The Asia part of Animal Kingdom has always been my favorite, and whether you’ve been at AK all day long or you’re park-hopping over there for the evening, there’s enough to build a mini Disney for couples date night. In this article, we have 3 main date ideas in Disney World at Animal Kingdom Asia, plus a few alternatives and add-ons.

On our Walt Disney World for couples trips, Mike and I prefer heading to Animal Kingdom at night, once the sun sets and the crowds thin.

That park gets hot during the day, and I’ve always thought that was because of all the gorgeous plant life creating more humidity than normal. I’m not sure if the biology is sound on that, but that’s my assumption, un-science-y as it may be. 💁🏻‍♀️

Here are tips for staying cool at Disney World when it’s unbearably hot

Also, remember this tip: date ideas in Disney World at Animal Kingdom don’t mean the entire day and night is date-worthy. Sometimes, even the most romantic Disney for couples vacation involves a lot of midday scheduling on the app, running to the next ride, and snagging a table at a quick service spot to eat your burger.

But whether you’re on a Disney Animal Kingdom day for two or you’re fitting in some Disney for couples time when the rest of the family is taking a nap at the hotel, there are ways to carve out a little Animal Kingdom date night that feels more laidback and intimate than the rest of the trip.

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3 Date Ideas in Disney World at Animal Kingdom Asia

Let’s get to the date ideas in Disney World at Animal Kingdom! These are our three favorite things to do in the Asia section of the park, and they go very well together when building your Walt Disney World for couples itinerary.

Start With a Cocktail From the Thirsty River Bar

The walk-up Thirsty River Bar in Disney Animal Kingdom Asia is right next to Expedition Everest. That means it’s perfectly situated if you need a bit of liquid courage before boarding the rollercoaster or you’re killing time until your Lightning Lane window. (Insider Tip: If you’re on this Walt Disney World for couples jaunt at night, you may not need a LL at all.)

🍹 We’re fans of the Yeti Sunset, made with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and strawberry-lychee lemonade. If you like guava, try the vodka-based Himalayan Ghost; there’s also an Avalance Frozen Blue Margarita you can order on an especially hot day. The bar has beer and wine as well.

Prefer your cocktails without alcohol? The Pink Lotus is made with wild strawberry syrup, lychee and lemonade.

After getting your drinks, head to the large seating area at the lagoon, which isn’t in use now that KiteTails is defunct.

Ride Expedition Everest — But First, Appreciate the Queue

Expedition Everest is among the best Disney Parks rollercoasters, and we’ve sometimes headed to Disney Animal Kingdom Asia just to ride it.

Whether you’re never been on Expedition Everest or this is a must-do each Disney for couples trip, we think it’s a fun addition to date ideas in Disney World at Animal Kingdom. And since your seats will be next to each other, you can hold hands when bracing for that backward launch midway through. (You’ve been warned.)

Insider Tip: At night, Disney Animal Kingdom Asia tends to empty out. We’ve ridden Expedition Everest multiple times in a row without having to wait on line.

Here’s how to bring your bag on thrill rides at Walt Disney World

We also love this gift shop — they have items here you won’t find anywhere else, and the travel-inspired branding is different from what you’ll see in other stores on Disney property.

The Actual Best Part of the Ride: The Queue

We love the Expedition Everest queue. Here are its three distinct sections:

• The booking office for the fictional Himalayan Escapes travel agency, with used gear and guidebooks setting the scene.
• An outdoor replica of a temple and tea garden.
• A truly convincing Yeti Museum where you can learn “facts” about the mysterious abominable snowman.

As you get closer to boarding the ride, take a look at those digital travel posters on the walls. If you’re wearing a MagicBand, your name might appear on them.

Not Into Rollercoasters? Here Are Alternative Date Ideas in Disney World at Animal Kingdom Asia

If you’re not a thrill-seeker, then riding a rollercoaster that features an angry yeti won’t feel very “date ideas at Disney World” for you, so feel free to skip this one. In its place, consider the following Disney Animal Kingdom Asia experiences:

• Feathered Friends in Flight is a 25-minute show at the Anandapur Theater where you’ll get a behind-the-scenes intro to the birds you see flying around AK. Note that show times usually end in the late afternoon.
• Take a self-guided walking tour on the Maharajah Jungle Trek, where you’ll see monkeys, tigers, a Komodo dragon and more wild animals.
• Browse the deceivingly large selection at the open-air Mandala Gifts shop. This little stand looks tiny, but you’ll be surprised at how many AK-centric items are for sale.

🏔️ One More Tip: If the line for Expedition Everest is short or moving fast, consider hopping on just to experience the queue. It’s well worth it, and you can leave before boarding the coaster.

For super-tame Disney date night ideas, check out this must-do in Disney Springs

Get the Best Soft-Serve Ice Cream in Walt Disney World

Mike and I have done the research when it comes to the best ice cream in Disney World parks and on Disney property. If you like soft-serve, you can’t beat the Anandapur Ice Cream Truck.

I don’t know why this particular ice cream is so good, but it tastes more like frozen custard than regular ice cream. I never miss a chance to get a vanilla cone while I’m there.

🍦 They serve vanilla, chocolate and twist soft-serve in waffle cones, and you can also get ice cream floats or the Yeti Sundae, which is chocolate and vanilla ice cream topped with blue cake crumbs, sweet snowflakes, sugar crystals and an edible picture of the infamous AK yeti.

(They have a couple of beers here, too.)

Bonus: Ice cream will feel great if your throat is sore from screaming on Expedition Everest. I’m still hoarse from our trip last week.

Stay hydrated during your Disney World for couples trip with these best-for-the-parks water bottles

Enjoy Your Walt Disney World Date Night at Animal Kingdom’s Asia!

An Animal Kingdom date night at Disney World can be a full-scale, well-planned event, or it can be an hour-long excursion where you take a more purposeful approach to spending time together.

However you decide to plan your Disney for couples vacation, we think a few hours in Disney’s Animal Kingdom is well worth it. And we didn’t even get into everything there is to see as you stroll hand-in-hand.

When planning your Walt Disney World for couples trip, you’ll want to add some to-dos from our Ultimate Guide to a Romantic Disney Date Night. Have so much fun on your trip!