Top Ten Hidden Treasures at Disney's Animal Kingdom

This is just a small sampling of the non-attraction attractions available. I've heard about a talking palm tree, talking bushes, and I won a stuffed dinosaur at the carnival in Dinoland. There's so much more to discover at Disney's Animal Kingdom- you just have to go out there and find it!

10- The Flame Tree BBQ Bridge
There are several ways into and out of the Flame Tree BBQ area. One is off of the main walkway just outside of Dinoland. Another crosses a small bridge along a path between the eating areas. This little bridge has an incredible view of Discovery River and Expedition Everest in the distance. It's also a relatively quiet spot just off the Discovery Island walkway.

9- Signs, Signs, Everywhere Are Signs
What you may notice the most about the Animal Kingdom theming is the great use of accurate buildings and natural looking walk ways. What you may not notice are all of the signs. On the outside of buildings, on the inside of buildings. Signs everywhere. Some are excellent reproductions, some are funny. But most are interesting to read, if given the opportunity. Some of my favorites can be found near the bathrooms at the Tusker House restaurant, though it's being renovated so there's no guarantee of what will be there when the renovations are finished.

8- Bats!
This is part of another attraction, but how often can you be practically in the same room as a large group of bats? The bat room in the Maharajah Jungle Trek has bars set approximately 12" apart. The only thing separating you and the bats are those bars. However, since there's no ledge near the bars, and the bats' wingspans are much larger than the gap, the bats can not get through the barrier, even if they were so inclined. Usually they're sound asleep.

7- The Oasis
That lush green area just ahead as you enter the park contains far more than simple greenery and shade. Look up, down, sideways, and any which way you can. Exotic animals and birds are everywhere. It just takes patience, and a good eye for detail to find them.

6- Character Greeting Trails
Getting discouraged by the crowds surrounding the characters at Disney's other parks? Give the character meet 'n greets another try at the Animal Kingdom. Here, they're less widely advertised and a bit off the beaten path. Several times, we've had cast members approach us to ask if we'd like our pictures taken with Pooh. And I've frequently seen Rafiki and Pocahontas available at Rafiki's Planet Watch with little to no wait.

5- Just Listen
Several buildings in the Animal Kingdom have sounds played on a loop coming out of the windows. They tend to be the kind of things you don't notice in a crowd, but if you sit quietly for long enough, you may hear someone washing dishes... and break them.

4- Music
Whether you're simply enjoying the background music around the Flame Tree BBQ, or watching Smear, Splat, and Dip singing about Dinosaur bones, the Animal Kingdom has some of the best musical entertainment available. They even have two amazing musicals, Festival of the Lion King, and Finding Nemo the Musical.

3- Pipa
At Rafiki's Planet Watch, there are a number of interesting things to see. One of them is Pipa, the talking recycling bin. Pipa is cousin to Push- the talking trash can at the Magic Kingdom, and boy, do they ever have outgoing personalities!

2- DeVine
If you think a large vine is looking at you, you're probably not going crazy. It might be DeVine, an incredible performance artist on stilts. If anything can be described as "poetry in motion", it would be DeVine during one of her performances. When still, it's difficult to find a sign of life among the leaves. When moving, it's impossible to take your eyes away from her. Every movement is slow, organic. You may find yourself forgetting that there's a person hidden among all those leaves.

And my absolute favorite thing to do while at Disney's Animal Kingdom?

1- The Train To Rafiki's Planet Watch
The train is well themed, with stamped luggage and furniture strapped to the roof. You sit facing out one side of the train, watching the scenery as you pass. Just before you arrive at the Planet Watch, the train takes you past the animal houses where professionals take care of and train the animals. There's narration on points of interest, trivia, and occasionally, jokes. It's a great way to relax, and to spend some time while you're waiting for your Safari Fastpass time to come up.