Am I the only one that does not like Animal Kingdom?

[Queen Quinnella]

I know I am probably going to be flamed alive but I just do not like Animal Kingdom. There are only 5 rides in the whole park, and only 1 that is truly a small child ride (Triceritop Spin). My 5 year old DD who rode everything possible at MK including Space Mountain, Splash Mountain (she made us ride this twice), BTMRR, Haunted Mansion, etc. did not like the Dinosaur ride (scary & rough). The commercials that we saw for this park show people say it is "Nahtazu!" but (flame suit on) yes it is!! The animals may not be in cages but in my opinion it is just a prettyfied zoo. I know many people love this park, but am I the only one that does not?

 

[paladin]

Everyone has different tastes and I am sure that you aren't alone, however I LOVE Animal Kingdom (depending on my mood, it is my favorite park). I don't go to any of the parks just for the rides, and that is especially true here. But I also love animals and zoos - I am a member of my local zoo and go often (though AK is entirely different). I love the atmosphere of AK, but each to their own.

 

[gingermommy94]

I, too, am a huge fan of Animal Kingdom. I love the theme of it all and it's such a nice break from the other faster-paced parks.

It's not for everyone though and that's just fine. That is what makes Disney so great..something for everyone

 

[iluvflorida]

Hi. I'll take part of the flames. We also are disappointed with AK. We love animals etc. If you want to see animals and also rides, go to Busch Gardens.
AK just doesn't cut it in comparrisson. (Wow is it getting hot)

 

[Harambe]

LOL! Don't you guys know we'll still love you - despite your poor misguided notions! (Totally teasing you there!)

 

[NCDisneyMom]

If it makes you feel better, we don't care much for Animal Kingdom, either. We don't find anything wrong with it, it's just not out type of park. We'll probably go every few years, just to see whatever is new, but it is last on the "priority" list of parks to go to.

Diana

 

[Chuck S]

No flames here, there are people that don't like certain parks, and their reasons are perfectly legitimate for them.

I do like AK, but I can see where a 5 year old may not like the rides. As a child, I loved natural history museums, science museums, as well as Disneyland. I love wandering around the trails at AK, seeing the bird show, Festival of the Lion King, even Tarzan Rocks. I don't consider the safari a theme park "ride", it is more of a learning/nature experience. I think my favorite "ride" at the park is Primevil Whirl. AK is more of an atmosphere infotainment park. IMO, AK is a much better experience in the cooler winter months than in the summertime. The animals are more relaxed and less stressed, along with the guests.

 

[Ames]

I'm not a fan of AK. I'll go once every couple of trips to get in a few rides/shows. But if wait times are down we're only there a few hours. And is it me or is there no where to eat at this park? The number of places to eat compared to its size make for long tiresome walks.

 

[3Mousketeers]

Respect your opinion but I have to say my 4-1/2 and 6 yr old DS's had alot of fun at AK. Definitely not as many "rides" as MK but AK was much more than a zoo to them. Loved the Kilimanjaro Safari, Tough to be a Bug and Kali River Rapids. They thought the Tarzan show with the roller skaters was way cool. My now 5 yr old daredevil DS is begging to do the Primeval Whirl during our Feb trip. We'll also do the Lion King show this time with them b/c I think they're old enough to appreciate it. I admit we didn't even try Dinosaur & probably won't this trip either.
Funny note - one highlight for my younger DS was "Devine" the talking topiary. It looks like a harmless planter but then it suddenly follows you and talks. My DS was wearing a Pedro Martinez shirt (sadly not a Red Sox anymore) and Devine kept calling my DS "Hey Pedro." He couldn't believe it - it was so funny. I know a small point but I think it was a neat, quiet moment that you can experience at AK.
Just my humble opinion.

 

[PrincessCandaceMarie]

I love AK, the safari, the talking topiary, the wandering on the trails, the interaction of the CM, the food, Bug, and RFC!

 

[tjkraz]

Not trying to flame...just discussing...

There are only 5 rides in the whole park, and only 1 that is truly a small child ride (Triceritop Spin).

I don't know that "rides" are the best way to analyze the park. MGM only has 5 if I count correctly (ToT, RnR, Star Tours, Backlot Tour, GMR). Epcot is pretty darn close--depends on what you really want to classify as a ride.

But AK does have some decent shows. Festival of the Lion King is the best live performance at any of the parks. Tarzan Rocks is pretty darn good, too.

And, let's not forget that Expedition: Everest is coming soon. Disney acknowledges that AK needs another ride--you just can't put one up overnight.

With regard to kids, that's a tough topic to discuss. If you classify Triceratop Spin as the only ride that "is truly a small child ride", then my response would be that Epcot and MGM have ZERO rides that fit your criteria. We had to drag our children kicking and screaming from The Boneyard. No, it isn't a ride--but it is the best playground at any of the theme parks.

The commercials that we saw for this park show people say it is "Nahtazu!" but (flame suit on) yes it is!! The animals may not be in cages but in my opinion it is just a prettyfied zoo.

Well, if your mindeset is that animals = zoo, then I guess you're going to consider it a zoo.

But honestly, does your local zoo have anything that compares to the rides and shows available at AK? Does your local zoo have anything that approaches Kilimanjaro Safari?

I did the walking trails once, and really don't have much interest in repeating. Yes, I can see much of that stuff back home. But there are many other things that AK has to offer that I most certainly cannot do at home.

I know many people love this park, but am I the only one that does not?

No. Even with everything that I've said above, AK is not my favorite park. I'd really have to put it 4th behind all of the others, and often find myself asking "how little time can I plan for AK and still see everything I want to see."

But it is still a marvel of Disney engineering. If you take time to appreciate the theming and architecture, it is an undeniably impressive accomplishment considering that 10 years ago the site was a flat piece of Florida swamp.

If your point of comparison is the Magic Kingdom (and specifically its appeal to young children) all three of the other parks will always come up short.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) We all have different tastes.
2) I know people who absolutely love and adore AK.
3) I don't happen to share that view.
4) I agree there are some fine things (like Lion King).
5) But, to me, the rest is pretty lame.
6) They did this on-the-cheap, and it shows.


NOTE: I don't critisize people that like or dislike AK, these are just my opinons. After all, WDW is made up of lots of experiences, so they can please many different tastes.

 

[Twigs]

I too love AK, but DH really doesn't like it, if it weren't for me he wouldn't go back, so you are not alone.

 

[Kaycee]

It's not that I don't like Animal Kingdom - I do. But for me, it just doesn't compare to the other parks. I'd probably be a lot more enthusiastic about going to AK if it weren't at WDW. I feel like any time I spend at AK is taking away from time I could be at one of the other parks. I didn't go to AK at all during my December trip, and I didn't miss it. That being said, I plan to go for a 1/2 day during my May trip. For a while, AK was a 1/2 day park each trip for me. It looks like it has become a 1/2 day park every other trip. I think I will enjoy it a lot more that way.

 

[princess lovers mom]

we also do not count it as a must see park...we too are frustrated that almost all of the "rides" are scary for younger children, but mostly frustrated about the layout of the park...lots of walking between things and always coming back to the center hub gets old real fast.....

we will go this trip, but always a half day park and go somewhere else in the evening

 

[Slapster]

AKL is my least favorite of the 4 parks. That said, there are lots of fun things to do there. I really enjoyed Tough to Be a Bug and Dinosaur. The Rafiki thing was pretty lame but my kids liked the petting zoo there. Tarzan Rocks wasn't the best production that Disney puts on but not bad. The Safari was cool and there were lots of animals out during our time. The story line theme with the elephants is goofy - why not just ride and explain things about the different animals?

Anyway, to each their own. I try not to spend more than 1 day over a several day trip at AKL. Much rather spend two or three days apiece at MK, Epcot and MGM.

 

[scrump]

AK is not my favorite either, but it's really grown on me. When I first went in 2000, I thought of it as one big botanical garden/zoo and aside from the Dinosaur ride, I didn't care to go back. Next couple of times I went in the following years, I've appreciated it more and more, and currently it is the park we spend the least amount of time at, but we definitely make it a point to go.

 

[ciera321]

This is way I LOVE DW so much. There are so many things and places to see, that even if you don't go to one of the parks, you are still having a great time doing something Disney!!! I do, however, love AK and have to go on each trip!!!

 

[arizonacolbys]

I have to admit that the first time I went to AK (in 2000) that I was a little disappointed in it. However, on our next trip (in 2001) I found that I really love it there. We always end up visiting the AK at least 2-3 times for all of our week or longer trips. It usually isn't a full-day visit - but most parks for us aren't - we enjoy splitting up the days.

I know that I may be partially biased because I really love animals & enjoy watching them, whether at our local zoo, or at AK, but I do believe the AK is an awesome park. I agree with the previous poster - both Epcot & MGM are also somewhat lacking in the ride department - especially for youngsters.

We like to go to parks like MK & Epcot at the beginning of our trip, but always enjoy a morning or two of a more relaxed pace enjoying the AK. I think many children really enjoy it here.

 

[Blueberry]

At first we did not care for AK at all when it was new, skipped it a few years on our trips as we prefer the other parks. There just didn't seem to be enough to do there then, but we sorta like it now. It is still our 4th favorite park but we have had some enjoyable time there as we took time to walk all the trails and see the shows and attractions. I can say one thing, it is the hardest park on the feet, and I do not mean the distance walking. The pathways are made uneven to be authentic, and if you have foot problems it is murder on your feet. I have arthritis in my feet and this is the only park that it bothers me to walk in now, as I walk so much for my health....Animals are nice and nice themed areas along the pathways to see then. We enjoy the few rides they do have and a few shows..but we spend about 5 hours in the park max each trip...just my two cents on it. ...everyones taste is differnt and not everything is made to suit everyone.,,