Animal Kingdom Summer: Mixed Ages

Who this is for: Families with kids spanning different ages, some tall enough for Flight of Passage, some not. Teens who want coasters, toddlers who want animals, and adults who want to enjoy the park without refereeing.

The core advantage: Animal Kingdom is actually one of the easiest parks for mixed ages. The safari works for everyone. The animal trails work for everyone. The shows work for everyone. The only split comes on two rides, Flight of Passage (44") and Expedition Everest (44"), and Rider Swap handles that cleanly. Unlike Hollywood Studios or Magic Kingdom where height requirements divide the group on half the rides, Animal Kingdom lets your whole family do most things together.

The Height Requirement Reality Check

This is simpler at Animal Kingdom than any other park. Only two headliner rides have the height requirement that matters.

Flight of Passage: 44". Can your youngest ride? If not, Rider Swap.
Expedition Everest: 44". Same bar.
Kali River Rapids: 38". More accessible. You will get soaked.
Everything else: No height requirement. Safari, Na'vi River Journey, all trails, all shows, everyone rides and walks together.

The vast majority of Animal Kingdom has no height requirements. The split only matters for Flight of Passage and Everest. That's two rides. Everything else, your whole family does together.

If your kid is anywhere near 44", measure them at home in the shoes they'll wear at the park. Being turned away at Flight of Passage after waiting is devastating for kids (and for the parent who just waited with them).

Rider Swap

If some family members can't ride Flight of Passage or Everest, Rider Swap keeps everyone together.

How it works: Whole family goes to the ride entrance. Tell the Cast Member you need Rider Swap. Group A rides while Group B waits with the non riders nearby. Group A finishes, Group B rides using the Lightning Lane entrance.

Flight of Passage: Riders go first. Non riders explore Pandora, the land itself is stunning. Walk the paths, take photos, visit Pongu Pongu for a frozen drink.
Expedition Everest: Riders go first. The area around Everest in Asia has the siamang gibbons exhibit and the Maharajah Jungle Trek entrance, both great while waiting.

Two Rider Swaps for the whole day. That's it. The rest of the park, everyone does together.

Getting There

Check park hours first: Go to disneyworld.disney.go.com/calendars for your date. Check both opening AND closing time. Animal Kingdom often closes earlier than other parks. Early Entry for Disney resort guests begins 30 minutes before the official park opening time.

Animal Kingdom has a single entrance with its own parking lot. Drive to the lot and take the tram, or use Disney bus service from any resort.

If you're at a Disney resort: Animal Kingdom Lodge is the closest resort, short bus ride. All other resorts use the bus as well. Allow extra time with a mixed age group.

Be at gates before opening. With mixed ages, getting everyone out the door is the first challenge of the day, the teenager is unconscious, the toddler has been up since 5:30 a.m. Build in buffer.

Lightning Lane Priorities for Mixed Ages

Book at 7 a.m. The parent with the younger kids books Safari and Na'vi River Journey. The teen or adult books Flight of Passage and Everest. Coordinate at 7 a.m.

Multi Pass priorities: Kilimanjaro Safaris first, skip the line and ride during peak animal hours, the whole family benefits. Na'vi River Journey second, long waits relative to ride length, everyone can ride. Expedition Everest third, for family members who meet the height.

Flight of Passage is Lightning Lane Single Pass only. Book at 7 a.m. Worth it for anyone in the family who meets the 44" height requirement. Use Rider Swap if needed. Lightning Lane pricing varies by date. Check the My Disney Experience app.

Rope Drop

If you're staying at a Disney resort (Early Entry):

Strategy 1, everyone together: Kilimanjaro Safaris first, everyone rides, morning is best for animals. Gorilla Falls Trail right at the safari exit, don't skip it. Head to Pandora, Na'vi River Journey as a group, everyone rides. Rider Swap Flight of Passage if some family members want to ride while others can't.

Strategy 2, split and reunite: Those who want Flight of Passage head there first, then Expedition Everest, then meet up on Discovery Island. Young kids and a parent go to Kilimanjaro Safaris, then Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, then Na'vi River Journey. Meet up point is the Tree of Life area on Discovery Island, it's the park's central hub and visible from every direction.

If you're staying off property (no Early Entry): Your disadvantage is that resort guests have been riding for 30 minutes.

If everyone wants animals first, go to Kilimanjaro Safaris. Morning animals are the best animals, then Gorilla Falls Trail right after. If someone needs Flight of Passage, get in line. Non riders explore Pandora. For most mixed age families, the safari first is the right call. It's the one experience everyone can do together, and the morning is when it's best.

Morning (Park Open to 11:00 a.m.)

Animal Kingdom's morning is magic for mixed age families. The safari, the trails, and the shows all work for every age. This is the window where your whole family has the most fun together.

What everyone can do together: Kilimanjaro Safaris, the great equalizer, every age loves real animals, morning is best. Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, right after the safari, let younger kids watch the gorillas, teens appreciate the animals too. Na'vi River Journey, gentle boat ride, beautiful for all ages, no scares. Maharajah Jungle Trek, tigers, bats, aviary, teens think tigers are cool, little kids agree, some small kids scared of the bats. Discovery Island Trails, kangaroos, tortoises along the walkways, quick and easy for everyone. Feathered Friends in Flight!, bird show, free flying birds over the audience, all ages enjoy it. Winged Encounters, macaw flyover on Discovery Island, check app for times.

What requires splitting up: Flight of Passage (44"), Rider Swap if little ones can't ride, if everyone can, ride together, it's the best ride in the park. Expedition Everest (44"), same approach, Rider Swap or ride together. Kali River Rapids (38"), lower bar, some younger kids can ride, everyone will get soaked.

The Shows

Animal Kingdom's shows work for every age group, which makes them your best planning tool.

Festival of the Lion King: Indoor, air conditioned. Broadway caliber production. Little kids are transfixed by the music and movement. Teens appreciate the acrobatics and talent. Adults are genuinely moved. This is a must do for every mixed age family.

Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond!: Indoor, air conditioned. More kid oriented, but the puppetry is impressive enough for older family members. Good AC break.

Zootopia: Better Zoogether!: 4D show in the Tree of Life. Works for all ages. Some toddlers startled by 4D effects.

Feathered Friends in Flight!: Bird show in Asia. All ages enjoy free flying birds.

Afternoon (11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

With mixed ages, the hotel break decision depends on your youngest family member.

Everyone leaves: Best if your youngest needs a nap. Even teens benefit from pool time.
Split the group: One parent takes the young kids back. Teens and the other parent stay for Everest, Kali River Rapids, or Nomad Lounge.
Stay and manage: Use the shows and indoor experiences as your cool down rotation.

If you stay in the park, indoor cool down rotation for the whole family: Festival of the Lion King (if you haven't caught it yet), Finding Nemo show, Zootopia show.

The split by interest move: Teens and adults do Expedition Everest re ride, Kali River Rapids, Nomad Lounge for drinks and small plates. Parent with young kids does shows, Discovery Island Trails, Pandora walkthrough.

Lunch: Satu'li Canteen in Pandora works for everyone, customizable bowls with different proteins and bases. Flame Tree Barbecue has covered waterfront seating and standard BBQ that every age eats. Tusker House (reservation needed) is a character dining buffet that satisfies young kids (characters!) and adults (the food is actually good).

The 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Storm Window

Most summer days, a thunderstorm rolls through in the afternoon. Get everyone inside before it hits, a show theater, a restaurant, or Discovery Island shops. The safari and outdoor trails close during lightning. Young kids may be scared of thunder, have snacks and comfort ready. Teens and adults can use storm time for the Zootopia show (indoor) or a drink at Nomad Lounge. After the storm: temperature drops, animals come back out, crowds thin.

Evening

Check the park hours. Animal Kingdom's evening depends on your date.

If the park has evening hours: Pandora at night is magical for every age, the glowing plants and bioluminescent walkways. Na'vi River Journey re ride (shorter evening waits). Expedition Everest at night for those who want it. Tree of Life awakening projections. A post storm or evening safari can be excellent.

If the park closes early: Park hop to EPCOT as a family. Frozen Ever After for the young kids, the World Showcase for teens and adults, the Seas aquarium for everyone. Park hopping opens at 2 p.m.

Dining for Mixed Ages

Quick service: Satu'li Canteen in Pandora, customizable bowls, something for every palate, indoor seating, best all around pick. Flame Tree Barbecue on Discovery Island, BBQ, covered waterfront seating, every age eats BBQ. Harambe Market in Africa, multiple food windows, outdoor covered seating, good for picky young eaters, standard options available.

Table service (reservation recommended): Tusker House in Africa, character dining buffet, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy in safari outfits, young kids love the characters, food is surprisingly good for a buffet. Yak & Yeti in Asia, pan Asian, full bar for the adults, kid friendly options, fun atmosphere. Tiffins on Discovery Island, best food at Animal Kingdom, more of an adult restaurant but could work for older kids with adventurous palates.

When the Plan Breaks

"The little kids are done and the teenagers want to stay." One parent takes the young kids to the hotel or to the car. The other stays with the teens for Everest, Kali River Rapids, or Nomad Lounge. Animal Kingdom is a single entrance park, regrouping is simple.

"Nobody can agree on what to do." Split up. Teens to Everest or Kali River Rapids. Young kids to Discovery Island Trails or a show. Adults to Nomad Lounge. Meet at the Tree of Life in an hour.

"The toddler is melting down." Find shade, Animal Kingdom has more natural shade than any other park. Discovery Island shops have AC, and the trails around the island give restless kids space to move. A snack break at Flame Tree Barbecue's covered seating works too.

"The teenager is bored." Point them toward Expedition Everest (re ride), Kali River Rapids (they'll get soaked, teens love it), or give them some freedom to explore Pandora on their own. Animal Kingdom is a contained park, it's safe for teen independence.

"The park closes at 7 p.m." Park hop to EPCOT. It's the best evening move for mixed ages, Frozen for the little kids, rides for the teens, food and drinks for the adults, and Luminous for everyone.

End of Night

If you drove: Walk to the tram, ride to your car. Straightforward.

If you're at a Disney resort: Animal Kingdom Lodge, bus, short ride. All other resorts, bus from the main entrance. Lines can build after close. If your youngest is fading, leave before close to beat the rush.