Animal Kingdom Appreciation Thread

[The Mick]

OK, I've heard a lot of people dis AK here. They say there's not enough to do to occupy a whole day. They say it's boring. That it's too hot. That they don't "get it". That it's a glorified zoo.

Rubbish, I say!

When I first went there, yeah, it wasn't my favorite. And for a while, it battled MGM for the bottom of the WDW park totem pole.

Not anymore.

AK ROCKS. I love that place now.

Now, understand...I'm single, early 30's, I have no kids, and I usually go with my friends and/or family (and sometimes solo if I'm bored!). We're from Tampa, so we're only 30 minutes away and go there probably twice a month, at least. So Epcot, being the most "adult friendly" park, is by far my favorite. MK comes in 2nd (or it used to, anyway. I think AK may have caught it...).

Kilimanjaro Safari. Maharaja Jungle Trek. EE. Kali River Rapids. It's Tough To Be a Bug. Flights of Wonder. The attention to detail in the park in incredible. Some great restaurants.

So if you love AK, and especially if you're an AK convert (like me), let everyone know about it!

 

[DisneyFan06]

Animal Kingdom is by far my favorite Disney Theme Park! I love it there is so much to see and do, it is remarkable. I think they put alot of effort into the making of Animal Kingdom - and I can't help but appreciate that. The detail is amazing.

Now, alot of people call this a half-day park - well I guess if all you are going to do is ride some of the rides and then leave, you can call it that. For me, I like to look at EVERYTHING - I ride the rides, watch the shows, walk the trails, and appeciate the amazing detail placed throughout the landscape.

Animal Kingdom ranks first on my list, followed my Magic Kingdom; however, if you want to talk about a half day park - Disney Studios, is the one to discuss. But that is just a whole other thread!

 

[The Mick]

Animal Kingdom is by far my favorite Disney Theme Park! I love it there is so much to see and do, it is remarkable. I think they put alot of effort into the making of Animal Kingdom - and I can't help but appreciate that. The detail is amazing.

Now, alot of people call this a half-day park - well I guess if all you are going to do is ride some of the rides and then leave, you can call it that. For me, I like to look at EVERYTHING - I ride the rides, watch the shows, walk the trails, and appeciate the amazing detail placed throughout the landscape.

Animal Kingdom ranks first on my list, followed my Magic Kingdom; however, if you want to talk about a half day park - Disney Studios, is the one to discuss. But that is just a whole other thread!

Oh yeah, MGM is the half-day park.

Good to see someone else who really appreciates the level of artistic detail they put into AK. They left no stone unturned. It's part of the charm of the park - similar to the charm of World Showcase in Epcot - just stroll and enjoy ...take in everything.

 

[estnh]

Another AK fan here. The detail and the beauty of the theming in this park is simply incredible. Each trip to WDW we find ourselves spending more and more time at this wonderful place.

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

Count me in too as another HUGE AK fan. Both my husband and I just love this park. The only park I have ever spent a whole day at was Epcot. This has a lot to do with that we are DVC members and BCV is our home resort. We also do not have any children...yet.

 

[Harvest02]

AK is one of my favorite parks too! I think the atmosphere of the park is so different from all the other ones. We went in June and got to ride Expedition Everest and it was AWESOME! I really like Tough to be a bug also. There are quite a few neat shops too. My husband doesn't like it very much, but my kids who are 9 and 5 sure liked it too! The music playing in the park makes you feel like you are in a different world!!! I make sure we make at least one trip to the park every time we are at the world!!!

 

[dixiedizfan]

Oh yeah, MGM is the half-day park.

Good to see someone else who really appreciates the level of artistic detail they put into AK. They left no stone unturned. It's part of the charm of the park - similar to the charm of World Showcase in Epcot - just stroll and enjoy ...take in everything.

I absolutely agree with this. Animal Kingdom is a beautiful park; I love just soaking up the atmosphere.

 

[mrsltg]

I LOVE AK! It's always been a close second behind MK for me. Epcot is alright, and MGM could disappear outright and I'd have no problem...

AK is so beautiful and so well themed. I love the winding paths, the cracked streets, the "dirty" buildings, the rides, the attractions, the whole place is just great!

 

[DisneyVetMom]

Also a fan here last time I was at the World was during September 11 2001 so the atmosphere was a BIT different. But I love animals so I was crazy about the park before I even went. Also the Lion King Show.....it was so awesome that is was all I talked about!! As far as all the parks go I cant think of them in a specific order and I dont know why people dont like MGM I love it the animation behind the scenes thing and the backstage studio tour, the Indiana Jones show and Beauty and the Beast, anyway what can I say I find no fault with any of the parks but then I must have my Disney Blinders on lol.

 

[MJMcBride]

Big DAK fan here. I've been a volunteer at the Bronx Zoo for over 15 years and just love well designed exhibits which Disney has. I hope any future expansion includes state of the art zollogical exhibits along with thrill rides. Hopefully North American animlas are coming soon.

 

[The Mick]

Also a fan here last time I was at the World was during September 11 2001 so the atmosphere was a BIT different. But I love animals so I was crazy about the park before I even went. Also the Lion King Show.....it was so awesome that is was all I talked about!! As far as all the parks go I cant think of them in a specific order and I dont know why people dont like MGM I love it the animation behind the scenes thing and the backstage studio tour, the Indiana Jones show and Beauty and the Beast, anyway what can I say I find no fault with any of the parks but then I must have my Disney Blinders on lol.

Yeah, it's not like I dislike MGM. It's just the other 3 set the bar SO HIGH, that I think MGM has a tough time keeping up. It's still a terrific park, I just don't think it has the repeatibility that the other parks have.

I'm in the phase where I like AK more each time I visit.

 

[exwdwcm]

while it is not my favorite, i do love it. We also didn't 'get it' the first time. It was with a large family though. We did enjoy it, but weren't totally impressed. Next trip, it was just my sister and I and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Primeval whirl was a favorite! third time this last trip- we really enjoyed it and went back a second morning even. we took more time to explore and appreciate the trails and hidden walkways. Ak has a lot to offer. It helped that it was December and not so hot.

but i plan to spend at least 3/4 of a day on our trip in 10 days. Dinosaur, Primeval whirl are two of my favorites. people need to give AK another chance if they didn't like it the first or second time. it definitely has it's charm!

 

[mousebit]

LOVE AK! Can't understand why people call this a 1/2 day park. Although, I guess you could do a lot in 1/2 day, I really enjoy slowing down and enjoying everything this park has to offer - the attractions (EE!) and entertainment (ITTBAB!), the atmosphere (The Tree of Life!), the animals (trails & safari), two of the best CS restaurants in all of WDW, (and then there's RainForest Cafe for TS as well). Just top it off with a quick hop over to AKL for a nice dinner at Boma or Jiko and it's a really great experience that you could not quite match at a zoo.

 

[susykt4]

My family loves Animal Kingdom. So beautiful, so many characters, so many fun rides and attractions! But mostly, the animal exhibits are just amazing!!! I love the animal trails and the safari is awesome.

We spent one full day plus another half day there during our January trip and still didn't do everything (and EE wasn't even open yet.)

 

[Lostgirlz]

I am nervous about AKL I have been since I booked it for our upcoming Honeymoon in Feb, but have heard so many bad things then this one Disney Travel CM asked me why arent you staying at the Grand Floridian!!!! It took me aback for a min she made me feel like OMG how stupid was I that I picked AKL. I have read on the board many peoples dislike for the hotel. The darkness, it being further away, busses are awful, takes forever to get to the parks from the hotel. It has made me very nervous plus feel like a fool for booking it by CM. I keep hearing that WL is more romantic and more outgoing to honeymoonerst.Also watching both those travel channel things on both of them I am more torn. I am still with akl, but just nervous.

 

[Harambe]

**sigh** Finally! An intelligent group of people! LOL!

 

[stites1]

We have never been to Animal Kingdom, so that's our first stop when we hit Dis next week. We'll report back if we want to join the kudos. It certainly looks like a lot of fun!

 

[The Mick]

while it is not my favorite, i do love it. We also didn't 'get it' the first time. It was with a large family though. We did enjoy it, but weren't totally impressed. Next trip, it was just my sister and I and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Primeval whirl was a favorite! third time this last trip- we really enjoyed it and went back a second morning even. we took more time to explore and appreciate the trails and hidden walkways. Ak has a lot to offer. It helped that it was December and not so hot.

but i plan to spend at least 3/4 of a day on our trip in 10 days. Dinosaur, Primeval whirl are two of my favorites. people need to give AK another chance if they didn't like it the first or second time. it definitely has it's charm!

That's right! I forgot about Primeval Whirl...awesome ride!

 

[haleofafamily]

My family loves AK. My son is an animal lover and would spend his whole vacation here I think. The Lion King Show is one of Disney's best.
I have been to Africa and every time I walk back to Africa in AK it brings back all the smells, sights and brings tears to my eyes. It is wonderfully done.

 

[The Mick]

I am nervous about AKL I have been since I booked it for our upcoming Honeymoon in Feb, but have heard so many bad things then this one Disney Travel CM asked me why arent you staying at the Grand Floridian!!!! It took me aback for a min she made me feel like OMG how stupid was I that I picked AKL. I have read on the board many peoples dislike for the hotel. The darkness, it being further away, busses are awful, takes forever to get to the parks from the hotel. It has made me very nervous plus feel like a fool for booking it by CM. I keep hearing that WL is more romantic and more outgoing to honeymoonerst.Also watching both those travel channel things on both of them I am more torn. I am still with akl, but just nervous.

Oh, don't be nervous - AKL is AWESOME. Take it like you should take the park...pay attention to the details and savor it! The artistry in that hotel is just incredible. You've made a great choice.