Feathered Friends in Flight! at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Feathered Friends in Flight! is an entertainment offering at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. Guests can watch animal behavior specialists interact with the free-flying birds of Disney. Initially, this performance was called Flights of Wonder. Then, it became Up! A Great Bird Adventure. That version featured Dug and Russell from the Disney Pixar film ‘UP.’
Eventually, the name “Feathered Friends in Flight” debuted to provide entertainment during socially distant times. Today, that version of the performance remains without all the barriers. Below, we’ll discuss the details of seeing the show during your vacation and whether or not it’s worth it.
Here are a few quick reference details for Feather Friends in Flight!
| Feathered Friends in Flight! | Animal Kingdom Attractions |
|---|---|
Location: | Asia |
Height Requirement: | None |
Duration: | Approximately 35 minutes |
Ride Type: | Theater show with live birds |
Rider Switch: | None |
Lightning Lane: | Yes, with Multi Pass |
Good For: | Everyone |
Early Theme Park Entry: | No |
Extended Evening Hours: | No |
Scary Factor: | None, unless you have a fear of birds. |
Must-Do List: | Medium Priority |
Perfect For: | Birdwatchers |
Special Mention: | Offered approximately five times per day |
Accessibility: Guests may remain in wheelchairs or ECVS for this performance.
Extra Disability Access Service: Disney provides Sign Language Interpretation for guests at select live theme park shows on a rotating weekly basis. The schedule is updated weekly. This special service is usually available at select performances of Feathered Friends in Flight on Tuesdays and Saturdays. You can pick up a copy of the schedule at Guest Relations near the park’s entrance.
Make sure to check our one-stop Lightning Lane Guide to plan your attractions.
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Review
Feathered Friends in Flight is located in the Anandapur Theater in the Asia section of the park. If you’re crossing the bridge from Discovery Island to Asia, the theater is on the path to the left. It will be the last building before you get to Africa, past Yak and Yeti Restaurant. It’s a beautiful theater; you can’t miss it.
This attraction has a separate Lightning Lane entrance, but we don’t feel it is needed in most cases. You would still need to arrive early to secure priority seating.
Showtimes for the performance are listed in the My Disney Experience app and posted outside the theater’s entrance. Here is an example of the daily showtimes:
- 10:30 a.m.
- 11:30 a.m.
- 1:30 p.m.
- 2:30 p.m.
- 3:30 p.m.
Feathered Friends in Flight! lasts approximately 35 minutes. So, it is a time commitment. We recommend arriving approximately 15 minutes early to get good seating.
The theater is comprised of long rows of benches. A few risers are available in the back for guests who come in late. We’ve seen this show many times over the years and think it’s worth arriving a little early to sit closer to the front. But since the birds fly over the audience, you’ll still experience some cool moments, even if you arrive late and sit toward the back. Cast members will help you find a seat if you arrive at the last minute.
Throughout the show, you’ll see over 15 species of birds, including a Great Horned Owl, Toucans, Macaws, Parrots, a Grey Crowned Crane, and more! Some birds perform a few tricks depending on what kind of day they are having. So be prepared if you would like to participate. Bird trainers will ask for volunteers from the audience. Sometimes, they’ll have a guest hold up a dollar bill in the air, and a bird will fly through and snatch it from their hand. (They’ll return it momentarily.)
The entire performance is not only educational but also entertaining. We even saw a bird that practiced good recycling habits.
Impressive.
For the grand finale, a bird handler brings out a bald eagle, the national bird of the United States of America. It’s a magnificent bird with a 7-foot wingspan.
The Resorts Gal Spin on Feathered Friends in Flight!
We give Feathered Friends in Flight the green light! This attraction is worth seeing at least once. It’s also suitable for experiencing any time, even if you arrive early and have to wait. It’s out of the sun, and at some point in the day, you’ll need a break. So consider seeing it in the early afternoon when wait times are high everywhere else!
Resorts Gal Traffic Signals
Green Light
We give an attraction the green light if we consider it a must-do, regardless of the posted wait. We also give the green light for attractions we deem suitable to experience anytime. For example, some attractions have high capacities. Therefore, the lines continuously move and you shouldn’t have a long wait unless the attraction experiences downtime.
Red Light
We recommend checking the posted wait times for red light attractions. Then, make a quick judgment call on whether to wait, skip it, or return later. We also red light some attractions that we feel might not be suitable based on our experience.
For more information, you might enjoy our Animal Kingdom Planning Guide. Here are a few more individual attraction reviews:
- Rafiki’s Planet Watch
- Maharajah Jungle Trek
- Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
- The Oasis Exhibits
- Discovery Island Trails
- List of Animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Are you planning a Walt Disney World vacation? If so, you might enjoy browsing the list of Walt Disney World Resorts. Some of our favorites include:
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Review
- Disney’s Art of Animation Review
- Grand Floridian Resort Review
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort Review
In the Comments
Do you think you’ll take the time to visit Feathered Friends in Flight! on your next visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Leave us a comment below and let us know.
