Find out what we can’t stand about Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
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Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened on April 22, 1998, and is the company’s most recent theme park to debut in Florida. Intended to be a place where guests can interact with animals of the real and fictional variety, Animal Kingdom is a lot more than just a zoo. Sure, guests can spot dozens of real-life creatures during their day at the park, but they can also enjoy some of Disney’s most fantastical attractions.
However, Animal Kingdom is also home to a few things that we cannot help but get annoyed by.
Starting with the most obvious issue: the number of rides there are. Animal Kingdom thrives when it comes to immersive experiences like walking trails, themed dining, and exploration, but in terms of traditional theme park rides and attractions, the park is pretty weak.
There are arguments to be made that Animal Kingdom is home to two of Disney World’s best attractions, Avatar Flight of Passage and Expedition Everest, but aside from these, the park is pretty sparse. Other notable rides include DINOSAUR and Kali River Rapids, but compared to Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom has a noticeable lack of attractions to hop aboard.
The Heat
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If you’ve spent any time visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom, then you will know what we’re talking about. We don’t know the science behind it, but Animal Kingdom feels at least ten degrees hotter than EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, or Hollywood Studios. Fans often complain about the heat at Animal Kingdom, blaming it on the park’s open walkways and unshaded areas.
Other fans think it has to do with the asphalt used. We could all just be hallucinating about the park’s temperature, but it’s hard to deny places like the Tree of Life and DinoLand feel a lot warmer than other parts of the resort.
The Hours
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Animal Kingdom is an incredibly unique theme park for many reasons, primarily because of its focus on nature and wildlife. The park’s premier attraction, Kilimanjaro Safaris, recreates the African Savanna. Along the way, guests can spot elephants, cheetahs, lions, giraffes, and all sorts of other real-life animals.
However, the park’s focus on animals is one of its biggest drawbacks, as the park must close early to accommodate all the creatures. Disney World needs time to care for all the animals, and it’s much easier when guests aren’t around.
As a result, Animal Kingdom has historically closed hours earlier than any of Disney World’s other three theme parks. Currently, Animal Kingdom operates between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. This is substantially earlier than parks like EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, which typically close around 9 or 10 p.m.
The Construction
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A lot is changing at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and as such, guests will see lots of construction taking place at the park. Most of the work is visible around DinoLand U.S.A., a prehistoric-themed land filled with dinosaurs and reptiles. Half of the land was closed permanently in January 2025, with the other half closing in 2026.
This is being done to make way for a new land based on South America. Once complete, this new area of the park will be home to rides and attractions based on popular Disney franchises like Encanto and Indiana Jones.
The new land doesn’t have an official opening date just yet, but is expected to debut in 2027. This means that for the next two years, Animal Kingdom’s former DinoLand U.S.A. will be covered in dust, dirt, and walls. Fortunately, this area of the park is located near the back, so it won’t really affect the flow of guests, but it will detract from the overall look and vibe of the park.
Do you agree with our list?
The post The Most Annoying Things About Disney’s Animal Kingdom (2025) appeared first on Inside the Magic.
