“We inherited this earth from our parents and are borrowing it from our children.” An important message Disney strives to convey in its environmentally conscious theme park, the Animal Kingdom. It’s quite a beauty with more than four million lush, towering plants, trees, and grasses. Although the Animal Kingdom is five times the size of the Magic Kingdom®, don’t panic; it won’t take two days to see everything. Remember, much of the land is an enclave for animals and the rest easy enough to conquer in one day.
Along with the main attractions are great hidden nooks and mysterious trails just waiting to be discovered. If you see a path leading off the main walkway, by all means, follow; it may just take you to a place of sheer enchantment. Take time to explore and discover the many marvelous natural settings throughout or risk leaving a bit disappointed when you haven’t grasped the true significance of this magnificent theme park.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park’s Main Street of sorts is the Oasis, a winding series of pathways leading to the hub, Discovery Island®, whose focal point is the Tree of Life®. Four of the Animal Kingdom’s five lands—Africa, Asia® Land, Pandora – The World of Avatar, and DinoLand U.S.A.®—are accessible by crossing one of the bridges spanning the Discovery River that encircles Discovery Island Area. Africa, Asia Land, Pandora – The World of Avatar, and DinoLand U.S.A. are interconnected by back pathways, with Africa and Rafiki’s Planet Watch® connected by train.