Animal Kingdom Early Entry Strategy 2026: Only 4 Rides Included

Animal Kingdom is a park where everything is feeling a little bit light in 2026, and Early Entry is no exception. With the fewest rides open, and only one ride everyone tends to swarm to, UK visitors have two Early Entry strategy options: head to Avatar Flight of Passage, or do the other open rides. We’ll discuss a third option further down too, but that’s less a strategy and more about experiencing the Disney World vibe we all miss so much when we get home to the UK.

Animal Kingdom Early Entry: Magic In A Minute

Here is a quick response to the most often asked question about Early Entry in Magic Kingdom, so if you don’t want to read on for the best strategies to use your time, you still know the basics:

To find out more about Early Entry in all the Disney World parks and why it’s a valuable perk for UK visitors to have take a look at:

• Early Entry Guide: How This Free Perk Can Help You Beat the Queues

Animal Kingdom Early Entry Rides 2026

There are only 4 rides open for Early Entry in Animal Kingdom currently in 2026:

• Avatar Flight of Passage

• Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

• Na'vi River Journey

• Zootopia: Better Zoogether

This list is subject to change opens in a new taband Disney don’t guarantee a ride is open during Early Entry.

What is the best way to do Early Entry at Animal Kingdom?

The most popular way to do Early entry in Animal Kingdom, and the one that can save you the cost of buying a Lightning Lane Single Pass is the option of using Early Entry to ride Avatar Flight of Passage. If you’re looking to get on more rides and have a quieter experience, then the best Early Entry strategy is to head to the other three rides. Yes, you’ll also get all three done in 30 minutes most days. Here are the two strategies:

Best Money-Saving Animal Kingdom Early Entry Strategy

Try to get in the queue a bit before Early Entry begins, as 80% of the queue will flock in the same direction. Here’s the route you’ll take:

Here is the exact time schedule of this Early Entry strategy, checked in May:

• Head to Avatar: Flight of Passage first (8.34am : advertised 35 minute wait, queued and ride complete in 30 minutes)

• It is possible to complete this ride within the Early Entry window, but you need to be at Animal Kingdom before Early Entry begins to stand a chance of that, in my experience.

• Heading to Na'vi River Journey next is often the best option, especially if Early Entry is still on, or rope drop is just starting.

There are, however, some down sides to this Early Entry strategy:

• There are other free options to get a lower wait time

• The wait time shoots up fast, expect 40 minutes within the first 10 minutes. Although I’ve often found the wait times less than advertised at this time of day, it’s not always the case.

• It feels busy, expect power walkers and

• It’s a long walk to the ride, so be mindful using this strategy it if you want Lightning Lane Single Pass for a health reason.

If you intend to use Early Entry as a money saving way of skipping the need for Lightning Lane Single Pass, why not find out exactly how much you save using Early Entry and what other guest perks can save you money on your holiday:

• Disney World Resort Benefits: Is Staying On-Site Worth It for UK Visitors?

Best Animal Kingdom Early Entry Strategy For A Quieter Morning

One of my favourite things to do in Animal Kingdom with Early Entry is to skip Avatar Flight of Passage and head to the other three open rides. There is a slower pace, less jostle one you get by the Tree of Life and can break off in a different direction to the crowds, and it is one of the best ways to jump on a ride more than once.

This is the order I tend to do Early Entry rides in:

• First head to Expedition Everest and ride it twice back to back (always check the app to make sure it is open first)

• Head over to Navi River Journey next, it’s quite a walk.

• Then if you want to do Zootopia: Better Together, head here last. It is quiet during the first hour of park opening too, so don’t feel the need to rush to it.

You can do the rides in any order, but if Kilimanjaro Safari is high on your list, consider wandering from Na’vi River Journey back towards Africa so you can hop on when the ride opens.

Animal Kingdom Early Entry: Pictures and Vibes

Animal Kingdom is a park, a bit like EPCOT, that you can just wander around and enjoy. When it’s quiet there is something special about the place. Using Early Entry casually, to simply show up, get your Tree of Life pictures, look in some animal enclosures without a crowd while it’s cooler, is a third way to enjoy Early Entry. This option means you can just use 25 minutes of the benefit if you want, and is less pressured way to enjoy your Disney guest benefit perk.

If you choose this option, get your pictures in, and enjoy taking in the park. It’s a more relaxed way to enjoy an early morning start, and if you’re looking for that relaxed stroll this is the best park for that in a morning if you steer away from Pandora.

What Time To Arrive For Early Entry at Animal Kingdom?

Arrive before Early Entry is scheduled to begin if your priority is using this time to ride Avatar Flight of Passage; if this ride is not your priority consider arriving 5 minutes after Early Entry begins. Early Entry in Animal Kingdom in 2026 can be the least pressured option, especially if Avatar Flight of Passage is not your priority.

Animal Kingdom Early Entry and 14-Day UK Magic Tickets: When To Go?

Animal Kingdom is usually the earliest opening Disney Park, which means Early Entry starts earlier than in the other Disney parks. When you add in the long walk to over 50% of the current open rides, you need to be feeling fresh to do Early Entry in Animal Kingdom. For that reason, if you are using Early Entry to make the most of lower wait times for the Avatar attractions, head here on day 2 of your trip because:

• You’ll still naturally be waking earlier as your body will be adjusting to the 5 hour time difference

• Early Entry in Animal Kingdom can often feel like a one and done experience for many UK visitors, as it helps you tick off priority bucket list rides for free

• You’ll still have a chance to book a Lightning Lane Single Pass, with better availability towards the end of a two week trip, if you feel you need it.

Is Early Entry Worth It at Animal Kingdom?

Yes, Early Entry is worth it at Animal Kingdom because it can save you money, and you get to experience the park when its quieter. The animals are more active, especially when visiting in the Spring and Summer months. Once you escape the Pandora rush, you can get some great pictures and a sense of escapism inside the park which feels exclusive.

Overall, Early Entry in Animal Kingdom in 2026 is worth it, but not a must do. Of Disney’s 4 parks, this is the last one to consider Early Entry for, unless you are using it to skip the cost of Lightning Lane Single Pass.

Frequently Asked Questions