Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando: Why Vista Cay Resort is the Ideal Stay Location

Our Most Common Questions and Answers Regarding Vista Cay Resort & Animal Kingdom:

About Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is located within the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando and is a blend of an animal theme, Wildlife Experience, and theme park thrill rides. Animal Kingdom is the fourth park Disney built out of the four parks in the Walt Disney World Resort and was opened in 1988. Animal Kingdom is the home to more than 2,000 animals representing over 250 species and spanning over 500 acres. You can also enjoy a mixture of theme park rides, such as roller coasters, mixed in with animals seen in their native outdoor habitat. Vista Cay Resort is an ideal location to rent a vacation rental when visiting Animal Kingdom.

Animal Kingdom is broken up into the following regions, each with its own distinctive theme

The Oasis.

The Oasis region within Animal Kingdom forms the core of the park. It is a lush environment with numerous exotic birds, reptiles, and mammals. In the center is Discovery Land with the most famous part of the park, which is the Tree of Life. You can see animals such as flamingos and otters close up, and there are numerous educational exhibits regarding conservation and endangered species.

Pandora

Pandora is based on the film directed by James Cameron called Avatar. The major attraction is the Avatar Flight of Passage, which is a 3D simulator ride where you ride like a banshee over the various Pandora landscapes. Many people consider this to be one of Disney’s best immersive rides.

Africa land

African land is obviously, as its name suggests, based on Africa with a theme of a Kilimanjaro Safari. It includes a 20-minute open expedition where you can spot Lions, rhinos, and elephants mimicking these animals in their natural wild habitat. There is also a Gorilla Falls exploration Trail, which also allows you to observe gorillas again in their natural environment.

Asia

The Asia area is based on the Himalayas and jungles. Expedition Everest is a high-speed roller coaster that is always a fan popular that plunges through various Peaks, complete with backward drops and great views. If you are looking for more of a water theme ride, the Kelly River Rapids offers a raft ride through the Rapids and often gets you wet. Also a fan favorite

DinoLand 

If you’re into dinosaurs, this is a fan favorite where the theme is based on prehistoric dinosaurs, and there is a ride that allows you to time-travel, dodging asteroids and various dinosaurs. There is also a Tough To Be a Bug 3D show inside the Tree of Life. DinoLand U.S.A. caters to prehistoric fans with Dinosaurs, a dark ride in a time-travel vehicle 

In addition to the various areas within Animal Kingdom, there are numerous restaurants and shops, often with a theme based on the region in which you are. As well as various forms of entertainment, such as the Lion King, with dancers and entertainers. 

Long wait times, weather, and Disney Genie Plus – Fast pass. 

When visiting Animal Kingdom, make plans for long wait times, especially if you’re coming during peak holiday dates or holiday seasons, as well as plans for the weather, as often in the summer, it rains most afternoons in Florida. Germany speaking plan on long wait times, one of the ways Disney exploits their long wait times for each of the rides and Exhibits within Animal Kingdom is to offer Genie Plus, which, for a premium price, allows you to jump the line. This was previously called the FastPass.. You can check with Disney about this 

How far is Animal Kingdom from Vista Cay

The Animal Kingdom is 12.7 miles from the Vista Cay Resort in Orlando, Florida. Drive time is about 15 minutes, depending on the time of day and traffic. 

How to get to Animal Kingdom from Vista Cay Resort

If you are driving to Animal Kingdom, you will have to pay for parking, which currently is around 30 to $35 per day. You may want to consider taking an Uber, which will run you about $25 each way if you don’t want to be hassled with parking and walking to the park, and you can get dropped off in the Rideshare area at the main entrance to Animal Kingdom.

Can I buy Animal Kingdom / Disney Tickets at Vista Cay?

Yes, you can buy tickets for Animal Kingdom from the concierge in the main clubhouse at Vista Cay resort. However, these days we always recommend buying tickets directly from the theme park on their website. That way, if there is a problem when you’re entering Animal Kingdom at the main gate, you can always go to the ticketing window if you need to make a modification to your ticket. We always recommend buying tickets directly to avoid third parties, and also, if it looks too good to be true, it’s usually a timeshare tour, so be warned.

Does Vista Cay have Resort amenities like Animal Kingdom? Advantages of staying at the Vista Cay Resort over that of Disney / Animal Kingdom. 

Vista Cay is a resort and has all the amenities of a resort setting, and it also offers all the amenities that you would have in your own personal home, a true vacation home rental, if you will.

Avoid the Disney and Animal Kingdom Bubble

Staying at Vista Cay Resort, given its premium location just off International Drive and next to Universal Studios area, yet being very close to Animal Kingdom, allows you to be able to stay out of the animal kingdom / Disney bubble and stay in an area full of restaurants and shops.

Other nearby parks to Vista Cay 

Other theme parks close to Vista Cay include Epic Universe, which is literally across the street, Universal Studios, which is 4.6 Mi and SeaWorld, which is 2 miles away. This makes Vista Cay a premium location when visiting Orlando on vacation.

How crowded can Animal Kingdom get 

Animal Kingdom can get very crowded with long wait lines, especially during the holidays, school breaks, and so forth.

Is the Vista Cay Resort a good location for visiting Animal Kingdom?

Given Vista Kay’s proximity to all major theme parks, restaurants, and shops, it is probably the best location for renting a vacation rental in the central Florida area, not to mention it is just 12.7 miles away from Animal Kingdom and with easy Highway access is just a 15-minute drive.