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

[paigevz]

It's a standard big innertube ride (you know where everyone has a seat around a giant inner tube)...........it's longer than most, the jungle-type setting is great, but then it changes to a burning down of the rainforest or wherever you are for an environmental message...........sure, a powerful message, but very disturbing to my kids and what starts as a very enjoyable ride is IMO, essentially spoiled by the images of destruction you're left with. For me anyway, but I am very sensitive to that sort of thing, and I begin to question why I'm even in a theme park instead of out making the world better or at least donating the money I'm spending...............a real downer for me.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I will let you guys know how I feel about AK when we come back from our trip. We'll be there next week. We've been there once, but didn't do too much due to the weather (It was too hot and humid and not enough shades) so we left early.

This time since we're going when the weather will not be too hot and humid, we will take our time and hopfully we will be able to cover all grounds. I would like to stop and smell the roses. I want to go at a slow pace and appriciate what AK has to offer.

I'll give you my report on AK and I am looking forward to having a wonderful relaxing time there.

 

[crabmeal]

i have not done AK yet due to stuff I learned here. I learned it is a hot park, with not many AC places and a lot of uphill walking. Our first family trip was in November during a heat wave so I convinced Dh and DS we should do a resort pool day. This past Oct I was pregnant and it was hot again. I wasn't up to pushing a stroller uphill in a hot jungle type park. I do want to see AK one day and so does my DH. Im hoping our next trip will have cooler weather so we can see the park.

BTW my 2yo DD loves to see the Dinosaur ride on WDW's website. She always asks me to put on dinosaurs and turn the music on!

 

[S. C.]

I'll share with the flames. We (DH. GS. and I) are not AK lovers either. We have been to the park 3 times & although there are some attractions we enjoy at AK we just don't feel we want to go back there. We go to WDW in the summer and AK is a HOT park.

 

[Muziqal]

It's funny...my g/f's 2nd favourite is the Animal Kingdom behind Epcot. She's an animal person though. We were excited to show my brother and his g/f around in May (he hadn't been to AK and she had never been to WDW before). They hated Animal Kingdom! I had never heard of anyone disliking it until they mentioned it. In 3 weeks, with a Fun in the Sun pass, they went the one time and not again! Then I read these boards and read that it's a common thing to dislike this park! haha! It was funny...I never heard that the whole year I worked at Epcot either.

I guess if you like the zoo in your city, then just add theme park elements to it and you're bound to like AK too. I think it's refreshing to see live animals after going on the jungle cruise. I love the atmosphere and never have any problems with the heat (although, we're not lugging around little ones yet, so I can see how families might find it difficult). The architecture, atmosphere and horticulture is extraordinary...the music is great, the live shows are great (Tarzan and Lion King), and some of the rides I would add on my 'Not to be Missed' list. I guess I'm a huge fan of additions to the World that add something unique to the adventure. What do you need 2 MK's for...? I suppose that's what lessens my desire to ever see Disneyland...if I go to California, I don't have the option of visiting an Epcot or a AK on the days I don't feel like going to the MK...

I don't know...I'd still recommend every park to a 1st time visitor to WDW. For the simple reason that they do offer such different experiences (AK especially). That's why it is called a World and not a Land. I know I'll never skip a theme park when I visit. I would feel like I was missing out on something. Or maybe it's becuase I know my g/f wouldn't let us skip it...ever!

 

[sweetinmaine]

My husband really liked AK. I, alas, did not. I tried explaining it to my adult daughter. I think she said it best when she stated "It sounds like it doesn't hold the magic and fantasy of Disney World". I think that's it. You think of Disney and you think fantasy and wonder. Don't get me wrong...we saw the Lion King show and I swear it's one of the best shows I've ever seen. So is "Bugs life". I guess the park doesn't have the bright colors of Disney. We're going again in March for the grandkids.. Maybe I just need to look at it through their eyes!

 

[DissyLove]

AK is by far my least favorite theme park. I prefer not to go there for myself. However, one of my kids LOVES it, so we go. But I don't feel that "magic" for myself while there.

 

[WheresGoofy]

To me AK is a park that we checked everything out our first visit and then on trips after that, if we don't make it to AK, we don't feel too bad. We normally go for a few hours during our trip. Hopefully the new coaster will be fun and make it a mandatory park to visit after it opens.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

The Animal Kingdom is not one of my favorites, but then again none of them are. Each theme park appeals to a different part of who I am as a whole.

I had to quote this because it is EXACTLY how I feel. I feel like each park (with the exception of MK) would only be so-so on its own. But together, the four parks as a whole are a perfect union and appeal to different parts of me, and at different times.

I would never go to WDW and not do AK. I absolutely love it. It's not my favorite park, but I don't have a favorite. For me, WDW is a like one big park with 4 main sections, and each section adds something else to the big picture.

 

[calena]

Hubby really liked AK. He especially enjoyed Kilamanjaro Safari. I was glad we went, but won't be going back for awhile. I would prefer to spend several days at MK and Epcot than go to AK. I also didn't care for MGM, but maybe we didn't give it a chance.

 

[Mom2RinJen]

I wouldn't make AK a priority for a trip, but I do usually go there for 1/2 a day while I'm there. After being there three times I've finally done the Pangani trail. Wasn't that impressed. Sorry flame away. I guess if you didn't have a awesome zoo in your backyard then it might be impressive, but it wasn't to us. Tough to be a Bug is good, but no something I would make a special trip for. Only thing that is really awesome about AK is the Safari, but even then if you hit it at the wrong times, its not that good. We barely saw any animals this time. I personally think they can do without the whole Little Red scenario. Would seem more real. I think it takes away from the safari experience, but what do I know. LOL We do go to the park every vacation, but not for a whole day. And if we didn't go next vacation, I probably wouldnt sweat it. Though I haven't seen Tarzan yet......

 

[swilphil]

I don't really like AK either. We have a nice zoo, so I'd rather just go there instead of wasting my Disney time on it.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Don't really care for that park or resort. Last trip stayed at AKL, Savannah view, and was disappointed in the animals from our room, 5 kinds, big horn steer, gaxella, thompson deer and giraffes. The giraffee are great but they came to our side only at feeding time, the maintenance road separates the resort for the actual grass by 50 feet and when its dark there, its dark, no animals and not much else to do but wait at the bus stop and motor elsewhere. Last trip we didn't go to the Animal Kingdom Park, too spread out, hard walking, difficult to get orientated, even with a few people there, tends to be crowded and closes at 5pm. Last trip we split, 3 nights at AKL, to please my wife , we have never stayed there before, and the last 6 nights at the Polynesian. The Polynesian and Wilderness Lodge are our 2 favorites being close to the MK and on the monorail loop.

 

[Stitchfan]

Personally, I love Animal Kingdom...is it my favorite park? No, but I really enjoy the atmosphere, rides and shows that are there. And I'm probably the only one so...shhh, don't tell anybody, but... I even love Chester & Hester's Dinorama. To each his/her own, right?

 

[macfamily]

Our scheduled arrive time is around noon, so I had actually planned to do AK on the first day, as almost everyone I have spoken to has told me that it's definitely a "half-day" park. I hope I'm not disappointed at not having more time; I'm a HUGE animal fan as is my daughter, and long walks don't bug me except in a couple feet of snow! I'm also excited to see the Lion King show; I'll let you all know in about a month what I thought

I *do* have a question tho. If we do end up spending the latter half of the day at AK where would be the best place to stop for dinner? I have the feeling the lunch will be a "grab and go" thing since we'll be itchin' to get there, so dinner will definitely be a necessary item!

Thanks in advance!