Hi, Whitney!
I am so excited to hear that you are planning a visit to
Disney's Animal Kingdom. You simply must plan to visit
Pandora - The World of Avatar. Visit during the day to see the beautiful floating mountains then stop by again after sunset to see the land come to life with its bioluminescent lights. Truly spectacular!
While you certainly can hop on a bus to Disney's Animal Kingdom from Epcot, I would opt to drive since you have your own vehicle. You will save so much time not having to wait for buses, and you will have the flexibility to come and go as you please without worrying about the times of your off-site resort shuttle. Since you are staying off property, there will be a daily
parking fee of $20 for standard parking (prices subject to change). Keep your receipt in case you take a mid-day break and return since you only need to pay for parking one time each day.
If you plan to stay all day, plan for a magical evening with Rivers of Light. This nighttime show combines music, dance, lights, and more. It is the perfect way to end your day. You might even want to book a
Rivers of Light Dining Package which includes dinner and reserved seating for the show.
Enjoy your visit to Disney's Animal Kingdom!
Cathy