If you are wondering whether Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane is worth it, my answer is…it depends on your day.

If you want a full day in Animal Kingdom and want to do everything, then yes, I think Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane is worth it. This park is more than rides. It is the shows, the animals, the trails, and taking a slower, more relaxed pace.

Using Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane means you spend less time standing in line and more time watching Festival of the Lion King, riding the Wildlife Express Train, exploring Gorilla Falls, or simply slowing down and enjoying the atmosphere.

And honestly? Animal Kingdom always feels like the hottest park to me. There is something about all that beautiful, lush landscaping that makes it feel extra warm, especially in spring and summer. Standing in a long line here can feel rough. Skipping those lines is golden.

On the other hand, if I am only hopping into Animal Kingdom for part of the day, I usually skip Multi Pass here and save it for the next park. But I still buy the Single Pass for Avatar Flight of Passage because that ride is absolutely worth it.

What are Lightning Lanes?

Lightning Lane is Disney’s paid skip-the-line system. At Animal Kingdom, you have:

• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Choose up to 3 attractions in advance, then book more after you use one. This also allows you to book Lightning Lane multipass rides and attractions across all four parks. However, you must have park hopper passes to take advantage of this.
• Lightning Lane Single Pass: This is for the most popular/in demand ride in the park. In Animal Kingdom, the Lightning Lane Single Pass is Avatar Flight of Passage.
• Lightning Lane Premier Pass: Lets you use every available Lightning Lane (both single pass and multipass rides) in Animal Kingdom, one time, without picking return windows. For a premium price, you can worry less about strategy and go at your own pace.

Unlike some of the other parks, Animal Kingdom does not have tiers for Multi-Pass rides. That means you can choose any three attractions you want.

Honestly, this makes Animal Kingdom one of the easiest parks to plan lightning lanes. Bonus: Animal Kingdom is the cheapest park to purchase Lightning Lanes for.

My Top Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane Picks

Because there are no tiers, my top three Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane picks are:

• Na’vi River Journey
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Expedition Everest

Those are the rides I would choose every single time.

Na’vi River Journey often ends up with a surprisingly long line for a shorter ride. My family enjoys this ride, but does not feel the wait time is worth it.

Kilimanjaro Safaris is absolutely worth using a Lightning Lane on, but the timing matters.

When you book Kilimanjaro Safaris, try to get a time earlier in the morning or later in the evening.

The animals are usually more active when it is cooler. In the hotter months, a midday safari can mean animals hiding in the shade.

An earlier or later safari is usually a much better experience. Another tip: If it starts to rain, hop in line or use that Lightning Lane for the safari. When it’s raining, the animals tend to be more active. They love the rain.

Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane for Summer

In warmer months, Kali River Rapids has much longer waits by the middle of the day. (In February, the ride will hover around a 5-10 minute wait, because it’s cold out and no one wants to get soaked).

If your family is okay getting soaked, this is the ride I would book next after using one of my original three Lightning Lanes. I love booking it around 11 or 12 before we take a mid-day break. Or we will snag it during the hottest part of the day, enjoying some sunshine to dry off afterwards.

There is something magical about riding Kali River Rapids when it is 90 degrees outside. You may not dry off quickly…but at least you will be cooler.

Should You Use Lightning Lane for Shows?

Some of the shows are included in Lightning Lane in Animal Kingdom.

You may not need to use them, but if you have an extra Lightning Lane available, I think they are worth considering.

Using Lightning Lane for a show like Festival of the Lion King means you get a reserved section and do not need to arrive as early to get a good seat. Know that there is a shorter return window than the normal hour. This is because the show starts at a specific time. So you need to be there on time.

That can be especially helpful if you are trying to fit more into your day or if you have a big family and do not want to worry about finding seats together. Plus if the park is packed, a lightning lane ensures you get to see that show.

Is the Single Pass for Flight of Passage Worth It?

Yes. Absolutely yes.

If there is one thing I would spend extra money on in Animal Kingdom, it is the Single Pass for Avatar Flight of Passage.

Flight of Passage often has a wait of 1 to 2 hours, sometimes more.

And while I know some people love a good Disney queue, this is not one of my favorites. Most of the line is just long, winding hallways. Once you have seen it once, there is not much else to see.

Using the Single Pass lets you save that time for:

• Watching shows
• Seeing the animals
• Taking a break with a snack or drink
• Enjoying a more relaxed day

For me, if I am park hopping, I skip Animal Kingdom Multi Pass and just buy the Single Pass for Flight of Passage. If I am spending the whole day here, I buy both.

My Favorite Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane Strategy

If I am spending the full day in Animal Kingdom, this is exactly what I would do:

• Buy Multi Pass
• Buy Single Pass for Flight of Passage
• Book Na’vi River Journey, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Expedition Everest
• Choose an early morning time for the Safari
• Book Kali River Rapids next in the warmer months
• Use extra Lightning Lanes for shows if available

That gives you more time to do what makes Animal Kingdom special: slow down, see the animals, watch the shows, and enjoy the park without spending half the day standing in the heat.

Looking for tips for using Lightning Lanes in Magic Kingdom? I’ve got you. Or if you’d like a full Lightning Lane Guide for Walt Disney World, I’ve got you too.

You can even find my planning sheets to help you prepare to book those Lightning Lanes.

Find a library of videos from tips, tricks, and vlogs of our trips to help you have the best time in Disney World on our YouTube Channel.