AK - To Be or Not To Be

[rowmac2000]

To Be or Not To Be

Is it worth going? So many mixed reviews:

Is it just a glorified zoo or is it a safari?

I need to know so I should or should not go......

 

[pixie08]

IMHO I think it depends how many days you are there. I personally love Ak ( it is not my favorite but I love all the parks) Not to sound cliche but it is not a zoo! The safari is awesome as well as the lion king show, dinosaur and bug's life! the feeling of the park is great you are really transported.

With that said...I would not miss Mk, Epcot or MGM in favor of AK! it tends to get hot(lack of shade) so a couple of hours is usually all we do. MHO is to either hang out at the hotel swim,lunch etc then head over... or go early leave early!

 

[WaltD4Me]

If you have never been, it's definitely worth doing. I would go there just to see The Festival of the Lion King Show alone -- it's one of my favorite things in all of WDW! It is NOT a glorified zoo or safari. It is hot there, seems to be muggier too, but it is beautiful and there are alot of nice shows and attractions.

Alot depends on who you are going with too and if it means giving up another park. If you are going with teens or young teens, I wouldn't pass up Disney Studios to go to Animal Kingdom, but I think younger kids really enjoy it. I love Animal Kingdom and it can easily be done as a half day thing with some planning.

 

[F-L-A]

It's a zoo with good theming and a couple decent rides. "A couple" being the key term, since that's all the rides the park has. The safari is enjoyable but Disneyized and very fake feeling. Like a safari in a zoo, basically.

 

[goofygreb]

We love AK. We spend at least 2 days at this park. It's absolutely beautiful. So many people rush into the park so fast they miss the beauty of the Oasis (the entrance). The vegetation, the animals, and the music all transport you to a different place. I find the park relaxing and never feel rushed, it's a nice change of pace. We love the details put into this park and enjoy the rides as well. I would spend at least a half day there just so you can form your own opinion.

 

[SammieG]

Goodness... why dont you just go and see for yourself?

There are always people who are going to say this is "just a zoo"... to me, it couldnt be further from a zoo if it tried!!

We have two types of zoos in the UK.. and its absolutely nothing like either of them!
The safari is a tiny tiny bit of the park... the walking trails are worth doing for the themeing themselves, let alone the animals (particuarly the asia one!)

The tree of life carvings are spectacular.. infact the entire themeing of the park is the best of any of the 4 parks.. and they have gone to town on the details!

All the shows are wonderful! Lion King, Tarzan (our personal fave!), Pocohontas (although my husband hates this show! but I love it!) and the Flights of wonder show..
all amazing!

We love Dino land and the dig site.., we love the different shops in asia and africa...
I love the music as you walk into camp minnie mickey..

I love all the kids interactive stations, I love Rafikis planet watch..

there is SO much to do at AK.... and its a spectacular days entertainment.
If ALL you want to do is thrill rides and you are not interested in the other stuff then give it a miss - go to Universal!!

If you are in awe of Disneys ability to transport you to a different place, and educate you at the same time - then go to the AK!

Its probably our favorite park.

 

[carolfoy]

Totally agree with SammieG not a zoo at all, the whole park is so much more laid back than the others and does take a whole day to get everything in, my fave is FOTLK its superb, if you haven't seen the west end/broadway production then you shouldn't miss this, also loved flights of wonder, the safari is very interesting, I've safaried a LOT in Africa and India and although the safari is not EXACTLY like a real experience its as good as you can get for a half hour ride, it certainly beats sitting still in the freezing cold jungle for 8-9 houirs waiting to see a lion!!!!,

 

[Leota]

I also agree with Sammie - You should plan at least a half a day there to see for yourself. AK grew on us. The first time we went, in 1998, we just went to the major attractions that were open. We liked them but didn't really "get" the Park.
The next year we went & spent more time there & started to get it. The next trip, more time & more enjoyment. It is so richly themed & the landscaping & architechture so lush & utterly transporting! FOTLK is not to be missed. Last trip, I fell in love with Primeivel Whirl. I thought it was so funny.
One morning I went by myself for a couple hours just to take pictures.

 

[babybunrab]

I love AK. If you go, be sure to stop and look around. I think it's the best park in terms of detail and everything is worth stopping to look at--even the benches and the light poles! Those things, of course, are in addition to everything everyone else has already said. I've been to zoos, as most people have, and while AK has animals--glorified zoo it is not!

 

[athenna]

Like their moto goes:
Disney's Animal Kingdoms is many things, but one thing it's not, it's Nahtazu!!

 

[NCombs]

AK is the favorite park of our entire family of 5. We will be scheduling 2 days there next year.

 

[madalex]

I love AK! While there are not a lot of rides, I really enjoy the shows and the animals and the whole feel of the park. Definitely not to be missed.

 

[ShuisFan584]

I think you should definitely go at least for half a day to check it out, and if you like it you can go back again! I was disappointed because I only planned for us to go half a day last time we visited, and I really wish we would have went longer. This year we plan on going more than half a day. I think you should at least see some of the major attractions like Kilimanjaro Safari (I consider this one a must!), Kali River Rapids (only if you don't mind getting soaked), It's tough to be a bug, Dinosaur and Festival of the Lion King.

 

[shruley]

We love the AK. Having a toddler we prefer this park over MGM and Epcot. I don't know how some people can see everything in a half a day. We were there a full morning (bright and early for EMH) and a full afternoon and we still missed Tarzan Rocks, the Parade, and something else, although there are other rides we did twice (or 4 times, like Dinosaur!) We went in Dec. so heat was not a factor, although it's not a fun park in the rain! It is not a zoo! They could use a few more attractions (and I think Expedition Everst will help a lot with that!) but we love the rides that are there...

It's Tough to be a Bug was wonderful! We did that twice. We loved Dinosaur (obviously!) The safari is fun to do more than once it was always different each time we went. One time we were the only ones in the vehicle and the CM didn't do the "story" and instead just pointed out animals to us. That was lots of fun. We love to take our time on the trails...the gorilla and tiger exhibits were interesting. The Lion King is a WONDERFUL show, not to be missed! And we had great character interaction without a wait at Camp Minnie-Mickey. We also like the Pocohontis show with the animals...not for everyone but we thought it was very cute.

I personally love the feel of this park. The theming is wonderful and very detailed and relaxing! After the overstimulation of the Magic Kingdom I love to go to the AK. But to each their own I know others who hate it. I think you have to try it to know if it's for you!

 

[rowmac2000]

Thank you all for your responses.

 

[teedee]

While it's my least favorite park, I think it is definitely worth visiting, especially if you've never been. I don't know why, but that park does seem to be hotter and more humid to me.

 

[Stiff]

its probably my second favorite park just because of the surroundings...its completely beautiful....I love it there