Animal Kingdom - okay, just a zoo...?

[AJKMOM]

I don't even get the "it's just a zoo" comments. Clearly, everyone else must have zoos way better than the ones here of they think AK is just a zoo. It's my favorite park, personally. It is a theme park, just like the other 3, only it's theme is animals. The vegetation is wonderful. DH was doing the "its a zoo" thing before we went, but he was floored by the plant life and scenery. His first reaction was "This isnot a zoo, it's a jungle!"

I love AK I'm sad so many people don't get it.

Though I will say, it is a slower paced park IMO. You can do it commando, but you'd be missing the point. It's a great place to towards the end of your vacation when you're winding down.

Disney seems to want to play up the "not a zoo" thing because on the television there, it's advertised as "nautazu" or something like that.

 

[wdwcoltsfan]

We love AK! I, too wish more people "got" it.

I know people will say that it is a 1/2 day park, but I think those people are missing the true uniqueness of AK. This is a park that should be taken at a slower pace if you truly want to enjoy all it has to offer. You may think that you have been to the zoo, so why bother with the animals, but I encourage you to do the Jungle Trek and the Pangani Forest Trail. They are beautiful! We have been to many zoos, but none presented as this.

We can try to convince you that AK is well worth the money, but it all comes down to you. If you are the type of person that will over analyze everything about it and try to quantify your experience in terms of $$, then you may not enjoy it. If you go to the park with an open mind and simply enjoy your experience, chances are at the end of the day you will say it was worth the money.

Every park has it's theme. AK is animals, but that certainly doesn't make it "only" a zoo.


Rachel

 

[jenseib]

I was there only a half day and we didn't even ever make it to dinoland.

As for Se world ,I myself have never beeen to a zoo that has sealions, orcas, and dolphins doing flips and tricks for people. I have only been to the one in Ohio when it was open, and we loved it. Went a few times as a kid, and took my son a few times as well ,till they sold and closed it. I would love to visit one of the others in the future as well.

 

[lovmy2girls]

It is so Natazu!
Yes, it has animals, but its great. The Expedition Everest is a great ride, just looking around at the Park at the different areas, Africa Asia etc...is very neat in itself, just the detail is amazing. The Tree of Life with the Bugs life is neat. The bird show is awesome. We never get tired of seeing animals anyway so maybe thats why we like it so much. I think everyone should try it just once.

 

[TinkRBel_In_Training]

Heck no, there is no zoo in the world that could even come close to Animal Kingdom. It is not a zoo. A zoo you just walk through the place and look at animals in cages, and it smells. Animal Kingdom does NOT smell at all, there are walking trails that make you forget that you are even in a theme park, there are really awesome shows to see. The Festival of the Lion King is the best theatre show I have ever seen on Disney property. And they now have a Nemo musical too. They also have a 3-D show themes around Its a Bug's Life. There is also a Mickey jungle parade and the Kilamanjaro Safari ride is one of my absolute favorite attractions! I also LOVE Dinosaur the ride, the Kali River Rapids water ride, and there is now the new EE coaster for thrill-seekers. For the kids they have a playground at the dinosaur area and Camp Minnie Mickey. Personally, I feel that you can learn so much more about the animals at AK than at any zoo. AK lets you get up close and personal with all the animals (as safely as possible, of course. You can't get into the animal's areas, but pretty darn close ). I don't know about you, but there is no zoo on earth that offers these things. AK is my favorite park tied with MK, it is most definitely worth the money.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

A few years ago, AK was really a half day park. You really could go around and see mostly everything, at a reasonable pace,and still have at least an evening somwehere else. With the new Nemo show and EE, the crowds are bigger, and there is more to do, so now it's more like a 3/4 day park.

The train ride to Conservation Station takes a long time, and isn't all that worthwhile, so maybe those who vote for a whole day are inlcuding CS? EE is excellent though, and if you're there for a week, you may want to go to AK two days!
Also, since AK usually closes at around 5pm, so you will almost certainly have your evening open if you feel up for hopping, and have a hopper pass. The only exception would be on EMH nights, and there really isn't enough things open to keep you there all day and night too.

 

[dmzrn]

We LOVE LOVE LOVE Animal Kingdom!!!! Can't even tell you how much. In fact, probabl our favorite park ever. So Beautiful, so mech to do and see... definitely NOT a zoo. Don't go... and you'll regret it! Go experience it... your kids will love it too!

 

[AmericanIron]

I've looked at AK on the WDW site and I cannot locate times for the shows - Lion King and Nemo. Do they run several times throughout the day?

 

[MJMcBride]

I am a big "zoo guy" and actually have volunteered at he best zoo in the country for over 15 years. DAK is definately worth it. It nicely combines state of the art zoological exhibitry on the par with the top handful of zoos in the country with typically top-notch Disney rides and shows.

 

[mistyt]

It is my favorite park! And I'm not just saying that because I work there! Where else can you find something as beautiful as this:

 

[TinkerbellMama]

I was at first planning on going to animal kingdom, but then... After budget considerations, I feel the need to ask why it's any different from a zoo. We have a very nice zoo near us where animals roam free, so...is it really worth it??? What makes animal kingdom, and sea world for that matter, any different from other large city's zoos/aquariums?

Okay, having read ahead, I'm going to be really honest here...
Since your kids are in the toddler/preschool age range, I don't think AK is a MUST-do. I think there are certainly enjoyable things there for the little ones. My son loves the petting zoo/educational exhibits, the Boneyard playground, and seeing the characters at Donald's Breakfastosaurus. He also enjoyed Kilimanjaro Safaris. HOWEVER, there wasn't much else we could all experience as a family. He didn't mind ITTBAB the first time we took him at 12 mos., but now that he's VERY active and mobile, sitting still for any show is hit or miss, so we skipped it last time and will give it another shot in September when he's nearly 3. Perhaps your 4 year old would have the attention span for it, but then again, many children are frightened by it. I have nothing against AK and definitely don't feel it's "just a zoo"...but I don't think it's the most exciting park for a very young family IF you are short on time. We spent a lot of time switching off to ride stuff, which was not a problem for us since there were 4 adults in our party and just the one little guy. Oh, and my son wasn't impressed with the Triceratops Spin (?) ride, either. You will get a lot more bang for your buck at MK, IMO.

 

[lillygator]

it's not that I have something against animal kingdom...I was actually excited about it. However, my kids are only 2 and 4. When we were watching travel channel, my kids only saw the animals with the same fascination they had at the pet store. I'm really trying to think about it from their perspective. What got me thinking more about it was a few people I've spoken with who said that it wasn't worth it and that they would never go back. Another concern is that I frequently read on these sights that it's a half day park at best...Also, the cost of the safari is so much, is it really just driving through a zoo in a car? How does everyone else feel about animal kingdom? I'm looking for confirmation that it is a worthwhile park...

My girls are 2 and 4 and my 4 year old always asks to go to AK regardless....we find it is a much slower paced park and we really enjoy it. There is no zoo comparison, I have never "got" why people compare it to a zoo just because there are animals....it is a theme park.

If you think it's not worth it, don't go.

Exactly!

I'll be going on a real safari in the next year but I'll still be going to AK. The animals are nice but it's a theme park as well. Don't look at it as a "zoo", look at it as a Disney park where some of the rides focus on real animals.

Having lived in SA and been on a "real" safari, I find it nostalgic for me, nothing compared to the real thing, but fascinating!

Well, I am afraid with this attitude you will be one of the one's who doesn't like AK.

AK is NOT a commando park. If you go with the Commnado mentality of "RIDE, RIDE, RIDE" you will probably be disappointed. (However, a two and four year old should slow that down LOL!)

The Safari does not cost extra so I don't get that comment. It's included in the park admission.

The folks who think it's a half day park are probably missing the point of AK, but IMHO that's there loss.

AK has to be close to the top of our favorite parks....it is much slower paced...has excellent shows - Nemo ROCKS! - The safari is a different experience every time. Conservation station...last time we went over, they were doing a physical on a meerkat (sp) and wow ---- that was "so cool" for my 4 year Kim Possible watcher.

We love AK! I, too wish more people "got" it.

No!! I don't want anyone else to "get it"!! I am selfish!! We love walking around enjoying all the foliage, orchids, etc....and just really slowing down....

Okay, having read ahead, I'm going to be really honest here...
Since your kids are in the toddler/preschool age range, I don't think AK is a MUST-do. I think there are certainly enjoyable things there for the little ones. My son loves the petting zoo/educational exhibits, the Boneyard playground, and seeing the characters at Donald's Breakfastosaurus. He also enjoyed Kilimanjaro Safaris. HOWEVER, there wasn't much else we could all experience as a family. He didn't mind ITTBAB the first time we took him at 12 mos., but now that he's VERY active and mobile, sitting still for any show is hit or miss, so we skipped it last time and will give it another shot in September when he's nearly 3. Perhaps your 4 year old would have the attention span for it, but then again, many children are frightened by it. I have nothing against AK and definitely don't feel it's "just a zoo"...but I don't think it's the most exciting park for a very young family IF you are short on time. We spent a lot of time switching off to ride stuff, which was not a problem for us since there were 4 adults in our party and just the one little guy. Oh, and my son wasn't impressed with the Triceratops Spin (?) ride, either. You will get a lot more bang for your buck at MK, IMO.

See my kids love it, they both enjoyed the Nemo musical, Festival of the Lion King...my youngest hates getting off Dino Whirl (or whatever the Dino Dumbo is called), we've always had GREAT character interaction here....a GREAT park to really do the majority of the day and then go back to the pool and enjoy DTD at night or miniature golf or something.

 

[yankeepenny]

I went last year as a first timer, DH saw parts of it a year after it opened. what an amazing place! i figured for certain we would die in the heat and we did not. the tropical areas kept us cool and it ws well shaded. we strolled and took our time. we did not go on EE or KKR, but enjoyed nearly everything else from 9 to 3 . (then i needed a break)
there were wonderful trails and exhibits of science and natural interest, and much more. great places to stop and look around, and many themed disney areas. not to mention, good food selections and just an overall great place. at least try it. we are returning for an AK day this year, to see all that we missed and see again everything else.

 

[DanMedix]

both my DD and DS went to AK for their first time when they were 2. Both of the kids remember things from their first time. Plus, they want to keep going. AK is one of their highlights of a visit to WDW. They certainly can't wait until October! LOL

Yes, there are things that aren't really geared towards kids that age. But, then again, there are many things they'd enjoy. Affection Section and Camp Minnie-Mickey are great! They'd like the scenery from KS, and the ability to get inside the african animal experience.

..just my 8 cents worth...

 

[scrump]

I am not a zoo person, but I do enjoy AK immensely.

I think it's a gorgeously themed park. It's way above and beyond a mere zoo vibe.

But to each their own!

 

[JLS]

I love the AK for the theming. Just an absolutely beautiful park with every detail impeccably themed to parts of the world that I have not gotten to see so it is a great experience. I love just walking around the AK. Dinosaur is a fabulous ride, Safaris is great, I love seeing the Gorillas up close in the Pangani Forest Trail. love the Tree of Life, the shows are great (Flights of Wonder is very underrated) and Expedition Everest is unbelievable. Haven't seen Nemo yet, but hear great things. Tons to do here! I am very surprised when people do not like the AK, but I think it is people who do not take the time to appreciate what it has to offer.

if you are looking for as many rides as possible, you may not like it.

 

[lamagique]

I worked last summer at WDW, so I got to go to the parks fairly often and even before that, I had gone to WDW a couple of times. That said, there are things I still haven't done at Animal Kingdom, even after spending a full day there or so. There's so many things, but you sort of have to look for them. There's so much detailing and so many cool things in addition to the awesome rides (which with 2 & 4 year-olds, you probably won't go on). And like everyone said, Festival of the Lion King was super impressive. I was NOT expecting it! It was very, very good and my favorite thing. Now Pochahontas... that's a different story. But overall, I think AK is worth it, especially with all their new(er) additions.

 

[Robo]

I've looked at AK on the WDW site and I cannot locate times for the shows - Lion King and Nemo. Do they run several times throughout the day?

to the DISboards, AmericanIron!!

Sorry nobody responded sooner.

I just read your post, so...

The following site posts the stage shows, in-park shows and their times for the current week.
They will be "similar" for other times as well.
Near the top of the page,
click on the colored links for the various parks
and their show times.

http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/index.htm

Be sure to check back to the site as the actual dates of your trip get closer.





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[nuttymsw]

Thanks for your input. I hope I wasn't sounding like a negative nelly, just worried about the poor response from my friends and family who had been there. I think we're going to give it a shot. My kids were watching the travel channel with me and saw the park. My youngest got very excited and I fugre that even if I might not care for it, at their age they will love it. I especially am excited about the bone hunt and the nemo show...I know my kids will love those.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

It is more than a zoo, but its not our favorite park. A zoo usually consists of animals and exhibits. AK has much more than that. Besides animals, there are rides, shows, and live street entertainment that you ordinarily won't find in your local zoo. Festival of the lion king is one of my favorite shows. From the small amount of time spent there (only a half day), we got a lot done, but it wasn't a very exciting park. We will give it another chance in May and try to slow our pace down a bit. Hopefully, we'll get to like it better.