Welcome back to planDisney, Angela! It’s great to see you here again.
I read your question to my 11-year-old daughter, and she was so excited to help brainstorm ideas for a magical day at
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park for your Mouseketeer. I think this park is fantastic for young adults, because it highlights issues they often really care about, like conservation and animal and wildlife care. Plus, as our kiddos’ grow up, their tastes often become more adventurous, and this is the park for unique and delicious foodie offerings!
One of my daughter’s favorite mornings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park was spent exploring the
Maharajah Jungle Trek. We grabbed beverages from the Anandapur Royal Tea Company stand and spent time really taking in the gorgeous theming and details along the trail. Stop a Cast Member and ask them to show you around – there are hidden Mickeys, gorgeous murals, and all kinds of amazing photo opportunities throughout the trail. It was lovely to take our time exploring, and truly felt like we were transported right out of the Disney Parks and into another land. Often, we race to our favorite attractions, but there are many special trails, nooks, and crannies throughout this theme park that are not to be missed. (I also recommend a slow exploration of the trails at the base of the Tree of Life – there are some incredible animal carvings, as well as opportunities to see real wildlife as you walk the trails. You might even see some characters pass by on the waterway cavalcades!)
My tween loves grown-up feeling dining experiences, so I recommend a dining reservation at
Tiffins Restaurant. Try the Tiffins Signature Bread Service and ask your server to recommend a fun non-alcoholic mocktail. My daughter also loves the Night Blossom and Pineapple Lumpia from Pongu Pongu in
Pandora – The World of Avatar. Don’t forget to take a selfie at the moss wall!
Angela, while these tour experiences are currently unavailable as part of the Walt Disney World Resort’s phased reopening, I want to recommend a tour in case they become available again before your visit. The
Up Close with Rhinos or
Caring for Giants tours would allow your daughter to learn more about these majestic animals, meet their keepers, and get a special perspective on their lives and care. If you haven’t already watched The Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Disney+, I highly recommend this moving series about the animals in the park and their care. If you loved the show, then these tours are just for you! I’ve got my fingers crossed that they return before your visit – keep an eye on the web site and the
Disney Parks Blog for updates.
I hope these ideas speak to you as you seek some new or unique magic in your upcoming visit. One of the reasons my family returns to the Walt Disney World Resort again and again is because there is always something new to see and explore, and as my children grow up, I love seeing what captures their heart or imagination. I hope you have a truly wonderful time together!
Wishing you a magical vacation,
Robyn