Our Animal Kingdom Day Plan (Early Mornings & Easy Afternoons)

One thing I’ve learned about Disney planning: the more structure I have, the more relaxed I actually feel once we’re there. I love how my auto filters on Notion pull in the priorities I’ve already marked for Animal Kingdom — it keeps things simple and helps me focus on what matters most for our family day.

Our plan for this park is a little different: we’re hoping to rope drop, do our must-dos early, and head out after lunch to enjoy some downtime. That means an extra early breakfast at the hotel (thank goodness for protein bars and cereal cups) before catching the bus to Animal Kingdom.

Morning Plans

We’ll start the morning strong by rope dropping Na’vi River Journey — it’s calm, beautiful, and such a great first ride to ease into the day. Then we’ll buy an Individual Lightning Lane for Flight of Passage, because that one is always worth it.

After Pandora, we’ll head over to Kilimanjaro Safaris and then Expedition Everest before the day starts to heat up. These are the main priorities I’ve flagged on my Notion page, and honestly, I feel good about getting all of them done before lunch.

Lunch & Wrap-Up

We’ll wrap up our park time with some shopping (because I can’t leave Animal Kingdom without a few souvenirs) and grab a quick service meal before heading out. The goal is to leave by early afternoon so we still have time for rest and relaxation back at the resort.

Afternoon & Evening Plans

After the park, we’ll either spend time at the pool or try out the mini golf course near our hotel — something easy and fun before nap time for our toddler.

That evening, we’re planning a date night for just us while my parents hang back with our toddler. We’re still deciding between staying nearby for dinner or heading to Disney Springs for a little date night vibe. Either way, we’ll let the grandparents enjoy their own special evening — maybe a little movie night or bedtime snuggles. That’s the best part about traveling with family: everyone gets to make their own magical memories.

Final Thoughts

Animal Kingdom days always feel a little more laid-back, which makes it the perfect park for an early start and an early exit. With our plan, we’ll get the best of both worlds — a magical morning in the park and a relaxing evening to recharge.

✨ Click [this link] to watch my full Animal Kingdom planning process on Notion!