Animal Kingdom ain't so good.

[Mitzicat]

To all the AK haters...I say thank you....because that means less people in the park to get in my way.

I love AK, so many OPs have stated why...the atomosphere, the food, the little hidden Disney magic moments.

Flights of Wonder is a show not to be missed. It's not your typcially "birds performing." They have birds I have never seen before and SPOILER ALERT... the tourguide lady is so funny.

There is nothing like walking past Flame Tree and smelling the BBQ or waiting for them to open the windows at lunch to a thunderous round of applause and cheers from hungry guests.

Last year I think we spent the entire day from rope drop to end of extra magic hours and it was wonderful. We took our time, sat and had an African beer at the little bar, sat and had some ice cream while watching people and animals.

I think we are planning 2 full days on our next trip.

 

[aurorae]

AK was supposed to have one more land, if they ever add it and do a good job on it, then more people will want to spend the whole day.

Since there are no fireworks, it generally closes early anyway.

I think AK has a slightly different thought behind it than the other parks (with the possible exception of the WS side of Epcot) -- namely that you have to slow down and take your time and look at things to really enjoy it.

This is very different from the rushing to get from one attraction to the other strategy that most people use in MK, FW, and HS.

A lot of people get to AK, and just don't get it, and leave.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

Most over hyped coaster ever. The engineering and design that went into that thing is truly spectacular and visually it's stunning. But the ride? Eh. Just kinda ok. Just like the park itself! Gimme space mountain or rockin roller coaster anyday over that one.

In regards to EE I couldn't agree more, but I really enjoyed the park. I can see how some people aren't into it, since it's not very ride-heavy, but for anyone who is an animal lover it's a must-see.

It's by no means my favorite park, but I'm surprised by how many people don't dig on it.

 

[Sugardimples]

I think the Animal Kingdom is a great park. I don't understand how anyone can say its a 1/2 day park. If you're doing it in 1/2 day, you're not doing it right!

 

[disnut8]

Most over hyped coaster ever. The engineering and design that went into that thing is truly spectacular and visually it's stunning. But the ride? Eh. Just kinda ok. Just like the park itself! Gimme space mountain or rockin roller coaster anyday over that one.

Well, just based on this comment, I think you want something more along the lines of a Busch Gardens over in Tampa. Mostly thrill rides but have an animal section. That's not what Animal Kingdom is intended to be. Switch the thinking and have mostly animals with a thrill ride or two thrown in and that's Animal Kingdom. I really don't think the park is made for you and that's fine. If you don't want to take the time to appreciate what is there, then go for something you do like.

Personally, Animal Kingdom is my second favorite park with my husband and first on my own. I like the slowness of the place. I like seeing the animals in as much of their natural habitat as they can get. I like being educated at It's Tough to be a Bug and Flights of Wonder. I like how there are so many Disney tie-ins to animals that this park can work.

I'm not dissing the OP - it's not their thing. No big deal.

 

[magicbob]

Boy this speaks volumes...you were there until 4pm......

Not necessarily. AK closes early. We've been at certain times of the year when the park closed at 5pm. So it's very possible that staying until 4pm was still pretty much a full day at the park if they were there at RD.

AK is my wife's favorite park (the rest of us love it too, but just don't rank it in 1st place). In fact, I just had to call and change my room reservation so that we would arrive a day early because I figured we had just been to AK in January and we could skip it this time. Well, that didn't fly! We're adding AK to our itinerary.

We enjoy getting there early (read RD). I go on EE with the kids. We all like the safari ride, Kali, Legend of Lion King, and Dinosaur. But we also like taking our time to enjoy strolling on the nature trails, visiting conservation station, taking in all the carvings on ToL, etc. I think the folks who say it's a "half day" park must simply rush past each of the animal exhibits and consider the block checked, rather than lingering at each and enjoying viewing these beautiful creatures. If all you are after is "rides" than I can see how AK might disappoint some (even though there are some pretty darn good rides there!) As others have said, to each his own.

The one area that I agree is lacking is Camp Minnie Mickey. Other than LotLK (I think Pocahontas is gone now?), it's just a few M&G pavilions. I would love to see that area converted into a new Australian themed land as some have suggested.

 

[Lightgician]

I enjoy the relaxed and laid back tone of AK. I usually do spend a full day there. Wander and look at all the animals, just enjoy nature and how Disney displays it. I never feel a need to rush through it and get on to something else. Since the animals move around, there are diffferent things to see each. Of course EE and the other rides and shows make it even more enjoyable.

To each there own, that's why Baskin Robbins makes 31 flavors.

 

[travelfanatic]

I would go just for the egg rolls & Jalapeno cheese pretzels!

 

[formytinkerbelle]

AK was actually one of the best times of our trip with my 2 year old and 3 year old. There was a section we had to take a train to that I didn't know existed before adn they go to brush sheep and goats and they met Pocahontas there. Anyway, that was so fun for them. They also really enjoyed the Lion King show and the sarafi thing. There was also an awesome play area for the kids too Maybe it's just geared for younger???

 

[cwilc]

We liked AK alright, but it sure wasn't our favorite. My girls liked the safari and we all liked the Bug's Life show and seeing the carvings on the Tree of Life. I just didn't feel like I was at Disney. It was more like a really nice zoo than a theme park. Granted, we are not thrill riders, so we didn't do EE, and the line for Kali was way too long (we live near Six Flags and do that ride there a lot).

 

[JiminyGuyMaine]

I used to think that about AK , but since going this last time, I have totally changed my mind. Now, it's obviously never going to be MK, but it's not designed to be. There's so much there to appreciate and just relax and have fun. And then there's Everest !! We actually made it a 1/2 day park our last trip and it wasn't enough. ( time didn't permit to go back another day, as much as we would have liked).

Our next trip we're planning to spend an entire day there....we found there was SO much more to do that we even realized. I love AK !!

I agree, it's all in what you're expecting out of the day. For us, we LOVE being at a Disney park where we have the time to relax a little and do things that would seem like we were "wasting the time" at another park...... walk through the animal trails and the paths around the tree of life, take the train out to Conservation Station, even spend some time at the animal exibits at the entrance just as you come in. Or, grab a drink at the bar next to the Tusker House, sit by the water, and enjoy!

Personally, I think the vegetation and the theming make the park very beautiful and way that is completely different from any other park.

We can run like banshees getting everything in at MK.....but AK is are "easygoing park", and we kinda like it that way!

 

[les935]

Boy this speaks volumes...you were there until 4pm......

This was actually the longest we stayed at any of the parks. I have two small children, so with the three others, we were gone by 2:00 for naps, pool time and then dinner out somewhere.

 

[Lbg206]

We go to disney every year and love it to death, but AK is our least favorite and never gets more than 1/2 day.

1/2 day? REALLY??? Wow, I guess to each their own. For me AK is my second favorite park right behind MK and it's definitely a two day full days park for us. We just love everything about it. TONS to do and can't possibily fit it into a day and especially not a half day.

 

[cinder_ellie]

AK is my favourite park!! It's so beautifully themed and detailed and I loove the rides. The only downside for me is that as a vegetarian who doesn't like veggie burgers I find it so hard to find somewhere to eat!

Any suggestions anyone??

 

[Always Dream]

I agree that AK could use some more attractions, but I do think it is very well themed and a beautiful park. It is my favourite park to just "hang out" in as the scenery is so nice.

You only mention the safari, the lion king show and the Nemo show. What about Dinosaur and Expedition Everest? What about "it's tough to be a bug" in the tree of life? What about the walking trails and that structure with all the monkeys?

 

[smcabee]

I dont hate AK but Its down low on the priority list for me. I usually hit the safari, fotlk and then head over to the flame tree bbq for lunch and then its off to a new park.

 

[bytheblood]

I could not disagree with the OP more. We enjoy Animal Kingdom and all of its treasures so much that we made AKV our home resort when buying into DVC.

I do feel it needs more attractions, but it is still wonderful!

 

[ZoZo]

I never understand threads like this. What's the point? Some people like certain things, other people like other things. That's what makes the world go around! Isn't that part of what makes WDW so great??

I also have a least-favorite park (doesn't everyone?), but I don't see the point in going on and on about why I don't like it -- or saying it "sucks." I simply spend more time in the parks I like, AK included. I think we need some more positivity on these boards!

 

[rie'smom]

I could go to AKL every 3rd trip. Unfortunately, my daughter LOVES EE. Since we have to go for that ride, we hit Kali, Safaris, FOTLK, and Primeval Whirl. PW is out this time though because it's being rehabbed.

 

[HJV]

My family and I were chatting about this yesterday and we all agree....the animal kingdom kind of...well....sucks. In our minds there are 3 good attractions - safari, lion king show, nemo show. Other than that there ain't much to see and do. Plus the walkways are very narrow and the park doesn't have a nice natural "flow" to it like the others.

We go to disney every year and love it to death, but AK is our least favorite and never gets more than 1/2 day.

Agree that the walkways are narrow--in the summer this park feels ten degrees hotter We also spend the least amount of time here, but suck...?

I'd rather be at AK than work, anytime