AK: Which ONE animal observation area to visit?

[jvattes]

Last time we visited AK we spent so much time at all of the animal observation areas that we missed a bunch of other stuff (Finding Nemo, Dinosaur to name two biggies). This time we don't want to make that same mistake. We'd like to pick ONE of the animal observation areas to visit. Which one would you recommend?

(I can't remember them, so I'm useless - that I don't remember them is another factor in cutting down).

1. Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
2. Rafiki's Planet Watch
3. Maharaja Jungle Trek

Thanks for your input!

 

[JoshuaShaw]

If you have little ones, Rafiki's Planet Watch may be the way to go for the Affection Section petting zoo. This is also the only place to see live veterinary procedures as well as get a glimpse behind the scenes on the train ride over.

Between the two exploration trails, it really just depends on if you have a personal preference for the animals on exhibit. If you're neutral, I would suggest Maharajah over Pangani for the superior theming, but I think they're both solid experiences.

 

[figment_jii]

It depends a little on what animals you want to see...Allears has a pretty nice summary of each of the areas and which animals you'll see:
Pangani: http://allears.net/tp/ak/ak_pang.htm
Rafiki: http://allears.net/tp/ak/ak_rpw.htm
Maharaja: http://allears.net/tp/ak/ak_mjt.htm

Personally, I'd probably go to the Maharaja Jungle Trek because it has tigers and bats.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Last time we visited AK we spent so much time at all of the animal observation areas that we missed a bunch of other stuff (Finding Nemo, Dinosaur to name two biggies). This time we don't want to make that same mistake. We'd like to pick ONE of the animal observation areas to visit. Which one would you recommend?

(I can't remember them, so I'm useless - that I don't remember them is another factor in cutting down).

1. Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
2. Rafiki's Planet Watch
3. Maharaja Jungle Trek

Thanks for your input!

Out of these 3, Maharaja Jungle Trek is my favorite. It never feels as crowded as the Pangani Forest Trail. I didn't feel like what was at Rafiki's was worth the train ride out there, but we went in the afternoon. I've read there is more to observe there in the morning.

 

[SheilaHeartsDisney]

I don't know which it is but the one with the Tigers is the best one to go to if you can only do one. I think it's in Asia.

 

[JimmyV]

Last time we visited AK we spent so much time at all of the animal observation areas that we missed a bunch of other stuff (Finding Nemo, Dinosaur to name two biggies). This time we don't want to make that same mistake.

I have a hard time calling the time spent observing Silverback Gorillas and endangerd Bengal Tigers to be a "mistake". The park is called Animal Kingdom after all. Ask yourself why it is that you spent so much time on those trails. Was it, perhaps, because your family was enjoying them?? I learned that lesson when my daughter was 3. I felt as if I had to pull her out of the Epcot sidewalk fountains because we were spending too much time there and would miss all the other great stuff. Then it dawned on me. She was as happy as a kid could be playing in the fountains. Isn't her fun what the trip was all about?

Go see the animals at Animal Kingdom, but skip quickly past things that don't interest you as much. Like perhaps the aviary or the fish. There is certainly plenty of time in the day to do Dinosaur and see Silverback Gorillas and tigers. The total offerings at AK are such that nothing should be an "either/or" proposition. That said, I would skip Rafiki.

 

[disneybliss2]

We really enjoy the animal exhibits and like seeing them all. If I were only going to choose one, I'd choose the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail.

 

[jvattes]

I have a hard time calling the time spent observing Silverback Gorillas and endangerd Bengal Tigers to be a "mistake". The park is called Animal Kingdom after all. Ask yourself why it is that you spent so much time on those trails. Was it, perhaps, because your family was enjoying them??

While I appreciate your perspective, it was a "mistake" because we are fortunate to have a wonderful zoo not far from us. On the other hand we do not have some of the other rides and experiences near us, and this is our first chance to get back to WDW in 4 years. I asked for help in picking which one, not in having my plan to visit just one criticized.

We spent so much time because it was jammed and the crowds moved slowly. And because there were three of them, and it was a crowd level of 8 that day. As it stands, the crowd level is supposed to be half that on the day we are planning to go, and if we have extra time I will certainly heed your advice and see them all. But in making our plans, our family - kids included! - have asked that we pick ONE area for now.

Thanks much!

 

[Luvchefmic]

I vote for the Maharajah Trails For the tigers if nothing else Some pretty awesome photo ops back there

 

[ImDMous]

We love the Maharaja Jungle Trek! We always got to that and skip different other areas each time.

 

[BebopBaloo]

My vote is for Pangani! Golden Weavers and Gorillas!

 

[SmallWorld71]

We never skip Maharajah Jungle Trek - it has become a tradition in our family. But, this may have to do with the fact that when DS15 was a toddler, his favorite TV character was The Count from Sesame Street and he was fascinated with the fruit bats. We used to spend a long time watching those bats. My kids also really enjoyed searching for birds in MJT's aviary when they were younger.

I will add that, no matter which experience you choose, be sure to talk to the CM's. We have found the CM's at AK to be among the most knowledgeable in all of WDW and they can really enhance your experience.

 

[magicbob]

Personally, I could never see myself not visiting both, but I guess it boils down to which animal(s) you are most interested in. This is a bit of an over-simplification, but...

Gorillas = Pangani
Tigers = Maharaja

 

[BrianL]

Maharaja for the giant bats. They are awesome!

 

[Jupiter]

Another for Maharaja - love those bats.

 

[JZCubed]

Last time we visited AK we spent so much time at all of the animal observation areas that we missed a bunch of other stuff (Finding Nemo, Dinosaur to name two biggies). This time we don't want to make that same mistake. We'd like to pick ONE of the animal observation areas to visit. Which one would you recommend?

(I can't remember them, so I'm useless - that I don't remember them is another factor in cutting down).

1. Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
2. Rafiki's Planet Watch
3. Maharaja Jungle Trek

Thanks for your input!

Both Pagani & Maharaja are self-guided and near other things. You can do either, both, or none to be able to maximize your time and not feel as if you've made a mistake that caused you to miss something.

On the other hand, unless you and/or other members of your family are really into petting small animals (which we can do at local farm near our home) and/or potentially witnessing an exotic animal veterinarian experience, then skipping Rafiki would save the most time because of need to take the wonderful train.

My two cents:

We typically chose to see either Nemo or Lion King along with Flights of Wonder - to see only two of three shows each Park day in AK. Your family may want all three or a different group of two shows. Disney did not make seeing all three easy to do back-to-back-to-back, with Birds Flights having the longest midday break between shows. FP+ makes scheduling the entire clockwise journey very easy.

Africa first - Kilimanjaro Safari first (maybe w/ FP+ if later than rope drop). If you have the time, Pangani; you can skip Pangani unless pretty zoo experience is a priority. Lion King is presently closed, but being moved closer to Kilimanjaro to shorten the need to walk back and forth.

Then to Asia. Flights of Wonder has a showtime; work around showtime if you love the birds as much as my child and me (my wife, not so much). Then Kali Rapids and/or Everest (maybe either/both with FP+). If you want, skip Maharaja unless pretty zoo experience is a priority.

Then on to Nemo & Dinoland. Maybe use 3rd FP+ at Dinosaurs if midday or shortly after; maybe if you skipped Kali, Everest, or Kilimanjaro.

Start at busiest. No reason to start in Dinoland. Other than Kilimanjaro, Everest is busiest. If you start at Everest - then you have to go back and forth. Start at Kilimanjaro and go clockwise.