An honest review of Animal Kingdom

[lbklyn]

I think if I went when it was crowded I might not have fallen in Love with Animal Kingdom as I have. I try to go to WDW in Nov. or Oct.. That being said I always found it SO beautiful, intriguing and relaxing. But my last trip I just fell in Love with the place. It would not be for thrill seekers and I can't put my finger on it but It is now my favorite park aside from MK. Again I would NOT go when the crowds were expected to be high.

 

[Luv4Disney]

I wasn't too thrilled with AK when I first went there, but now I love it! We easily spend a whole day there. We live about 45 minutes from Great Adventure and their safari, but their safari is crap. Kiliminjaro's is amazing. The difference is night and day. DD loves the Boneyard and the Triceratop Spin (even though it's like Dumbo). We do Dinosaur, It's Tough to Be a Bug and love seeing Festival of the Lion King, Flights of Wonder, and Finding Nemo. Expedition Everest is one of my favorite coasters - the theming and going backwards is awesome. We also just love walking around the trails and occassionally DH will go on Kali River Rapids. We do a nice sit down lunch at Y&Y and overall just have a wonderful day. It's definitely moved up in my favorite parks list.

 

[dkeysor42]

Legit question - where do you live? If you live in Africa then fair comment, you could have stayed at home.

I, on the other hand don't so the Animal Kingdom, for me, is a way to get in touch with the totally awesome natural world around us that I don't get to visit. I don't go there for the thrills or the excitement. I go there to remind myself that sometimes, we take life for granted and that truly, the real world is a beautiful place.

We are from Ohio. I have not been to the drive through safari since I was a kid, however we have a season pass to the Columbus Zoo, which is fantastic. We did like the shows, and everyone is right, the park is beautiful. The theming is fantastic, and the mountain of EE is really cool. 2 days before we went, the branch fell from the tree, and the Bug attraction was closed. That was the one thing my 5 yr old wanted to see at DW, so that kind of stunk.

My post wasn't really meant to be a slam on AK. Like someone said, different strokes for different folks. If our stay had been longer, we probably would have enjoyed a half day visit.

 

[dkeysor42]

Some folks use "honest" to mean "unpalateable" or "negative". As in, "Let me tell you honestly what I think." You know whatever they're about to say won't be good, unless they're just teasing you, in which case they'll surprise you with, "I loved it!" But the joke there is that you were expecting something bad, because they said they were going to be "honest".

Also, people who say mean things to other people nearly always defend themselves by saying, "I'm just being honest!" which is probably where "honest" first got its reputation for being so negative. No one ever needs to defend a kind statement by pointing out that it's honest.

"My honest opinion" was meant to be just that. It's what I thought about our experience. I just thought that there are families like mine who might want to hear it. Not meant to be a knock on anyone who loves it.

 

[pilferk]

The family and I spent a day at Animal Kingdom in April. Just had to give some advice to other families deciding on which parks to visit.

We found Animal Kingdom crowded, spread out, and not laid out very well. (lots of walking to get from one side to the other), and quite frankly, boring. The safari is a cool concept, but let's be honest....I can do the drive thru safari near my home, see the same animals, not wait 45 mins, and have basically the same experience. Secondly, Expedition Everest. Plain and simple, it's a below average coaster with a huge Yeti that you don't even get a good look at if at all. Say what you want about theming...it IS very cool, but excitement? um....no. Dinoland? Feels like it was kind of just stuck in the park for ride count. Felt more like a county fair than Disney.

I'd recommend spending your $90 on Seaworld, seeing a few animals you can't see near home, and riding a couple of world class coasters.

My two cents.

AK is not your kind of park. I'd venture it's not a LOT of people's kind of park.

AK really shines when you're just exploring, and not trying to do what you do at the other Disney parks (run from attraction to attraction). It shines when you check out all the live animal exhibits and trails. It is NOT "ride-heavy", which is what it seems most people (and there's nothing wrong with that!) seem to want.

Disney made this huge park to explore...and it seems like most people don't really want to do that. That's not meant as a knock, it's just the way it looks to be. They want to run from Everest to Killamanaro to Kahli River Rapids, to Festival of the Lion King, to Bugs life, to Dinosaur!, and finally to Nemo and Friends. And when they've done all that...and it's about 1 PM...they're sort of like "now what" and they head for the gates. They're sort of confused because they're conditioned to go from ride to ride, show to show, as fast as possible, in order to efficiently and completely experience a Disney Park.

But AK.....it's not that kind of park. And, to be perfectly frank...it's Disney's fault, at least in part, that guests don't "get it" (and, again, that's 100% OK), because THEY'VE been the ones conditioning guests to do things a certain way...and then they pulled the rug out from under them. They've done a poor job of communicating the "personality" of the park, and the slower pace...and probably, quite frankly, of estimating the market for that kind of experience.

It's all good, though. Different strokes (and parks) for different folks!

 

[DizDaD7]

Once again.....This is Disney. YOU EITHER get it of you don't. And if you are not sure if you get it or don't get it......let me be the first by saying.You Don't get it...

Btw. WdW RULES

 

[luvsJack]

On our last visit, which was a quick 2 day trip with a school group, dh and I both said if that had been our only experience with AK we would HATE it. We were only there for 1/2 a day, we were trying to get in all the "must dos" for us and to let our friends do them too. We felt like we were running from one side to the other constantly. It was hot and crowded and we just couldn't move around as well as we can in the other parks.

BUT, on past trips we have spent at least one whole day there. We start with EE (well, dh and dd do anyway) and then the safari. And then the rest is mostly just walking, looking and enjoying with the LK show and ITTBAB thrown in. A nice lunch and then just enjoying all the trails and the animals we find there. And a ride on Kali.

We love the theming and just walking and looking. Then there are the entertainers in and around the village (can never remember the name of it). And we even like DinoLand but we just take it for what it is.

IMHO, AK is not a park for those that just want rides and so everyone just isn't going to like it. Which is a good thing for us that just like to wander and look and not be pushed and hurried and crowded.

 

[Magpie]

"My honest opinion" was meant to be just that. It's what I thought about our experience. I just thought that there are families like mine who might want to hear it. Not meant to be a knock on anyone who loves it.

Have you ever titled a positive post, "An honest review"?

Have you ever written (or read) what you'd consider a dishonest review?

Reviews, by their nature, are assumed to be honest opinions. So when you feel the need to label yourself as "honest", people naturally wonder why. And it's reasonable to assume it's because you've got nothing good to say. It could also imply that anyone who doesn't share your opinion is being somehow dishonest, but I'm sure you didn't mean it that way.

In any case, to answer your original question, here's what we do in a day at Animal Kingdom:

*Talk to the CMs holding their little plastic boxes when you first walk through the gates. They usually have some cool critter to show you, and are thrilled when you stop (most everyone else is running to EE).

*Meander through the Oasis and see if we can spot a critter or two.

*Early in the morning, it's cool to take the train up to Rafiki's Planet Watch and watch the veterinarians working with the animals. They're usually done for the day by 11 am though. Talk to more CMs.

*Work our way around the park, taking lots of pictures of all the pretty themeing. I take more pictures in Animal Kingdom than anywhere else.

*This isn't in order, but when we visit we: See the Nemo show, ride Primeval Whirl (a couple times if there's no line - it's fun!), ride Dinosaur, ride Everest, ride the Kali River Rapids (if it's warm enough), walk the Maharajah Jungle trek...

*Stop and talk to the CMs staffing the Jungle Trek. They always have cool stories to tell. Also, go bird watching on the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and talk to the CMs there, too.

*See the Bird Show, ride the Kilamanjaro Safaris (early morning you see more critters), See the Lion King show, see It's Tough to Be a Bug, watch the Parade (because it's not like any other parade I've ever seen - very cool floats).

*Eat at any of the restaurants, and appreciate the themeing some more. Have a jalapeno-cheeses stuffed pretzel.

Frankly, I can't get through the entire park in one day. For me, Animal Kingdom is at least a day-and-a-half. And I'm not even interested in the playground or getting my picture taken with characters in safari gear! And every time I visit I keep finding neat little details I never noticed before, such as a carved stone or wooden post, tucked away in corners. For me, the entire park is like a treasure hunt.

 

[GreenCntryGirl]

*Talk to the CMs holding their little plastic boxes when you first walk through the gates. They usually have some cool critter to show you, and are thrilled when you stop.

I snipped your post. I forgot about this but it is absolutely one of my favorite things that happens there.

 

[DizDaD7]

Have you ever titled a positive post, "An honest review"?

Have you ever written (or read) what you'd consider a dishonest review?

Reviews, by their nature, are assumed to be honest opinions. So when you feel the need to label yourself as "honest", people naturally wonder why. And it's reasonable to assume it's because you've got nothing good to say. It could also imply that anyone who doesn't share your opinion is being somehow dishonest, but I'm sure you didn't mean it that way.

In any case, to answer your original question, here's what we do in a day at Animal Kingdom:

*Talk to the CMs holding their little plastic boxes when you first walk through the gates. They usually have some cool critter to show you, and are thrilled when you stop (most everyone else is running to EE).

*Meander through the Oasis and see if we can spot a critter or two.

*Early in the morning, it's cool to take the train up to Rafiki's Planet Watch and watch the veterinarians working with the animals. They're usually done for the day by 11 am though. Talk to more CMs.

*Work our way around the park, taking lots of pictures of all the pretty themeing. I take more pictures in Animal Kingdom than anywhere else.

*This isn't in order, but when we visit we: See the Nemo show, ride Primeval Whirl (a couple times if there's no line - it's fun!), ride Dinosaur, ride Everest, ride the Kali River Rapids (if it's warm enough), walk the Maharajah Jungle trek...

*Stop and talk to the CMs staffing the Jungle Trek. They always have cool stories to tell. Also, go bird watching on the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and talk to the CMs there, too.

*See the Bird Show, ride the Kilamanjaro Safaris (early morning you see more critters), See the Lion King show, see It's Tough to Be a Bug, watch the Parade (because it's not like any other parade I've ever seen - very cool floats).

*Eat at any of the restaurants, and appreciate the themeing some more. Have a jalapeno-cheeses stuffed pretzel.

Frankly, I can't get through the entire park in one day. For me, Animal Kingdom is at least a day-and-a-half. And I'm not even interested in the playground or getting my picture taken with characters in safari gear! And every time I visit I keep finding neat little details I never noticed before, such as a carved stone or wooden post, tucked away in corners. For me, the entire park is like a treasure hunt.

What she said..

 

[TinkLoverSam]

I think AK is one of the ost beautiful places I've ever seen! I this park for its beauty... and EE!

 

[maxiesmom]

Have you ever titled a positive post, "An honest review"?

Have you ever written (or read) what you'd consider a dishonest review?

Reviews, by their nature, are assumed to be honest opinions. So when you feel the need to label yourself as "honest", people naturally wonder why. And it's reasonable to assume it's because you've got nothing good to say. It could also imply that anyone who doesn't share your opinion is being somehow dishonest, but I'm sure you didn't mean it that way.

That is what was bugging me. Saying your post is an honest review seems to mean that anyone who posts that they love the Animal Kingdom is somehow being dishonest. You review of the park is no more right or honest than anyone else's.

It is ok to say you don't enjoy a particular park. I dislike the Disney Studios. But that doesn't mean other people are being less than truthful when they post the do like that same park.

 

[butterfly71076]

$90 bucks. Huh...im sure its a lot less than that when adding on an extra 5th 6th or 7th day. Also. Did you not even visit any of the shows at Ak. Some of the best around .DISNEY isnt just about being on thrill rides. Honestly if you don't get that feeling of just being in Disney....then you'll never understand what I'm talking about. While yes AK is different than the others but that's what makes each park unique. *****BTW about that feeling some people on here will know what im talking about. Its stepping off the airplane and being in MCO. Its just getting into the parks and seeing kids faces. Its the certain smells u breathe in when going to the parks. If you get that then Ak wouldnt be such a bummer for ya.

I love this! I totally understand. My sister and I call it our " Disney high" It starts as soon as we are coming in to land at MCO. The last few times, I saw Epcot and HS from the plane, I almost cried!!

 

[Pat329]

We were a little disappointed in AK. We're older and don't do any of the thrill rides but do take in all the shows. I agree everything we like is so spread out that I sometimes don't bother seeing everything I want because of the distance. I was thrilled to finally see Devine a few years ago which was the only thing I hadn't seen yet. AK to us is a place we go if we have an extra park day on our ticket. As far as seeing animals, we stayed at the AKL and paid a little more for a Savannah room and saw more animals there than in the park. we had Giraffes at our balcony window every morning. And every evening we would walk around the pool and watch all the other animals. Animals everywhere! I love the lodge.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

AK definitely isn't the place to go if you're looking for excitement and world class coasters.

Honestly, DISNEY isn't where you go for "World class coasters". Looking forward to my first visit to AK since it first opened

 

[kimsuenew]

AK definitely isn't the place to go if you're looking for excitement and world class coasters.

For my family, though, we absolutely love it. Love festival of the lion king and Nemo, love the drummers and dancers in Africa, love the safari ride (there's nothing like it at the zoos where I live), love the boneyard, and mostly just love walking around the beautiful grounds and looking at everything there is to see.

Different strokes for different folks!

We totally agree! We AK and would not miss it. Out of the four parks it is my 2nd favorite (MK) is first and my two guys (DH, DS) agree and they are RC crazy!

 

[kimsuenew]

The family and I spent a day at Animal Kingdom in April. Just had to give some advice to other families deciding on which parks to visit.

We found Animal Kingdom crowded, spread out, and not laid out very well. (lots of walking to get from one side to the other), and quite frankly, boring. The safari is a cool concept, but let's be honest....I can do the drive thru safari near my home, see the same animals, not wait 45 mins, and have basically the same experience. Secondly, Expedition Everest. Plain and simple, it's a below average coaster with a huge Yeti that you don't even get a good look at if at all. Say what you want about theming...it IS very cool, but excitement? um....no. Dinoland? Feels like it was kind of just stuck in the park for ride count. Felt more like a county fair than Disney.

I'd recommend spending your $90 on Seaworld, seeing a few animals you can't see near home, and riding a couple of world class coasters.

My two cents.

Are you in Ohio by chance?

 

[kimsuenew]

We are from Ohio. I have not been to the drive through safari since I was a kid, however we have a season pass to the Columbus Zoo, which is fantastic. We did like the shows, and everyone is right, the park is beautiful. The theming is fantastic, and the mountain of EE is really cool. 2 days before we went, the branch fell from the tree, and the Bug attraction was closed. That was the one thing my 5 yr old wanted to see at DW, so that kind of stunk.

My post wasn't really meant to be a slam on AK. Like someone said, different strokes for different folks. If our stay had been longer, we probably would have enjoyed a half day visit.

Ohio girl here! We have season passes to the African Safari Wildlife Park which i think is what you are speaking of. If not and it is The Wilds I have never been there.

We were there just last week actually (ASWP) and while I love it there is no comparison between it and AK's ride.

At ASWP animals can be fed, it is interactive. You drive your car and they come up to the car (except zebras and giraffes which are fenced in and must be fed through the fence holes and the camels seem to never come out of their environment there but can be seen) and mainly consist of deers, bison, highlanders, and alpacas.

There are no rhinos, crocs, elephants, warthogs, cheetas, baboons, etc... which is what makes AK's exciting to me!

Comparing the animals viewed/safari ride set-up there versus AK is like comparing apples and oranges. They are both neat but not similar!

As far as not liking AK... no biggie, our tastes are all different which is what makes WDW so awesome... there is something for everyone and lots to see and try!

 

[DizDaD7]

I love this! I totally understand. My sister and I call it our " Disney high" It starts as soon as we are coming in to land at MCO. The last few times, I saw Epcot and HS from the plane, I almost cried!!

I know right. Isn't it awesome when you finally get there. Filled with all this anticipation and uncontrollable happiness and anxiety. I WOULDN'T TRADE IT FOR ALL THE $$$$. Sometimes its almost as fun just riding the tram at the airport from the terminal. We always call it our 1st n last ride in Disney. Lol. Best part about that feeling you get is seeing your kids who also just get it. Now that we are dvc owners we will be visiting Ak for the next 46 years and loving every moment from now till the end......Thank you very much....

PS. Keep doing what you do Disney, because honestly nothing will ever compare. Lol sorry bout ranting ....I'm done..

 

[Phatoomch]

Ohio girl here! We have season passes to the African Safari Wildlife Park which i think is what you are speaking of. If not and it is The Wilds I have never been there.

We were there just last week actually (ASWP) and while I love it there is no comparison between it and AK's ride.

At ASWP animals can be fed, it is interactive. You drive your car and they come up to the car (except zebras and giraffes which are fenced in and must be fed through the fence holes and the camels seem to never come out of their environment there but can be seen) and mainly consist of deers, bison, highlanders, and alpacas.

There are no rhinos, crocs, elephants, warthogs, cheetas, baboons, etc... which is what makes AK's exciting to me!

Comparing the animals viewed/safari ride set-up there versus AK is like comparing apples and oranges. They are both neat but not similar!

As far as not liking AK... no biggie, our tastes are all different which is what makes WDW so awesome... there is something for everyone and lots to see and try!

Thank you for clearing that up - I was thinking that the OP maybe lived in Africa as they implied they could see the same animals or had some super-cool safari I had never heard of.

Heck, I have a drive-thru safari not far from my home where the animals walk up to the car to be fed and I have my 'I have officially been slobbered by ....' towel. They have the same animals you speak of and nifty little animal shows.

Definitely cool, definitely not comparable to AK.