Animal Kingdom a major Flop!

[JennMouse32]

Animal Kingdom needs some major help. There are only 5 attractions that have general appeal to everyone. Expedition Everest, It’s Tough to be a Bug, Kilimanjaro Safari, The Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo the Musical. 2 of its major attractions: Dinosaur and Kali River Rapids are not good at all. Dinosaur is okay the first time you ride it, though gets old, very old after that. Kili River Rapids is horrible. Very few like to get completely drenched on a ride. Even without the drenching, it’s just not that good of a ride. The County Fair Area – Triceratops spin etc. are the most un-Disney like attractions in all of WDW. Disney did nothing, but add new attractions without spending money. Disney needs to spend some major bucks on this park not only adding, but re-imagineering a large number of the existing attractions.

im just making what i hope is an obvious observation... being that this is really just how you felt there.. not every one feels the way you do. I rather enjoyed it when i was there. Im sure other people have too.​

 

[AliceinHalloweentown]

Okay, out of the 1250 people who view this board on a regular basis, the 125 people who like the park have come out of the wood work. G R E A T.

I don't see anything wrong with people posting why they love the AK.

You posted your opinion on a public message board, and people disagreed, there's also plenty of people who agree with you.

No one's opinion is wrong here, and really- that's the best part of WDW, everyone can find something that suits their own interests.

 

[Planogirl]

Okay, out of the 1250 people who view this board on a regular basis, the 125 people who like the park have come out of the wood work. G R E A T.

I don't completely disagree with you but of course you have to expect that many others will. I personally like AK just fine but if I miss it I don't care much. To me it's way too hot and crowded and that's my major complaint.

Maybe you should put up a survey with several options to see what people actually think. I don't see why those who don't care for AK wouldn't vote.

 

[JUJU814]

Did I mention that it's the only park that truly feels hotter than Hades during the summer.

You know, I have to agree with you, and I know it's completely ridiculous because well, it's the same temperature everywhere..but for some strange reason, it always feels hotter there to me!

It's not my favorite park, but I agree with someone else that said you really have to slow down to enjoy it.

Unfortunately, because it's one of our least favorite, we are always trying to "squeeze it in".

I find it a difficult park to get around and don't get the layout of it.

So far...

I really believe I haven't given it a fair shot.

I think any opinion of a park is really subjective. It's just based on your likes.

My very first time I was there, 9 years ago I think, I was MISERABLE. We got there late, it was MOBBED, we weren't prepared and it was just shoulder to shoulder people. I hated it. It was really my own fault.

 

[Tink9295]

[
Each park appeals to a different demographic. If you like classic Disney and rides, you go to MK. If you like show business, particularly going behind the scenes and the chance to see some great stage shows, you go to DHS. If you like learning and experiencing different cultures, you go to Epcot. And if you like animals, you go to DAK.



Well said.

 

[teacup princess]

I admit I didn't read all the posts but I don't think the attractions at AK need major help. I do however, think the walkways at AK need major help. This park just feels the most crowded and has the highest concentration of people stopped in the middle of a pathway looking at a map. That just irritates me.

 

[selina4disney]

Okay, out of the 1250 people who view this board on a regular basis, the 125 people who like the park have come out of the wood work. G R E A T.

Look, if you don't like it, DON'T GO THERE. Seems pretty simple to me.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Animal Kingdom needs some major help. That's your opinion. In my opinion, the park is absolutely wonderful. There are only 5 attractions that have general appeal to everyone. Expedition Everest, It’s Tough to be a Bug, Kilimanjaro Safari, The Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo the Musical. 2 of its major attractions: Dinosaur and Kali River Rapids are not good at all. Dinosaur is okay the first time you ride it, though gets old, very old after that. Okay, I agree Dinosaur isn't great - it gives me a headache 90% of the time, from all the jerking around. Kili River Rapids is horrible. Very few like to get completely drenched on a ride. Respectfully, anyone not wanting to get drenched shouldn't ride. The queue even has strongly-worded warnings to the effect of, "You may get soaked; you will get wet". Even without the drenching, it’s just not that good of a ride. Again, I disagree. It's extremely well-themed. The County Fair Area – Triceratops spin etc. are the most un-Disney like attractions in all of WDW. Disney did nothing, but add new attractions without spending money. Um, no - adding new attractions DOES cost money, even if you feel they're simply redesigned 'old' attractions. Disney needs to spend some major bucks on this park not only adding, but re-imagineering a large number of the existing attractions.

Animal Kingdom is extremely well-engineered. How many animals did you see? How many animal carvings did you count on your way into 'It's Tough to be a Bug'? How much of the decor (for lack of a better word - I'm sleepy) did you note? Do you know where the one real baobob tree is? (I do ). How was Flights of Wonder? Granted, it's not a "gotta see it each trip" show, but it's fun.


Pretty much - did you stop and smell the roses, or did you rush from attraction to attraction - and then think that's all there is to the park?

 

[Safari Queen]

Hookedonears, we're also AK lovers. It's our #1 choice if we can only get to one park. I'm sorry you don't find it sufficiently entertaining, truly, but maybe you could be less aggressive in deriding it and assuming that your opinion is held by all. I don't think there are five attractions at DHS that I enjoy every time I go unless the Osborne Lights are up, but I don't feel compelled to proclaim the park a waste of time. Some people love it, and that's just fine. The wonderful thing about WDW is there's so much to do, we can all find favorites.

 

[MJMcBride]

I think DAK is a much better park than DHS which really needs some help. Half the park is either empty (soundstages and Sounds Dangerous) or hopeless (Backlot Tour and Narnia)

Star Tours 2 is a nice step, but I would much rather spend time at DAK.

 

[Victoria3]

Did I mention that it's the only park that truly feels hotter than Hades during the summer.

I don't understand this. All the parks are hot! I think Epcot is pretty bad in the summer time, especially walking around the world showcase.

 

[Bullseye]

I think DAK is a much better park than DHS which really needs some help. Half the park is either empty (soundstages and Sounds Dangerous) or hopeless (Backlot Tour and Narnia)

Star Tours 2 is a nice step, but I would much rather spend time at DAK.

Narnia = hopeless...now thats funny!!

AK rocks! yeahhhh animals...represent. Where's my shirpa?

 

[Rustysmom]

AK is our least favorite park. I loved the Nemo musical, Lion King was good, and love EE, but the rest of it we can take or leave. Maybe it's because at home we go to the Bronx Zoo several times a year and I can't help but to compare some of it to that. Of course it's not the same, but similar enough that on our short, infrequent Disney trips, we spend the least amount of time at AK.

 

[DonaldTDuck]

Okay, out of the 1250 people who view this board on a regular basis, the 125 people who like the park have come out of the wood work. G R E A T.

Make it 126. We spent 2 days (of 7) at AK in December and felt we could have spent more time there. AK is the 6th most attended park in the country, passing DHS in the last few years. I went the year it opened and was disappointed. We arrived around noon and left at 4 to go to Epcot to eat. Each year I spend more time there and love it more each time. I'm not sure what you're hooked on, but I don't think it's ears.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I really like AK, the shows alone are reason enough for me to make sure I get there every trip.

 

[Disn3y]

I agree with pretty much everyone that has posted. AK may not be all about the rides, but the park is great overall. Love the shows, the structures through the park, etc. Love all their rides as well..

 

[kaytieeldr]

I agree with you on Kali River Rapids. I'd handle getting wet if it was themed better (personal opinion only- I just yawn at the whole deforestation theme).

But my understanding is, most similar attractions aren't themed AT ALL. Or they're much shorter than KRR. Do you just plain not ride those?

I understand that it is a park about animals, but honestly, my local city zoo gives me better opportunities to view animals up close.

But does your local city zoo give you so many opportunities to view animals up close with no (or no obvious) barrier between you and them? I'm not even talking about the Safari or the various trails, although I bet you've never been delayed in your local zoo by a giraffe or rhinoceros in the road . I mean Discovery Island.

Okay, out of the 1250 people who view this board on a regular basis, the 125 people who like the park have come out of the wood work. G R E A T.

Sarcasm noted. Not appreciated, but noted.

 

[Bouncin-Tigger]

We have to semi agree with the OP, it is our least favorite park and do agree with other posters about heat and walkways. It is only a half day at best for us and we only count 2 attractions my kids enjoy and 1 show and think that the carnival area in the back is a little tacky and below disney kinda like something I avoid at home in the mall parking lot. But do really enjoy the tusker house breakfast and yaki and yeti for lunch.

 

[CanadianGuy]

You know, I have to agree with you, and I know it's completely ridiculous because well, it's the same temperature everywhere..but for some strange reason, it always feels hotter there to me!

You're not crazy. Park designer Joe Rohde, spoke on several occasions about how the park was designed to feel warmer (and actually be a bit warmer) than the surrounding land mass ... in part to accommodate the animals and plants used to much warmer environments... and also to make guests 'feel' the experience of those warmer climates.

 

[Goldenbear6]

Animal Kingdom needs some major help. There are only 5 attractions that have general appeal to everyone. Expedition Everest, It’s Tough to be a Bug, Kilimanjaro Safari, The Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo the Musical. 2 of its major attractions: Dinosaur and Kali River Rapids are not good at all. Dinosaur is okay the first time you ride it, though gets old, very old after that. Kili River Rapids is horrible. Very few like to get completely drenched on a ride. Even without the drenching, it’s just not that good of a ride. The County Fair Area – Triceratops spin etc. are the most un-Disney like attractions in all of WDW. Disney did nothing, but add new attractions without spending money. Disney needs to spend some major bucks on this park not only adding, but re-imagineering a large number of the existing attractions.

Some very good points. Although we really enjoy going to AK, I agree that something needs to be done to improve its overall image. The only problem, it takes money.