Animal Kingdom Touring Plan

Every Disney expert will tell you a good touring plan is essential for making the most of your Disney World vacation. But what exactly is a touring plan? And do I have to follow an exact plan in order to enjoy my vacation? Can I be spontaneous?

What is a touring plan?

A touring plan is your itinerary for the parks. I like to have a general idea of my day hour by hour. Keeping it by the hour, instead of, say, 15-minute intervals, gives you room to stop and enjoy things, park your stroller, grab a snack, hit the bathrooms, or whatever!

Do I NEED a touring plan?

While it certainly isn’t necessary to have a touring plan before you hit the parks, it definitely helps. If you are worried about the lines and the waits at Disney World, having a great touring plan can make all the difference.

What does a touring plan look like?

I have put together a basic touring plan for Animal Kingdom to help you navigate the park and get the most out of your time. These are some of my favorite suggestions that have worked for me and my family. Grab fastpass+ rides based on what you and your family like. It is best to arrive at rope drop to make the most of your day!

The Fastpass+ suggestions:

• Avatar Flight of Passage**
• Na'vi River Journey**
• Expedition Everest
• Kilimanjaro Safari

These rides are both tier 1. You can only choose 1 for Fastpass.

 

Touring Plan

1st Hour (Rope Drop)

• Avatar Flight of Passage (Rope drop)
• Na'vi River Journey
• Primeval Whirl

2nd Hour

• Kilimanjaro Safari (with fastpass+)
• Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
• Festival of the Lion King

3rd Hour

• DINOSAUR (with fastpass+)
• Kali River Rapids
• Expedition Everest (with fastpass+)

 

Break for lunch

Afternoon Break/Low wait time rides

In the afternoon the parks will get busier. They often get HOT in the early afternoon. I don’t usually give specific rides after lunch time. I suggest either heading back to your hotel for a pool or nap break, or using this time to hit some of the rides that are low-wait, but air-conditioned. Some suggestions are:

• It's Tough to be a Bug
• Finding Nemo the Musical

And repeat rides you loved

Dinner

Rivers of Light

This is a plan that I like to use, but you can easily swap out rides for ones that your kids love. And if you can’t get one of the fastpass+ rides that I suggested, don’t sweat. You can always swap a fastpass+ ride with a rope drop ride.

Touring plans sound great, but can’t I just be spontaneous?

If you don’t think you can get your little ones up and out the door at rope drop, I feel you. I have suggestions forsleep in days as well. And I also suggest planning out your mornings but leaving afternoons open so you can be spontaneous. Kids never cease to change their minds at the very last minute about rides, characters, or anything else they feel like. So having room for spontaneity, or even just to repeat rides the kids love is a must!

Still confused or need help?

I am happy to help! Contact me.

See you at the parks,
-Julie

P.S.: Check out more sample touring plans here!