by Barb Hopkins

Created on: April 04, 2011   Last Updated: April 08, 2011

Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom is the world’s largest animal-themed park. Located in Orlando, Florida visitors to the Animal Kingdom can experience attractions, rides, shows and unique shopping venues. The park sprawls over 500-acres with seven separate areas. Throughout each area, there are stores and stalls featuring a variety of merchandise.

Many of the shops and stalls in the Animal Kingdom have authentic African art, jewelry and items like baskets and masks. The Mombasa Marketplace located in the African area of the park is the ideal place to find these original items. The store is connected to the Ziwani Trader and can be found across from the Tusker House restaurant. In the Mombasa Marketplace is an array of African imports including carved pots and statues as well as woven baskets and colorful apparel. The Ziwani Trader has plush toys, trading pins and Disney Animal Kingdom souvenirs.

In the Discovery Island area, shoppers can explore the Island Mercantile or Creature Comforts both stores located across from the Tree of Life. The Island Mercantile has a large selection of Disney trading pins while Creature Comforts has mainly children’s clothes and toys. Also in Discovery Island is the Beastly Bazaar a shop with tasty treats, chocolates and even home décor. The Disney Outfitters is across from “It’s Tough to be a Bug” and features a large selection of apparel including Winnie the Pooh items, jewelry and watches.

Mandala Gifts is in the Asia area and is the best place in the park to find “Kali River Rapids” merchandise including t-shirts, key chains and trading pins. The store also has Asian-themed souvenirs. The Serka Zong Bazaar, also in Asia is attached to the “Expedition Everest” ride and has a large selection of souvenirs related to that ride and attraction.

In DinoLand USA, dinosaur fans can have fun shopping at two dinosaur-themed shops. The Dino Institute Shop is next to the ride “DINOSAUR” and has ride souvenirs and trinkets. At Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures, kids can enjoy a huge variety of dinosaur toys including plush animals, action figures and games.

For general Animal Kingdom and Disney items, shoppers in this park can visit the Island Mercantile in the Discover Island area or the smaller Oasis Outpost, located just outside the turnstiles of the park. Both stores have a large selection of Disney merchandise like t-shirts, plush characters and toys.

Disney makes shopping in the Animal Kingdom and the other parks easy by offering a free package pick-up service. When a guest purchases an item in one of the park stores, it can be sent to Guest Services at the front of the park where it can be picked up before the guest leaves the park. This service eliminates guests having to carry an armload of packages around the park all day. Disney resort guests can have their purchases sent directly to their room for no charge.

Shopping in Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom is easy and a great way to bring home treasures to commemorate a magical day.     

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