Animal Kingdom: Not to be overlooked (First Timers - read!)

[goofy4dis]

Don't neglect animal kingdom as a zoo. Hence nahtazhu being the slogan. This is much more. The safari cannot be missed. Once we had a curious giraffe stick his head in the car. An expierence un imaginable!!!! Up close looks at all animals are achieved by the fun safari ride which takes you through the preserve. My advice (this only applys when its not too hot or in the offseason) is to go get fastpasses o the Kilamanjaro safari ride then go ride the Kali River rapids a few times because in the off season, especially in the morning, this line will be short. So short you can get off and back on. This is an incredible ride but u have a one in four shot in geting absolutely soaked. Like u jumped in a pool and got back out. My suggestion (and yes we tried this on our last trip) is to bring a poncho or rain coat to protect from water if you are unfortunate enough to only be in the six of eight seats only getting wet. Bring a change of clothes because your chances of really getting drenched are likely. FOR THOSE THAT HAVEN'T GONE ON THIS RIDE IN A WHILE, YOU CAN NO LONGER TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF. So I reccomend you bring water shoes with you that day. Large park+wet shoes+wet clothes=not good. So be like a boy scout, prepared, and bring a change of clothes. By the way for anyone in your group not wanting to go on the ride, a contol on the bridge gives on lookers the ability to squirt water from a elephant statues trunk at the riders. If there is time left until your fastpass or after the fast pass. Take some time to go back to the main area and watch the performances. Also the many trails are enjoyable. The animal kingdom, which is often regarded as a skippable park has many great relaxing things and some upbeat ones. Even if you aren't into the whole animal thing than do the above. Plus dino land offers a really neat looking playground for the little ones and "a dinosaur dig". Unfortunately its not real bones and you don't get to keep your finds. However the theme holds attention of even the oldest guests. Atleast schedule a half day at this park. The dinosaur ride is a good one if you don't mind very bumpy moments and things jumping out at you. It has really good animatronics. I also hear that Expedition Everest is coming soon. This may suceed in making this more than a half day park.

 

[Joanna71985]

The OP is right. There ARE things that HAVE to be done at AK. My #1 favorite at AK is Festival of the Lion King. That show is AMAZING!!! Some of the stunts will have you breathless! The music is really good too; the majority is from the movies. And the safari ride is a MUST. I like the parade- a lot of fun.

 

[SplashLover93]

Yep the safari ride is a must its one of my fav rides i have the music playing the radio music they put on i luv it! And DinoLand U.S.A is awesome i mean they have things for all ages the boneyard thing and then they have the ride dinosuar which i love and primal whirl ( i think thats the name?) and its so pretty also look at the paths some have fossils of leaves in it which is pretty cool and the face painting is AWESOME the last 3 years i have gotten my face painted there. And Kali River Rapids i haven't rode it in a while since when we went it was chilly but it is an AWESOME ride. don't overlook AK if you do youre missing alot!
Splash

 

[goofy4dis]

Oh i completely forgot about the Lion King

another must see, unbelievable

 

[bigmac5]

We were there for our first time Aug 29. I was so surprised at how muched I loved it. AK was my favourite park. I was the one who got soaked but it was so hot I didn't really mind. The Legend of the Lion KIng was awesome. To me the best show. The CM's were the most friendly encouraging you to handle everything and get your picture with it. Flame Tree BBQ has "fall-off-the-bone" ribs that were excellent Dinosaur was great. Absolutely a great time!

 

[asa'smom]

ak is one of my favorite park. Festival of the Lion King is awesome. I just love to look around at the detail thats in the park. Lamppost ect...

 

[Ozymoe]

If someone asked me what the "not to be missed" attractions for adults were at AK I'd say Festival of the Lion King, Dinosaur, It's Tough To Be A Bug and the Safari. After that I'd say Primeval Whirl, Kali River Rapids Ride (but you will get wet...I did it 6 times in a row today from 3:45 to 5pm) and the bird show.

If you are an animal lover I'd say the walking trails (Pangini and Maharajah) plus the early morning vet projects in Rafiki's Planet Watch (take the Conservation Station train)...AK is a great place!

 

[bdink921]

I totally agree with the above posts--AK is definitely a must see!!! Even my DH--who is so anti-disney (I mostly think he acts like that just because it drives me nuts)--mostly wants to go back to AK on our next trip (hopefully next year ). We loved the safari--saw lots of animals. The perfomers were awesome. We also loved the animal trails, although it was awfully crowded the day we went. There is a more laid back atmosphere at AK that we didn't find ourselves hurrying around to get more done. Festival of the Lion King is not to be missed!!! We also rode Kali and Dinosaur. It's Tough to be a Bug was cute. We just really enjoyed our day at AK and are looking forward to going again.

 

[klofan]

Even though I LOVE ToT and RnRC, I prefer going to AK before MGM. The atmosphere is better and I love animals. Dinosaur and Primevil Whirl (maybe?) are very cool rides. (i love the "wild-mouse" type roller coasters) I also love the Kil. Safari ride and also the tree of life. It's my favorite symbol next to Cinderella Castle, of course.

I really wanna go on the rapids. The 1st time I went to Disney AK wasn't opened yet, the 2nd no one (not me) felt like "walking" to that area & the 3rd time, no one (not me, again) didn't feel like waiting cause it was too hot.

I really can't wait to go on E.E.

 

[goofy4dis]

Once, when walking down one of the trials, we came across the gorillas. They were only a small revine[*sp?*] apart from us. These animals, who are enormous btw, made a this huge nest type thing by snapping off limbs from trees like twigs. I have never been so amazed by animals for so long in my life. Even if you aren't an animal (which i'm not by any means) go on one of these trails. There was only a gaurd rail on revines[sp?] egde so there was no fence or 100 yard gap like in the zoo. NAHTAZHU

 

[athenna]

I'm glag that this thread was started because I do think AK has been overlooked by lot of people, and really underappreciated. I'm sure now a lot of newbies will want to go to AK after reading this thread!

 

[Viki]

Right now, AK is our favorite park. For our 8-day trip next August we're staying at AKL and don't intend to visit any of the other parks for any length of time, we're just going to camp out at the AK and the lodge!

 

[aprild]

We are gonna go to AK for the 1st time next week!! i think i've talked my DH into it! You guys have made me realize that AK is a MUST SEE. Can my 3 yr old DS ride the Kali water ride or is it not a ride for toddlers to enjoy as well??

 

[kathmzh]

Thanks for the posts. We skipped AK last trip, but will make a point of going in December. I especially appreciate the Kali ride tips!

 

[vicb]

AK is our least fav park but having said that I too agree that newbies should go there and give it a chance. We have gone two out of three trips and enjoyed ourseleves. But for this upcoming trip we probably won't go, and that is ok. One year we didn't go to MGM because our then very young children wanted to go to TL instead. It is great that WDW offers so much for everyone to choose from. And even though AK doesn't rate that high on my list I don't bash it. BTW, my sister totally disagrees with me and say AK is her #1 fav park!

 

[Duet]

We love AK!!!! It is a wonderful park to just take your time and soak in the atmosphere! And IMHO Festival of the Lion King is the best show on property!! We took our DS when he was 3 on Kali - he loved it. If your son is ok with 1 big drop and getting soaked you should have no problem.

Enjoy!!!

 

[Ozymoe]

We are gonna go to AK for the 1st time next week!! i think i've talked my DH into it! You guys have made me realize that AK is a MUST SEE. Can my 3 yr old DS ride the Kali water ride or is it not a ride for toddlers to enjoy as well??

There is a height requirement. I'll check the next time I go. One more tip for Kali...it is best if you wear (or change into) footwear that you do not mind getting wet. No one likes walking around in squishy socks/tennis shoes and they no longer allow you to remove your shoes when you ride this attraction. Although it is possible to ride without getting your shoes wet, it is by no means a sure thing...you might get them drenched.

 

[bugbugmom]

Glad you enjoyed your visit @ AK. We really enjoy it! Next trip we plan on 2 park days. There is so much to see and do!

 

[missypie]

My personal theory is that the people who love AK are people who have gone on a day when the weather was pleasant. If you go on a very hot day or a very rainy day, it's hard to enjoy all the park has to offer because almost everything is outside.

 

[vicb]

My personal theory is that the people who love AK are people who have gone on a day when the weather was pleasant. If you go on a very hot day or a very rainy day, it's hard to enjoy all the park has to offer because almost everything is outside.

I do believe it rained both days we were there, maybe that has contributed to our lack of enthusiasm about that park! You may be on to something there!