United States Florida Best of Disney's Animal Kingdom for Tweens and Teens By Suzanne Rowan Kelleher Suzanne Rowan Kelleher Instagram LinkedIn Suzanne Rowan Kelleher is a nationally recognized family travel expert and an award-winning travel writer and editor. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 06/26/19 Thomas_Jung/Flickr/CC BY-ND 2.0 It's not every day your kid gets to travel to Africa, Asia, and James Cameron's fictional planet of Pandora. Put these favorite experiences for tweens and teens at the top of your to-do list when visiting Disney's Animal Kingdom. 01 of 07 Ride a Mountain Banshee Suzanne Rowan Kelleher The crowning glory of Pandora is Avatar Flight of Passage, an amazing and incredibly immersive ride that delivers, for many riders, a transformative and emotional experience. Put this attraction at the top of your must-do list by reserving a ride time with FastPass+ so you can experience this ride with a shorter wait time. Avatar Flight of Passage puts you in a saddle atop a mountain banshee as you fly on the back of the dragon-like winged creature, soaring above Mo'ara's floating mountains, swooping through treetop canopies, skipping over sparkling water, and plunging into bioluminescent caves. Thanks to the genius of Disney Imagineers, this 3-D simulator thrill ride very convincingly makes you feel like you are really flying, as your senses awaken to the sights, sounds, and smells of the Pandora. Trust us: This is Disney World's very best ride and one you'll want to experience more than once. 02 of 07 Climb Mount Everest Walt Disney Parks Without a doubt, Expedition Everest is another must-do attraction for teens at Disney's Animal Kingdom. With its fantastic Himalayan theming and yeti backstory, combined with a roller coaster that goes both inside, outside, forward, and backward, this is easily one of the best thrill rides in Orlando. 03 of 07 Get Soaked on a River-Rafting Expedition Walt Disney Parks When the Orlando heat starts wearing on you, hop aboard Kail River Rapids for a whitewater raft adventure that twists, turns and splashes down a river in the middle of a rainforest. Plan on getting wet—anywhere from splashed to soaked. 04 of 07 Dine at an All-You-Can-Eat Afro-American Buffet Walt Disney Parks Got a big teen appetite? Book a table at the open-air-market-styled Tusker House Restaurant for an all-you-can-eat lunch or dinner buffet of African and American dishes, including spit-roasted meats, couscous, and tasty chutneys. (Note: the dinner buffet is less expensive because lunch is also a character dining experience.) Continue to 5 of 7 below. 05 of 07 Go on Safari Walt Disney Parks Ever been on an African safari? Now's your chance. With Kilimanjaro Safaris, you'll ride off in an open-air vehicle for a tour of a lush African savanna and spot exotic animals such as lions, hippos, giraffes, zebras, and elephants. 06 of 07 Let the Hakuna Matata Wash Over You Walt Disney Parks Don't miss an opportunity to see one of Disney's very best live shows for free. Catch the Festival of the Lion King, a big-as-Broadway musical show celebrating Simba and the Pride Lands. The show features amazing musical performances, spectacular costumes and pageantry, and a cast of performers including singers, acrobats, stilt walkers, and more. 07 of 07 Enjoy BBQ With a View Walt Disney Parks One of the best counter-service eateries in Disney World, Flame Tree Barbecue dishes up tasty BBQ and offers open-air seating with great views of Discovery River and Expedition Everest in the background. Favorite menu items include the St. Louis ribs, barbecued chicken, and pulled pork sandwiches. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Share Pin Email