Because the Kilimanjaro Safari is live narrated by a Cast member and subject to animal behavior, no two rides have been identical for us. (What has never changed, however, is how tightly I hold onto Alice as we go over the crocodile pit.) As will many aspects of Animal Kingdom, a conservation message is woven into the education and entertainment of the “ride.”

The African Wildlife Trek is a trail that provides a closer look at some of the same animals from the Kilimanjaro Safari ride. Additionally, you’ll walk through aquariums, a small animals house, and an aviary. We spent an excessive amount of time in the aviary watching weavers build nests and observing ducks. At the end of the trail is an expansive gorilla exhibit.

The Festival of the Lion King is my favorite show in all of the parks. On one visit we decided at the last minute to catch the next show, and were greeted by a Cast member who escorted us to the premier seats normally reserved for guests who had purchased a special dining package. Alice was able to lead the guests in the “giraffe call” before the show.

A short train ride from Harambe Station takes you to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. It’s a great break from the crowded park, especially if your kids are collecting Wilderness Explorer stickers. Inside the building are animal exhibits and a veterinary center. The Animation Experience is a live demonstration with a Disney animator that walks you through the steps of drawing one of many characters from the Lion King. Outside are nature trails and the Affection Station petting zoo.

Harambe Market and village offer shopping, quick service dining, and (prior to COVID-restrictions) live acrobatic and musical performances. It’s also the chance to see (currently as “cavalcades” instead of meet and greets) your favorite friends from Disney films set in Africa, including Rafiki, Timon, and Tarzan. We ran into Tarzan on our first visit while Alice was sleeping, so I was the only one to participate in the experience. Since then, finding Tarzan has become a family (Jen) tradition.

It’s hard to choose a favorite Disney experience for our family, but closing out Tusker House one night ranks pretty high. We were treated to an almost private dance party with a safari-clad Mickey & friends. Tusker House was Alice’s first ever character dining experience at age 3, and it has always been one of our favorite dining locations, with a huge buffet of African cuisine-inspired (and many vegetarian) dishes.