5 Best Animal Kingdom Rides for Kids (Elementary Age)

My family in front of Mt. Everest.

Second Dad to Right Disclaimer: This is my 9 year old’s opinion of the best rides for kids at Animal Kingdom. Her views do not necessarily reflect those of Second Dad to the Right, and she likes it that way.

Hey guys! If you’re heading to Disney World with an elementary-aged kid, then I’ve got 2 things to tell you. One, you will have a LOT of fun. Two, something that will make even MORE fun, is to know the right rides for them. While on your trip, if you're heading to Animal Kingdom, then you need to read this for the right rides for them. If you want to see my favorite rides at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, or Hollywood Studios, click on them.

Expedition Everest

We love Expedition Everest, but it’s really intense.

This ride is my favorite because it’s a very fun roller coaster. You are going on a trip to Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world. You are trying to prove that the Abominable Snowman, or the Yeti, exists. You stop upwards and find that the track has been completely destroyed! And what’s up with all the hairbands there? You realize the yeti did it, and it attacks you!

Fun Fact: I have a friend that is a cast member at Disney and she used to work at the ride, and the people that work there call the yeti Betty the Yeti. Don’t worry, Betty won’t actually attack you. But this ride goes backwards in the dark, so if your child does not like intense rides, then this is not the ride for them. Also, this ride goes up to 50 mph, so if your child doesn’t like very fast rides, this is also not the ride for them. 

Avatar Flight of Passage

You become one of these when you ride this ride. It scared me when I was 5.

This ride is really cool because you are going to become an Avatar, which is basically a copy of the Na’vi, which are the inhabitants of the planet Pandora. Like Toy Story Mania! and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, you have to have special 3-D glasses. When you get changed into your Avatar, you start to ride a banshee, which in Pandora, is a dragon-like beast that gives transportation to the Na’vi and now you. Sometimes you can even feel it breathing. When you are riding, you get to see all the amazing sights of the beautiful planet Pandora. If your child doesn’t like being uncomfortable while sitting, which can only happen when you are sitting the wrong way on your seat, then this is not the ride for them. When I was little, the line scared me, and I was scared of turning blue, haha.

Na’vi River Journey

My dad said this is a shaman or something. Photo Cred: Joel https://flic.kr/p/NGwp3x

Are you sad because you can’t ride Avatar Flight of Passage, because your kids don’t meet the height requirements of what you need to ride? Well, there is another attraction that showcases the beauty of Pandora, which is this ride! It’s a calm river ride seeing all the beautiful plants and animals. At the end you see the Na’vi chief singing a native song. If your child has a totally intense fear of the dark, then this is not the ride for them. Like that’ll happen… :).

Kali River Rapids 

You ‘bout to get wet. Photo Cred: Simon https://flic.kr/p/DCHSVJ

There is NO way that you are going to ride this ride without getting soaked. So if it is a very hot day and you are dying in the heat, without a second thought, go on this ride.  When you ride, you will be in an inner tube, except a lot larger. You will wade across the river but then, it gets kind of bumpy! You even go under a waterfall! If your child doesn’t like getting wet, or doesn’t like bumpy rides, then this is not the ride for them. P.S, the lines are usually short.

Triceratops Spin

I look dreadful, and my grandmother looks cool on Triceratops Spin.

This ride is a lot like Dumbo The Flying Elephant and Aladdin’s Flying Carpets. It’s good for your children, toddlers, and babies alike! My little brother Asher hasn’t been on it before, but he has been on Dumbo the Flying Elephant. If you want to learn more about it, read my Magic Kingdom post (His reaction was positive, don’t worry.) The line is usually short. 

Conclusion

I hope that this post has been useful to you, and please look at my other posts. You can find the links back at the beginning. Have fun at Animal Kingdom! My dad said I have to say that I didn’t add the safari because I don’t remember it.