AK Animal Trails

[newestkg06]

For those who also have animal loving kids: (mine will be 7 & 4)

How much time would you budget for each of the trails? (Pangani, Maharajah, Cretaecous & Oasis)?

We are frequent travelers to both local zoos. We can move quickly if we need to, but I'm curious how much time people usually spend. This is a first time trip for us. There are some animals (like rhinos) that we can't see here, but tigers and some others are favorites at our zoo, so we may or may not be able to move quicker by them.

We will be doing some of the Wilderness Explorers, but I know it's too much to do in one day, and I think the boys will get a little bored doing too many anyway. If one trail is more fun for that, that would help too.

We also plan to go to AKL for dinner and animal viewing this same night. So, if there are animals better viewed there, that's good info too.

Any help in the touring plan is much appreciated!

 

[Jennytoon]

Pangani & Maharajah -- half an hour each (at least). There is backstory / theming on these trails as well, and while some of the animals take as much time as you would expect (look, look, and move on), some of the environments can be really engrossing -- my family once spent 15 minutes watching the fish on the Pangani trail.

Cretaceous -- there is really nothing here, it's more just an environment that you pass through on the way to the Dinosaur ride. I would not go here just to go here, unless you are looking for a quiet place to sit.

Oasis -- I assume you mean the trails on Discovery island. Again, while the atmosphere is nice and there are good places to stop and watch, we have always found these trails to be more of a transition from one place to another than an attraction in themselves. Unlike the cretaceous though, I would actually make sure to see these. There are several animal watching spots, but unlike the two major trails (Pangani & Maharajah), it does happen occasionally that there are no animals to view in them.

If you are asking with animal-loving kids in mind, there is also a monkey habitat right near Kali River Rapids, we spent quite a lot of time there one morning watching a baby monkey learn to swing. It was the first time it ever occurred to me that baby monkeys are as clumsy when learning to swing as our own children are when learning to walk! Also, unless you are really crunched for time make the effort to head out to Conservation Station. It does eat up some time getting there and back, but the petting area is not so much petting as grooming -- our kids love to brush the goats. Depending on what time of day you are there, they may also be doing veterinary work -- it's a really nice opportunity to see some of what goes into running the park as well as just what's in the park.

The viewing at AKL will not be similar to any of the trails, what you will see in the animal viewing there is the savanna areas, the same as you see on the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction.

 

[LaurenT]

I spend a lot of time in the trails .... Some people never bother with them at all.
Pangani has two baby gorillas right now. They are adorable, still clinging to their moms much of the time, but also following along some of the time.
The tigers in Maharajah are often very close to the glass - I could stare at them for an hour if my family would let me!
Rhinos can only be seen from the Kilimanjaro Safari, but a hippo is often visible laying around under the water in Pangani - its a wall of glass that you can watch him from. The Oasis is often overlooked and I've seen lots of cool animals there, anteaters, wallabys, porcupines, etc. if you go to Rafiki's planet watch in the morning you may luck out and catch a vet procedure on an interesting animal ... It's often just a bird or snake, but on my honeymoon we got to watch the male lion get a general check up and teeth cleaning.
Here are some pics from Easter week this year:

 

[newestkg06]

Thanks for the pics! The hippos look awesome. We have a new gorilla exhibit in our town that we love to go to, and babies would be fun to see!
Good info on the dinosaur trail! That makes things easier! Any thing I can cut out is good at this point.
I had thought we could leave AK at 3, but with all the things they want to do (like spend forever at the Boneyard) it looks like we'll be there until close!
The info on Conservation is good too. I'm just trying to figure out how to fit that in. My younger son loves trains, so I was debating about just riding that in a loop. I'm not too excited about petting animals or surgeries, but they might like it!

 

[CAS239]

Depends how long you want to spend looking at every individual animal. We go about once a month so we don't spend extended amounts of time at each exhibit. Then sometimes you see and exhibit and the animal isn't out. We normally take about 15-20 min for each trail. For stopping at every one and taking your time, I'd budget 30 min per trail

 

[Planogirl]

I love the Maharajah Jungle Trek! The theming is excellent and I sometimes think that I could easily spend a few hours in there. I agree that I'd plan for 30 minutes for each and maybe give yourself another 15 minute cushion in case you really like one or want to talk to a CM for a while.

 

[ilovebassets]

We spend almost an hour at the Pangani and Maharajah trails. My boys at 2 and 4. The Cretaceous and Oasis are much more pass through areas in my opinion.

 

[PA Disneymania]

It depends on the activity level of the animals. A tiger was putting on a show for us and lots of people stayed there to watch; then there were 2 mamas with their baby gorillas who drew lots of attention. We've been on the trails before when they were only sleeping.

 

[Best Aunt]

Most of the times when I have been there, the tigers have been sleeping and are in a spot where it is difficult to see them. Sometimes the gorilla family members are right near the glass, and sometimes they are not in that viewing area at all. It's luck of the draw. If you are trying to cut things out, I would cut out the train ride. It's a short ride and there's nothing to see. If your kid really likes trains and you are going to the Magic Kingdom on another day, do that train ride. It's a nice way to give your feet a break, it's a longer ride, and there is more to see.

 

[newestkg06]

30 minutes sounds good (with a 15 minute cushion).

Can I ask one more question?

I see a few other animal lovers on here recommend Conservation Station. Trying to schedule the shows, rides, meals, and animals was more difficult than I imagined. (so glad I found DIS and easyWDW!!!) Given the ages of the kids and energy levels (and likely heat) I think we may have to choose between the Nemo show or Conservation Station. I am leaning toward Nemo because we are staying at AoA and it's one of the kids' favorites. Plus, some sit down time in air conditioning may be needed in the afternoon (and maybe 4yo can take a "nap"). But, if Conservation is really awesome, I'd be willing to do that instead. I just don't think we will have the time to do both. What would you recommend?

 

[mcd2745]

I'd be conservative and say an hour for each trail (Pangani & Maharajah). Our kids love animals and we take our time with the trails. It's one of the reasons it bothers me when people call AK a half-day park.

 

[Moonwolf]

The Discovery Island trails might not have as many animals at the other two main trails but I wouldn't completely write them off as just a place to pass through. They do have some interesting animals hidden along random paths. On my last trip I went up a dead end path turned around to go back and noticed some kangaroos hidden in the shade.

 

[mybestieismickey]

30 minutes sounds good (with a 15 minute cushion).

Can I ask one more question?

I see a few other animal lovers on here recommend Conservation Station. Trying to schedule the shows, rides, meals, and animals was more difficult than I imagined. (so glad I found DIS and easyWDW!!!) Given the ages of the kids and energy levels (and likely heat) I think we may have to choose between the Nemo show or Conservation Station. I am leaning toward Nemo because we are staying at AoA and it's one of the kids' favorites. Plus, some sit down time in air conditioning may be needed in the afternoon (and maybe 4yo can take a "nap"). But, if Conservation is really awesome, I'd be willing to do that instead. I just don't think we will have the time to do both. What would you recommend?

I really like the conservation station, but I can understand why many consider it a waste of time. If you only have the one day, I would do the Nemo show. Assuming you are not skipping Festival of the Lion King. If that one isn't in your schedule, make room. With either show, you will all be glad for the AC in September.

 

[LaurenT]

I love the Nemo show. It's Broadway quality and I still cry when Nemo sings "not my Dad".
I'd do that one first and if you have time, head over to conservation station ....

 

[RustManFan]

we spent a lot of time on the trails as well. I frequently spend more than half an hour watching the tigers alone. Especially if they are enjoying a swim or playing. Also more than half an hour easily just trying to pick out animals on the Tree of Life and vicinity.

A half day park? that's laughable if you go to see animals rather than just do rides. my sister and I spent 2 full days at AK for our last trip (including FOTLK and Flights of Wonder)

 

[newestkg06]

Thanks so much for the great replies! We are definitely doing Lion King. We'll explore the other trails and Tree of life too. Nemo it is. I think if the day had an EMH we would have been able to do both.

 

[tink9702]

I'd plan at least 30 minutes for the P & M trails. Seeing the baby gorilla was a highlight of our day in November and the CM's are very interesting to talk to about the animals.

I also agree you can't miss the Lion King show. The entire family LOVED it. My kids enjoyed the Nemo show and we didn't get a chance to do Conservation Station. I'm also trying to decide whether to make time for that next trip or not. I'm thinking of skipping it since our local zoo has goat grooming as an activity and I just don't think we can fit everything else in! In november we were there at RD and stayed until 6:40 or so (closed at 7pm the day we were there). We didn't do Conservation station & missed the Dino Dance thing as well as Pocahontas & Russell/Dug. They loved the Boneyard so plan tons of time for that (an hour maybe?).

 

[newestkg06]

Yes on the Boneyard!! I showed my kids a youtube video of that and they both screamed with excitement. I'm budgeting at least an hour there.
You guys are right. I can't figure out how people can say this is a half-day park. I guess if you aren't animal lovers and just want to ride rides? If that were me, I would probably just skip the park altogether. But, this may be the park I'm most excited for (if only because I can't wait to meet Baloo!)

 

[Mikie]

Yes on the Boneyard!! I showed my kids a youtube video of that and they both screamed with excitement. I'm budgeting at least an hour there.
You guys are right. I can't figure out how people can say this is a half-day park. I guess if you aren't animal lovers and just want to ride rides? If that were me, I would probably just skip the park altogether. But, this may be the park I'm most excited for (if only because I can't wait to meet Baloo!)

I agree with you, but amusingly enough, the two "half-day" parks each have one of my favorite rides in all of WDW (expedition Everest and rockin roller coaster) so even if I were a ride-only person, I'd have to at least pop in!

The boneyard is excellent for the kids getting to just be unstructured for a while and if you have a family group that can do it, it's a decent spot for one adult to watch kiddos while others take turns riding Primeval whirl, dinosaur, even EE, though its a little farther away.

 

[Ava]

I agree with you, but amusingly enough, the two "half-day" parks each have one of my favorite rides in all of WDW (expedition Everest and rockin roller coaster) so even if I were a ride-only person, I'd have to at least pop in!

Same here! Before kids, we'd do AK and DHS in one day just to hit the big headliners.

Last year we didn't have nearly enough time in AK (plus it was RAINY that day so we had to skip some things), so this year I'm planning one morning and one full day (9-4 for us, then a 5pm dinner at Boma). I'm trying to make a more relaxed schedule for AK, since it's more of a walk around and explore things park than just a lot of rides.