Animal Kingdom ain't so good.

[heatherenae71]

All I have to say is,

Festival of the Lion King
expedition Everest
Dinosaur
Kilimanjaro Safari
Flights of wonder
Tough to be a Bug
Kali river rapids
Flame Tree BBQ
Yak & Yeti Quick service
Tusker House!
Finding Nemo the musical
DeVine
Conservation station
Camp Minnie mickey
The Tree of Life
...
Animal Kingdom: Duhh, Winning!

LOVE IT

 

[Peapicker]

I guess it all comes down to what you feel you want out of your park experience. We really like the whole theme of AK. The park really has a great way of showing itself off. The attraction interaction is perfect in our opinion (except Carnival Land). The ability to learn about the animals and just to stroll through and look at what I wouyld consider the best scenery in all of Disney World makes a visit to AK worth at least one day. Disney World should not be and I beleive never was intended to be a thrill ride park. Thankfully it has something for almost everyone.

 

[FigNewton]

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.

Takes all kinds I guess. We love Animal Kingdom and we actually HATE two of the three attractions you say are worthwhile.

 

[hookedonears]

Good! The more ppl who think it sucks the less ppl I have to deal with when I go to my favorite park

As I've always said, combining an amusement park and a zoo was a stupid idea. The money that could be spent on new attractions is being soaked up maintaining the animals. That's why there are so few attractions at the park. If you want to go to a zoo, go to a zoo. People go there even though it's bad, because that's what you do when you go to Disney. You pay for it, so you go. AK has a captured audience. Most people spend less time there than other parks, however and for good reason. What's bad is that the other parks are more crowded because of it. With Disney's announcement of the future addition of Australia with Dauphin and Whale shows, the playing field might finally be leveled a little bit. The other parks might finally get a little bit of a reprieve. Even with that announcement, however AK still needs many, many more attractions, and not those low budget, cheesy carnival rides.

 

[ChattaAlley]

I like AK...not as much as MK or DHS. But it is not that bad. We like to do 2 - 1/2 days there.

 

[GinnyEmma]

Lol, we love the park. It is becoming our favorite. That said, to each his own. However using the word ain't over and over again is far more offensive than any opinion. Yuck.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

To each his own; what one person may not like, another loves.

I have never really heard jokes about Animal Kingdom, but have heard people say that they didn't like it or it's a half day park. Personally, I fell into this mindset a few years ago, but everything changed once I took the Wild by Design tour. This experience completely changed my view of the park...so much so that it is now my favorite park. I learned so much about the hidden stories behind each area, Joe Rhode's work in the various lands, the inspiration behind certain decisions, etc. I truly love AK now and always make it a full day in my vacation.

 

[Minnesota!]

I certainly don't hate AK. But it's definitely a 1/2 day park for us, too.

We get there super early....wait over by RFC. Love waiting in the sun for the park to open. Once the crowd clears, we make our way to FOLK. See the first show. Head across the park to Dinosaur, then do Triceratops Spin (I think that's what it's called?). My kids LOVE it so we do it 3 times or so. Make our way to the Nemo show, then saunter back...see ITTBAB, Safari, Everest, Conservation Station (I do LOVE this!), stop and smell some roses along the way, grab a snack and a beer at the bar (Can't remember it's name...by Tusker House). Then head out!

It's a beautiful park (even better at night, IMO), but it doesn't hold enough to keep us entertained for 8 hours. And by entertained, I don't mean "rides". I would love a little more to see at conservation Station. I would LOVE a few more trails to explore on.

 

[Planogirl]

As I've always said, combining an amusement park and a zoo was a stupid idea. The money that could be spent on new attractions is being soaked up maintaining the animals. That's why there are so few attractions at the park. If you want to go to a zoo, go to a zoo. People go there even though it's bad, because that's what you do when you go to Disney. You pay for it, so you go. AK has a captured audience. Most people spend less time there than other parks, however and for good reason. What's bad is that the other parks are more crowded because of it. With Disney's announcement of the future addition of Australia with Dauphin and Whale shows, the playing field might finally be leveled a little bit. The other parks might finally get a little bit of a reprieve. Even with that announcement, however AK still needs many, many more attractions, and not those low budget, cheesy carnival rides.

I don't think that the combination is such a bad idea but then I do like zoos. I think that if you're going to focus on animals then it's a good idea to have some and the safari is a successful way to feature them.

However, I do agree that the carnival area is a mess and I also think that Kali River Rapids is way too short. We're not much for shows and Expedition Everest is only OK so that doesn't really leave much.

I would like to see more trails and some good restaurants added. I also think that it's hotter there but of course some others don't agree.

 

[GinnyEmma]

Kali us always our last ride of the trip. Usually there aren't big lines in January and they are able to ride five or six times. That solves the rude time.

I like the carniva area, but I like cheesy. I remember when places like that were common and a joy to come upon as a kid.

 

[WINTER]

Love Everest, Dinosaur, Primevil Whirl, & It's Tough to be a Bug. The safari is so-so. I admit, I haven't seen Lion King yet but hope to this summer.

 

[Stinkerbell317]

It's so interesting and wonderful that everyone can look at the same thing - AK - and come away with such different opinions.

For me and my family, AK is wonderful. We love every inch of that place, love the theming of Asia and Africa, love the attractions, love the animals. It has a such a different feeling to it than the other 3 parks. I could stroll around that place for hours just looking at the beauty of it. My one complaint is how early it closes sometimes. I understand it's because of the animals, but evening EMHs there are so cool!

 

[Stinkerbell317]

Oh and I do wish they would come up with some sort of end-of-the-day performance. I know fireworks are out of the question, but I would have thought they would have come up with some spectacular alternative by now. I read somewhere a long time ago that something was in development, but haven't heard anything since then.

 

[dizneyjill]

I've loved reading all the comments. Threads like this do serve a purpose. You see from someone elses perspective and it creates more interest. I've been to AK twice and we will probably go again in Dec. It's not my first choice, but it is different and very green and lush.I built EE up in my mind before my first visit and I have to say it's a big let down to me. It's all about the big drop for me and too many roller coasters don't do the big drop anymore. If they twist on the way down, it spoils the thrill.EE is like that.There is a slight twist on the way down and it takes away the stomach lurch.No matter how many times I ride, I don't get the thrill I get from the Tower of Terror drop.Then, I've never seen that stupid Yeti. Always dark and still. The backward part makes me sick, so last time we skipped it. It could have been great.Dinosauer is good and we like the little cat and mouse coaster, not sure what it is called in Dino Land.The shows are good and we love It's a bugs life...the Safari...........once is enough..same story...animals hiding.I can skip it, but I feel that way about every park...there are things I love and things that once is enough...like SGE in MK. I try everything once and then I know if I like it or not and go from there. Can't wait to get back to the World!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rlahansler]

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.

Animal Kingdom is a good half day park. We usually get there at opening and leave by lunch time. I cannot see staying all day. A must and my favorite is Expedition Everest, I can skip the safari and Kali River Rapids. The Tree of life is amazing, so I always have to look at it. We usually ride Expedition at least 2 times.

 

[Stinkerbell317]

For the people who think AK is only a 1/2 day park and/or just plain don't like it, have you done the walking trails (Pangani Forest and Maharajah Jungle)? Have you taken the train out to the conservation area? Do you ever stop at the spots where they have CMs who will talk to you about a particular animal or ecosystem? Have you noticed the extreme detailing all over that place? I feel badly for everyone who isn't getting as much out of it as I do! I guess if what you want is attraction after attraction, it's not the park for you, but I feel like many people are missing the real magic there. It's a slower paced park that isn't really meant for running from attraction to attraction, IMO.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

As I've always said, combining an amusement park and a zoo was a stupid idea. The money that could be spent on new attractions is being soaked up maintaining the animals. That's why there are so few attractions at the park. If you want to go to a zoo, go to a zoo. People go there even though it's bad, because that's what you do when you go to Disney. You pay for it, so you go. AK has a captured audience. Most people spend less time there than other parks, however and for good reason. What's bad is that the other parks are more crowded because of it. With Disney's announcement of the future addition of Australia with Dauphin and Whale shows, the playing field might finally be leveled a little bit. The other parks might finally get a little bit of a reprieve. Even with that announcement, however AK still needs many, many more attractions, and not those low budget, cheesy carnival rides.

I don't expect to change your mind, but just wanted to say that not everyone agrees.

I like the uniqueness of AK and to call any Disney park an "amusement" park is just blasphemy IMO! Six Flags or Cedar Point are amusement parks. Disney parks are theme parks and AK is very well themed IMO - it has some of the most incredible detail that most casual visitors seem to overlook. We have enjoyed visiting AK since 2008 and a trip to the World is not complete without a visit to AK because we want to visit.

We enjoy the laid back pace we seem to have at AK compared to the other parks. There is a good combination of rides and shows for us. We make it a full day when we visit and like PP's have mentioned, we wish it stayed open a little later.

 

[nancycg56]

If you like photography ~ AK is a fabulous place for picture-taking. So many little details

 

[Leota]

What a shame to miss out on what AK is all about. It is the most intensively themed Park yet - shear brilliance by Joe Rohde et al. AK is a Masterpeice, in our family's opinion.

I guess if all you are after is rides, you could always go to Six Flags somewhere.

But, hey, if you don't like it - great - gives me & mine more space to enjoy this majestic Park!

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

I don't expect to change your mind, but just wanted to say that not everyone agrees.

I like the uniqueness of AK and to call any Disney park an "amusement" park is just blasphemy IMO! Six Flags or Cedar Point are amusement parks. Disney parks are theme parks and AK is very well themed IMO - it has some of the most incredible detail that most casual visitors seem to overlook. We have enjoyed visiting AK since 2008 and a trip to the World is not complete without a visit to AK because we want to visit.

We enjoy the laid back pace we seem to have at AK compared to the other parks. There is a good combination of rides and shows for us. We make it a full day when we visit and like PP's have mentioned, we wish it stayed open a little later.

100% agree with this post.



This is a great book for fans and also maybe for naysayers who want to like the park more but just don't get it.