how long is the kilimanjaro safari at disney world

Kilimanjaro Safaris

A Truly Wild Adventure

Explore the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, home to over 30 species living in 110 acres of picturesque open plains, shady forest landscapes and rocky wetlands. Your rugged safari vehicle is driven by an expert guide, who helps point out animals and shares fascinating wildlife facts during this extraordinary 18-minute expedition.

Unique Animal Sightings Spot a lounging hippopotamus nestled in a peaceful pond. Behold a regal lion sunbathing on a rocky perch. Drive past a towering giraffe grazing on the tall trees or a white rhino relaxing in the cool mud. Other amazing animals you may encounter include cheetahs, crocodiles, elephants, painted dogs, zebras—and so many more!

Since animals have minds of their own, every expedition is a unique and unforgettable experience. Be sure to keep your eyes open and have a camera ready—you never know what you’ll see on a Kilimanjaro Safaris outing.

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The Family Vacation Guide

Kilimanjaro Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: The Ultimate Guide

posted by Charmaine Cortes on December 26, 2022 // last updated on June 12, 2023

Are you planning to visit Kilimanjaro Safari Disney World with your family or loved ones and want to learn more about it? Then you have come to the right place!

In this article, we will provide you with an overview of everything you need to know about Kilimanjaro Safaris. This safari ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park will transport you across the globe into an African Wildlife setting.

In this Ultimate Guide, we will cover all the basics from the history of the Safari, how to ride it and some further frequently asked questions about the wildlife park. Read on to find out more!

About Kilimanjaro Safaris

The kilimanjaro safaris ride, kilimanjaro safaris accessibility, interesting facts.

Walt Disney had a lifelong dream of adding live animals to his Jungle Cruise. Back then, this was not possible until the Kilimanjaro Safaris opened its gates in Disney’s Animal Kingdom park in April 1998.

The park in Walt Disney World wanted to differentiate itself from a zoo from the beginning. While it had live animals, it was more focused on conservation and experiencing the animals in their (somewhat) natural habitat.

Since 2016, visitors can enjoy special sunset safaris where they get to enjoy African animals after dark.

You will find Kilimanjaro Safaris located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom park, which is part of Walt Disney World.

Make your way past the Tree of Life to the back of Africa, all the way past Mombasa Marketplace and Dawa Bar. As you cross the bridge, you will get to Kilimanjaro Safaris.

The queue will lead you through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve before you enter your safari vehicle and head out to experience the African Savanna without leaving the States!

The Kilimanjaro Safaris vehicles are open-air trucks that can accommodate up to 35 guests. Each vehicle can seat three to five guests in one row.

The Savanna provides a bumpy ride along a dirt trail and is different from the other smooth theme park rides at Disney. So buckle up.

You will be provided with a game-spotting guide. Be on the lookout, as not all wildlife will be visible at all times.

A Kilimanjaro Safaris ride is approximately 20 to 30 minutes long and leads through 100 acres of Savanna. During this time, you will be able to spot about 34 different species. Among these, you will find famous members of the African Animal Kingdom:

• Hippopotamus
• Sable Antelopes
• Thompson’s Gazelles
• African Wild Dogs
• Termite Mounds

Each expedition through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve is completely unique. The animals are all free roaming and are, therefore, always in a different place or sometimes in hiding.

If you are looking for a specific unique experience, you can visit Kilimanjaro Safaris at night! During those nighttime safaris, you will be able to experience the wildlife in a completely different setting. Some animals tend to be more active during the night, so we recommend trying out both times.

The ride with Kilimanjaro Safaris is longer than some other rides at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, so factor that into your time at the park, so you don’t miss other rides.

Since you will be dealing with real animals, we recommend behavior that suits the setting. No loud noises or erratic behavior as this can scare the wildlife. Small children are to be watched at all times. In general, this might be a better experience for children above the age of six.

Fastpass/ Lightning Lane:  Yes

Time:  20 -30 minutes

Height Restrictions:  None

Age Restrictions:  None

Handicapped Accessibility:

• Kilimanjaro Safaris is Wheelchair Accessible

To access the safari ride, you can wheel up a ramp and ride into the truck itself. Your wheelchair will be tied down and secured, so you do not have to worry about bouncing around during the ride through the wilderness.

• Other guests need to take a small step into the safari vehicle.
• no high blood pressure
• no heart, back, or neck problems
• no motion sickness
• no other severe conditions

Disney does advise against expectant mothers or people that aren’t in good health riding with Kilimanjaro Safaris, as the rides can get bumpy, and there is also no option for an emergency exit while in the safari vehicle.

Service Animals:

Kilimanjaro Safaris allows service animals to be taken into the premises and on rides. However, the park advises visitors to do so with caution. The animals might be completely new to this wildlife experience and might act differently.

 In the beginning, Kilimanjaro Safaris included a lot of information about poaching in their ride and even had a specific section in the park set up to educate about the illegal hunting of wildlife.

These days, Kilimanjaro Safaris is more focused on the educational part of the conservation of the African Savanna and its wildlife.

The ride is designed to be as realistic as possible. Therefore, the roads are quite rough (as mentioned previously in this article). You need to be ready for some rough and rugged terrain during your safari adventure at Kilimanjaro Safaris.

How big is the Kilimanjaro Safari Park?

Including the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, the Kilimanjaro Safaris Park is about 1.5 miles.

While this might not sound too lengthy, keep in mind that you will follow winding roads that are extremely bumpy. On top of that, the Kilimanjaro Safaris area is about 110 acres big. Plus, the safari trucks will drive extremely slow. This is also to ensure you will see enough wildlife.

Can you pet animals at Kilimanjaro Safaris?

This is a clear no. You are dealing with wildlife from the African animal kingdom at Kilimanjaro Safaris. These animals are wild. They are no pets. A direct encounter with lions is to be treated with respect and can end in a dangerous situation should you mistake them for a house cat.

Should you or your children wish to pet animals, we recommend visiting the petting zoo at Rafiki’s Planet Watch.

Are all animals real at Kilimanjaro Safaris?

Yes, the animals are all real. The tour however does include some fake elements, such as:

• Ostrich Eggs
• Moonlight during the safari ride after sunset
• Termite mounds

When Is The Best Time To Ride Kilimanjaro Safaris?

We recommend purchasing your Harambe Wildlife Reserve pass early in the morning and heading straight to the open-air safari experience. The animals tend to be more active during the morning hours as well as after sunset.

During midday, most animals will hide in the shade or be less active because of the heat. It will also be more strenuous on visitors, as this is an open-air vehicle and you might not feel too comfortable in the hot climate.

Does the Weather influence the Safari?

Kilimanjaro Safaris is an open-air safari. So the rides are in some way influenced by the weather. The animals might not be bothered by the rain, but they might be less active in extreme heat. So plan your visit accordingly.

Since this is an open-air safari, we recommend dressing for whatever weather you might encounter. If there is a possibility of rain, dress warm and take a raincoat. Should the weather be pleasant with sunshine, we recommend a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

Check your forecast and come with the necessities to make the ride enjoyable.

More about our TFVG Author

Charmaine Cortes

Complete Guide to Kilimanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom

Board a safari truck and get your cameras ready! Kilimanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom gives you the experience of a real-life African safari, but at Walt Disney World.

As you travel through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve you will learn about conservation, the importance of taking care of animals, and, of course, get the chance to see amazing creatures, like elephants, hippos, and giraffes.

Now, let’s explore our guide to Kilimanjaro Safaris .

In this article

Kilimanjaro Safaris Quick Facts

• Location : Animal Kingdom, Africa
• Height Requirement : None
• Suitable for: Everyonest
• Attraction Length: 18 minutes
• Do we recommend? Definitely a high priority attraction you must experience.
• When to Visit : Typically at opening/within the first hour, or later in the day toward park closing.
• Lightning Lane Available: Yes
• Scheduled Refurbishments
• Tip(s) : Visit first thing in the morning at park open. The line gets really long, really fast, and the animals seem to be out more in the morning. The next best time to visit is at sunset for park closing. Crowds level off earlier at Animal Kingdom, wait times may be reduced, and animals can be out feeding.

Description : You board safari vehicles that are driven by guides who really do drive (no tracks) and are very knowledgeable about the animals. As you make your way through the savanna, the guides provide lots of information based on what you see along the ride. Sometimes have to stop to wait for animals to clear the path.

No two rides are the same as the animals are free roaming and on their own schedule. We would recommend experiencing the safari twice in your park day, if possible.

Everything You Need To Know About Kilimanjaro Safaris

You can find Kilimanjaro Safaris in the heart of Africa. Here’s the location on the map.

Download the PDF

How to Ride Kilimanjaro Safaris

Kilimanjaro Safaris has a Standby Lane and a Lightning Lane. There is no Single Rider Line.

Like most attractions, standby lines typically are the lowest first thing in the morning and at the end of the evening. The middle of the day will see the longest lines.

Even though it’s not listed as an available attraction for Early Theme Park Entry, sometimes Kilimanjaro Safaris is open during the 30-minute early entry.

Kilimanjaro Safaris Standby Lane wait time jumps quickly after park open and can see sustained wait times well over 60 minutes for most of the park day.

Do I need to use Genie+ at Kilimanjaro Safaris?

Kilimanjaro Safaris is available with Genie+ and we highly recommend using it at this attraction for anyone who has purchased Genie+ or if it’s a must-do.

This is a highly popular ride at Animal Kingdom, given that it is a long ride time and suitable for all ages.

Many park guests make it a top priority of their park day. So unless you do this ride first, right at park open, plan to reserve a Genie+ time for Kilimanjaro Safaris.

If you want to try and experience the Safaris twice in one day, we would recommend using the Standby Lane at park open and then using Genie+ to ride it again later in the day.

Make sure you check out our touring strategies for Animal Kingdom for more Genie+ advice.

Rider Switch/Child Swap

You cannot use  Rider Switch  for Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Rider Switch is Disney’s system allowing guests with small children to take turns riding bigger rides, while another person/people wait with the little one.

There also isn’t Single Rider available here.

What to expect when you ride

The Kilimanjaro Safaris queue is outdoors, with part of it shaded. It paints the scene of an African tour company with its straw, thatched roof.

While there isn’t  an interactive queue , the line is themed to the attraction.

You can learn the African Swahili names to your favorite animals on displays as you move through the line. You can even hear the safari trucks driving by as you walk through.

Ride vehicles

Kilimanjaro Safaris ride vehicles can fit a total of 35 individuals. Each row can seat three to five guests, depending.

There is no seatbelt or safety restraint, but there is a door on the right side of each row that closes for security and safety purposes when you’re on the ride.

Motion Sickness

Kilimanjaro Safaris is far from a thrill ride, but it can get rough at times with the trucks bouncing up and down along the paths and bridges.

Sometimes you might even have to brace yourself, so you don’t slide in your seat.

We have a  guide on motion sickness  that’s filled with information and tips, so feel free to check that out.

Accessibility information

Guests in ECVs or power wheelchairs must transfer to a manual wheelchair. There are wheelchair accessible vehicles with built-in ramps.

Those using an ECV who don’t wish to transfer to a vehicle bench, must transfer to a Disney-provided manual wheelchair.

You will be seated in Row 1 right behind the tour guide. A bench is located directly next to the wheelchair space and additional companions will be directed to sit in the rows behind the wheelchair space.

Those using ECVs or wheelchairs can remain in their mobility devices until they reach the accessible boarding and unloading area, which is not long after the stroller drop-off area.

This area is where ECVS and other mobility devices can be parked. They will be waiting in the same space when guests return from their safari.

Keep in mind that each safari vehicle only holds one occupied wheelchair at a time, so anyone needing this type of access could have an additional wait compared to those who transfer to a vehicle bench.

Handheld captioning , assistive listening, and video captioning is available for guests.

Service animals are also permitted, but with caution.

On the Ride

Spoilers ahead! If you want to go in knowing absolutely nothing about Kilimanjaro Safaris, feel free to skip this section.

After walking through the queue you and your party finally make it to the boarding lanes awaiting your safari tour.

You can’t miss the sound of your safari truck approaching. A warm greeting from your tour guide “Jambo,” which is Swahili for “Hello.”

After boarding your safari truck, your group will take off entering the Harambe Wildlife Reserve.

Be alert and have your cameras ready, because these are live, free roaming animals, so you never know what you will see or how close the animals will get.

No tour is ever the same!

You start off in the forest seeing the Okapi, the closet living relative to the giraffe. You’ll next approach a watering hole where you can catch sights of animals like the saddle billed stork, bongo, kudu, and black rhinoceros.

Heading out of the forest your truck will enter a river where you can spot hippopotamus’. The only way to exit the river is by crossing over an old, shaky bridge.

Under the bridge, down low you’ll spot a crowd of Nile crocodiles. But not to fear, you’re with an expert driver and guide! Your truck makes it over the bridge safe and sound.

Exiting the river your safari tour will enter the savanna marked by a big Baobab tree.

As your truck makes its way down the savanna you will spot many animals like zebras, African wild dogs, giraffes, wildebeest, and cattle. Some animals may cross in front of or come right up to the truck. Be sure to look out past the truck under trees and in the shaded areas to spot animals.

Leaving the savanna your guide will spot a couple of fallen down trees. That means the mighty elephants are near! On the way to find the elephants you pass a family of Mandrill monkeys.

Your truck approaches another old shaky, bridge, worse than the last one. Your tour guide crosses successfully with care.

In search of more elephants you enter the red clay pit. Sure enough you may be able to catch sight of the elephants! Females are usually found with their young, while the male elephants stick more to themselves. If there are new babies on the tour, your guide will be sure to point them out.

Driving through the watering area of the red clay pit, you will see a flock of flamingo. Did you know flamingos start off gray in color? Be sure to listen to the tour guide to hear what makes flamingos pink!

Approaching the mud pit you will spy white rhinoceros. Up in the shade you’ll spot a couple of cheetah, the fastest land mammals on earth.

Next up, the highlight of every tour, and sometimes the hardest animal to see, are the lions up on the rock. Since lions are nocturnal animals and sleep most of the day, your best chance to see them awake are on safaris later in the day near park closing.

Are you ready for more? Your tour is still not over! Next up be sure to look out for warthogs, ostrich eggs, and Bontebok antelopes.

Before your safari comes to an end, you’ll see some super adorable Nigerian Dwarf Goats, who are originally from Nigeria and considered to be of high value because of the high protein milk they provide.

You leave the reserve and head back to the village of Harambe. After the vehicle comes to a complete stop the doors on your right side will open, allowing you and your party to exit.

Keep in mind that each time you ride is different, because you never know what animals you’ll see or how they’ll act. This makes the attraction super unique.

Is Kilimanjaro Safaris kid-friendly?

Overall, Kilimanjaro Safaris is kid-friendly. After all, it doesn’t even have a height requirement. It should be fun for most kids to see the different animals. And, don’t worry, there aren’t any dark or scary moments.

That said, the ride can get rough at times thanks to the paths, bridges, and the safari vehicle itself. This could be either fun or upsetting to little ones. But, for the most part, the ride is kid-friendly.

Be sure to check out our full guide on several other  things that might scare little ones at Disney World .

Strollers are not allowed on the Kilimanjaro Safaris vehicles. You’ll need to park your stroller in the designated stroller parking area at the attraction entrance.

If you forget to park your stroller or want to take it into the line, you can, but know you’ll have to park it mid-way. There is an area with Cast Members waiting, who will take your stroller and park it for you.

Kilimanjaro Safaris first opened in 1998, the same year as Animal Kingdom. Actually, both the attraction and the park opened on April 22, aka Earth Day.

Animal Kingdom is the largest of all Disney World theme parks. It spreads out over 500 acres, which also gives the animals plenty of room to roam and live.

The Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction itself spans 110 acres with the Harambe Wildlife Reserve serving as home to 34 species!

Your guide drives around as they gives facts about the animals you encounter along the way during the 18-minute journey.

When the ride initially opened, there was a poachers storyline and even a rickety bridge that threw some excitement into the mix. But, both of these elements were removed and now there’s more of a focus on the actual animals and the importance of conservation.

Former Imagineer Joe Rohde is responsible and to thank for not only breathing life into Kilimanjaro Safaris, but Animal Kingdom as a whole. Without him, this park wouldn’t be is what is today.

There’s no doubt Kilimanjaro Safaris is a fantastic experience and the closest thing many will ever get to experiencing an African safari.

Other Fun Details

• If you want an even more in depth and VIP tour of the savanna, you can sign up for the 3-hour guided Wild Africa Trek tour , where you will embark on some adventurous activities and see animals even more up close. This tour is priced separately and must be booked in advanced.

• For an additional price, Up Close with Rhinos is a 60-minute tour giving you the chance to go backstage at Animal Kingdom to meet and learn more about white rhinos, with help from a guide.

• Take some time to visit the Gorilla Falls Exploration walking trail, located near the exit of Kilimanjaro Safaris. It runs along parts of the driving tour and gives another look at many of the animals you saw on the drive, along with different ones like gorillas and meerkats!

• Pay attention as you drive by the flamingos for a fun Hidden Mickey.

Other Attractions in Africa

• Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
• Festival of the Lion King
• Wildlife Express Train (takes you to Rafiki’s Planet Watch)

Disney Kilimanjaro Safaris – The Ultimate Guide Updated

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Want to know more about the Disney Kilimanjaro Safaris?

One of the most immersive of all the Animal Kingdom rides, the Disney Kilimanjaro Safari takes you on a journey through the African planes.

In Orlando Florida.

This highly unique experience is one of the highlights of any trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It truly is an adventure that you cannot find anywhere else in North America.

Discover what you need to know about Disney Kilimanjaro Safaris so that you and your family can get the most out of this immersive attraction.

Disney Kilimanjaro Safari Guide

The Disney Imagineers have successfully created the Harambe Wildlife Reserve in Animal Kingdom park.

Walt Disney himself always wanted to have live animals incorporated into his theme parks.

Whilst in Disneyland this dream was kind of realized in Jungle Cruise (Walt originally wanted real animals for this attraction), Disney’s Animal Kingdom finally achieved that dream.

The area where your Kilimanjaro Safari Bus will take you is vast.

110 acres of vast.

And it is home to 34 different species of animal including lions, hippos, giraffes, and elephants.

What is the Disney Kilimanjaro Safari Ride Like?

The first experience of any Disney ride is the line area!

The advantage of the Kilimanjaro Safari Ride is that the queue is well-shaded.

There are some things to look at along the way, including some videos about conservation. But mostly the best thing about this line is that it is in the shade!

It can get very very hot in Orlando and it can be a challenge to wait in line at the height of the heat. There are a few spots where you can even sit down on a small wall which gives your feet a bit of a rest!

This is one reason not to ride Kilimanjaro Safari in the heat of the day – the queue will be a lot easier to deal with if it is a bit cooler.

A short way into the line you will have to put your stroller in the parking place.

A Cast Member will be there to guide you to the exact spot.

Then by the time you get back, your stroller will have moved of course!

Photo Credit

The Disney Animal Kingdom Safari ride vehicles are custom-built GMC and Ford trucks.

Lots of guests think that Kilimanjaro Safaris is on a track, but it isn’t. Those safari vehicles are true off-roaders controlled by the Cast Members!

Each ride vehicle holds up to 32 guests in 9 rows each seating up to 4. There is no height requirement for this Animal Kingdom ride.

It is very much for families, but as I discuss below, it is very bumpy.

Take notice of the warnings.

If you have a health condition or are pregnant give Disney’s Kilimanjaro Safaris a miss!

Is there a best place to sit on the Disney Kilimanjaro Safari ride?

There really aren’t any bad seats, but the best is the front and the back row.

However, be aware that the further towards the back you get, the bumpier the ride!

If you have small children they should not be at the edge.

In front of you, there are signs which help you recognize which animals you may see on your safari.

The most popular sitings are those of elephants, giraffes, gazelles, rhinos, crocodiles, hippos, and lions.

The safari guides always make sure that they keep you entertained as well as educated. And they will try their best to point out the sometimes very well camouflaged animals.

If you can be organized enough it is a great idea to take some High Powered Binoculars with you.

I went on the safari ride for years before I actually did this. It made a huge difference to what you can see.

There is usually plenty of time to take photos of the animals. Your Cast Member guide will do their best to point out the best photo ops.

Animal Kingdom Safari Ride Fun Facts

Don’t worry. Of course, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has things well designed so that you are not going to get up close and personal with a lion. Big trenches separate humans from the dangerous animals.

Jurassic Park this is not.

Disney has some great tricks to keep the animals visible and happy.

Ever wonder why the lions are always sitting out on the rocks? Yes, they are mimicking what they do in the wild, but what most people don’t know about the rocks is that they are air-conditioned!

The lions originally came from a much cooler park in Oregon, so they needed a little help cooling down in the hot Florida sun. If it ever gets too cold, the rocks can be heated too!

Disney also knows how to get the animals as close as possible to you. How do they do this? The usual incentive for food and water.

They place food, watering holes, and salt licks close to the vehicle paths.

The emphasis is on safety both for humans and animals.

You might think you can reach out and touch that giraffe but there is a large system of trenches, bridges and fences on all the savannas to keep humans from the animals and to keep the animals from predators.

Many years ago there was a story about poachers with a graphic illustration of the fate of Little Red, a baby elephant. This storyline has not been seen for almost a decade as many considered it too upsetting for a Disney attraction.

Disney Kilimanjaro Safaris Best Time To Ride

What is the best time to ride the Disney Kilimanjaro Safaris? This Animal Kingdom ride is popular. And popular means lines.

The best tactic for the best time to ride Disney Kilimanjaro’s Safari? Arrive early. I know that’s always the advice, but it works.

If you can arrive at the Animal Kingdom at rope drop and then go straight to Kilimanjaro Safaris you will most likely be beating the crowds. Even better is if you have Early Entry at 8 am. You can really get ahead of the crowds.

The attraction is right at the back of the park. If you plan to be there early look at a map of Animal Kingdom so you get your bearings as to where you are going.

There are plenty of signs in the park, but it is always good to have an overall view.

There is another great reason to ride Disney’s Kilimanjaro Safari as early as possible. The animals are much more active in the morning.

You are more likely to see a greater selection of active animals than in the afternoon when it is hotter.

 Kilimanjaro Safaris Wait Time

The Disney Kilimanjaro Safari wait times will vary from anywhere between 10 minutes to 120 minutes, This depends on the time of day as well as whether it is peak season or not.

As we have said, the lowest wait time will be as soon as the park opens.

If you leave it until 11 am you are likely to hit the peak wait times of at least 70 to 90 minutes.

Really try and avoid that time of day as it is likely to be the worst.

If you don’t get to the attraction early in the day, the next best time to ride Disney Kilimanjaro Safaris is usually around 3 pm onwards.

A lot of people head for the attraction earlier in the day and have cleared that area by mid-afternoon.

The wait times for this Animal Kingdom attraction are somewhat better now that Disney’s Animal Kingdom has extended opening hours. It used to only ever be open 9 am until 5 pm.

Now the hours are often extended into the evening so this also gives a chance to experience the safari ride at night.

Kilimanjaro Safaris at Night

Now the hours are often extended into the evening so this also gives a chance to experience the Disney Kilimanjaro Safaris at night.

This is a very different experience from touring during the day.

If possible you should try and ride once in the early morning and then go back late in the evening.

The least busy times will be just before the park closes.

Adapting the experience for nighttime was not an easy task. Disney had to spend more than a year preparing the animals and the environment for the nighttime Kilimanjaro Safaris.

They introduced some new animals, such as the nocturnal hyenas, to be better suited to the nighttime experience.

They also added a huge wall of graphic displays to enhance the Kilimanjaro Safaris at night. This is so that guests can actually have enough light to see the animals.

The graphics cleverly mimic a gradually setting sun over an extended period of time.

This is so that the animals can adjust to the environment and the guests can actually still see the animals which are up and about in the evening.

The Kilimanjaro Safaris at Night is definitely a different experience than during the day. Ideally, you should do both. If you have to choose just one though, I would say go in the morning. You are likely to see more active animals.

Disney Kilimanjaro Safaris For Pregnant Ladies

I visited Disney World many times while pregnant. It’s a very pregnant lady-friendly place!

However, there are some Disney World rides that recommend that if you are pregnant you should not ride.

Disney’s Kilimanjaro Safari Ride very clearly states that pregnant ladies should not ride.

This is going to be very much an individual decision. There are some rides at Disney World where it is very obvious that a pregnant woman should not ride.

You probably aren’t going to want to sign up to ride Space Mountain, Expedition Everest, or Rock N Roller Coaster when you are pregnant.

That’s obvious.

But Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of those Disney World rides where you are thinking shall I or shan’t I?

My personal experience is that when I was pregnant with my youngest son I did go on the Kilimanjaro Safari Ride. After about 10 seconds I realized that for me, it was the wrong decision. Kilimanjaro Safari is bumpy!

I remember just wanting it to end almost as soon as it started.

I am fortunate and have experienced the Animal Kingdom Safari Ride many times. However, at that time I really wished I hadn’t. It’s fine normally to speed through the African planes in your safari vehicle over all the bumps, but when pregnant I just wanted to be somewhere else!

Will you be experiencing Disney’s Kilimanjaro Safaris on your next visit to the Animal Kingdom?

Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando.  In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.

Disney Animal Kingdom Rides - EverythingMouse Guide To Disney

Saturday 17th of August 2019

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Animal Kingdom Kilimanjaro Safari Ride

By: Author Kristi

One of the top 5 attractions in Animal Kingdom is Kilimanjaro Safari. This is an open-air safari that takes guests on a trip through the 110-acre Harambe Wildlife Reserve. What is amazing about the Animal Kingdom safari is that you get close to animals in their natural environment.

Kilimanjaro Safari

The Kilimanjaro Safari is a 20-minute ride in an open-air truck. The truck has bench seating and if you have a party of less than 5 you will all be able to sit together in one row.

The best seats are always the outside seats. Either side will provide a great view of the wildlife, but I always prefer to sit on the far left.

The safari takes you on a ride through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. This part of Animal Kingdom is the largest in all of Disney World.

 At 110 acres, it is larger than all of Magic Kingdom.

Animals are sectioned off into different areas of the reserve and your Animal Kingdom Safari driver will explain different animals and their habitats as you approach them.

There is also a spotting guide posted at the front of the seating area.

The key about enjoying the Kilimanjaro safari ride is to have low expections.

You never know which animals you are going to see. Some animals might be hiding or sleeping during your time in the reserve.

The animals you will see are free roaming. This means they could be up close to your vehicle or farther away.

You may find that your vehicle even has to stop to let animals pass!

How to Avoid Lines for Kilimanjaro Safari

The lines for the ride can be ridiculously long. If you don’t want to wait in a long line, the best things to do are either ride it when you arrive at the park or get a Lightning Lane pass for it.

If you do have to stand in the line, it is covered and shaded with fans located sporadically.

When is Best time to Ride the Kilimanjaro Safari?

Each time you go on the Animal Kingdom Safari you can have a different experience. This is because animals have different eating and sleeping schedules throughout the day.

Some believe that best time to go on the Kilimanjaro Safari is first thing in the morning or before dusk. We have done the safari both morning and afternoon.

What I can tell you is that we saw animals up close both times, but often they were different animals.

During the summer in the late afternoon, we saw an amazing amount of wildlife, but certain animals (like the lions) were in the shadier areas where they are not easily visible from the safari vehicle.

Semi Private Safari Tours in Animal Kingdom

If you want an even closer experience with the animals in Animal Kingdom, you can always pay for a semi-private tour. These are a few that you can choose from:

Wild Africa Trek Tour

If you are a big fan of Kilimanjaro Safari, you should consider the Wild Africa Trek Tour . On this private tour, you will embark on a guided expedition that takes you up close with exotic wildlife species.

This tour is only available to children 8 and older. You will get a private safari ride and photo CD.

Caring for Giants

During this 60-minute experience, get to meet with those who care for the African elephant herd. They’ll give you a glimpse into their day-to-day responsibilities as they provide fascinating facts about the elephants.

While you will not get to touch them, you will get closer to them than any other place in the park.

Up Close with Rhinos

On this hour-long guided adventure, the rhinos’ keepers will take you to see these massive creatures as few people ever do.

You will learn about the species’ behavior and biology and discuss the challenges that threaten populations of white Rhinos in the wild.

Have you been on Kilimanjaro Safari? What was your favorite part of the trip?

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Kilimanjaro Safaris

A Truly Wild Adventure

Explore the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, home to over 30 species living in 110 acres of picturesque open plains, shady forest landscapes and rocky wetlands. Your rugged safari vehicle is driven by an expert guide, who helps point out animals and shares fascinating wildlife facts during this extraordinary 18-minute expedition.

Unique Animal Sightings Spot a lounging hippopotamus nestled in a peaceful pond. Behold a regal lion sunbathing on a rocky perch. Drive past a towering giraffe grazing on the tall trees or a white rhino relaxing in the cool mud. Other amazing animals you may encounter include cheetahs, crocodiles, elephants, hyenas, zebras—and so many more!

Since animals have minds of their own, every expedition is a unique and unforgettable experience. Be sure to keep your eyes open and have a camera ready—you never know what you’ll see on a Kilimanjaro Safaris outing.

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Wild africa trek, disney animals at walt disney world resort, even more magic – as you wish, safety, accessibility and guest policies, times for kilimanjaro safaris.

This is the latest in a series of articles on Theme Park Tourist in which we'll talk to Cast Members at Walt Disney World to understand their roles and the part that they play in "creating the magic" for guests. The interviews will offer an insight into Cast Members' day-to-day roles, the training that they undergo and the aspects of their jobs that they find the most rewarding. We might even uncover a funny story or two. Kilimanjaro Safaris is a live safari adventure that embodies the heart of what Animal Kingdom was built to be. The ride was one of the opening day attractions at the park, and continues to be one of its most popular draws. The signature attraction at the park, Kilimanjaro Safaris takes guests on a real off-roading adventure past real animals (with seemingly no fences) that takes place on a parcel of land equal in size to the entire Magic Kingdom park. Among the animals that are on show are lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, rhinoceros and cheetahs. The Cast Members that work on Kilimanjaro Safaris play a crucial role in the ride experience. In particular, they are responsible for actually driving the safari trucks, and for pointing out the various animals en route. It's one of the most unique and coveted roles at Walt Disney World - where else can you go on a mini-safari every single day? Amy Ziese worked as an Attractions Cast Member on Kilimanjaro Safaris in 2006 (Amy has previously shared with us her experiences of working as a Housekeeping Cast Member ). She was kind enough to speak with Theme Park Tourist about her experiences of working on the ride - and you can read her thoughts below.

Landing the role

Amy was working on the Dinosaur attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom when she was told that Kilimanjaro Safaris (KSR to Cast Members, for Kilimanjaro Safari Ride) was short-staffed: "Anyone who was interested could be cross trained and eventually transfer to work over there. I’ve always loved KSR and was excited to try a spieling role, not to mention the thrill of working on an attraction with live animals. One of my managers at Dinosaur had previously worked there and encouraged me to go for it."

Training up

Since Amy was a cross-train from Dinosaur, she had already completed Daklamation, which is the class for new hires at Animal Kingdom. She went straight into attractions training for Kilimanjaro Safaris: " We began by practicing the spiel while we were off the truck and driving the truck without worrying about talking. After a couple days of that, we put it all together and once we were able to take a couple solid trips, we started going with guests on the truck."

"I trained along with one other person, who was also a cross-train from Dinosaur. For some trips we would take turns with one of us spieling and the other one driving to help us get the hang of it. She was a better driver and I was stronger at spieling, so she would practice talking while I focused on driving for several trips. We also had to learn all the positions off the truck, but these were much easier, particularly since we had both worked in attractions previously."

Day-to-day duties

Working on Kilimanjaro Safaris wasn't simply a case of driving the safari trucks all day long: "Every KSR cast member rotates through all the positions. So you take your turn on the truck, but you’ll also work as a greeter, grouper, strollers, and other positions. Every day was different so you never knew exactly what positions you would land most or when."

"Obviously driving the truck is one of the most challenging positions. While you’re trying to spot all the animals and point them out to guests, you’re also maintaining the appropriate distance between yourself and the next truck, keeping an eye on guests to make sure they stay seated, slowing down just enough for guests to try and get some great pictures, and keeping an ear on the radio in case there are any special situations (like animals in the road that will slow you down and keep you stuck in one area for awhile)."

The "old" Kilimanjaro Safaris

When the ride opened to the public, it retained the story that included the disappearance of "Big Red" but didn't show the elephants death. It did, though, include a fake elephant known as "Little Red", who was "rescued" by the guests on the safari. This version of the ride included a fast, bumpy chase in which the guests pursued and stopped the poachers and evetyone went home with a compelling lesson about the dangers of poaching in Africa. The chase was one of Amy's favorite parts of the attraction: "I was lucky enough to work KSR when the bridge was moving and you got to chase down the poachers, so there was a lot of bumpy driving and a thrilling element of urgency there at the end when you could really get into the role of tracking those poachers down." In 2007, the story was toned down. The guests were told of a baby elephant wandering the park and were asked to keep an eye out for it. Though they still found the elephant and briefly encountered the poachers, the message wasn't so stark. Finally, in 2012, Kilimanjaro Safaris lost the last lingering message about the harsh realities of poaching in Africa. Poachers and Baby Red have disappeared along with all radio chatter between the tour guide and the game warden that warned of poaching and set up any kind of story line. The bumpy chase is long gone, and even the unstable bridge that would rock from side to side remains stubbornly secure.

Kilimanjaro Safaris trucks are very real. "It's not a secret, but I think a lot of guests didn’t really believe that the trucks were free-moving," says Amy. "We take them off the ride path and park them in a big parking lot backstage every night. They don’t go very fast, so it’s agonizing taking them on and off and driving the backstage roads at that pace, but they are absolutely real, free-moving trucks."

The reason that the trucks don't simply cycle around on a track is very simple: "The animals here are free roaming. Drivers will often need to swerve to one side of the road or another to scoot past a stubborn giraffe. While they can’t leave the road entirely, there’s enough wiggle room to help them navigate the savannah safely."

Founder of Theme Park Tourist and a lifelong fan of everything Disney and Universal. He loved everything about Theme Parks and his goal in starting the site was to create a resource that could help fans make the most of their park trips, and to make visiting theme parks a little more affordable by capturing as many money-saving tricks as possible.

Great Blog,Nick. When will you be doing an article on african safaris? We would love to contribute :-)

On one of our trips we were held up by a animal that had stopped in front of another vehicle ahead of us. We could see that. Then we got a little boot from one of the large antlered animals who thought we should be moving along. He trotted off after that, probably because we were all laughing.

We go to see a baby being born one year and when we went back 2 years later they pointed out the young animal. It was the one we had seen being born a couple years before. It was awesome. It was one of the deer like animals. I'm blanking on what it was.

Sorry this reply is five years later, but I think it may have been a bongo! I've seen those at that attraction before

The first time my husband and I got to experience this attraction, we got held up by a giraffe. The giraffe actually stuck his head in the truck, and we all got to have an "up close and personal" encounter. As I recall, he also tried to pull the pin out of the door lock. :) It was a great experience, and a treasured memory. We ride every time we go now.

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Kilimanjaro Safaris

• View history
• 3 Animals Seen
• 4 Incidents
• 5 Construction
• 8 References

The ride originally begins as a two-week safari aboard Simba 1 through the Harambe Wildlife Reserve in Harambe , East Africa. It is 800km 2 of natural terrain, including Ituri forest, wetlands of the Safi River valley and the open bush country of the Serengeti Savanna. During most of the ride people view the common African animals including elephants, giraffe, antelopes, gazelles, crocodiles, monkeys, hippos, lions, cheetahs, rhinos, zebras, crocodiles, storks, pelicans, flamingos and okapis. The tour guide points out animals and provides entertainment. During the journey, the driver is in radio contact with reserve warden Wilson Matua, who is flying over the reserve on his daily routine. It all takes a turn when poachers are spotted in the reserve, and it's up to Simba 1 and the guests, with support from the air and other rangers, to stop them.

History [ ]

Kilimanjaro Safaris typically operates until sundown. However, during the holiday season of 1998, the safaris were continued at night and dubbed Kilimanjaro Night Safaris. Though many animals were asleep, or unable to be seen at night, the attraction had a completely different script and storyline. This "new" attraction featured additional animal sounds, reflectors hidden in the foliage to resemble animals' eyes, and an actual African dance group, who performed around a bonfire in the area normally occupied by the attraction's elephants. Kilimanjaro Night Safaris only ran during that initial holiday season. After this time, it was deemed that the additional costs, plus the fact that animal visibility was poor (eliciting many Guest complaints), made Night Safaris unfeasible to continue regularly. Cast members can still switch the voice tracks on the trucks to hear the nighttime version of Wilson and Miss Jobson, however it is not considered part of the current Safari storyline.

In 2004, much of the savanna's drainage system had to be replaced. The attraction remained open during the rehab, with green tarps covering the construction sites to keep the animals out.

In 2007-8, work began to extend the trucks with an extra row of seating, allowing the trucks more capacity. Though not all the trucks have the extra row, it is known they will be finished by 2009. Also, the safari script/story, along with the Wilson/Jobson story has significantly changed. There is less of a story about "Little Red", and more about the animals in the Reserve and the need to find a lost elephant at the end.

The ride originally featured a cast member in the role of a gun-toting reserve warden who captured the poachers and saved Big Red and Little Red. This element of the attraction was eventually eliminated. During Cast Previews of Disney's Animal Kingdom, there was a "Dark Ending" in which the safari vehicle encountered the slaughtered corpse of Big Red. This scene proved too shocking for families and children, and thus was eventually changed to give the attraction a happier ending.

On August 15, 2015, at the D23 Expo , an expansion known as Sunset Kilimanjaro Safaris , was announced, extending the operating hours of the attraction, as well as adding new landscapes, and two new species of animals, including African wild dogs and hyenas. [1]

Animals Seen [ ]

• Okapi ( Okapia johnstoni )
• Greater kudu ( Tragelaphus strepsiceros )
• White-faced tree duck ( Dendrocygna viduata )
• Northern pintail duck ( Anas acuta )
• Nyala ( Tragelaphus angasii )
• Sable antelope ( Hippotragus niger )
• Greater flamingo ( Phoenicopterus roseus )
• White-bearded wildebeest ( Connochaetes taurinus )
• Pink-backed pelican ( Pelecanus rufescens )
• Bontebok ( Damaliscus pygargus )
• Eland ( Taurotragus oryx )
• Springbok ( Antidorcas marsupialis )
• Yellow-billed duck ( Anas undulata )
• Thomson's gazelle ( Eudorcas thomsonii )
• Yellow-billed stork ( Mycteria ibis )
• Ankole Cattle ( Bos taurus africanus )
• Mandrill ( Mandrillus sphinx )
• Egyptian goose ( Alopochen aegyptiaca )
• Scimitar-horned oryx ( Oryx dammah )
• Red-billed duck ( Anas erythrorhyncha )
• Helmeted guineafowl ( Numida meleagris )
• White-breasted cormorant
• Stanley crane ( Grus paradisea )
• Bongo ( Tragelaphus eurycerus )
• Impala ( Aepyceros melampus )
• Mhorr gazelle
• Yellow-backed duiker
• Saddle-billed stork ( Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis )
• Black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis )
• White rhinoceros ( Ceratotherium simum )
• Hippopotamus ( Hippopotamus amphibius )
• Nile crocodile ( Crocodylus niloticus )
• Reticulated giraffe
• Masai giraffe
• Plains zebra ( Equus quagga )
• Mountain zebra ( Equus zebra )
• Warthog ( Phacochoerus africanus )
• Ostrich ( Struthio camelus )
• Cheetah ( Acinonyx jubatus )
• African bush elephant ( Loxodonta africana )
• Lion ( Panthera leo )
• Addax ( Addax nasomaculatus )
• African wild dog ( Lycaon pictus )
• Spotted hyena
• Nigerian goat

Incidents [ ]

• Tuesday, July 13, 2004 is known as "Black Tuesday". The final waterfall scene became overfilled due to a drainage block. When many of the trucks went through, it short-circuited the microphone and "puck" system. After a two-hour closing to figure out how to resolve the issue, it re-opened with trucks maintaining a driver, and another cast member standing in the first passenger seating row talking to the guests. Cast members from throughout the park were asked to help if they had knowledge of the animals/safari. Though it created some havoc, it is a story told by and to all cast members of the attraction.
• February 10, 2008, a fire broke out in the engine compartment of one of the ride vehicles.

Construction [ ]

• The attraction features custom-built GMC trucks riding washed-out, rutted roads and a tilting bridge. The roadbed is actually constructed of dark brown-colored concrete embedded with permanent tire ruts.
• The flamingo island is a huge Hidden Mickey .
• Between each ecosystem includes both chain road sensors and bars to prevent animals from venturing between sections. The vehicles drive directly on these obstacles.
• The entire Magic Kingdom park could fit comfortably inside of this single attraction.
• Walt Disney originally wanted the Jungle Cruise to have real animals. So, in a way, the Kilimanjaro Safaris is a spiritual successor to that original idea.
• The music snippet that is heard when driving past the elephant area is called "Hapa Duniani" and is performed by the vocal group, "African Dawn."
• The lions in Kilimanjaro Safaris originally were from an Oregon zoo and had a hard time adjusting to Florida's heat. The animals would often retreat from visitor's view to a shaded area. To counter this problem, Imagineers installed air-conditioning systems around the lion's promontory, thus giving visitors a better chance of seeing the kings of the savannah.
• On the African savanna, acacia trees appear to be the mainstay of the landscape. Kilimanjaro Safaris, however, is pulling a switcha-roo on its residents by carefully trimming Florida's native southern live oaks to mimic flat-topped acacias. Disney claims the giraffes don't mind on the substitutes.
• When you pass the lions on Kilmanjaro Safaris don't worry about being in harms way. Hidden from visitor's view, an 18-foot-deep, 21-foot-wide moat separates the lions from other animals and the rides vehicle path.

Gallery [ ]

References [ ]

• ↑ http://www.comingsoon.net/extras/news/472595-d23-disney-reveals-more-star-wars-land-details-plus-toy-story-land-and-avatar#/slide/1
• 1 Lyn Rakish
• 2 Johnny Worthington III
• 3 Powerless

The Best Time to go on Kilimanjaro Safaris

by Chad Kennedy | Aug 6, 2018 | Animal Kingdom , Parks

Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of Animal Kingdom’s most popular rides and a unique Disney World experience, taking you on a journey to see some of Africa’s amazing wildlife. With so many different areas and animals on the safari, it can be hard to see them all in one ride. Choosing the right time of day will give you the best chance to see as many animals as possible.

This really is one of the most unique and entertaining rides Disney World has to offer. That’s why it’s high on my list of 110 Disney World Must Do’s .

What is the best time to go on Kilimanjaro Safaris?

The best time to go on Kilimanjaro Safaris is first thing in the morning or right at sundown. Certain animals are more active during specific times of the day or even at night, so choosing a time close to sunrise or sunset is best for animal activity with enough sunlight for you to comfortably see.

I’ve been on Kilimanjaro Safaris more times than I can count. The beauty of the ride is that it’s always a different experience. There are just so many species of animals running around inside the preserve that it’s impossible to predict exactly where they’ll be at any given time. The large size of the preserve also factors in to the unpredictability.

P.S. – We also have a big list of Animal Kingdom tips and secrets . It’s extremely helpful for planning and getting the most out of your trip.

It’s worth noting that Central Florida gets very, very hot, especially during summer afternoons. Many animals will take this hottest time of day as an opportunity to relax and escape the sun. On the flip side, some animals are simply more likely to make their way to the water during the hottest hours.

It’s almost impossible to pinpoint the perfect time to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris, but from my personal experience, your safest bet will usually be early or late in the day. My best advice would be to enjoy the ride at several different times. You’ll be surprised at how different one safari ride can be from another.

All that said, don’t stress yourself too much over timing. There may be “optimal” times to enjoy the ride, but there isn’t a “bad” time. These animals are accustomed to people and many drivers will tell you that the animals will often “show off” for the tour. You’ll get to see plenty of action no matter what time of day you choose to ride.

Kilimanjaro Safaris Tips

• Ride first thing in the morning:  A morning ride is good for two reasons. First, the animals tend to be a little bit more active early in the morning. Second, you’ll avoid peak wait times. Kilimanjaro Safaris is very popular and wait times are often very high from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM.
• Ride right at sunset:  A sunset ride is great for seeing animals. Many of the animals start moving around a little more as the sun starts to go down. This time of day strikes a nice balance between active animals and enough daylight for good visibility.
• Ride late at night:  Even though the darkness can limit your overall visibility, nighttime is one of my favorite times to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris. It’s worth noting that nighttime rides are only available with special tours, which makes it even more exciting. Many areas of the preserve are partially lit, so it’s not like you’re going to be totally blind. This is often the best time to see more activity from the lions and other somewhat nocturnal species.
• Don’t avoid the rain:  With Kilimanjaro Safaris, rain is usually your friend. Most of the animals love the rain and become far more active when it’s raining. So don’t avoid Animal Kingdom just because it’s raining. The Safaris’ trucks have large roofs, so don’t worry too much about getting wet. If you want to stay totally dry and comfortable, simply come equipped with some good rain gear. (Click to see some of our rain gear recommendations)
• Sit on the left side of the truck:  Many of the best areas on the safari will be seen off the left side of the truck. You can’t always control where you end up, so don’t worry about it too much if you can’t get to the left side. But if you can, try to put yourself in a position to slide all the way to the left side of the truck. Keep in mind that you’ll be entering your truck row from the right side of the vehicle.
• Don’t forget your camera: If there is a Disney World ride that’s especially awesome for photography, it’s Kilimanjaro Safaris. Make sure to bring a good camera, like the ones we recommend in our Disney World Gear Guide . There are so many cool opportunities to get interesting, unique shots during the ride. A camera with a good zoom lens and image stabilization will be a big help to you while you try to capture the perfect moments.

Kilimanjaro Safaris Highlights

• Lions:  It’s not surprising that the lions are the most popular part of Kilimanjaro Safaris. The problem is that, like most cats, they sleep a lot. Rides during the early morning, dusk, and especially nighttime will give you the best chance to see the lions up and about.
• Elephants:  In my experience, seeing the elephants is usually the most hit or miss part of the ride. Sometimes they are all right out in the open. Other times they are nowhere to be found. They are one of the most interesting animals in the preserve and it’s fun to watch them play in the water.
• Giraffes:  The giraffes are one of the least timid animals on the preserve. They’re also one of the most reliable species on the ride. You’ll almost always see a big group of giraffes interacting with each other, often very close to the truck.
• Cheetahs:  The cheetah enclosure has a fairly heavy amount of foliage, making it somewhat difficult to see the cheetahs if they aren’t walking around. If the cheetahs are up and about, they’re usually pacing around in the front of the exhibit and you shouldn’t have a problem spotting them.
• Black and white rhinos:  The rhinos are one of the most interesting animals in the more “open” part of the safari. The areas they inhabit allow you to get a better view than many of the other popular animals. If you’re lucky, you’ll have a chance at seeing a rhino extremely close to the truck.
• Hippos:  You’ll see the hippos early on in the ride. They’re most often sitting still in the water, but it’s really cool to see them when they are walking around outside of the water.
• Ostriches:  The ostrich is one of the more comical animals running around in the open part of the safari. I’ve been on the ride a number of times where an ostrich came very close to the truck for and gave everyone a show.

This was very helpful for our trip planning! I’ve read lots of basic things about this attraction, but this gave me more insight to help plan. My kids are the most excited about seeing the animals. Thank you.

Thanks Jill! Kilimanjaro Safaris is definitely one of the “can’t miss” rides at Animal Kingdom (and at Disney World in general). There’s really not a bad time to ride, but it’s always nice to avoid some of the peak crowds and have the best shot at seeing more animals. No two trips through the Harambe Preserve are the same, so you’ll almost always have something unique that stands out from ride to ride.

What is the latest time to ride the safari in June? My family will be eating dinner at Boma at 6:45 and will go to Animal Kingdom for Rivers of Light. We hope to ride the Safari before Rivers of light at 9:15 (using fast pass).

Hey Morgan!

To my knowledge, Disney hasn’t released the official June hours for Kilimanjaro Safaris yet, but I would guess that it would operate until 8:30PM. My advice would be to check into Boma 15 minutes early (or earlier, if they’ll allow it). That way, you’ll give yourself a little bit of extra time. If you can make it to Animal Kingdom by 8:00, I think you’d probably be safe to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris and still make it to your Rivers of Light FastPass. Try to find a FastPass for Kilimanjaro Safaris in the time slot before Rivers of Light!

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Last Updated on August 22, 2023 by Aubreigh Kennedy

Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (With Lots of Photos)

In this article, we visit Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This article includes photos of the safari including the wildlife you’ll encounter.

“Come see nature in its wildlife on the Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.” That sounds like one of the quotes you might find in the Harambe area of the park.

Unfortunately, most of us haven’t had a chance to take a “real life” safari. For many, Kilimanjaro Safaris is the closest opportunity we’ll ever have to enjoy such an experience.

This attraction represents everything I love about Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Imagineers took an exotic real-life experience, scaled it down, and made it available for people like you and I to experience when we visit the park.

I’m willing to bet this popular attraction has inspired more than a few guests to bite the bullet and plan a trip to Africa. There’s truly nothing like it. Well, not in Florida anyway.

Here are a few quick reference details for the safari ride at Animal Kingdom.

Kilimanjaro Safaris Review

Kilimanjaro Safaris is located in the Africa section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. After you cross the bridge between Discovery Island and Africa, you’ll continue straight toward the back of the park.

Shortly after, you’ll run into the entrance for stand-by passengers. On this afternoon, the wait for Safaris was only 20 minutes.

Anseparate Lightning Lane entrance sits to the right. Those who purchase Genie+ can elect to use one of their experiences here.

A few photography tips are posted in the queue:

• It is not possible to stop the vehicle for photographs.
• Have your camera ready, animals might appear at any moment.
• Please be considerate and do not block the view of others whilst snapping photographs.

Additionally, there are a few other tips your safari driver will likely share.

• For best results, have your camera set to a sports mode setting or comparable.
• If you have a zoom lens, consider using it for long-range shots.m.

Here is a look at the loading area for Kilimanjaro Safaris.

At least 34 species of animals call the Harambe Wildlife Reserve home. When you board the safari vehicle and take your seat, you might notice a sign above.

This sign will help identify some of the animals you might encounter. Below we see a safari vehicle entering the reserve ahead of us.

After entering the reserve, one of the first animals you’ll usually see is an Okapi. An Okapi is a beautiful animal that appears to resemble a zebra at first glance.

However, the Okapi is part of the giraffe family. For a closer look at an Okapi, make sure to visit Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail after you finish the safari or at some point in your day.

Gorilla Fall’s entrance is on the immediate right when you exit the vehicle at the end of Kilimajaro Safaris. It’s a gorgeous trail full of animal encounters and unique scenery. Obviously, gorillas are involved.

After passing the Okapi, the Bongo is one of the first animals you will likely see on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Here is a look at one that was close to our vehicle.

Black Rhinoceros are usually out toward the beginning of the attraction.

These rhinoceros are on the endangered species list. Unfortunately, they are hunted and poached for their horns.

The most distinguishable difference between the black and the white rhino is their hooked lips. After passing the rhinoceros, you’ll enter into the waters of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. Hopefully, you’ll get to see a bloat, which is a group of hippos.

Additionally, you might see a few vultures in this area. They are probably sunbathing if you see them like this with their wings spread out. That helps keep their feathers healthy.

However, don’t get too distracted with the vultures. There might be a hippopatamus doing a little sunbathing too.

From time to time, baby animals are born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to see several.

Below is a picture of a baby hippo named Augustus. He was born a few years back and when old enough he was moved to another zoo.

Right past the hippo area, there’s an area on the left-hand side where you can look down and see Nile crocodiles. They are pretty large, and it is rare to see them moving.

Next, you’ll pass a Baobob tree and the driver will provide a spiel about how it grows upside down. While this is happening, you’ll come out into a large, open savanna.

Here you will find a variety of animals grazing the plains, including giraffes. Often the views are stunning.

Below is the Springbok, my favorite animal on the safari! These little guys are adorable, but don’t let their genteel looks deceive you.

Springboks can reach speeds up to 55 miles per hour. Not only that, they do this thing called pronking.

I’ve only seen them in action once on the safari, and it was amazing. Everyone, including our driver, was blown away.

Kilimanjaro Safaris is home to so many different animals.

Make sure to look all around. Some animals are easy to see, while others are hiding in plain sight.

Check out the massive horns on these Ankole cattle. Fortunately, they aren’t as heavy as they look. Per the safari driver, their similar to honey combs.

When you reach the savanaa, one of the first things you’ll see in an enclosure on the left-hand side. Sometimes hyenas are out in the area.

However, most of the time we see African Painted Dogs. They are usually napping in their den.

Occasionally, you might see a few awake. But from my experience, those times are few and far between.

As you curve your way around the savanna, you’ll see various animals coexisting. When a good number of animals are present, these are some of the best views you’ll see.

Lately, there have been quite a few zebra.

At Kilimanjaro Safaris, the giraffes are Masai giraffes. Several babies were born over the past few months. Did you know that they are up and walking within minutes?

If you would like to see Reticulated Giraffes, you might visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. They have both Masai and Reticulated Giraffes on the resort’s savannas.

Related: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Review

Giraffes are known for taking care of each other. It is not uncommon to see them form a group. These groups are called towers.

Here is one of the babies looking out onto the savanna.

Sometimes, they walk right up to your vehicle.

If you don’t see any on the main portion of the savanna, don’t worry. Often, they are all grouped together in this area ahead on the left.

After passing the main giraffe area, you will likely see a lone male elephant.

Male elephants tend to hang out alone, separately from the rest of the herd.

Across the way, you might catch a glimpse of the Mandrills at play. They are on the left-hand side and can be challenging to spot. For example, there are two in the picture below.

Unfortunately, on the safari’s I’ve been on lately, the drivers rarely mention them. Meanwhile, I’m breaking my neck to see if they’re out so I can yell, “Hey, is that a Mandrill?”

Nobody puts the Mandrills in a corner.

Up ahead, you’ll catch up with the rest of the elephant herd.

Usually, there are 4-5 elephants around the water. Below, you can see Stella, the youngest of the herd.

Having the opportunity to visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom so often has been a special blessing in my life. I know so many of the babies and have watched them begin to grow up over the past few years.

One of the things that’s not always mentioned on the safari ride is that most of the animals have formal names. I understand how it would be tough to keep them straight. But knowing a few of them and being able to recognize them on the safari feels kind of surreal sometimes.

As you pass the elephants, you will see a watering hole of sorts for the flamingoes. Look closely and you might notice the island is a hidden Mickey.

From time to time, you might see a few newborn flamingoes at the watering hole. You can tell which ones they are because they are covered in grey feathers. When I took these photos, these babies were less than a week old.

After passing the Mickey-shaped island, there are usually some rhinoceros roaming.

One day, a pair of them walked alonside side our vehicle. They were so close, it felt like I could have reached out and touched them.

But of course, that would be very dangerous, and they are so large I couldn’t imagine!

Sometimes when it’s been raining, you might see them wallowing in the mud. Seriously who doesn’t enjoy a little time at the spa?

Next, you’ll come across a large fenced area in the trees. This is where the cheetah’s are located. They are, in my opinion, the most difficult animal to see on Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Usually, the cheetahs are lying around in the shade. So look for a pile of spotted fur.

From time to time, you might see one walking around. This would be a good opportunity to use that zoom lens. So far this is the best photo I’ve taken of a cheetah.

After the cheetahs, you’ll approach the lions den, where you’ll get to see–lions. Unfortunately, they’ll probably be sleeping. It’s what they do.

Sometimes you might see a lioness perched high on her rock overlooking the kingdom.

But most of the time, you will see them sleeping. Lions are nocturnal animals. So your best bet for seeing them active is to take a safari later in the day.

Often in the evening, they begin to make a unique noise. So if you have the opportunity and the safari is open later, I’d ride it once during the day and then again before dark.

Here’s the one time I took my zoom lens. I know it’s worth it, but it’s so heavy.

After you pass the lions, there are a few more small encounters. You might see a family of warthogs or more grazing animals. Often, you’ll see rhinoceros and zebra in the area.

A couple of ostriches are usually out and about.

Like this one.

At the very end of Kilimanjaro Safaris, you might see one of the newer animals, Nigerian Dwarf Goats.

Okay, I use the words “usually” and “might” a lot in this article. But the truth is these particular animals are usually in these areas. However, don’t expect to see every one of them on one go around.

For example, I’ve passed the lions den many times without seeing any lions at all. Most of the photos used in this article were take over hundreds of rides.

Here are a few commonly asked questions about this attraction.

How long is Kilimanjaro Safaris?

Disney’s website notes that a safari ride is approximately 18 minutes. That timing is a pretty accurate average with a few exceptions.

Those exceptions are the activity of the wild animals on your safari. For instance, you will stop and wait if an animal walks out in the road.

There have been times I’ve been on a safari that lasted as long as 30 minutes due to animals blocking the road. This is their habitat, and we are only visitors. So the safari drivers will wait on the animals to naturally move out of the way.

What is the best time to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris? 

I’m not too fond of this question because I know the popular answer is early in the morning or later in the evening when it cools off a bit. So yes, animals might typically be more active at these times.

My answer, though, is anytime! These animals are not getting paid to put on a show. They aren’t slacking off in the heat of the day. Every single safari experience is unique and different.

The saying “No two safaris are alike!” is true.

Additionally, one of my favorite times to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris is during a light rain shower. Waits drop and some of the animals are a little more active than normal.

Should we ride Kilimanjaro Safaris at night? 

When and if Kilimanjaro Safaris is available in the evening, I would definitely take advantage of it. As mentioned above, the evening is one of the best times to see the lions active.

However, I would always ride the safari at least once during the daytime. Then ride it a second time in the evening.

You aren’t going to see near as much the darker it gets. However, there is staging with the lighting in areas to help. It’s a completely different and unique experience.

Should you use Lightning Lane to ride Kilimanjaros Safaris?

Yes and no! It depends on what time you plan to ride the safari and how crowded the park is on the day of your visit.

If you’re there during a high crowd time, you’ll definitely want to take advantage of Genie+ and use Lightning Lane for Kilimanjaro Safaris.

However, if you don’t purchase the Genie+ upgrade, I recommend riding the safari as early as possible. Then get in line again later in the day when wait times tend to drop.

When it rains, the wait times for Kilimanjaro Safaris drop significantly. However, during inclement weather, the attraction and queue close.

Additional Animal Experiences at Kilimanjaro Safaris

In addition to Kilimanjaro Safaris there are a few other animal experiences related to the safari. These options are all an extra-cost.

• Caring For Giants provides a more up-close experiences with the elephants. Disney has more details for this tour here on their site.
• Up Close with Rhinos is a similar experience, only with rhinos.
• If you want to go all out and spend a couple of hours on safari, you might elect to book the Wild Africa Trek here .

Whatever you decide, I’m sure you will have an excellent day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Have fun on Kilimanjaro Safaris!

For more planning articles, try the list of attractions at Animal Kingdom . Some of our favorites include:

• Na’vi River Journey in Pandora
• Expedition Everest Roller-Coaster
• Adventurer’s Outpost (Meet Disney Pals)
• Finding Nemo Musical at Animal Kingdom

Additionally, if you’re planning a stay at the Walt Disney World Resort, you might enjoy browsing our Disney World Resort Reviews . For resorts near the Animal Kingdom, try these:

• Disney’s Kidani Village Review
• Coronado Springs Resort Review
• Gran Destino Tower Review
• Disney’s All-Star Sports Review

Off-property options nearby include:

• Orange Lake Resort Review (Kissimmee)
• Fairfield Inn and Suites at Flamingo Crossings
• Residence Inn by Marriott Flamingo Crossings

In the comments:

Have you ridden Kilimanjaro Safaris before? What animal do you hope to see? Share your thoughts about this attraction below in the comments.

Hi, I'm Amber the owner of Resorts Gal . We have stayed at every single Disney Resort Hotel. Our philosophy? We believe you can have an incredible time at the resorts without ever setting foot in a theme park. We live near the parks and visit weekly and would love for you to follow along.

How is social distancing being handled on the vehicles?

Hi, One row per group and there are plastic dividers hanging between each open air row.

Excellent article too.✌❤😷

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Walt Disney World Resort

How well do you know kilimanjaro safaris at disney’s animal kingdom.

by Jennifer Fickley-Baker , Editorial Content Manager, Walt Disney World Resort

Kilimanjaro Safaris is a must-do for so many guests – including my own family – during a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom . We long to see beautiful animals up close and treasure those incredible moments when a giraffe strides by our safari vehicle, the elephants first come into view or the lions awaken atop their rock.

How well do you know this attraction (and its inhabitants)? Put your knowledge to the test below!

Destinations: Walt Disney World Resort , Disney's Animal Kingdom

Topics: Quizzes

It’s a shame that some of the tour guides you get aren’t as exciting as others

“How long does the Kilimanjaro Safaris expedition last for?” Um, I guess that depends on whether or not your path is blocked by a stubborn giraffe!

The safari was much better with a storyline and beautiful African music playing in the background.

Comments are closed.

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9 Awesome Facts & Secrets About Kilimanjaro Safaris

Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of our all time favourite attractions at Walt Disney World. We love it so much we rated it 5/5 in our Animal Kingdom attractions guide . With that in mind, here are 9 awesome facts about one of Disney’ most beloved and ambitious rides.

#1 Walt Disney Inspired Kilimanjaro Safaris

While it might seem incredibly unlikely, Walt Disney himself actually played a part in the creation of Kilimanjaro Safaris.

The first plans for the Jungle Cruise actually included real animals but it was quickly discovered that they would be far too unpredictable for the kind of attraction Disney wanted to deliver to park guests.

Fast forward to when Disney’s Imagineers were planning Animal Kingdom and Walt’s original dream became a reality.

#2 That’s One Big Attraction

Kilimanjaro Safaris is the biggest Disney park attraction in the world. Don’t believe us? You could fit the entire Magic Kingdom park in Kilimanjaro Safaris quite comfortably!

Kilimanjaro Safaris is 110 acres whereas the entire Magic Kingdom park comes in at 107 acres. Disney were not messing about with animal welfare when it came to designing this attraction.

The attraction itself makes up 20% of the entire Animal Kingdom park.

#3 The Lion Feels the Breeze Tonight

Though they aren’t always completely visible, the Lions in Kilimanjaro Safaris would be even less visible if it wasn’t for a bit of clever engineering from Disney.

The rocks in which the Lions hang around on for much of the day are actually air conditioned! The Lions originally came from a much cooler zoo in Oregon so Disney had to install air-con into the rock formation. Better yet, if it gets cold they can heat up so the lions can be comfortable all year round!

#4 Every Animal Needs to Rest

At the end of every day, animals throughout the attraction are called in to rest in their enclosures for the night. Each animal has been specially trained to respond to a different sound.

A few examples of this include crocodiles responding to a metal bar being hit underwater, elephants come in to the beat of a drum, giraffes for a cowbell and a duck call is used for the Thompson’s Gazelle.

#5 Free Roaming Animals

While every animal has set space to walk around in (you wouldn’t want the Lions in with the gazelles!), within their space they are free to walk wherever they wish.

That means that they have right of way, even to the Safari trucks that form part of the attraction. If an animal chooses to walk in front of a truck (has happened to us many times) then be thankful as it means you will be able to get up close with those cameras!

Spaces are controlled through a combination of chains in the ground (to stop animals crossing into another area), walls and even deep pits in the case of the lions.

#6 Fake Plastic Baobab Trees

Okay, not plastic but we wanted to sneak in a Radiohead reference… The famous Baobab trees that are scattered around Kilimanjaro Safaris are actually all fake and made of concrete. The real tree has a thick trunk and is very good at storing water during periods of drought.

There was a single real Baobab tree in Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Harambe Village but sadly it died during a cold winter a few years ago.

#7 Animals Are Kept Close to Park Guests

Though it would be almost impossible to see on the first few experiences of Kilimanjaro Safaris, Disney actually does a lot to make sure the animals wander as close to guests as possible.

In addition to the air-conditioned rocks we already covered, Disney tactically place hay, grass, salt licks and drinking water close to the roads in which the safari trucks travel. Some of these placements are obvious when you know to keep an eye out but others are really well hidden, how many can you spot on your next safari?

#8 Real Safari Trucks

A lot of guests simply assume that the cast members aboard the great big safari trucks are simply onboard for guest safety and that the attraction is all on a track. This is completely false.

Cast Members go through rigorous training to land the role on Kilimanjaro Safaris and all of the custom built GMC and Ford trucks are free roaming. It is essential that this is the case as on many occasions cast members have had to swerve off course to go round an animal that has decided to settle on the road.

Each night the safari trucks are driven off the road and into a lot where they can be assessed and serviced ready for the next day.

#9 Timing is Everything

Though it is fair to say animals can be seen no matter what time of day Kilimanjaro Safaris is ridden, there are times of day where the animals are most active.

Early in the mornings, just after Disney’s Animal Kingdom has opened, can be a great time to experience the safari due to the cooler temperatures. In addition to this, the animals are all grazing on their breakfasts!

Disney introduced nighttime safaris in 2016 and this also offers a great time to see some of the animals who prefer to be active during the evening. These include Warthog, Hippo, Hyena and African Wild Dog.

Of course every safari is different and we can never guarantee that you will see great views of the animals on every trip.

Want more on Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Be sure to check out the rest of our Animal Kingdom guides .

Ryan has been attending theme parks since as long as he can remember and his first proper memory comes from when he was just three years old sitting in Main Street USA drinking a Nesquik milkshake from a carton while the piano was being played outside Casey’s Corner.

© 2024. ThemeParkTrader.com

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Kilimanjaro Safaris

An Attraction in Animal Kingdom

Last updated: May 6, 2024

At a Glance

Animal Kingdom’s premier zoological attraction, Kilimanjaro Safaris offers an exceptionally realistic, albeit brief, imitation of an actual African photo safari. Thirty-two guests at a time board tall, open vehicles and are dispatched into a simulated African veldt habitat. Animals such as zebras, wildebeests, impalas, Thomson’s gazelles, giraffes, and even rhinos roam apparently free, while predators such as lions, as well as potentially dangerous large animals like hippos, are separated from both prey and guests by all-but-invisible, natural-appearing barriers. Although the animals have more than 100 acres of savanna, woodland, streams, and rocky hills to call home, careful placement of water holes, forage, and salt licks ensures that the critters are hanging out by the road when safari vehicles roll by.

Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World author, Bob Sehlinger, says: "Having traveled in Kenya and Tanzania, I (Bob) can tell you that Disney has done an amazing job of replicating the sub-Saharan east-African landscape. As on a real African safari, what animals you see, and how many, is pretty much a matter of luck. We’ve experienced Kilimanjaro Safaris more than 100 times and had a different experience on each trip."

Animal Kingdom may offer a nighttime version of Kilimanjaro Safaris. Before the first safari truck rolled into the setting sun, Disney spent more than a year acclimating the existing animals, as well as nocturnal species such as hyenas, to life in a theme park. For the nighttime version, Disney also installed a baseball stadium–size wall of graphics displays at the far end of the attraction’s savanna grasslands.

Turned on late in the day, the displays are programmed to simulate a gradually setting sun for hours on end—providing enough light for guests to see the animals that are still roaming around. It’s hard to predict which ones you’re likely to see, however: On one nighttime tour, we found that the rhinos were noticeably more active at night, while other animals, such as hippos, crocodiles, and elephants, became virtual recluses. A Wilmington, Delaware, man had a different experience, though:

Animal Kingdom at night was the hit of our trip, and Kilimanjaro Safaris was great. We saw more animals in action than we had ever seen in the daytime, and the nighttime added just a hint of danger to the entire proceeding that made it fun.

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Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of Animal Kingdom’s busiest attractions, along with Expedition Everest and the two Pandora attractions. From a touring standpoint, this is a good thing: By distributing guests evenly throughout the park, those other attractions make it unnecessary to run to Kilimanjaro Safaris first thing in the morning.

Waits for Kilimanjaro Safaris diminish around midafternoon, sometimes as early as 3 p.m. but more commonly somewhat later. We recommend taking the nighttime safari after you’ve experienced the daytime version.

If you want to take photos, note that the vehicle isn’t guaranteed to stop at a given location. Drivers try their best to accommodate guests and stop when big animals come into view, but be prepared to snap at any time. As for the ride, it’s not that rough.

Other attractions you might like Users who like Kilimanjaro Safaris, generally also like:

Mission: SPACE Orange

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The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

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Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

Here's roughly how many minutes you'll wait for Kilimanjaro Safaris at each Animal Kingdom Crowd Level.

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The BEST Times to Go on Kilimanjaro Safaris in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is extremely unique to the other Disney World parks with its focus on plants and wildlife!

The entire park itself is a beautiful walk of nature with gorgeous foliage, the epic Tree of Life, AND the various animals that call the property home. And, before your next trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we’re sharing the best times of the day that you can find animals out to play!

You might feel a pull towards popular attractions like Expedition Everest or Avatar Flight of Passage when you head to Disney’s Animal Kingdom at the beginning of the day. But, we actually recommend taking a detour over to the Kilimanjaro Safaris first thing in the morning instead !

The animals are just waking up and coming outside to greet guests and soak up the start of the day. While you might see animals around the Harambe Wildlife Reserve lounge about and nap later in the day, they are usually more active in the morning! But, that’s not the only time of the day you’ll see them active!

Another great time to visit the Kilimanjaro Safaris is when it rains! Many of the animals will either enjoy the rain and walk around, or they’ll huddle together in places they won’t get as wet. We spotted animals that usually aren’t as active during the safari ride, like the cheetahs, making their way around the enclosure…

While morning is definitely one of the best times to do Safaris, another great time is when it rains! We NEVER see the cheetahs this active! pic.twitter.com/hDBxj59Y4d — AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) April 11, 2021

…while the hippos were LOVING that drizzle, since they typically reside in the water most days anyways!

The weather has temporarily shut down MOST of the rides at Disney's Animal Kingdom, but Kilimanjaro Safaris is still running! pic.twitter.com/NQe6s17yFz — AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) April 11, 2021

There was even a tower of giraffes huddled together underneath the trees to stay warm during the storm.

A tower of giraffes huddled together on Kilimanjaro Safaris! pic.twitter.com/cC4D9APC6s — AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) April 11, 2021

There’s a reason why Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of our favorite attractions! And, we’ll be sure to keep you updated on everything new happening around the parks soon. Stay tuned with All Ears for more Disney tips and tricks!

Dozens of rides close in Disney World due to weather-related power failure

What’s your favorite animal to see on the Kilimanjaro Safaris? Let us know in the comments below!

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Rachel Franko

Rachel Franko has been going to Disney Parks since she was a baby, and her love of Disney has only grown into a SLIGHT obsession since! She's been writing for AllEars since 2019 and loves sharing the magic with all the readers. When she's not writing, you can catch her heading to Disney and Universal Studios with a heart full of dreams and a backpack full of themed ears!

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20 Underrated Disney World Attractions

Posted: May 6, 2024 | Last updated: May 6, 2024

What's more magical than a trip to Disney World? Walt Disney World Resort is located near Orlando, Florida. The amusement park opened its doors to welcome guests on October 1, 1971. Since then, people have labeled Disney World one of the most magical places on earth. The property spans about 20,000 acres of land, which means you're in for a lot of walking when spending time there.

Other Disneyland locations include California, Tokyo, Paris, and Shanghai. Disney World is a little more special than its competition since it's larger than the others. Folks who are preparing to visit Disney World can look forward to crossing paths with tons of characters dressed up in costumes. Includes Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and all the Disney princesses. Anyone who grew up watching movies featuring characters like Cinderella, Donald Duck, Buzz Lightyear, Snow White, Tinker Bell, and Cruella de Ville has the opportunity to run into these characters face-to-face.

Disney World is also full of decadent food options such as cups of Dole Whip, Mickey Mouse-shaped pretzels, Mickey Mouse-shaped ice cream bars, shaved ice, and churros. Beyond the food, the attractions at Disney World are enough to make just about anyone's jaw drop as well. While we're on the topic of Disney, click here for the best R-rated Disney movies ever.

To gather this list of Disney World's most underrated attractions, 247 tempo consulted several travel sources. these include visit, Orlando, travel plus leisure, TripAdvisor, never-ending, voyage, and attraction tickets.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

It would be a shame to miss out on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance when visiting Disneyland in Florida. The incredible ride makes you feel like you're in the center of a Star Wars battle. Anyone who's seen movies from the iconic franchise knows they're action-packed and dynamic. This particular ride doesn't skip out on any of that excitement. The plot line that goes along with the ride is riveting and attention-grabbing. Since it's so hyper immersive, you'll feel like you're one of the fictional characters.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

When it comes to roller coasters at Disney World, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is arguably one of the best possible options. Folks who enjoy listening to music from the 70s and 80s will have a great time on this roller coaster since the soundtrack was designed with lovable throwback hits in mind. It gives you the chance to soar through the stars in the night sky, the same way the characters of the Guardians of the Galaxy movie franchise do when fighting against bad guys.

Haunted Mansion

One of the most classic Disney World attractions is the Haunted Mansion. The ride is full of old-school illusions that aren't creepy enough to actually freak anyone out. The ride isn't meant to be aggressively scary, but it is meant to be memorable. That being said, guests of all ages are welcome to enjoy Haunted Mansion — even children. The best detail of all? There's a catchy theme song always playing inside the Haunted Mansion in Florida for people to hum along to.

Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest is a special ride at Disney World since it gives guests the opportunity to see the amusement park from a higher level. It resembles what an adventure to the peak of Mount Everest would be like, except you don't have to worry about running into wild animals or accidentally harming yourself. The storyline featured in Expedition Everest makes it more pleasant for people who decide to give it a chance.

Pirates of the Caribbean

If you enjoy watching movies from the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, you'll definitely enjoy the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney World. Guests of all heights and ages can enjoy this one since it moves slow and only incorporates a few small drops. The theme song that plays in the background of this ride is "Yo Ho, Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)." There are believable-looking pirates and cannons placed strategically throughout the ride as well.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

A trip to Disney World wouldn't be complete without taking a ride on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The outdoor roller coaster can be tracked down in Frontierland, which is a special to folks who appreciate the iconic wild west theme. Big Thunder Mountain Road is considered a thrill ride with a few small drops. It has a height requirement of 40 inches or taller. The tunnels built throughout the ride make you feel like you're experiencing a true old-school train trip.

Living With The Land

Living With the Land is a special attraction for people who aren't interested in roller coasters. It's even better for folks who enjoy the bliss of nature and the great outdoors. A gentle boat tour will cruise you through greenhouses as you uncover the intriguing history of farming.

The greenhouses are full of vegetables, fruits, and other lush greenery. The water is brimming with shrimp, catfish, bass, and tilapia. Produce and seafood grown at Living With the Land are served at two eateries inside Disney World: Sunshine Seasons and the Garden Grill Restaurant.

Kilimanjaro Safari

If you're interested in seeing real animals roaming free, it's time to sign up for Kilimanjaro Safari at Disney World. The guided tour will make you feel like you're in one of the most exquisite and lush savannas in Africa. You and your loved ones will remain comfortably seated in an open vehicle with a tour guide who will point out all the fascinating animals along your route. The tour guide will also point out tons of jaw-dropping facts about the wildlife.

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin

Watching movies from the Toy Story franchise is bound to put a smile on your face. Plenty of people grew up loving characters like Woody and Buzz Lightyear, which is why this particular Disney World attraction is so popular. Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin is interactive and gives guests the opportunity to shoot at target with their laser cannons. The more targets you shoot, the more points you'll accrue. The person who shoots the most is dubbed the winner with the highest score by the end of the ride.

Mission: SPACE

Another fabulous place to spend time at Disney World is Mission: SPACE. The space shuttle simulator is ideal for anyone who's ever had dreams and aspirations of becoming an astronaut. Even if you never thought about soaring into space, this attraction sheds light on what it would be like to pursue such a career path. The hyper-realistic experience allows you to dodge meteorites as you mimic the vibe of rocketing towards Mars.

Remy's Ratatouille Adventure

Remy's Ratatouille Adventure is a fun ride for people who enjoyed watching "Ratatouille" when it first premiered in 2007. Even if you've never seen the movie, there's a lot to appreciate about the way the ride was constructed. It was built to make you feel like you're as small as a mouse who's gotten stuck in an oversized kitchen. The kitchen, which is supposed to be set in Paris, is full of ginormous spatulas, bowls, and other cooking utensils that were used in the movie.

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Prepare yourself for the thrill of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – if you dare. The thrill ride is considered dark and scary since it's full of big drops. Little kids aren't welcome to experience this ride since it's a lot more haunting than others. It's designed to mimic the infamous Hollywood Tower Hotel that's magically been frozen in time.

This is the perfect ride to try out during the Halloween season. Whether it's October or not, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror will always be a hit. This ride is directly connected to "The Twilight Zone" TV show. As a reminder, "The Twilight Zone" ran for five season starting in 1959 telling horror stories mixed with science fiction, comedy, drama, and superstition.

Kali River Rapids

You're definitely bound to get soaked if you choose to ride Kali River Rapids. On a hot Summer day, sometimes a nice splash is all you need for a cool down. You'll be able to track down Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom if you're interested in giving it a chance. The only downside to this ride is that it's shorter than others. Plenty of people finish the ride with a little disappointment that it didn't last longer. Regardless of how short it is, you can always hop back in line to try it again.

Festival of the Lion King

The Festival of The Lion King can be found in Disney World Animal Kingdom. It isn't meant to completely mimic the classic Broadway show, but it's still enticing to watch. That's because it's full of talented acrobats, singers, and dancers who know their way across the stage in front of live audiences. This show is fabulous for folks who would rather sit back and relax while enjoying some entertainment instead of waiting in line for roller coasters and rides.

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway

A pleasantly immersive attraction at Disney World is Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway. Since Mickey and Minnie Mouse are the most recognizable symbols of the entire Disney brand, it makes sense that they'd have their own special attraction. Cartoon screens will surround you as you make your way through their runaway railway. The storyline is easy enough to follow as it focuses on Mickey and Minnie preparing for a romantic picnic together.

Toy Story Midway Mania

You're looking at a wait time of about an hour if you're interested in trying Toy Story Midway Mania. The waiting time is only as long as it is since so many people have discovered the bliss of this beloved attraction. Toy Story Midway Mania Family is known for being family-friendly and interactive. Upon entering the room for this ride, you'll have to put on a pair of special 3-D glasses to take in all of the magic.

Space Mountain

Plenty of people reference Space Mountain as their favorite Disney World attraction. You have to be at least 44 inches or taller for this thrill ride since it's full of big drops. Some awesome details that make Space Mountain so special include the celestial satellites, the realistic-looking shooting stars, and the futuristic soundtrack that echoes through every corner of the ride. Space Mountain will have you convinced that you're defying gravity.

Spaceship Earth

Technology has changed significantly since the dawn of time. At Disney World, Spaceship Earth sheds light on just how much technology has shifted over the years. It showcases the way communication has evolved from the Stone Age to the computer age. When the ride comes to an end, guests are invited to play interactive games and admire the jaw-dropping displays placed throughout the Project Tomorrow zone. The attraction itself is located on the Epcot side of Disney World, and shaped like a giant sphere with a textured surface. It's been an important part of Disney World since 1982.

Tron Lightcycle Run

There aren't other attractions quite as special and unique as Tron Lightcycle Run, which is located at Disney World. The newly opened ride is full of stunning visuals that will keep you locked in from start to finish. The ride itself is based on a sci-fi film from Disney Studios called "Tron: Legacy."

As a reminder, the epic sci-fi action movie hit theaters in 2010. With a cast lineup including Jeff Bridges and Olivia Wilde, it's not surprising that the movie did so well among audiences. Throughout the ride, you'll feel like you're on a high speed race track. It will undoubtedly make you feel like a true adventurer.

Frozen Ever After

When "Frozen" first hit theaters in 2013, it was a game-changer for children everywhere. The sequel followed in 2019 as a fantastical musical with beautiful animation and graphics. Frozen Ever After offers a musical tour of the winter wonderland where Elsa and Anna both live in the movie franchise.

The icy palace and snowy mountain tops are beautiful for Disney World guests of all ages to lay eyes on. There's much to love about Disney, including all these extravagant Disney World attractions. Click here to put your Disney knowledge to the test with these challenging trivia questions.

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