Animal Kingdom a major Flop!

[larryz]

I agree with OP in that AK is the least developed of the parks from an attraction perspective. I believe it's the Disney answer to Busch Gardens Tampa, from whom they hope to siphon the visitors who would leave WDW to check out what used to be the area's only "zoo that thinks it's a theme park."

That said, the Imagineers and artists have truly outdone themselves at AK. I've been in some really undeveloped areas around the world, and AK's themed areas -- like the african town and the tibetan village -- look and feel like the real thing.

So, like all the AK-philes, I agree that perhaps having fewer attractions is a GOOD thing. Get a cup of tea from the tea vendor, slow down, and take the time to actually LOOK at the details, 'cause in this park, they got the details right.

 

[larryz]

The backstory just saddens me; it's lipstick on a pig.

Somehow, it just feels inappropriate to use the words "backstory" and "lipstick" in the same sentence...

 

[Mcbruns]

Bummer that this was the first post I read today. I knew I shouldn't have clicked on it. AK is a great park.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

Personally, I am glad that AK is so very different. Like someone said before, it has a different pace to it. I like the fact that I don't have to feel rushed in the park. I like that slower pace. I really love it at night. Thank goodness there are people who don't care for this park , just imagine how busy it would be if everyone loved it.

 

[TillyMarigold]

Hotter than Hades?

I've also never experienced this.

EVERY park is hot in the summer.

The AK may have less indoor rides and shops to take your mind off it, though.

No, it actually is hotter in AK than any other park on the same day, by about 3-5°. The best explanation Disney can come up with is that it's because there are berms built all the way around AK to keep the animals in if they get out of their attractions, and those hold the heat in as well.

 

[Yoshi]

I have mixed feelings about the park, Everest is awesome and the shows are great but for someone who is into rides, the park is a little bit of a letdown. I know the Safari isnthe star attraction and is fun too but I prefer the one at my local Six Flags (you drive through it, it takes at least an hour and the animals come directly to your car, like ostriches putting their beak up to a window). I still visit the park every trip but I think if they added 2 or 3 more rides, the park would be more well rounded

 

[WVParkfan]

No, it actually is hotter in AK than any other park on the same day, by about 3-5°.

Urban legend.

 

[hookedonears]

I wonder how many of these slow down and enjoy the beauty people are locals (200 mile radius), annual pass holders, or multi time per year travelers?

 

[TillyMarigold]

I still visit the park every trip but I think if they added 2 or 3 more rides, the park would be more well rounded

That's how I feel about DHS. I don't do thrill rides, so I ride Star Tours and TSM and the Great Movie Ride, and see the Muppets (which I won't do again, that film really needs to be remastered), walk through One Man's Dream and that's pretty much it. The theming is brilliant, but the park is so tiny that it doesn't take long. There's really not that much to do if you don't want to ride ToT or RnRC. It was much better when it was a working studio.

 

[goodferry]

We love Animal Kingdom, but I know not everyone does. We always feel like our pace is slower, we tend to take our time more and look around. I actually think the attention to detail at AK is amazing. Maybe I am in the minority, but we love Kali during our June and August trips (not so much in December, lol)

 

[TillyMarigold]

Urban legend.

Not according to the tour guides of our backstage tour, when I specifically asked them if it is actually hotter in the Animal Kingdom or just seems that way. The explanation I gave is the one they'd been told was the official one, as I said.

 

[AliceinHalloweentown]

I wonder how many of these slow down and enjoy the beauty people are locals (200 mile radius), annual pass holders, or multi time per year travelers?

Let's see:
I'm not a local, so nope can't be that.
I'm not an AP holder (and that doesn't really mean much)...
And I only go about once every 3 years depending on circumstances...

I just study all of the Disney parks around the world, and I love how the AK is different than most.

 

[3floridarays]

I wonder how many of these slow down and enjoy the beauty people are locals (200 mile radius), annual pass holders, or multi time per year travelers?

Well, I am one of those "slow down and enjoy the beauty people" and I do have an AP and I do live within 3 hours of WDW. And I like AK.

But, as stated by a PP, that's the great thing about WDW - there is something for everyone. They have plenty of "commando" activities to enjoy and they also have things for those of us who are able to spend more time and take it slow.

That doesn't mean that AK is "a flop". It just means that it doesn't appeal to you personally. And that's okay. Not every single thing is going to appeal to every single person. There are plenty of people who go to AK on a regular basis that make up for your lack of enthusiasm.

 

[fbb]

Maybe I am in the minority, but we love Kali during our June and August trips (not so much in December, lol)

I think Kali would be worth it simply for the queue.

 

[buzzmom3]

It's my favorite park, for a variety of reasons. If the OP doesn't enjoy it, there are three other parks to go to.

 

[goodferry]

We are in Pittsburgh, not near AK by any stretch of the imagination, and do love the beauty and theming of AK. It's just so completely different from the other parks. Not to mention that we have had the best character interactions there, not sure why.

 

[avahoneybee]

I think they should install air conditioners outside because we've been there several times and have only seen a handful of things. Obviously, I'm kidding but it's always a sauna there and seems 20 degrees higher than any other park. We do like the park though.

 

[DOOM1001]

I like AK,but it's probably last as far as my favorite Disney parks.I like/love the major rides in the park except for Kilimanjaro Safaris as I find it a bit boring.I'd like it better if the animals were closer and the driver didn't have the same script every time.An example is Rhino Rally at Busch Gardens as it's basically a safari ride as well in a much smaller area,the animals are closer to you,the driver is able to incorporate jokes into the ride and at the end of the ride the truck you're in falls into a river and is swept away.They had much less room than KS did but in my opinion did a lot more with what they had.A major reason it's my least favorite is the theme of the park itself,a zoo or village in Africa or Asia just can't compare to the themes at the other parks.I would also say the park needs more rides and to be built up more,there seems to be too many areas where all you see next to the sidewalks is trees.Also having the park close early most of the year dampens the mood as it just always feels like a half day park and I've never been able to experience the park at night,it would be cool to ride Everest in the dark.

 

[dfmalone]

I agree with mostly everything, BUT I have to disagree with Dinosaur. AW MAN, I love that ride. IDK its just something about it that keeps me getting back on line to ride it. Kali Rapids was a serious UPSET, I rode it last year, for one, I got more wet from the rain then the actual ride, not to mention how SHORT it is. Total let down

 

[lorraine31]

I wonder how many of these slow down and enjoy the beauty people are locals (200 mile radius), annual pass holders, or multi time per year travelers?

Um Nope. Scottish, so a long way to go and I still take the time in all the parks to enjoy the little details. It's the little details that really separate Disney from all other theme parks. I love to walk around animal kingdom and go up to the tree and see all the carvings and go on the animal trails and just watch the animals. It's good to chill out and just take the time to appreciate it.