What Can I Do At Disney's Animal Kingdom With Little Kids and Babies?

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Animal Kingdom is a fantastic park.  If I had to rank the Walt Disney World Parks, I would put it at number two, second only to Magic Kingdom (which simply has to be first!).  This park has three amazing rides, although two of them the little ones can't do: Flights of Passage (an absolutely beautiful experience), Expedition Everest (my favorite Disney coaster), and Kilimanjaro Safaris (simply an amazing animal experience).

I think Animal Kingdom is one of Disney's most unique parks; it's part zoo, part jungle expedition, part otherworldly, and all magic. It's not a toddler or little kids ride fest, honestly, there aren't a lot of rides for anyone, but your little ones will still have a blast! 

I have updated this post to reflect the current attractions as of May 26, 2026. A lot of the park is currently under construction. 

Can I bring my little one on rides at Disney's Animal Kingdom?

Ride options for little ones at Animal Kingdom are limited.  The following rides do not have a height restriction:

• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Na’vi River Journey
• Wildlife Express Train 

Since it's one of my favorite Disney things, I just have to say that the Safari is an amazing experience for the whole family.  It's not a short ride either, it lasts roughly 22 minutes and you will see a large variety of animals on the journey.  It's one of my favorite Disney experiences.  (I should note that the seats aren't particular soft and that the terrain is purposefully bumpy, so just keep that in mind.)  My Instagram account has a couple pictures of the Safari, including this one of a giraffe!

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Here are some of my Amazon recommendations for Animal Kingdom: get in the Disney spirit with a fun shirt and matching socks, don't forget snacks for you and the children in a small backpack! (See my Amazon store of Theme Park Must Haves.)

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What can't my little kids and babies ride?

Here are the rides for taller riders with their height requirements:

• Kali River Rapids -- 38 inches
• Expedition Everest -- 44 inches
• Avatar Flight of Passage -- 44 inches

Are the shows appropriate for all ages?

Yes!  My little ones were mesmerized by Lion King and Nemo in particular.  These, like Beauty and the Beast at Hollywood Studios, really are in a class above the others.

• Zootopia: Better Zoogether! (Does have some some slightly scary effects -- darkness, loud noises, and seat features)
• Festival of the Lion King
• Finding Nemo - The Big Blue . . . and Beyond!
• Feathered Friends in Flight!

What characters should we see while at Animal Kingdom?

(2026 Update)  There have been a lot of changes to the availability of characters at Animal Kingdom recently. The iconic safari Minnie and Mickey Meet & Greet is still at "Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventures Outpost". The line for this can get quite long, although much of it is inside. 

(2019 Update) There are a couple of characters that can be seen in the "traditional" meet and greet format exclusively at Animal Kingdom.  These currently include: Dug and Russel, Timon, Pocahontas, Scrooge McDuck, and Launchpad.  Below Alexander and I were having fun with Chip and Dale during Donald's Dino-Bash!

What else is there for little kids to do at Animal Kingdom?

• Bluey's Wild World at Conservation Station
• Wilderness Explorers
• Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
• Maharajah Jungle Trek  

I'd like to end with a quick note about The Wilderness Explorers experience. This badge (sticker!) program is really worth the time. Think scouts meets safari, this is a delightfully educational offering that could take an entire day all by itself! There are stations spread throughout the park where your kids can get stickers to fill their booklet. Totally worth doing!

Keep in mind that things at Walt Disney World are constantly changing.  Something that might be there today might not be there tomorrow.  Something that is there today might not have been there yesterday.

This post was originally published in 2018. It was updated September 2019. It was updated again May 2026.

Be sure to check out the rest of the posts in this series!

What can I do at Magic Kingdom with Little Kids and Babies?

What can I do at Hollywood Studios with Little Kids and Babies?
What can I do at EPCOT with Little Kids and Babies?
and
Disney with Two Little Kids and One Adult