What is there to do in Animal Kingdom for adults? Check out the Safari, ride Everest without child swap, get a great meal at Yak and Yeti, or maybe even watch the Festival of the Lion King.
Disney doesn’t have to solely be for family vacations. In fact, you don’t need children or nieces or nephews to visit the parks!
I love going to Disney as an adult, and particularly, I think Animal Kingdom for adults is a great way to spend a day!
It doesn’t have[too many] insane lines, a huge landscape, or the temptation to drink around the world in the hot sun. So, there are plenty of things to do for adults at Animal Kingdom. Thus, we are creating this list and itinerary for you to enjoy a stress free day at the wildest, magical park.
Best Animal Kingdom Rides for Adults
Flight of Passage
Fly on a Banshee! Of all the Animal Kingdom rides for adults, this is my top pick. Because the lines can be a bit long, being an adult in this queue makes things a bit easier to handle.
Soaring across the mountains on a winged banshee in 3D may also make a few younger people sick. Appreciate this otherworldly landscape when you ride!
This is truly my top ride at Disney World. My all-time favorite. It is just incredible!
Na’vi River Journey
We all know kids get bored on It’s a Small World, so we realize boats may not be their thing. However, boats for an adult in a world they love? Sign me up! I adore the sense of wonder and dreamscape on Na’vi River Journey.
This ride is visually stunning with its caves and rainforest. The glow of the bioluminescent exotic plants and creatures are my favorite part! Send a positive energy with the Shaman of Songs in Pandora. This is one of my favorite things to do for adults in Animal Kingdom.
DINOSAUR
RIP Dino. I am listing this solely out of nostalgia. And hope that something good will come of the “refurbishment.” DINO allows guests to travel back in time on a prehistoric race.
You must rescue and save a dino before the meteor strikes! However, this ride is INTENSE. With small drops, darkness, and loud noises, this is one of the things to add on to the Animal Kingdom itinerary for adults because it is so fun!
Kali River Rapids
The Florida sun is hot… so what better way to cool off than a whitewater adventure? Travel through the lush jungle in the heart of Asia on this ride. You’ll be whisked along a raging current, and you will get wet.
With the small drops and spinning, this may be a ride better suited for adults rather than kids. So choose wisely, and bring a poncho!!
Expedition Everest
Ready for the Yeti? This is one of my favorite rides in Animal Kingdom. You get to wander through a village at the base of Mount Everest and keep an eye out for a snow monster.
This is not little kid ride: there are loud noises, fast drops, high speeds, dark places and frightening effects. I love the fact that we get to plummet back into darkness, but others may not!
This is truly one of my favorite rides for adults at Animal Kingdom and one of my favorite roller coasters at Disney!
Kilimanjaro Safaris
A ride? An attraction? Who knows how to clarify this stunning experience! I love the safari! Taking an open-air vehicle through the lush African Savanna allows you to spot real animals.
Add in the guide and suddenly you’re learning and observing. There are over 30 species living on this 110 acre safari. I love seeing the hippopotamus in the pond, or the lions near the rocky perches. The zebras too always make me laugh! And no matter how many times you ride this, it is always different!
Best Restaurants at Animal Kingdom for Adults
I would say that Animal Kingdom isn’t the exact park I would go for fine dining– that is more of a Disney Springs or Epcot experience– but there are some great options! Here are some of the best Animal Kingdom Dining for Adults:
Nomad Lounge & Cocktail Bar
Toast to a journey, a drink and a snack. While this isn’t exactly a restaurant– it is more of a bar– I wanted to include this for the best restaurants at Animal Kingdom for adults because it caters to adults perfectly!
There is a renowned selection of spirits at this bar, but there are also non-alcoholic beverages, coffees and teas here too! In between your drinks enjoy some impossible sliders– my favorite as the veggie head of the group–, artisanal cheeses, and a spiced tuna nomad bowl!
Tiffins
Tiffins is located right next to Nomad’s lounge, but they are not the same thing. The international cuisine here is to die for you: you can try African cuisine, Asian cuisine, and Latin cuisine all in one sitting! Although, this is a fine dining experience, so it can get a bit pricey.
Try the Spiced Chickpea Falafel, Charred Octopus, or a Surf and Turf. And top it all off with a Passion Fruit Tapioca Cream! For an additional cost, adults can also select from a renowned wine list and after-dinner liqueurs like dessert wines and specialty drinks. This is one of the places for the best drinks for adults at Animal Kingdom!
Yaki and Yeti
This pan-Asian feast is to die for. Truly. Set in the ambience of a quaint village home, right new to Expedition Everest you can enjoy some of the best Asian food in the park. And there are vegetarian options abound!
Eclectic options include: sweet and sour chicken, ahi tuna nachos, pot stickers, Kobe beef burgers, and more. Factor in their chilled sake and you will find me here all the time! Oh. And don’t forget the friend wontons served with pineapple and ice cream.
Tusker House Restaurant
Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you can’t do character dining! At Tusker’s see iconic characters like Donald Duck and Daisy. But see them with a twist: in their safari gear!
This marketplace-inspired eatery offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, buffet style. I love the Safari bread for breakfast, and when I’m there for lunch and dinner the Green Curry Shrimp is always a nice, light meal too! Say Jambo!
Adult-Recommended Attractions at Animal Kingdom
Meeting the Characters
While meeting the characters is not for everyone, some enjoy interacting with characters and see it as one of the best Animal Kingdom attractions for adults. It is up to your preference if you want to do this or not!
But, you can see Mickey and Minnie in their expedition-ready outfits. You can also interact with Moana, Dino Donald Duck, Chip & Dale, and more. Along the Discovery River, you may also see a few characters enjoy a boat ride: say hi to Doug, Russel, Pocahontas, and Timon!
Festival of the Lion King
Stop everything and go see this show. Now. This show is Broadway Level of production: the music, the costumes, the choreography– it is all STUNNING and immersive.
Maybe I’m just biased because I love the arts, but I don’t know how one could hate this larger-than-life show. The puppetry alone is breathtaking. But do know that seating is limited and not guaranteed– so get there and get there quick!
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Traipse down mystical trails in Animal Kingdom! This attraction involves a lot of walking and exploring, so it is nice to take your time and wander. Cross footbridges, roam around bungle bends, and more.
Here you’ll see Asian tigers, Gibbons, Elds Deer, Komodo Dragons, a Malayan flying fox, and more. In fact, there are over 50 species of birds here! It’s truly a jungle.
Wild Africa Trek
A privately guided tour, this is an awesome addition when looking for the best Animal Kingdom activities for adults. But it is extra money! This VIP expedition takes you on close encounters with exotic African wildlife.
For 3-hours, you’ll walk along a grassland path, cross a rope bridge and load into a rugged safari vehicle. With complimentary photos, a guide who will share all their insights, and gourmet African treats, this may be worth every penny!
Best Adult-Friendly Snacks and Quick Service At Animal Kingdom
When creating an Animal Kingdom touring plan for adults, obviously you may want to factor in time to get snacks and food that aren’t chicken fingers and mac and cheese. You can check out some quick service options available!
Satu’li Canteen
Combine art, culture and cuisine at this quick service! This dining hall is casual and cheap, and it offers healthy dishes with flavors from around the world. I personally love going here after a ride on the Flight of Passage. The vegetarian options are so good, with fresh veggies, and there is a variety of heart proteins. Plus… BOBA!
Flame Tree BBQ
Smack your lips! This finger-licking BBQ is a quick service perfect for adults. The sauce alone is delightful. Paired with the signature baked beans and coleslaw? Yum! The smokehouse meat and chicken dinners are great, but there aren’t a lot of veggie options besides a salad. But when it comes to quick service, this is one of the best in Animal Kingdom that adults would enjoy based on flavor.
Harambe Market
Looking for a market-style place to grab lunch? I love this location because the lush, outdoor seating allows you to really sit and enjoy the park.
There is also great details in the design! From an African Milk Tart, to a Beef Kabob Flatbread, kiosks here allow options, although the portions can be small so be careful. Just know your pallet will be thankful for going beyond cheeseburgers and fries.
Beyond the Park: Dining at Animal Kingdom Lodge
When looking for the best Animal Kingdom activities for adults, sometimes you have to go out of the park, or look for dining options for when the park closes. This lodge serves award-winning cuisine. Being African-inspired and adding a touch of American flavors, there is options for everyone.
This location is perfect for breakfast lunch and dinner, but I prefer going to dinner here after a long day at the park. Being net to a lush, wildlife preserve also helps set the tone! Enjoy a variety of dining options and locations. Guests love the Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar, Boma, Jiko, and even the Mara if they’re looking for something quick. Either way, your options are endless.
And there you have it, folks! When considering what to do for adults at Animal Kingdom, here are your options. Just because these are theme parks, doesn’t mean the magic can’t be enjoyable for all! Enjoy Animal Kingdom in a day for adults and don’t regret it!
Magic Kingdom For Adults: Things To Do, Restaurants + More!