Animal Kingdom?! do we haave to?

[Fooboy]

Is the Animal Kingdom really worth going to if we only have 5 full days during the Holiday super-packed season? I personally think animals smell funny and i've been to the zoo many a times. Is AK really THAT special?

thnx!

foobs

 

[Rockynrobin]

We are animal people and so for us is a not to be missed attraction. However, if animals really arent your thing and if "you've seen one zebra you've seen em all" - then I would say that you can definately skip it. If time were limited for us we would skip Epcot so that tells you who we are a little bit.

 

[Fooboy]

haha! i LOVE EPCOT!! jeez, i sound like such a nerd! haha! thnx for ur input

foobs

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

I agree, if animals aren't your favorite thing, then it's a pretty safe bet that you can skip AK.

Personally, we love the place and hit it several times per trip because for us, yes, Animal Kingdom IS that special....I can't say that I can compare it to any zoo I've ever been to.

Enjoy your holiday trip though...the decorations are gorgeous this time of year!

 

[Fooboy]

well, I've been to WDW a few times already. It's my girlfriend's first time ever and I just want her to see as much as she can. She likes animals but doesn't LOVE them. However, I do want her to experience "It's Tough To Be A Bug!" I saw that at California Adventure. I enjoyed it thoroughly. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to make a quick tour through AK. Im sure we'll see many things that we like. I haven't been either. I'm just a little worried about the critical time. hehe.

foobs

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

I hear that critical time thing........that can put anyone in a foul mood if ya miss scheduled events or want to do other things. LOL LOL

If you enjoy Epcot though, you could always take her to Honey I shrunk the audience. It's the same concept as Tough to be a bug.........would that work? LOL Nah......probably not. Tough to be a bug is a cool show and that tree...so very cool indeed!

Sounds like you're making some good plans....always good to have an idea how much ground you want to cover.

Enjoy your trip, with or without animals in it.

 

[goofy4tink]

We just finished our third trip in 5 yrs. I always say that 'this time we're going to skip AK'. Well, that hasn't happened yet. We go over for the morning. If you don't have little ones with you it's even easier. You don't have to worry about those pesky character signing lines. We amble around, do Kali RRs, Kilimanjaro Safari, Lion King Show and Tarzan show (if we have time). DinoLand is fun. Primevil Whirl is a hoot. I would try to do it on an EE day. Then you can get to the safari, do Kali and Lion King Show(this is a must do for us!!). We've never spent more than 4 hrs. there. Then we head out to a different park for the remainder of the day.

 

[KathyFP]

It really depends on your family. We would never skip AK because we love animals.

In addition Kali Rapids is a lot of fun. The Lion King show is a must for us and so is It's tough to be a bug. It always seemed easy to see a lot of characters there.

Your family has to develop their own must see list and determine what fits.

 

[TreeOfLife]

Do you haaave to see the AK? Why, if you've already seen so many smelly animals trapped in cages in zoos already? You know, maybe you don't...

Maybe you won't like a different kind of park that does not force animals to perform for their food, don't drive them into caged dementia trapped in unsanitary, small and cramped cages and allows them space to hide if they just don't feel like being on stage.

The AK is for a special kind of guest who appreciates nature and animals who share the planet with us, preserving their dignity rather than boasting how powerful humans are by dominating and imposing inhumanely on them.

 

[kpgclark]

The Lion King show is really great. You shouldn't miss it. I think it is the best show in all of the parks. At the very least go to see that show.

 

[NYDisneyMom]

Nahtazu!!

 

[mad4themouse]

I admit that AK is my least favorite Disney park. However, it has more to do with the layout than the attractions.

I find it very annoying that all traffic must funnel into and around the Tree of Life in order to navigate the park. There is little shade (a complaint that I had about EPCOT's World Showcase until the trees matured). And the air just does not circulate in that park!

But when we do tour the park, I like to take it at leisurely pace and soak in the atmosphere. There really is a lot to see and do there but you won't find the sensory overload that the other parks provide.

And as, DIsney so emphatically points out, Animal Kingdom is "natazu" (not a zoo).

 

[Lori-n-NY]

You should try to make time for AK. Hit the things most talked about...Tough to be a Bug, Kali River Rapids, the Safari ride (sorry can't spell that one correctly)..if time Tarzan show and Lion King show. As others have said go first thing in morning and make it a half day and then go to Epcot. It really is a nice park and not set up like a zoo....
Hope you decide to give AK a try.
Lori

 

[skiwee1]

We've done AK twice in the last 3 years. The first time was when it first opened and we were disappointed. We skipped a year and then tried again. We still didn't like it. We felt it was kind of boring except for the gorillas. That was the only thing we liked and it just wasn't worth the trip there. Now we go to WDW twice a year staying about 30 days total. We would have more then enough time to take in AK for a day but it just isn't worth it to us. I won't be trying it a 3rd time.

 

[mrsltg]

Ak is my favorite park right after MK! We go over a few times a trip, usually not for more than 4-5 hours at a stretch. I really love Kali and the Safari, and enjoy having lunch at Flame Tree.

To each his own!

Erin

 

[gshoemate]

AK is a nice layed back park that you can go at your own pace. You don't have to rush rush rush. I agree that if you map out the things you want to do there, you could get it done in the morning and head to another park by the afternoon. I think the must do's are of course The Festival of the Lion King, Tarzan, Kali Rapids, Tough to be a Bug, Dinasour and if you have time, since your not an animal person, the Safari.

 

[antmaril]

We've been to WDW at least four times since AK opened and we haven't been there yet! It just doesn't appeal to me. I keep saying we have to try it, but so far we haven't found the time. It definitely doesn't appeal to me in the summer, when it is so hot and humid. We are going to Orlando again in February (during Presidents' Week) and we may try it, but no promises!!

 

[Fooboy]

Thank you all for putting in their two cents! I concur that a few of the attractions there are a must. Especially for a first timer. ok ok! it is not a zoo. haha! but my friend said that we MUST try Boma at the AKL. So should we hit another park in the morning and come back in the afternoon. Since the weather will be cool, the animals should still be wandering around aimlessly right?

thnx!
foobs

 

[sm4987]

I would definately go. It is my fav behind M.K. It's a lot of walking though and it has a tendacy to get hot!! I think you both would really enjoy the sights and the rides. Lion King show is worth it. Don't miss it. Take the time out to go at least int he morning. You won't be sorry.

 

[April76]

Maybe it's just me.....but no matter how many times I go on the safari and have a huge white rhino walking along side of me (with no barriers) I always go "WOW!".... same thing happens with the elephants blocking the road or the giraffes...

Also, the Tree of Life is awesome and there aren't any pictures that give you the full effect of it -- something you need to take some time to really look at (you can see quite a bit while walking into the TTBAB show).

Just do the really good stuff -- Tough to be a Bug - Dinosaur ride - Safari -- Kali Rapids is neat (but be prepared to get SOAKED).

If you want to do shows -- Festival of the Lion King is fantastic and Tarzan is really an energetic show.

Get there first thing in the morning and you'll have the rest of the day to go to EPCOT (which is usually open later than the other parks).