney World

Even if you are a frequent visitor to Walt Disney World, you may find it difficult to unwind when you have nearly 50 square miles with very tempting shopping, dining, rides, food, and recreation to explore. Can you really find relaxation during a theme park vacation?

Just today, I was planning my FastPass+ selections and itinerary for a quick trip that we are taking at the end of August. And guess what? I found myself quickly filling up my Disney days from morning to night. Sigh; I know better.

Relaxation at Walt Disney World. Ideas for a relaxing vacation.

Some of the most priceless moments that I’ve savored at Disney World are those that were during break times. And so, just as soon as I fill you in on these tips, I’m going to revisit my August plans and make sure I’ve allowed time for relaxation at Walt Disney World.

Leave the Real World Behind

Most of us find it fairly easy to purchase and don Mickey Ears. We’re all pretty good at embracing Mickey-shaped food. And I think WDW newbies and veterans alike have no issue with shrugging off stress while riding our favorite attractions.

Mickey Waffles are served at Trail's End Restaurant at Disney's Fort Wilderness.

Mickey Waffle are always fun and delicious to eat!

But, what about technology? Some of us need it for work (even at Disney!). Some of us love sharing our family moments (and favorite Disney snacks!!) on social media. And now, My Disney Experience and other apps make it actually easier to tour Disney World with the use of our smart gadgets.

Anna and Elsa in Magic Kingdom FastPass+ Entrance

Meet Anna and Elsa using the convenience of FastPass+

Still, try to allow some time during your Disney days to unplug. Silence your phone while at the pool with your family. Keep your electronic tools quiet during meals. Try taking an entire morning or evening unplugged. After the initial withdrawal, you’ll find these moments liberating.

Guests of all ages love to swim at the Nanea Volcano Pool at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort.

Nanea Volcano Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Village.

The Road Less Traveled

While you watch the herd of guests run to their first attraction, linger on your way into the theme park. With your FastPasses pre-selected, go ahead and browse the nooks and crannies on Main Street U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom. Grab a morning pastry and actually sit at a quiet table while the magic wakes up all around you.

The tables outside Casey's Corner afford magical views in the early morning. A great place to bring your pastry and coffee.

Enjoy a pastry with a magical view early in the morning.

Some of my favorite pathways for calm moments at WDW include:

  • Along the boardwalk at the Rivers of America in the Magic Kingdom
  • In the back of Fantasyland (near the train track) to Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom
  • The trails at Epcot’s Canada pavilion
  • The Hyde Park area and maze at Epcot’s United Kingdom pavilion
  • The quiet nooks and crannies within Epcot’s Morocco pavilion
  • The off-the-beaten trail between Animal Kingdom’s Africa and Asia
  • The walkway between Disney’s Polynesian Village and Grand Floridian resorts
  • The walkway between Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter resorts
  • The walkway between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness
  • The walkway from Disney’s Hollywood Studios to the BoardWalk area
Stroll the boardwalk between Frontierland and Liberty Square for a relaxing morning in the Magic Kingdom.

A quiet morning in the Magic Kingdom enjoying one of our favorite walkways.

There are always secluded areas at the resorts to settle back and talk about your day.

Disney's Beach Club resort has a relaxing solarium.

Chill out at our resort; I love the Beach Club nooks and crannies for quiet respites.

Quiet(er) Meals

I can’t stress enough how important it is to dine early or late. If you are touring in the busy season, you really want to grab your quick-service lunch meals right at 11AM. This dining strategy not only saves your family from the chaos of long lines but also gives everyone a chance at unwinding in quieter restaurants. Refreshed and refueled, you’ll be back to touring the park while the crowds are at lunch.

We also like the early strategy for table service lunch as well. We were one of the first patrons at Epcot’s Via Napoli in the picture below and while the restaurant filled up quickly, most of our meal was extremely quiet.

The dining room is quiet at the start of the lunch hour at Via Napoli in Epcot.

Dine early for quiet dining rooms.

At dinner time, dine early or late. Your hotel’s food court will be chaotic after the parks close, especially when closing hours are early in the winter time. Dine before the crowds return to the resort.

All-Star Music Intermission Food Court is quiet before the parks close.

Resort dining will be more relaxing before the crowds return after the WDW parks close.

Try late night dining for empty dining rooms — whether you stop by for a full meal, snack, or beverage, quick service dining rooms are usually quiet later at night.

We like to take a breather at Backlot Express in Disney’s Hollywood Studios before this restaurant closes. Watch the park’s Times Guide for official hours as this venue often shuts down before park closing time.

Backlot Express at Disney's Hollywood Studios is empty late at night.

Late night dining in crowd-free restaurants is a great chance to relax while touring.

Itinerary

Be strong. Fill out your itinerary and then check it over for downtime opportunities. If you are repeat guests, would the family benefit more from riding a couple of your not-so-favorite attractions or swimming in the resort’s pool?

Dig Site Pool, Coronado Springs at WDW

Afternoons are awesome at the Dig Site Pool at Coronado Springs Resort.

And doesn’t that apply to newbies too?! If your heart is not set on seeing the afternoon parade, maybe some time playing miniature golf or enjoying another recreational activity would be more memorable for everyone.

Relax at your resort and play a game like Twister at Disney's Pop Century.

Play Twister at Pop Century!

Take Advantage of FastPass+

Picture this: It’s early morning and my family is waiting at the gates prior to the opening of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. When the park opens, my husband “runs” to Toy Story Midway Mania for FastPasses while the rest of our traveling party grabs food at Starring Rolls Cafe (now closed) or meets in front of Tower of Terror. Yep, that’s how we used to tour.

FastPass+ and My Disney Experience (MDE) allow us to pre-plan many of our must do attractions so that we can slow down and enjoy more leisurely family time at WDW. Now, we are more likely to reserve a nice meal at the park, followed by a leisurely stroll over to our FastPass+ attraction.

At Disney's Animal Kingdom, beat the crowds with an early lunch seating.

Early lunch seating at Yak and Yeti in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

This strategy really works well on a day that follows a late night in an Extra Magic Hour park. We can then sleep in a bit, enjoy time at the pool, then head to a park later in the day for a meal and our FastPass+ selections. With a teen, late nights and lazy mornings work very well.

On days that we are at a park for rope drop, we are prepared with FastPass+ for morning attractions before heading back to our hotel or Disney Springs later in the day. By mixing up your itinerary, you’ll definitely discover that relaxation at Wald Disney World is indeed possible.

Disney Springs - a great place to unwind.

Plan some time at Disney Springs.

Slower Season

With the Epcot festivals becoming longer each year, more runDisney events being added, and Free Dining offers filling in the gaps, Walt Disney World seems to have three seasons: busy, busier, and busiest.

Walt Disney World is extremely crowded during the holiday season as can be seen at stroller parking in the Magic Kingdom.

December 19th crowds at the Magic Kingdom. Watch for holiday season to be super busy.

Okay, there are still a few times per year when crowds are really light. We are still fans of late January, for example.

If you can, avoid holiday school breaks as these usually cause a huge influx of guests. Don’t want crowds? Stay away from actual holidays such as New Year’s Eve.

New Year's Eve Crowd in the Magic Kingdom

New Year’s Eve crowds in the Magic Kingdom.

The Rest of the World

There’s more to see than can ever be seen. More to do than can ever be done. There’s far too much to take in here. More to find than can ever be found.” — The Circle of Life lyrics say it all.

Yes, there is more to do at Walt Disney World than touring the four major parks (Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom).

The resort hotels all offer dining and recreational fun for all ages. Take in a campfire night at your hotel or stop by a different resort for a new experience like a Pirate Cruise. The resorts are usually a refuge during the afternoon hours.

The Magic Kingdom Bus Depot is crowd-free in the early afternoon.

Escaping the parks in the middle of the day equals no bus lines and a relaxing, crowd-free resort.

Disney Springs has some of the best shops and dining choices on property. And don’t forget about the water parks and golf courses. Plus, there are out-of-the-park places to watch the high-flying fireworks if you don’t want to return to a park in the evening.

Taking in the Details

Sometimes all you need is a moment of calm in a busy day. Slow down and take in the details all around you; the creativity of the Imagineers is awe-inspiring. Don’t forget to look up, down, and all around.

Take in the beautiful scenery at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

When you sit and relax, you’ll notice all kinds of beautiful scenery.

Find a place to sit down and just gaze.

New Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom feels regal and whimsical.

The regal architecture of New Fantasyland.

A walk around your resort in the late morning, afternoon, or late evening is a great time to get pictures and unwind.

Art of Animation is a fun place to unwind while taking a stroll.

An evening stroll around Art of Animation.

Recreation

Vacationing at Walt Disney World can include relaxing recreation.

Enjoy WDW resort recreation like the tennis court at Disney's Yacht Club.

Play tennis at Disney’s Yacht Club.

From running to horseback riding, you’ll find a plethora of activities to engage in throughout the resort.

Relaxing at WDW can include utilizing a New Balance Running Trail at a Disney resort.

Keep up with your fitness routine on a Disney running trail.

Adult Beverages

Let’s not underestimate the calming effect of a delicious adult beverage.

Thirsty River Bar & Trek Snacks at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Adult Beverages at Thirsty River Bar & Trek Snacks in the Animal Kingdom.

Find an out-of-the way location later in the day — we like to sit in the back of Yak & Yeti Local Foods Cafe with a refreshing beverage.

Yak & Yeti Local Foods Cafe at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Yak & Yeti Local Foods Cafe is a quiet place in the late afternoon to sip on a beverage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Also, resort lounges are a terrific place to hideaway while sipping on an alcoholic or non-alcoholic refreshment and/or relishing some good bites to eat.

Unwind at the Martha's Vineyard Lounge at Disney's Beach Club resort.

Stop by the Martha’s Vineyard Lounge at Disney’s Beach Club resort.

Of course, if you are on a once in a lifetime trip and your priority is to see and do everything that you possibly can, we completely appreciate that mindset. Even so, try to find small breaks to add some relaxation to your Walt Disney World vacation.

It’s your turn. How do you find relaxation at Walt Disney World? Contact Us, Friend us on Facebook, or comment below to share your Walt Disney World tips.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Masterful Aesthetics of Design, Immersion, and Storytelling

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Masterful Aesthetics of Design, Immersion, and Storytelling

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Masterful Aesthetics of Design, Immersion and Storytelling

Disney’s Animal Kingdom (DAK) far surpasses the other three Walt Disney World (WDW) parks when it comes to its ability to immerse guests into the various experiences and stories that the Imagineers carefully craft. Joe Rohde’s theme park is an extraordinary achievement. Since opening in April 1998, DAK has been providing guests of all ages with multiple layers of sensory and emotional stimuli.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Masterful Aesthetics of Design, Immersion and Storytelling/ If you are considering a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but you’re not sure if you should include it in your itinerary, then this post will help you! The park is beautifully designed! Click through to check out design details and the magic of Disney storytelling.

The lighting, landscaping, architecture, graphics, and color palette are all layered in overwhelming detail.

The level of immersion and designed detail at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is unique at WDW. The only other park on Florida’s Disney property that comes close is Typhoon Lagoon. (Love that place, but for a variety of reasons, including temperature, water parks are not necessarily on my touring plan every time I visit Disney. 😉)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Masterful Aesthetics of Design, Immersion and Storytelling/ If you are considering a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but you’re not sure if you should include it in your itinerary, then this post will help you! The park is beautifully designed! Click through to check out design details and the magic of Disney storytelling.

Astounding details are woven into the landscaping near Expedition Everest.

My first visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom occurred in January 1999, less than one year after its opening. From that excursion and onward, this park has continuously held a special place in my overall Disney experience. Although there are many criticisms leveled at DAK, some legitimate and others ridiculous (in my opinion), there is no other Disney Park in the United States that offers the range of emotional impact related to its explicitly detailed design and execution.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Masterful Aesthetics of Design, Immersion and Storytelling/ If you are considering a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but you’re not sure if you should include it in your itinerary, then this post will help you! The park is beautifully designed! Click through to check out design details and the magic of Disney storytelling.

The Entrance and Reveal at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

The experience begins at the entrance, not unlike many of the other Disney parks, however, Disney’s Animal Kingdom sets itself apart in significant ways. The necessity to walk through the Oasis to get to the Tree of Life and the remaining themed areas of DAK, works magic every time it is experienced.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Masterful Aesthetics of Design, Immersion and Storytelling/ If you are considering a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but you’re not sure if you should include it in your itinerary, then this post will help you! The park is beautifully designed! Click through to check out design details and the magic of Disney storytelling.

The Tree of Life is the park icon for Disney’s Animal Kingdom

The fact that you cannot see any details of the park beyond the foliage and paths of the Oasis as you enter the turnstiles is unique for the parks at WDW. With Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there is no effort or any mechanism by which any aspect of the entrance to the park is a mystery. Spaceship Earth cannot be hidden. Hollywood Boulevard and several of the other themed areas at the Studios can be plainly seen even before you enter the turnstile.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Masterful Aesthetics of Design, Immersion and Storytelling/ If you are considering a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but you’re not sure if you should include it in your itinerary, then this post will help you! The park is beautifully designed! Click through to check out design details and the magic of Disney storytelling.

Meandering pathway through the Oasis

The Magic Kingdom and the carefully designed reveal of Cinderella’s Castle is closer to what Disney’s Animal Kingdom presents. Cinderella Castle, by design, is slowly experienced as you pass under the Walt Disney Railroad Station and turn the bend into the central hub at City Hall or the Exposition Center.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Masterful Aesthetics of Design, Immersion and Storytelling/ If you are considering a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but you’re not sure if you should include it in your itinerary, then this post will help you! The park is beautifully designed! Click through to check out design details and the magic of Disney storytelling.

Look at the details in every corner of Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

It is a well-known fact in Disney lore that the slow reveal to Cinderella’s Castle is copied directly from Disneyland’s reveal of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Walt and his Imagineers designed the entrance to Disneyland as the overture to “the show” and a direct analogy of entering a movie theater or theatrical production. The turnstile, the archway into the lobby (City Hall area), the popcorn available immediately upon entering the “lobby” at either side, and Main Street USA rolled out as the red carpet towards the main attraction, Sleeping Beauty Castle and the Hub. The adventures of the themed lands lie beyond. This purposeful manipulation of these stimuli attracts and compels guests forward to explore.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Masterful Aesthetics of Design, Immersion and Storytelling/ If you are considering a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but you’re not sure if you should include it in your itinerary, then this post will help you! The park is beautifully designed! Click through to check out design details and the magic of Disney storytelling.

All roads lead to amazing scenery

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is analogous to the Magic Kingdom only in that its entranceway was carefully designed to manipulate your senses and have a distinctive emotional impact on your experience. The care by which the entrance to DAK is designed is carried throughout every remaining inch of the park. Beyond anything else, this is what I admire most about the Animal Kingdom.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Masterful Aesthetics of Design, Immersion and Storytelling/ If you are considering a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but you’re not sure if you should include it in your itinerary, then this post will help you! The park is beautifully designed! Click through to check out design details and the magic of Disney storytelling.

Stop and take in the splendid views in the Oasis.

The Story Revealed by Joe Rohde

The other, and perhaps more significant, analogy that can be drawn between the Magic Kingdom/Disneyland and DAK is that each owes its existence to the dreams of one man. Joe Rohde is unquestionably Walt Disney’s stand-in for Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Masterful Aesthetics of Design, Immersion and Storytelling/ If you are considering a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but you’re not sure if you should include it in your itinerary, then this post will help you! The park is beautifully designed! Click through to check out design details and the magic of Disney storytelling.

View from DinoLand toward Discovery Island. Discovery Island leads to DinoLand U.S.A., Asia, Harambe, and soon… Pandora.

Walt’s passion to tell stories and provide the guest with adventure, education, and immersive experiences by careful design of every single detail of Disneyland is well documented. It can be clearly seen that Joe Rohde’s passion has always and continues to achieve the same with DAK.

Joe Rohde is unquestionably Walt Disney’s stand-in for Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Click To Tweet

Kim saw firsthand the exquisite detail that went into the Wild Africa Trek when she took part in the opening day ceremony in January 2011 with Joe Rohde in attendance (yes, I’m still jealous!).

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Masterful Aesthetics of Design, Immersion and Storytelling/ If you are considering a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but you’re not sure if you should include it in your itinerary, then this post will help you! The park is beautifully designed! Click through to check out design details and the magic of Disney storytelling.

Opening of Animal Kingdom’s Wild Africa Trek. And, there’s Joe Rohde!

The Work of Art

Over the years, I have spent many hours slowly soaking up and appreciating various details of the work of art called the Animal Kingdom. Frustratingly, I know that I have only barely scratched the surface. During any of my trips to WDW, a must do is simply wandering and admiring small chunks of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Masterful Aesthetics of Design, Immersion and Storytelling/ If you are considering a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but you’re not sure if you should include it in your itinerary, then this post will help you! The park is beautifully designed! Click through to check out design details and the magic of Disney storytelling.

Along the Maharajah Jungle Trek, you’ll wander the ruins of an ancient palace

Joe Rohde and the Imagineers have continued to plus the park with every addition or modification made since 1998. The masterful use of aesthetics continues to astound me: Anandapur and the addition of Expedition Everest, the expansion of Harambe, and several of the modifications made to Discovery Island are just a few of these examples.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Masterful Aesthetics of Design, Immersion and Storytelling/ If you are considering a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but you’re not sure if you should include it in your itinerary, then this post will help you! The park is beautifully designed! Click through to check out design details and the magic of Disney storytelling.

The details present in the Asia section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom bring life to the mythical kingdom of Anandapur.

Animal Kingdom’s extraordinary use of design, story immersion, and details is encouraging when considering near and future development in the park.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Masterful Aesthetics of Design, Immersion and Storytelling/ If you are considering a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but you’re not sure if you should include it in your itinerary, then this post will help you! The park is beautifully designed! Click through to check out design details and the magic of Disney storytelling.

Dino Institute in DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Favorite Aesthetics

Some of the most salient aesthetics at DAK for me include: the ingenious use of graphic design apparent in the signage across the entire park, the wall and brickwork found within Asia, the mountaineering props and gear spread all over Anandapur, the queues for Expedition Everest and Dinosaur, the Restaurantosaurus, the entrance to Harambe, and the entire park at nighttime.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Masterful Aesthetics of Design, Immersion and Storytelling/ If you are considering a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but you’re not sure if you should include it in your itinerary, then this post will help you! The park is beautifully designed! Click through to check out design details and the magic of Disney storytelling.

Expedition Everest looks even more mysterious at night!

DAK at night is especially wonderful to walk AND run through! Yes, Kim and I ran the Expedition Everest Challenge 5K back in 2008 and 2009!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Masterful Aesthetics of Design, Immersion and Storytelling/ If you are considering a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but you’re not sure if you should include it in your itinerary, then this post will help you! The park is beautifully designed! Click through to check out design details and the magic of Disney storytelling.

As it was purposely designed to be, DAK’s aesthetics and artful design cannot be described well with words. Photographs do a better job, but there truly is nothing like being able to touch Disney’s Animal Kingdom in person. I am looking forward to my next visit!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Masterful Aesthetics of Design, Immersion and Storytelling/ If you are considering a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but you’re not sure if you should include it in your itinerary, then this post will help you! The park is beautifully designed! Click through to check out design details and the magic of Disney storytelling.

The palentologists and graduate students of DinoLand’s story”live” at Restaurantosaurus.


Share your thoughts on Disney’s Animal Kingdom in the comments below. Do you have an upcoming trip planned?