I know when most of us hear or think of Animal Kingdom, we immediately think, "We can probably skip it this time", or, "We only need to spend a half day there". However, on my last trip to Animal Kingdom, for the first time, I saw all the magic Animal Kingdom has to discover, and now I want to share it with all of you.

When you first read the ride list for Animal Kingdom, there is a total of just eight rides. However, do not let this fool you. There is so much more this park has to offer. 

Did you know there is actually a ninth "ride" hidden in the park? Rafiki's Planet Watch boasts not only a petting zoo for the littles (more on this later), but in order to get here, you must take the Wildlife Express, which is a train ride that travels deeper into the park to get you to the attraction. The best part about this is you aren't forced to get off. You may stay aboard the train, making this a great little extra ride, fun for the whole family. Especially being that the Magic Kingdom Express is still currently down due to the TRON Lightcycle / Run construction. 

Next, let's talk trails. After all, Animal Kingdom is all about nature and the outdoors. Animal Kingdom is home to four beautiful walking adventures that take you through many different locations with gorgeous views and animals abound. Now, one of these experiences, the Wild Africa Trek, which is located in the Africa section of the park, is an additional cost of $199 per person. So we are just going to focus on the three free trails that are included in your park admission.

First, there is the Discover Island trails. This trail is located in the Discovery Island section of the park, and more specifically, within the Tree of Life itself. With amazing views of all of the architecture and woodwork of the Tree of Life, along with caves and serene waters, this walk is perfect for the low-key couple looking for a tranquil and romantic break, or a family just looking to escape the crowds. 

Our other two trails are great for kids and animal enthusiasts, alike.

The Maharajah Trek is located in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom and features lots of animals you would typically find in Asia, including Komodo dragons and none other than the majestic Siberian tiger! It also has some gorgeous water views, too.

Gorilla falls is the last trail on our list and probably the coolest of the three. This trail is located in Africa, right next to the Safari. Here, you can find, yup, you guessed it...GORILLAS! Not only that, but this trail also takes you behind the scenes of the famous Kilamanjaro Safari's and across fun terrain too, which I think is pretty awesome.

Since we are on the topic of animals, why not talk about all of the different types of animals you can find here. After all, it isn't called Animal Kingdom for nothing. Besides all of the animals you can spot along the safari ride, including elephants, giraffes and lions, there are also other special spots spread out all over the park where other animals can be found. There are lemurs, otters and many birds, just to name a few. Oh, and lets not forget about the Affection Section, which is Animal Kingdom's very own petting zoo located inside Rafiki's Planet Watch. Here you can find lots of goats, and other friendly animals to hug and play with.

Ok, so probably the biggest brag I have for Animal Kingdom is the food...