The Hidden Treasures of Animal Kingdom

I’ve always had a soft spot for the great outdoors, nature, and exploration. That might be why stepping into Animal Kingdom feels like home for me. From the moment you walk through the gates, the entire park seems to radiate and pulse with life.

There are plenty of marquee attractions in the park like Expedition Everest and Flight of Passage (as of now possibly the greatest attraction I’ve ever experienced), but there are also quiet, hidden moments of breathtaking beauty. They are easy to miss if you head to quickly to the blockbuster features.

When you first enter Animal Kingdom, you’ll find yourself at The Oasis. It’s a gorgeous network of trails filled with verdant plant life, waterfalls, and streams. It’s the type of area you want to get lost in. There are a variety of animals in there, including flamingos, spoonbills, anteaters, and more. It’s never crowded, as most Guests seem to simply skip right past it on their way into the park.

After The Oasis, you enter Discovery Island, which features two more of my favorite areas in the park: the Discovery Island Trails and the Tree of Life Garden. Like the Oasis, the Discovery Island Trails stay fairly empty, meaning that you won’t get jostled or bumped as you stroll along looking at the otters, giant Galapagos tortoises, kangaroos, and tamarinds, and other animals.

The Tree of Life Garden is another can’t miss experience. The tree itself is, to my mind, a modern wonder of the world. The 145 foot tall baobab tree is covered with sculpted images of animals. I’ve visited the tree countless times, and I’m constantly finding animals I’d never seen before. This trail lets you get close to a number of the sculpted images, taking you around the base of the tree. See if you can spot the seahorse, snake, octopus, shark, and owl. They’re a few of my favorites.

I’d love to know about your favorites. Is there one specific Tree of Life sculpture that stands out for you? What animal do you always look for as you wander around the base of the tree?