Animal Kingdom's Size: How it Compares to Other Parks
Many visitors that set foot in Animal Kingdom for the first time are often amazed at how large the theme park is.
In this guide, we will explain how big Animal Kingdom is, how it compares to the other Disney World parks, and go over every themed area that the park offers.
How Big is Animal Kingdom?
Disney's Animal Kingdom is the largest theme park in the world, covering 580 acres (230 hectares).
Animal Kingdom is noticeably larger than all of the other three Disney World parks.
To put it into perspective, 5 Magic Kingdom parks can fit inside of it and still have 45 acres to spare.
The size of each Disney World park can be found below:
- Animal Kingdom: 580 acres
- Epcot: 305 acres
- Hollywood Studios: 135 acres
- Magic Kingdom: 107 acres
The Kilimanjaro Safari by itself is larger than Magic Kingdom, covering 110 acres.
The park puts its size to good use, as it offers a unique combination of fantastic rides, fascinating animal exhibits, and immersive environments that captivate guests of all ages.
The giant size of the park allows the recreation of unique ecosystems and habitats, providing visitors with an experience they can't find anywhere else.
One of Animal Kingdom's best traits is being able to provide guests with a front-row view of everything that nature has to offer while being able to educate visitors on the importance of conservation.
All of the Themed Areas at Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom is the largest theme park in the world at 580 acres, split into 6 sections.
1. Discovery Island
Discovery Island is impossible to miss as it's located at the center of the park where visitors can find the iconic Tree of Life.
Almost 400 types of animals are carefully carved on this giant tree, showcasing the talent of the team of artisans who came together to create this central piece of the park.
One of the coolest features of this tree is that they host the fan-favorite It's Tough to Be a Bug show inside of the tree.
This massive tree is carefully designed to make visitors feel bug-sized when they are inside, allowing the atmosphere to closely resemble the A Bug's Life film.
2. Africa
In Africa, visitors can enjoy a guided tour through an African savanna where they can expect to see 34 species of animals including elephants, lions, and giraffes at the popular Kilimanjaro Safari.
A can't-miss show is definitely the Festival of the Lion King, a live musical performance inspired by the classic Disney film.
3. Asia
Asia showcases a variety of attractions, including:
- Expedition Everest
- Kali River Rapids
- Maharajah Jungle Trek
- Flights of Wonder Bird show
Expedition Everest in particular is the most popular attraction in this area.
This ride immediately puts riders on the edge of their seats as they climb through the Himalayan mountains, on their way to experiencing darkness, sudden stops, giant drops, and even riding backward.
4. Pandora - The World of Avatar
Based on James Cameron's blockbuster film, the 12-acre Pandora in the World of Avatar area is by far one of the most carefully designed areas in the world.
From the moment that visitors step foot inside, they'll be greeted with the Hallelujah Mountains located above them in the shape of floating rocks.
Visitors can float along the bioluminescent Na'vi River on the Na'vi River Journey, or take flight on the back of a banshee during the immersive Flight of Passage.
5. Dinoland USA
Dinoland USA is a classic area of the park, most famous for taking visitors on a time-traveling adventure with the DINOSAUR ride.
6. Oasis
Located at the main entrance of the park, the Oasis provides a calm and shaded pathway to the rest of the park, featuring several animal habitats including:
- Muntjacs
- Spoonbills
- Ducks
- Wallabies
- Giant anteaters.
Regardless of whether visitors choose to go left or right after entering the park, they'll find themselves in the middle of the Oasis area.
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