Animal Kingdom-a "zoo" or a must see?

[snickerboo]

My dh was talking to some people who were at Disney recently who said Animal Kingdom was so packed and, with less attractions than the other parks, they recommended that we skip it. I think my dd would love Animal Kingdom. What's been your experience? (I'm pretty much a Disney virgin since I haven't been since before Epcot opened!)

 

[chrome64]

Well... AK is Natazu! As far as the crowds go... It's probably because of EE. I think the park is worth going to, even if it is crowded there are so many things that you can see with out waiting in line. To me, AK is more fun when you take the time to stop and watch the animals! Even if you only go for a few hours, it's worth it!

 

[mdsouth]

We went in May last year. Our children were 8 and 2. My son liked the Safari ride and the Dinowhirl RR in Dinoland. My daughter liked the Safari ride okay. Otherwise, not much there for her. My opinion is that we spent a lot of time there for the very little it offered us. I think we all would have enjoyed spending the time going on rides in MK or Epcot or MGM that we didn't have time for due to AK.

 

[disnut8]

Animal Kingdom is our second favorite park (next to Epcot). However, we are two adults. I guess the question would be why do you think your daughter would love it? Does she love animals? If she does, yes, it's a must see. Take your time. The two walking trails are great for kids to see animals. Our granddaughter (six at the time) didn't want to do the one trail but we promised her It's Tough to be a Bug afterwards. We figured on twenty minutes for the walk through. After an hour and a half, we were finally through. Flights of Wonder is a not to be missed. It's a bird show but everything the birds do is natural. It's very entertaining and informative. After the show, kids of all ages are encouraged to come up and see the birds and talk to the trainers. We have to see this every time. Also don't miss the Boneyard. We couldn't get our granddaughter out of there.

Animal Kingdom can seem to be crowded because of the layout and the narrower walkways. Plus, Expedition Everest is open (not officially but it's open) and now you have the thrill seekers finally over there.

I would not dismiss Animal Kingdom just based on one person's one day experience.

 

[snickerboo]

I should say that my kids are 6 and almost 3 (will be 3 by the trip). My dd loves animals and dinosaurs. She does not want to do KRR or EE. We got the 'vacation planning' dvd from Disney and she's scared of the "Yeti" getting her on EE.

 

[phoebusII]

You didn't mention your dd's age, but in my opinion there are some things at AK that shouldn't be missed. The Lion King show is awesome and always a must see for us. Pocohontas is always good, the Safari ride is good. The animals are unpredictable so every time through is a different experience. I've never been on Kali River Rapids or Expedition Everest so can't say one way or another about those. If you are unsure, you can always go for a while and then park hop to another park (if you have that option on your tickets).

 

[Allison]

AK is our favorite park. My kids loved it in 2004 when they were 4, 8, and 11. They have asked to spend more than the one day there this trip.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

If your daughter loves animals, I think she would love it and you would love seeing it through her eyes. Different people have different opinions about the Disney parks, so it's always important to consider what your family would like best. And as was mentioned, it you have the hopper, you can always go to another park if AK is not to your liking.

My exposure to AK is through some home videos I found on another site. It is definitely not a zoo. Watching those videos got me excited about seeing AK on our trip in May. PM me if you'd like the link.

 

[pepe of ohio]

The way the park is layed out makes the pathways very confusing and congested. It also gets very hot inside the park. I was told this is from the park being inside a bowl effect with no wind current blowing through. The times we've gone is once for Its A Bugs Life, Safari, and Kali Rapids, getting to these was a chore, as for fast passes, you spend alot of time going from one end of the park to another with little in between. Basically all trees and landscaping in between some refreshment stands and few exhibits. Even with EE we will skip this park, its also a long hot walk from the bus station, in the sun. We're AP holders and have gone just for the afternoon parade which is very good but with the tight walkways, viewing palces are few and far inbetween and getting back out in the mass of people is a chore. Maybe during a very slow season or time this part can be enjoyable but on a crowded day, we skip it. We can see and do more in another day at the MK, with tons of open places to excape the hordes.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I agree with some of the others here.

Animal Kingdom is very poorly designed, with narrow walkways and clogged intersections.

That said, I wouldn't miss it. Get there when the park first opens and leave around lunchtime, when it gets mobbed.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

I agree with some of the others here.

Animal Kingdom is very poorly designed, with narrow walkways and clogged intersections.

That said, I wouldn't miss it. Get there when the park first opens and leave around lunchtime, when it gets mobbed.

I'll second that. And we love AK.

 

[annie1995]

I would definately never miss AK. Yes, it can get hot, and it's crowded, but totally worth the time and energy spent going through it! Kali River rapids is wonderful on a really hot day too!

 

[AJKMOM]

I third it . We go at opening, walk quickly to the Safari, come back to "Tough to be a Bug". hit "Festival of the Lion King", "dinosaur" and now we will run to "Expedition Everest" first for a FP. We think FOTLK is the best stage show in all of WDW. TTBAB is the second best 3-D movie after Philharmagic.

 

[imagineerhopefull]

Well it depends on how long you're stayin, and how you plan on going about your vacation. If you're plannin on going for four or more days, then AK is a deffinite must see. It is so much more than a zoo. Yes, there are lots of animals, from the safari attraction to where you ride in a well worn safari truck, adventuring on a two week journey through the jungle and plains of Africa viewing all the "free ranging" animals interacting with one another. There are also the two trails, one in africa, one in asia, where there are animals that are only seen in a very few places in the United States. The trails are incredabilly will themed and the animals can easily be seen. Besides all the animals there are a lot of attractions there and some of the best shows in all of Walt Disney World. With the opening of Expedition: Everest, a rollercoaster that takes you through the himalayan mountain range and a final incounter with the yeti, AK will become a more popular park, and should have its hours extended. In addition to everest, AK also includes Dinosaur, a trip back in time to rescue a dinosaur in danger right before a massive meteor hits and ends all life for the dinosaurs. Other attractions include Kali River Rapids, a white water adventure through the forests of Asia; It's tough to be a bug, a 3D show featuring Flik from A Bug's Life, Flight's of Wonder, and of course Festivle of the Lion King, which is possibly the best show in all of Walt Disney World. With four broadway caliber singers, a fire dancer, four of the craziest tumble monkeys that you will ever see, and a cast of many other dancers dressed as the animals from the plains of Africa, it is deffinitly a do not miss show. The daily parade is also very good, seing the characters dance down the street, and some of the most amazing and unique puppets. Overall, AK is a must do, a much MUCH more than a zoo.

 

[joshsmom]

I'm probably spelling this wrong but . . . . Natazu!!! (not a zoo)

 

[Lindy Loo]

Agree with Tough to be a bug and lion king show being great. Our dd 3 loved the fact she et Mickeys Minnie etc at Camp mickey, the q was short and moved fast. She had pictures taken with them in safari stuff, which she loved. Get there early and go about 1pm when its too hot and crowded!

 

[jann1033]

if you are the type that can't see anything but a ride it's not for you. you miss imo 95% of what the park 'is ' running from one ride to another.

reminds me of my own dear sister at our local zoo...race walk to tiger, slow down to a trot, turn head in direction of tiger, regain race walk speed back up, check tiger off list of "what to see",race walk to lion, repeat Why bother??????

if you want to enjoy great theming, excellent animal exhibits and fun shows and attractions it is for you

we go off season so i can't say it is particularly crowded and i think the paths make it more intimate and less theme park like than any of the other 3 but maybe that's not such a draw in busy times

 

[skooniebird]

It's not a zoo. Wasn't that crowded in mid-October. The kids really enjoyed it alot. On the safari a rhino layed down in the middle of the road about 25 feet ahead of our jeep and we just had to wait for him to move, backing up the ride. It was like nothiing else, unless you've been on safari, i guess. Now our kids (3,6,9,11, and 13) thought epcot was the most boring. Except for Illuminations at night. It's all a matter of what their interests are. i do think Animal kingdom is probably one you could spend the least time at. They don't have as many rides and things, but still a no miss in our book.

 

[scheddj]

I was told that we could do AK in a few hours because there really wasn't that much to do there. As a result I didn't plan enough time for it on our trip. Next time we plan to spend a lot more time there because every one really liked it. I agree with some of the other posters that FOTLK is the best live show at WDW. The whole family agrees (Me, DH & DD's 11 & 8) that we're going to spend a lot more time in AK this December when we return.

 

[MrsTomMorrow]

Our first trip together, my husband and I skipped it thinking it wouldn't be anything new-I work at a zoo. That being said, each year we spend more and more time there. We really enjoy it, and our son loves it, too! If you like animals at all, definately don't miss it!