AK on wheels

[lobogildisneys]

if you haven't been to animal kingdom on wheels (motor or not) just wanted to let you know while it is a fantastic beautiful park and the cms will make sure you get a great experience everywhere, the cobblestone thing is rough on backs and bones throughout the park and you may find yourself tiring more easily we sure all did so we just added another day to fulfill all our dreams there because the first day we cut a little short when everyone began to realize they were aching more

also the cast members on the train are the greatest as they will let you sit in your ecv and back you up on the train and also the cms through every ride and the parade cms at ak probably are the greatest of all really

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I think all of us here on wheels, or with family or friends in chairs, will agree with you there. Also, some of the paths, especially in the nature trails, are awfully narrow. I guess they didn't have many wheelchair users on the design team that thought out the paving

 

[mrmagicmph]

I'll throw in another tidbit about AK, separate from how rough the surface is (& oh boy is it rough!!!). Of the 4 parks, I'd say that AK is the hardest (whether on wheels or not) to navigate around, as many of the "landmarks" that help you to know where you are that exist in the other 3 parks do NOT have equivalents in AK. Plus, when you're on wheels, many of the things in AK that you CAN use as landmarks are MUCH harder to see. I've been in all 4 parks, but got so well lost in AK that if it wasn't for a Dream Squad member who happened to be going in the right direction, my wife & I might STILL be looking for Everest, & it's been 48 days since we got back from our last trip!

Anyway, it's an interesting park, but for us, not one that's on the "must see" every visit list. & for that, I have to admit, my spine is MOST grateful!

Enjoy the Magic!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I've been in all 4 parks, but got so well lost in AK that if it wasn't for a Dream Squad member who happened to be going in the right direction, my wife & I might STILL be looking for Everest, & it's been 48 days since we got back from our last trip!

I'll second you on that one!

 

[mechurchlady]

I agree mrmagicmph.

At Epcot you have the golf ball and the lagoon to focus on as well as buildings with big signs out front. At MK you have the castle, mountains and other focal points. At MGM you are on streets that follow straight lines and there are obvious signs and focal points.

I remember most about WDW the tacking on some paths at AK, the being engulfed with foilage, the darker spots because of foilage, and the bumpiness. The first day for me was overwhelming and if I was not an experienced driver who know about tacking I would never got up at least one hill. I loved AK but for some people it can be overwhleming. I have my quirks and probably having undiagnosed celiac and allergies did not help.

 

[SueM in MN]

One thing about AK that influenced the width of the paths is that they did not expect the park to get as busy as it has.

Another thing that makes the park difficult is the 'confusing' nature of the park. According to a book I have about the design of AK, it was meant to be 'explored' and 'discovered'. That's why they arranged it in a way that you can't see the landmarks of the park from all over. That does make the park interesting, but also makes it more challenging to get around.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I was quite disappointed with our first trip to AK. I hadn't had my injury yet and wasn't using an ECV, so I was pushing my mom in a WC and boy was that my first mistake. We went in and straight back to Kilimanjaro Safari, saw the line and turned around and left. It was also in June and it is very hot in AK, especially if you are pushing a WC.

I don't remember the cobblestone walk ways, but our second experience was much better and we got te enjoy alot more of the park. We did miss FOTLK, but I am going to make a special trip there in December just to see it. We were very impressed with the CM's, especially at the train, they were very patient with us, especially with my mom. I usually help her board, but they had already boarded me at another train and she was having problems backing in and the CM was so nice and really helped her and those CM's are few and far between.

Suzanne

 

[Caltitan]

I agree the paths are bumpy at AK and can have an adverse effect on many WC users. While pushing my DD, who has CP, in her custom WC I could tell it was starting to get to her after about 30 minutes there. She had her hands raised up by the side of her head and was leaning forward into her harness. I had to recline her chair back so she was absorbing bumps with her backrest in addition to her seat. This made the chair much longer and the handle bars lower to the ground so it was more difficult to maneuver in crowds and tougher on my back. We enjoyed this park but left early because she finally lost her endurance to handle the bumps and became tired.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

It was also in June and it is very hot in AK, especially if you are pushing a WC.

Yes, unfortunately AK can get very hot. It's again part of the 'authenticity' as they don't have as much air-con as the other parks do. We went the year it opened, when the foliage was still quite young, so not only was there very little air-con, there was also very little shade (and it was August) . It's a lot better now than it was back then, though, as they've introduced more air-con and fans, and the plant life has grown a lot. I still recommend going either first thing in the morning, or later in the afternoon, to avoid the worst of the heat.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Yes, unfortunately AK can get very hot. It's again part of the 'authenticity' as they don't have as much air-con as the other parks do. We went the year it opened, when the foliage was still quite young, so not only was there very little air-con, there was also very little shade (and it was August) . It's a lot better now than it was back then, though, as they've introduced more air-con and fans, and the plant life has grown a lot. I still recommend going either first thing in the morning, or later in the afternoon, to avoid the worst of the heat.

I solved that problem by going in December. It was very pleasant the day we went last year.

Suzanne

 

[OneLittleSpark]

That's one way to get around the problem!

 

[Haley Whippet]

I totally agree, It is a hard park to navigate. I like it, But without my ECV I would have to skip it.
Deb