5 Best Rides at Animal Kingdom for Genie+ in 2023

Are you trying to figure out which rides are the best at Animal Kingdom for Genie Plus?

Don’t worry, I’m here to help!

Though Animal Kingdom does not have as many overall experiences as the other Disney World Parks, everything past the entrance gate is extraordinary!

You can get lost in the beautiful nature of the park, and every attraction you experience should be amazing.

Though it isn’t absolutely required to see and do everything in a day at Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Genie+ reservation system is still a good idea to purchase.

Even if you have all day to cover the park, saving time for relaxation during your vacation is always a good plan.

Or, if you’re still feeling energized, you could use extra time after your day at Animal Kingdom to check out the Disney Resorts or Disney Springs!

Animal Kingdom Tree of Life. Keep reading to get the best rides at Animal Kingdom for Genie Plus and Lightning Lane.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO.  Which means if you click on certain links, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Why is the Disney Genie+ Service Important for Your Trip?

The Disney Genie Plus System at Animal Kingdom a replacement of the classic FastPass system that allows you to skip the lines to save time on waiting!

Harambe Village Nala and Simba Gate Animal Kingdom. Keep reading to get the best rides at Animal Kingdom for Genie Plus and Lightning Lane.

To get the skip-the-line passes, you simply download the My Disney Experience App, purchase the Genie+ for your whole family on the day you visit, and you are all set to go!

The price of Genie+ is about $25-$30 per person per day but can vary depending on the time of year you visit the parks.

Welcome to the Disney Genie App. Keep reading to get the best rides at Animal Kingdom for Genie Plus and Lightning Lane.

You can select any eligible attraction on the app, pick a time to show up, and you’ll enter the Lightning Lane to speed past those waiting in standby!

Animal Kingdom Expedition Everest. Keep reading to get the best rides at Animal Kingdom for Genie Plus and Lightning Lane.

Now that you know the basics about the system, here are the best plans for your Genie+ selections at Animal Kingdom.

Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!

1. Kilimanjaro Safaris

A ride on Kilimanjaro Safaris is the closest you can get to a real African safari without leaving the country.

Animal Kingdom African Kilimanjaro Safari with Momma and baby giraffe. Keep reading to get the best rides at Animal Kingdom for Genie Plus and Lightning Lane.
Animal Kingdom African Safari

The ride spans over 110 acres of land and features all of your favorite animals, from lions and cheetahs to zebras, giraffes, and elephants.

Why This is One of the Best Rides at Animal Kingdom for Genie+

Due to its general family-friendliness and re-rideability, it’s an absolute must for a Genie+ reservation.

Animal Kingdom African Kilimanjaro Safari with rhinoceros and zebra eating hay. Keep reading to get the best rides at Animal Kingdom for Genie Plus and Lightning Lane.

If the wait time is short enough, you can even try riding it more than once in a day!

You have a high chance of seeing different animals each time.

2. Navi River Journey

Navi River Journey is located next to the park’s most popular (and arguably Disney World’s best) attraction Flight of Passage in Pandora: The World of Avatar.

Animal Kingdom World of Avatar Floating Trees in Pandora. Keep reading to get the best rides at Animal Kingdom for Genie Plus and Lightning Lane.
Animal Kingdom World of Avatar Floating Trees in Pandora

The slow-moving boat ride takes you on a scenic journey through the Pandora forest, full of life and bioluminescence.

Shaman on Avatar Ride at Disney Animal Kingdom in Pandora. Keep reading to get the best rides at Animal Kingdom for Genie Plus and Lightning Lane.

It also features one of Disney’s most advanced animatronics: the Navi Shaman!

Why This is One of the Best Rides at Animal Kingdom for Genie+

Given its close proximity to Flight of Passage, the ride almost always has extremely long lines.

If you had to pick one ride to grab a Genie+ reservation to save time, this ride is probably it!

Check out my latest theme park adventures on Instagram TODAY!

3. Expedition Everest

As one of Disney’s best roller coasters, Expedition Everest has a high amount of thrill without getting too intense for kids.

Animal Kingdom Expedition Everest. Keep reading to get the best rides at Animal Kingdom for Genie Plus and Lightning Lane.
Animal Kingdom Expedition Everest

If you are worried about if it’s too much for someone in your family, just check out the big drop visible from the outside of the ride!

Why This is One of the Best Rides at Animal Kingdom for Genie+

Since it’s such a great coaster, it usually has relatively long lines. A Genie+ reservation is sure to save you lots of time waiting!

4. Dinosaur

This bumpy adventure back in time to save a dinosaur from extinction is awesome!

DINOSAUR Entrance with Dinosaur in the garden at Animal Kingdom. Keep reading to get the best rides at Animal Kingdom for Genie Plus and Lightning Lane.
DINOSAUR at Animal Kingdom

It’s dark, scary, and intense in all of the best ways!

The unique ride system and complex dinosaur animatronics make it feel completely immersive, and it’s one of Disney’s only genuinely scary rides.

Animal Kingdom Dinosaur Ride with Tyrannosaurus Rex Skeleton. Keep reading to get the best rides at Animal Kingdom for Genie Plus and Lightning Lane.

Parents, be sure to prime your kids and have them sit in the middle seats to feel more protected!

Why This is One of the Best Rides at Animal Kingdom for Genie+

Wait times for the ride tend to be manageable, but grabbing a Genie+ reservation for it will always save you time.

Ready to make your trip out to Walt Disney World Resort, then get your no obligation, FREE Quote by filling out the form with The Park Prodigy by Clicking HERE!

5. Kali River Rapids

If you are visiting Florida when it’s hot (and it is hot all year), it is a perfect time to experience the runaway raft ride of Kali River Rapids.

Kali River Rapids Water Ride Animal Kingdom. Keep reading to get the best rides at Animal Kingdom for Genie Plus and Lightning Lane.
Kali River Rapids Water Ride Animal Kingdom

Note that you have about a 1/3 chance of getting soaked (so at least one person in your family is more likely than not getting very wet).

So, it may be a good idea to save this for later or bring a change of clothes. Socks especially!

Why This is One of the Best Rides at Animal Kingdom for Genie+

The wait time for Kali River Rapids can vary drastically throughout the day, but it’s sure to be longest in the late afternoon when everyone is getting tired and hot.

Read Next: How to Find the BEST Vacation Home Rentals Near Disney World

5 Easy Tips and Tricks to Get the Most out of Your Genie+ Reservations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Since Animal Kingdom doesn’t have tons of attractions, it’s important to secure Genie+ reservations for all of the rides listed above.

Animal Kingdom Safari with Elephants next to tree. Keep reading to get the best rides at Animal Kingdom for Genie Plus and Lightning Lane.

If you time out your day right, you can easily cover everything in the park in only a few hours!

Here are a few extra tips to make your visit to Animal Kingdom better:

  1. Reserve your first Genie+ selection at 7 a.m., ideally getting Navi River Journey first thing in the morning. Ride Flight of Passage first, then use the Genie+ reservation after!
  2. Making your second Genie+ pick for Kilimanjaro Safaris makes navigating the park easy. Depending on the timing, you can see the Festival of the Lion King show or walk the Gorilla Falls trail before or after the reservation.
  3. Speaking of the trails and shows, be sure to see and do everything in Animal Kingdom! They are all worth seeing and exploring, and can help break up your day a bit to better time out your Genie+ selections.
  4. Genie+ reservations will always work 5 minutes before OR 15 minutes after the window of time you select.
  5. If you come up to a ride and has a low wait time, it’s never a bad idea to use the standby line, then immediately ride again with your Genie+ reservation!

Recommended: 5 Best Disney World Deluxe Resorts to Stay at Right Now

My Final Thoughts on the Best Rides at Hollywood Studios for Genie+

I hope these tips and tricks are helpful for your next trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. 

Expedition Everest Queue Line at Animal Kingdom with Yeti Sanctuary. Keep reading to get the best rides at Animal Kingdom for Genie Plus and Lightning Lane.
Expedition Everest

Please note that Avatar: Flight of Passage was not included in this list as it is only available for Lightning Lane.

This is important because Lightning Lane attractions ARE NOT included with Disney Genie+.

You can learn more about the difference between Genie+ and Lightning Lane here!

Travel Guide to the 5 Best Rides at Animal Kingdom
Save this image for later on Pinterest using the share button!

Let us know which Hollywood Studios ride is your favorite in the comments section below!

Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!

Share this article!

Leave a Comment