AK Animal Viewing

[EdnaMarieMode]

A few questions on animal viewing areas at AK. During our last few trips we’ve either skipped AK or quickly brushed past the animal viewing so it’s one Disney area where I’m just not an expert. We want to fix that on our next trip and enjoy the park and see the animals.

Is 30 minutes enough time for Discovery Island? I know it depends on what the animals are up to. Which animals are there (I remember seeing more than flamingos and lemurs which is all that turns up when I search- but it has been a while so maybe that’s right).

We have already visited Rafiki’s Planet Watch (which may not be open for our trip anyhow) so I was figuring we would either see the Jungle Trek or Gorilla Falls. Any recommendations? 2 yo is in a stroller if that matters.

Also the oasis exhibits- I plan to see them on the way out. Is 15-20 minutes about right? What can I see there?

 

[dachsie]

Sounds reasonable and may even not take that long depending on your interest. Try to find Devine too

 

[disneydreamer1980]

IMHO the jungle trek is s must see.

 

[3gr8boys]

In my experience, there is much more to see and linger over on the viewing trails in Africa and the Jungle Trek than Discovery Island. If I had to choose, i would do quick looks on Discovery Island to have more time for the other trails.

 

[Twitterpaited]

I loved Gorilla Falls. If the gorillas are active at the time I’m there, I could spend 45 minutes watching them.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I loved Gorilla Falls. If the gorillas are active at the time I’m there, I could spend 45 minutes watching them.

I especially love the Bachelor Gorillas. Those are the ones on the left after you cross the bridge. They remind me of adolescent boys when I taught school. If one has a toy or blanket, the others will try to chase him and then steal and hide his toy. And at the end of the day, the CM there has to distract all the others to make sure they go in one by one. If more than one tries to go on the path together, the CM told me, they play "push and shove", just like two 8th graders at the pencil sharpener.

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

Great info! Thanks so much! Looks like we’ll pass through Discovery Island more quickly and plan to spend some more time at Gorilla Falls and Jungle Trek instead.

We’re planning on a half day (4 hours) to go on the safari ride, meet Mickey/ Minnie (I can skip this) and go on Navi River (have FP for all 3 of those). I’d like to meet Russel & Dug (and take 2 yo on triceratop spin. I may have to add some more time from the sounds of it, so I’m glad I asked!