25 very specific things to like about Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is entering silver-anniversary territory. The theme park will mark 25 years of operation Saturday. Rather than rehashing two of the attraction’s biggest draws — its animals and its deep dive into authenticity — let’s tighten the focus.

Here are 25 very specific things and moments to enjoy about Animal Kingdom.

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  • Lions basking in the sun on the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction.
  • When the “Hakuna Matata”/tumble monkeys segment of “Festival of the Lion King” briefly breaks into “Yes, We Have No Bananas.”
  • The almost invisible, tranquil porch of Nomad Lounge.
Animal Kingdom visitors await the arrival of Kevin, a walk-around character that was featured in the Pixar film 'Up.'

Animal Kingdom visitors await the arrival of Kevin, a walk-around character that was featured in the Pixar film ‘Up.’ (Dewayne Bevil / Orlando Sentinel)

  • Very visible (and vocal) visits from Kevin, the big bird character from “Up.”

[ 2020: Joe Rohde gives virtual tour of Animal Kingdom ]

  • The dark, backward stretch aboard Expedition Everest.
  • The Tree of Life carvings as seen from the pathways.
Na'vi River Journey passengers encouter a shaman who positive energy out into the forest through her music, Disney says.

Na’vi River Journey passengers encouter a shaman who positive energy out into the forest through her music, Disney says. (Kent Phillips/Kent Phillips)

  • Locking eyes (but not arms) with the sizable shaman animatronic in Na’vi River Journey.
  • A bowl (beef, chicken, chili-garlic shrimp) of your choice (and design) at Satu’li Canteen.
  • Drumming by street artists, drumming on the waterway, drumming by guests and prerecorded drumming.
  • Not unrelated: People dancing in the streets.
Walt Disney World visitors learn a group dance, accompanied by live musicians, at Disney's Animal Kingdom this month.

Walt Disney World visitors learn a group dance, accompanied by live musicians, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom this month. (Dewayne Bevil / Orlando Sentinel)

  • The overall walkability of the place.
  • Seeing a menagerie of hippos, zebras, birds, monkeys and meerkats along Gorilla Falls Exploration Falls, capped by a sighting of Gino, a longtime gorilla resident.
  • Then eyeing a tiger or two — and side-eyeing the bats — on Maharajah Jungle Trek.
  • The odd backstage peek on the one-sided train ride to Conservation Station.
Bruce the shark takes the spotlight during 'Finding Nemo: The Big Blue ... and Beyond.'

Bruce the shark takes the spotlight during ‘Finding Nemo: The Big Blue … and Beyond.’ (Dewayne Bevil / Orlando Sentinel)

  • The big puppet energy of “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue … and Beyond.”
  • The array of distinctive merchandise for sale.
  • The writings on the walls, touting imaginary businesses and events in the African village areas.
  • The little fan on the console of Flight of Passage that adds to the airborne illusion.
A tiger rests in its habitat on the Maharajah Jungle Trek attraction at Animal Kingdom.

A tiger rests in its habitat on the Maharajah Jungle Trek attraction at Animal Kingdom. (Dewayne Bevil / Orlando Sentinel)

  • The Wild Africa Trek add-on tour, where I was once tethered above rhinos and hoped their vertical leaps were as lousy as they looked.
  • The lush landscaping, some of which isn’t found in (Earth-based) nature. Then, at night, the bioluminescence.
  • Place names that are fun to say, such as Otter Grotto, Pizzafari, Creature Comforts (a k a Starbucks), Thirsty River Bar and Restaurantosaurus.
  • The tiered outdoor eating behind Flame Tree Barbecue restaurant.
  • The tucked away patios that front Discovery River between the African and Asia lands.
'Tarzan Rocks' was an early show in the history of Disney's Animal Kingdom.

‘Tarzan Rocks’ was an early show in the history of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. (WALT DISNEY CO)

  • Memories of DAK past, such as “Tarzan Rocks!” and “Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends” shows. (Less happy flashback to open-air theater that was the original home of “Lion King” show.)
  • The potential of the area where the Primeval Whirl coaster was.

Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters or the Theme Park Rangers podcast at orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-podcast.