Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom
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The 10 Best Animal Kingdom Photo Spots to Get in Touch with Your Wild Side

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a lush, gorgeous park and the largest of all the Walt Disney World Resort properties! It’s also one of the best photo spots to hunt down that perfect, nature-themed photo for your Instagram feed. Join us on our trek to find those best-kept photo spot secrets in the park! 

Animal Kingdom's Tree of Life

10 – Maharajah Jungle Trek 

Honestly, this self-guided tour of some truly spectacular animal enclosures is one of the most underrated parts of Animal Kingdom park, especially if you want some unusual scenery for a photo. It’s a leisurely walk through some “ruins” that allow you to catch a glimpse of tigers, lemurs, giant bats, and even a  Komodo dragon. 

Specifically, the tiger enclosure is particularly well-designed with this motif, letting you stand around amid the ruins while the animals are safely behind glass. If you visit at the right time of day (the earlier, the better), you may even end up with one of the big cats in the background! These trails are rarely crowded, meaning that you’ll have your pick of places for a fun photo. 

9 – The Moss Wall 

The World of Pandora, Animal Kingdom’s newest land, has some amazing photo spots. One of our favorites – and most Instagrammable – is the Moss Wall. It’s one of the most popular spots in all of  Animal Kingdom due largely to fans’ love of the walls of Disney (Don’t worry, we’ll get into that). 

You can find it opposite the Satu’li Canteen and next to Pongu Pongu, where you can get that iconic (and non-alcoholic) Night Blossom beverage to snap a photo with while you’re there. The verdant green backdrop has bright blue and purple lichen pops hinting at the alien beauty of this spectacular,  colorful land. Don’t forget to use the right hashtag – #PandoraMossWall.

8 – Anandapur Ice Cream Truck 

This quick service location in Asia is exactly what it sounds like – a great place to get a cold treat on the hottest summer days. It’s also covered in bright, cheerful murals of animals and landscapes that make it a great landmark in the area. 

We recommend hopping around to the back or the front of the truck on busy days to grab a photo. This colorful backdrop is so unique and immediately recognizable for Disney fans!  

7 – The Broken Claws 

After you’ve had a chance to meet the Yeti on Expedition Everest, wander over to the Yak and Yeti Restaurant in Asia, where you’ll find this massive crumbling statue. It’s such a neat feature in this part of the park and makes a fantastic background. The brightly colored prayer flags strung around this area really add to the ambiance. It has the added advantage of not looking too “Disney” if you’re looking for a good spot to show off your Disney bound or newest pair of ears. 

6 – Dinoland USA Midway 

While this area of the park is themed for younger audiences, Dinoland U.S.A. is a quirky mini-land filled with dinosaur-themed attractions, including Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama. This prehistoric midway has many rides, games, and brightly colored carnival theming that makes for a fun dino-centric backdrop. The whole land looks like a classic Americana roadside attraction, making it perfect for some cheesy, over-the-top photos in front of the games or some of the more ridiculous billboards that litter the land. 

5 – Fichwa! Fellow Wall 

One of Disney’s Imagineering team’s best things is their attention to detail in areas of the park where it would be easy to keep it simple. It is also hard to choose just one of Africa’s Harambe Market walls of Disney because they are all so unique, so we’ve added a few to this list. 

The first is the Fichwa! Fellow Wall that depicts a waving Mickey Mouse done in the style of local graffiti.  Since Fichwa means “hidden” in Swahili, it’s an adorable, subtle nod to the Parks’ tradition of hidden  Mickeys. Surprisingly, this Mickey is anything but hidden. It’s easy to find near the fruit carts in the  Harambe Market. Ironic? Just a little. 

4 – Expedition Everest 

This opening day attraction is one of Animal Kingdom’s most famous. This replica of Mt. Everest is home to one of the most fun roller coasters on the property. So once you’re done being chased by the yeti, you might find yourself looking for a great photo spot of this iconic feature. 

If you’re entering Asia from Dinoland, you’ll find yourself on a bridge with a great view of Everest directly to your right. It’s a fantastic way to get a good shot of both the mountain and the Discovery River. It’s typically not very crowded, either, which means you’ll have some time to find the perfect angle for the occasion.

Animal Kingdom's Everest Attraction

3 – You Are Most Beautiful Wall 

As we said, there are a lot of famous Disney walls in Africa! This one can also be found in the Harambe Market and is one of our list’s most popular Instagram spots. The wall itself is the perfect blank backdrop to showcase a cute pose or a great outfit, and the message is something we can all appreciate. 

You can find this writing on this wall tucked out of the way near a Cast Member area, so you may need to keep your eyes peeled to spot it! 

2 – The Floating Mountains of Pandora 

If we’re honest, all of Pandora is one giant photo opportunity. The landscape and architecture are so unique, and the theming is some of the most immersive in any Disney park. And really, what can beat an entire land that comes to life with dreamlike bioluminescence lighting? Nothing. It’s just not possible. 

But let’s be frank. The floating mountains are the real MVP of this park. Even photos don’t do them justice. There are several spots to take selfies at, including some directly beneath the mountains while you stand in the queue for Flight of Passage. However, if you move slightly to the right of the main Photo Pass area at the entrance to the land, you’ll find a fork in the path at a large rock. You can get a fantastic (and much less crowded) photo at that spot with the mountains in the background while still getting a host of colorful flora in the photo as well! 

Bonus – Pandora at Night 

We can’t say this enough, but do NOT miss the opportunity to return to Pandora during the evening to witness the land’s transformation after dark. You’ll find all new photo opportunities when you do (including the gorgeous black-light foliage).

1 – The Tree of Life 

A landmark you can spot from just about everywhere in the park, the Tree of Life is the heart of Animal Kingdom. This 145-foot-tall tree sculpture has over 300 animals carved into the roots and along the trunk. You literally can’t miss it. 

While there are many popular Photo Pass spots for pictures, you can get some great selfies at lesser-known locations as well. One of the better (and less crowded) views of the Tree is on the backside – along the Discovery Island Trails – and found near the It’s Tough to Be a Bug exit. From the right angle,  you get a great vertical shot that showcases the Tree of Life’s massive size behind you. The Discovery Island Trails also have some great background foliage, like smaller animal habitats and even a waterfall! There are plenty of opportunities to find the setting for your perfect pic. 

Surprised there aren’t too many animals on our list? Sorry, the closest you’ll get to an animal encounter at this park is a Character Meet and Greet with one of the Jungle Book crew (or maybe Dug, Russell, and  Kevin from Up!). However, the Animal Kingdom park is filled with plenty of continental flair and some truly gorgeous foliage that have us finding new, exciting discoveries every visit.

What are your favorite photo spots from your last expedition into the wild at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments below.

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Featured photo: Unsplash

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MouseEars TV Creative Team

Meet the MouseEars TV Creative team! We are all passionate travelers and bloggers who are obsessed with all things Florida, especially Disney World. With decades of combined experience exploring the sunshine state, we share insider tips, reviews, and guides to help fellow travelers plan the perfect trip. Check back often for a dose of sunshine and magic!

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