Animal Kingdom a major Flop!

[Buckeye Princess]

Count as another who consider AK a favorite park. I want to see more there, but not because I feel that it is needed, but because I always want more of the things I love.

 

[KingdomKeepersFinn]

Ok I agree somewhat.. It doesnt have the appeal other parks have, but it is a great park.

Its not meant for the rides or anything. Its meant for the different cultures of the world and exploring different places. Its very fun if you just think outside of the box

 

[lucyem]

My first trip to AK was right after it opened. I was not impressed. Fast forward 5 years. We were there last week. I was perfectly happy to skip AK altogether. But because of the kids we went and I really enjoyed it. I was surprised at how much nicer it is now. It has it's own feel. It is a much slower pace. It was a nice break from standing in lines and the go go feel at the other parks. We only planned half a day there and wish we had had more time to explore. I will certainly go back. Especially for that chocolate mousse at the Flame Tree BBQ - Yummy!!!

 

[disneyfantotheend]

I love AK. One of my favorites even. The only thing I agree with is that the carnival area could be revamped. It is definitely a park that is more about the experience than the rides, but we enjoy most of the rides you listed as flops. Some people do enjoy getting drenched too, btw. Even though I am not one of them.

 

[MinnieForMe]

It sounds to me like the poster would love Busch Gardens - Tampa Bay. Tons of rides and many animals.

Personally, AK was our favorite park for a long time. As the kids have gotten older, we now love Epcot best!

 

[Jennasis]

We love AK. It s by far one of the most beautiful parks. A visual feast! I love Dinosaur. It's one of my favorite rides. AND while Primeval "Hurl" is not my cup of tea, Chester and HEster's Dinorama DOES have a very thoughtfully engineered story if you take the time to look.

Very fun.

 

[KingdomKeepersFinn]

Ya, personally I HATE dinosaur..Its too loud, but it does have good Animatronics (SP)

 

[fluffycow333]

I love animals, so I love to take my time and see all of them at Animal Kingdom. It is also fun to spot all of the little details everywhere. Have you seen the prayer flags near Expedition Everest? They're beautiful!

 

[SundaeAfternoon]

Sometimes it's nice to just take it slow and enjoy the atmosphere. I love watching the animals at Animal Kingdom and I think that park is so beautiful, and far from a "major flop." If you want all rides all the time, go to Six Flags. Disney parks are theme parks, not amusement parks.

 

[selina4disney]

What AK is missing is SEA animals. Unless the competition from Sea World is just too much.

I think maybe it is because they have the Living Seas pavilion at Epcot that there aren't any at AK, but I would love to see more than just the fish on the Jungle Trek and Forest Trail there.

 

[DisCopper]

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.

Animal Kingdom is my least favorite Park, but we always make sure to spend time there.

Their BIG attractions are pretty good (Everest, Tough To Be a Bug). I like Dinosaur, but can see how the shaking can irritate people.

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). I love Splash Mountain and don't care if I'm soaked coming off that one.

I also agree that the Fair area of Dino-land is not impressive. It just seems out of place and junky to me.

The main attraction of the Park is the animals, and when they're in fine form, it's an amazing experience. They're the main reason I go to the Park. But if you hit it wrong, it's possible you won't see much of anything but a tiger lounging in the heat. If that's been your only experience, I can 100% see how someone can dislike the Park.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I'm into photography and have always gotten my best pictures from AK. I love AK so much that I always mean to book AKL but don't because it is kind of in the boonies.

 

[JulyGirl]

AK is also my least favorite park. If I'm at WDW for a week, I will visit that park once and I'm usually ready to leave before the parade starts. I understand that it is a park about animals, but honestly, my local city zoo gives me better opportunities to view animals up close. I do enjoy the theming and architecture of AK. I wouldn't label it a "flop", but I simply enjoy the other 3 parks much more.

 

[glassslipper2004]

To the earlier poster who mentioned a backstory to Dinoland - I'd love to hear it!

AK is not our favorite park, but there are parts of it we truly love, like EE, the Safari, the Lion King show, and Kali River. One of my main complaints is that it does get a bit claustrobic when it is hot and crowded, I think due to the neat jungle atmophere in parts of the park. I love the Africa area, and I think they did a great job with giving it a very different feel than other parks.

The BBQ is a welcome change from some of the other food in the parks, and the place where you can get a rotisserie chicken (Tusker House?) is good too.

I do agree that the carnival section is kind of out of place, and we don't usually spend much time there.

If they hadn't added EE, we might skip AK sometimes, but it now ranks as my favorite ride at WDW, so we'll always go back!

 

[texhanddoc]

Triceratops spin etc. are the most un-Disney like attractions in all of WDW.

Triceratops Spin is another variation on the theme of "go round and round." Its basically the same as Dumbo, Magic Carpets of Aladdin and AstroOrbiter just with a Dinosaur theme since its in "Dinoland." I doubt you would get many people to say Aladdin and Dumbo are "un-Disney." If changing Dumbo to a Dinosaur in a dino-themed area totally ruins it for you... im just not sure what to tell you.

 

[flyingcat2003]

Me and my husband could go to AK and spend all day and never ride an attraction. I think this park was designed to enjoy the animals. If you will just take the time and watch them you can learn so much.


Thank you Disney for making such a unique and wonderful park that showcases God's animal wonders.

 

[Mr. Stitch]

Too bad you feel this way. We are a young engaged couple (30 and 24) and AK is one of our favorite parks. We go there more than any other park. The park has so much more to offer than just rides and shows. The animals, scenery, and architecture are truly amazing to us. We also LOVE Flame Tree BBQ (such a great QS place to eat). Aside from the attractions, the queueing (sorry for the spelling) areas are phoenominal.

Different strokes for different folks, I guess!

OMG, LOVE flametree!!

 

[justskip70003]

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.

i agree 1000% and i think that if it were not on property and stamped with the disney brand it would have failed years ago. it is the biggest park but it by far feels the most packed full of people and its not that it is busier than the other parks it is designed poorly. that whole county fair area... what does that have to do with animals anyway? horrible theming. disney can do way better and need to refigure the whole park.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I haven't read thru all the replies so I may be saying something other people already have.

But I think it all depends on what you are looking for in a theme park. The first time I went, I was wanting rides, rides, and more rides. So I was disappointed and didn't care for it.

Then I went back another trip and discovered the shows. FoTLK was my fav. Another time, I walked all the trails and found more to like.

I do not like the whole carnival area though. I see enough of that when I go to our local county fair once a year.

Now I take my kids and we all have fun seeing the animals, the shows and riding Dinosaur, EE and the Safari.
Although it is so darn hot and wears me out quick, I do like it there. It's not my favorite park but it's fun and different.

Everyone likes different things so hopefully you found a favorite park on your trip.

 

[hookedonears]

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.