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

[Leota]

I like AK, it's not my favorite - To each his or her own.
Every time I go, I really enjoy my time there, but it is also the first Park to get cut if we are on a short trip.

I do, however, strongly disagree that AK was done on the cheap & looks it. It is a very richly themed Park. I think it's an completely immersive experience. The investment into the flora & fauna- monetarily, aquistion-wise,training, care & upkeep should not be discounted. Alot went into making this Park & I think it gets sadly under-rated because people do tend to compare it to Magic Kingdom.

 

[DebbieB]

While I don't dislike it, it's my least favorite of the four parks. It's a half day for us.

 

[jmclester]

For us it is a half day park with a PH pass. Would definitely not spend sixty bucks for a single day pass to this park with a family of 4. Even with Expedition: Everest I doubt if we would see this park without a hopper pass. Just not enough there to justify it.

Safaris, Dinosaur!, P. Whirl - twice, repeat Dinosaur!, out by noon.

Sorry folks, it's just not as special as the other 3 great parks.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

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.....

Yes there's a lot of walking. AK is actually the largest of the 4 parks, and all the other 3 put together could fit inside AK. Just inside the space for Kilimanjaro Safaris, you could fit all of the Magic Kingdom.

The layout of the park makes sense, if you plan your visit out a little bit beforehand. If you want to ride Safaris, then Dinosaur, then go see FotLK, then go ride Kali, in that order, yes, you're going to have to do a lot of walking, because you're cris-crossing the park every time you go to another attraction. On the other hand, picking a route like FotLK > Safaris > Kali > Dinosaur would be much easier, because you wouldn't have to keep returning to or crossing Discovery Island to get from point to point.

 

[kidd_freeper]

I think the new ticketing system is going to kill attendance at AK.

AK is really a half-day park. If you don't buy the park-hopping option, why waste a whole-day ticket on a half-day park?

 

[dreams4disney]

I didn't care for AK our first trip.I didn't even want to go to AK our first trip. My Husband on the other hand say's it is his favorite park. However after our trip with the kids this past October I really enjoyed AK and I can not wait to go back and do it at a slower pace to see more of it. I am even wanting to stay at AKL for our trip in December or for a trip alone with DH this summer.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

I think the new ticketing system is going to kill attendance at AK.

AK is really a half-day park. If you don't buy the park-hopping option, why waste a whole-day ticket on a half-day park?

I never understand the "half day park" mentality that a lot of people seem to have about AK.

There is no possible way that you could see the 4 sit down shows (Pocohantas, FotLK, Flights of Wonder, and Tarzan Rocks), plus do every attraction (Safaris, Pangani Forest Trail, Wildlife Express Train, Conservation Station, Maharaja Jungle Trek, Kali River Rapids, Dinosaur, Primeval Whirl, Triceratop Spin, and Tough to be a Bug), plus take time to enjoy the "atmosphere performers" (Wes Palm, Devine, the acrobats in Africa, the jugglers in Dinoland, and I'm sure I'm forgetting some), and walk through all the Tree of Life trails and the Oasis trails in less than 8 hours. Even if you cut out some of the trails and 1 of the 4 shows, it'd still be more than a half day.

(Although, I suppose if your days on your WDW vacation are 14-18 hours long, then AK might be a "half day park" ... but I personally think vacations are supposed to be relaxing, and 14 hours of commando park touring isn't my idea of relaxing)

 

[Aquagirl]

I LOVE AK!!!

It is a richly themed park. Just look down at the "mud" walkways. You can find all sorts of tracks, insects, etc. I am always finding something new there. To me it is a more relaxing park. I can just walk and explore at my own pace. There are so many things to see and learn. I think that a lot of people skip the paths around the tree of life and rush to the safari etc. There is a lot to explore there. I am surprised that young children do not like this park. It is an adventure. I don't go there for the rides I go for the experience.

Although I may be partial to the animal aspect since that is what I do for a living.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I don't care for AK either. We did anything and everything we wnated there in 5 hours, WHILE I was sick and puking! LOL! I have no desire to return for years... we don't feel it's worth a bother while there, so we don't waste precious vacation time at it. I think it has a few good attractions, but that's about it. Animals, the African theme, etc are NOT for us - I don't even find Animal Kingdom Lodge impressive because it's not my style or taste at all.

Joys of Disney, so much for everyone!

 

[Unofficial Fan]

It's ok to not like any park you choose. The reasons I enjoy AK have less to do with the rides and more to do with the shows. The Lion King show always makes me feel as though I've seen a Broadway show. In fact, we're going to the touring version in July, I can't wait to see how they compare. I also enjoy the Tarzan Rocks show for the music and the rollerbladers. When my DD was your child's age, she REALLY loved the Dinousaur dig area (and I loved the "unique" sand). She would play there for an hour easily. Finally, I quite enjoy the "quietness" of this park. Frankly (hehe, now *I"ll* get flamed) the level of noise at MK is such an annoyance to me that I can only take a half day at that park before my nerves are completely frayed.

So yes, we can understand why someone who loves rides doesn't love AK, but there are different things to enjoy in each park, as everyone is saying.

Leaving in 5 days!!

 

[bajanswife]

AK is very different from the other parks, and maybe it doesn't feel like "Disney" because of that. It requires a different approach too. AK is not the kind of park that's easy to rush around in. We enjoyed slowly working our way around the park except for arrival, when we went straight to the safari, and when we had to rush to make a FOTLK show.

It's not a shighly stimulating and awe-inspiring like the MK is (unless you really love the animal theming a lot), so maybe people who like a lot of stimulation get bored easily there. We were all adults and were there from 10.30 - 5 and still did not get to do "everything". It's a half day park if you pick and choose a lot and only do a few things. I guess if you've been to AK a few times you won't want to repeat many of the attractions, and from that perspective it may only be worth a half day of someone's time. But I don't think it's fair to generalize and call it a "half day park", especially not for first-timers, or kids who haven't been for a few years.

For me, MGM is a half day park, meaning that I could easily pick and choose and only spend half a day there. But in general MGM is not a half day park - it just depends on what you want to get out of it. Same with AK.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

The first couple of times we went to AK as a whole family. We enjoyed parts of it, but were looking for more entertainment and didn't enjoy it a lot. Then I went with my 4yo and my sister and we spent all day, walked the trails, went to Conservation Station, say FOTLK, etc, etc. I really saw a different side to the park and enjoyed it a lot for what it was. If you go into AK expecting MK you might be disappointed, just as if you go to a value resort expect deluxe amenities you will not be happy.

If I had to skip a park AK might be it, but I do think that there is enough there for a variety of ages and interests that it's worth a leisurly look.

T&B

 

[3Mousketeers]

As I said before, I definitely respect everyone's opinions but I just dont want someone with young kids to read this thread & decide just based on that not to visit AK. If you're someone doing the commando style of touring the parks, AK will probably seem like a 1/2 day park. But, AK is not meant to be experienced by running from attraction to attraction. It obviously doesn't have the same heritage as Cinderella's Castle or Spaceship Earth but my kids definitely felt the Disney magic at AK on a different level. We actually had the best Character experience at Camp Minnie Mickey (much less crowded than the other parks Character greetings). Our day at AK is definitely more laid back (but still planned b/c lines can be long just like any other park) but its still a full day. Our strategy is to check out a few attractions, check out some animals, have lunch, see a couple shows and let the kids hang out at the Dig Site for a while. I admit the full day is definitely shorter than a "full day" at MK but I'd say we're there at opening and stay til around 4 or 5.
OK I'd say thats more than my 2 cents. Have a great day!

 

[cobbler]

Ak is not my favorite but it is growing on me. I went in '00 then didn't go back again until last year because the other parks just took priority - and still do.

I will go there if there is time but if not I am not going to be too upset. I did like Camp Minnie/Mickey. Great place to see characters and stuff.

Its growing on me but still will take last place when deciding on which park to go to.

 

[mickeymousefan]

I love AK. The safari is great and the live entertainment is fantastic. My kids could spend all day between the petting zoo at conservation station and the Boneyard playground. We find lots to do there as a family and haven't been able to do "everthing" in one day yet.

 

[PratersloveDW]

No flames from me and no one else should be throwing them either. We are all Disney fams here but we all still ahve our own tastes. I, personally, love AK. On some days it is my favorite park. I do love animals and what have you but that is not what I spend the majority of my time on. We really like the shows that are offered; as well, the atmosphere is beautiful. However, we do have or days where we would much prefer the fantasy atmosphere or cultural insights. Sorry that you are not a big fan of AK. The good thing, there is so much else for you to enjoy at WDW!

 

[skuttle]

I LOVE AK!! Definitely up there with MK for me! I find it a relaxing park. The attention to detail at AK is just amazing! Love it! Love it! Love it!. DH wasn't too impressed the first time we went in 2000, but it has since grown on him and it's one of his favorites, too! We'll see what DS thinks in December (he'll be 2 1/2).

I would without a doubt skip MGM before AK as MGM is our least favorite park...and I think I may even skip Epcot before AK.

 

[rkmassa]

We didn't like AK either. My DH, DS (5), DD (7) and I all hated it. The park is too small in some places. After the parade, I felt like I was going to be crushed. We were not there during a busy season, so I can't imagine what it is like in the busy time. The music played over in the bone yard dig was awful. It was Christmas and they were playing rock music, loudly. Gave me a headache. The rides were lame, and the lines were long. We didn't like the shows. The whole place was just not for us. We have been to nicer zoos to see animals, so even that didn't impress us. As far as my whole family is concerned, there are only 3 parks for us-MK, EPCOT and Disney MGM. AK is no longer on our list.

 

[LYNSUE]

DH and I are not big fans of AK either. On our last visit 11-04, we skipped the park entirely. The trip before that 3-04, I did visit the AK, but only because I had my 9 year old nephew with me. There is nothing wrong with the park but give me MK anyday.

We will be visiting SanDiego in April. I cannot even talk my DH into visiting the famous SanDiego zoo. So I guess he really does not like animal parks.

 

[mickyzzzzz05]

Not our favorite park. My husband is not real big on zoos and the theme in this park to make it look realistic doesn't appeal to him. We visit the park every time to go to the Lion King show (which he really enjoys) and ride the Safari but after that we leave. Every couple of years we will walk the trails but we aren't really interested in the rest of the park. It appeals to some and not to others - to each their own.