Animal Kingdom or not? That is the question...

[Jen07030]

Thanks for all of these fantastic replies! Any advice on our 3 x FP for the day? No thrill rides. Shows would be great as would the safari. Just don't know what gets a FP and what doesn't.

 

[ZellyB]

AK is a favorite for my family. It's a really pretty park and we enjoy the rides and shows there a great deal. I enjoy it since I do feel like we can take a more relaxed approach to the park. I remember the first time we went with my SIL's family and she said it was their least favorite park so we only planned a half day there and once we got there, we were really disappointed to be leaving so soon. My 13 year old daughters also claim it as their favorite park.

 

[Jen07030]

yes I think the safari is a little different then walking around your zoo ( I only have a very small zoo where I am ) but you get to ride which is a nice break you have someone pointing out the animals and telling you stories about them and some other facts You can do it ore then one time and get a little different exsprince although some things will be the same ( so if you really liked it I would do it maybe a second time but no more the 2x in a day ) I am glade you are going I would leave your evening open so if you are really enjoying AK you could stay but have an idea of what to do if you find you are done and it is not that late ( like DS) November is a good time to visit as AK dose tend to be the hottest park so hopefully it will be a bit cooler for you to really enjoy the park.

I know you did not ask but I would look at FP the safari finding Nemo and the lion king ( if they are into show) also just like other parks you really do not need to book a FP for when park opens

I have heard different things about the safari that it is best to do first thing in the morning as the animals are out and moving more I have done it at different times and some times they are moving and some times they are just lying there, but I think when ever you do it you will enjoy it ( you may want to do this first thing in the morning and then have a FP for latter in the day, since you boys are not into thrill rides you really do not have a lot of FP option and in fact theres are not a lot of FP at AK)

Thank you - i literally just posted a FP question! Safari, Finding Nemo and Lion King. Great - thank you so much. Such great advice!

 

[ZellyB]

If they like birds at all, we also really enjoy the Flights of Wonder show. No FP+ needed for it though.

 

[AaronInWI]

Each family is different, but for us Animal Kingdom is a 2-day park. We love it that much. Sure, we like seeing the animals, but remember that Animal Kingdom is "Nahtazu". There is so much more to it than that. The themeing is amazing, easily the best of the four Florida Disney parks. You really feel like you are in an African village when you are in Harambe, and in Asia when you are in Anandapur. It is fun to explore the different trails and see the Tree of Life. As others have mentioned, the shows are great. The safari is really cool. Flame Tree BBQ is one of the better QS restaurants in WDW. Those that see it as "just a zoo" are really missing what the park is all about, in my opinion.

 

[Jen07030]

Looking up stuff now - Would the Kali River Rapids be considered a "thrill" ride. I see that it's on a large circular raft - does it go very fast?

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

I love AK.

Flights of wonder, finding Nemo & lion King shows are all well worth seeing. Flights of wonder is my favorite.

The safari ride is wonderful & I like it's tough to be a bug.

Yak & Yeti is a super restaurant or Tusker house is great if you want to see characters.

There is plenty to do here to fill a day with walking the trails & seeing the animals in between shows & rides.

My last short trip , a convention trip, I spent a day at AK & we did 2 days at Epcot( flower & garden festival) I choose to do AK solo rather than MK which gives it pretty high ranking for me. It's such a pretty park & you get to set alittle slower pace which is nice after several days at Disney.

 

[AaronInWI]

Looking up stuff now - Would the Kali River Rapids be considered a "thrill" ride. I see that it's on a large circular raft - does it go very fast?

I wouldn't think so. My wife doesn't like thrill rides, and loves this one. You go up (slowly), wind around some river rapids (again - slowly), then a moderate drop (where you may or may not get soaked), and you're done. Easy peasy.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I'll go a slightly different tack...Kids around that age get a bit funny where fears are concerned.

Now that your boys are 6 and 5 and older), you may find they are more adventurous (unless you are opposed to thrill rides). Last visit, they were probably too short for many of the attractions you list. At their ages, children tend to become more curious, and their fear levels are fairly fluid.

(Besides WDW's idea of a thrill ride is VERY TAME. You don't mention BTMRR, but if they handle 7D, they can likely handle BTMRR, and if they can handle BTMRR, they can handle Space Mtn. Are they doing Star Tours?)

If you are going to WDW for multiple days, then you should absolutely include AK. You really can't know until you go what they will like.

If you happen to see a very short wait for EE, consider walking through the queue, as it is very well done- but skip the ride via the chicken exit. (Just tell the last CM you don't wish to ride, and they will help you exit). I wouldn't waste a FP if you don't plan to ride, but the queue is pretty neat. DO ring the bells.

Another ride they might partly like is DINOSAUR. The actual ride part has strobes and animatronic dinos, so if they are scared of the Haunted Mansion, they may not like the ride part. The vehicle is like a jeep on a very uneven road in the dark with loud noises, and dinos jumping out at you. So if they aren't into intense rides, they probably won't like it. BUT...if they like dinosaurs, the pre-ride, the gift shop, and the area around the ride are all fun.

Primeval Whirl is just a Mouse Trap (also called Crazy Mouse) the ride is not smooth, and the cars spin a bit, but the drops are tiny. If they like the teacups, they will probably like it.

It's Tough to Be a Bug. It is a 3-D show similar to Philarmagic, but with bugs. If they hate bugs/darkness/loud noises, they probably won't like it. If they handle/like Stitch, they will probably do fine with it. Many kids their age like it, but some don't.


AK is less spread out, in general, than Epcot. If you look at a map, the safari takes up much space, but that's to allow for animal enclosures. Compared to many ides, it is fairly ride, but mostly just a jeep ride to see assorted animals.

Otherwise, AK has many little nooks and crannies for kids to explore. It is by far the lushest of the parks. If you at all enjoy seeing WDW's greenery/landscaping, then it is worth seeing just for that aspect of the park. If you are into seeing characters, then you will probably enjoy the ones unique to AK, plus special safari versions of Mickey and Minnie. There's also the fun theming of the AK dining, and gift shops. AK has several fairly unique gift shops.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Looking up stuff now - Would the Kali River Rapids be considered a "thrill" ride. I see that it's on a large circular raft - does it go very fast?

It isn't very fast, but you ride a round raft through rapids, so it does spin a bit. The ride has some very small drops, but they are all smaller than the one on Pirates of the Caribbean.

The one thing I'd say though is that you are going in November, I think. more or less, two people on each raft usually get drenched. Everyone else usually gets a little wet. In November, it may be too chilly to get wet.

Also, most folks get off the ride and kind of say, "Oh, that's all?" Because before you ride, it looks like it is more intense than it really is. If your boys know who to hold their breath in water, and even very basic swimming skills, it is no big deal. If they are scared of water though, they may not want to ride.

 

[Jen07030]

I'll go a slightly different tack...Kids around that age get a bit funny where fears are concerned.

Now that your boys are 6 and 5 and older), you may find they are more adventurous (unless you are opposed to thrill rides). Last visit, they were probably too short for many of the attractions you list. At their ages, children tend to become more curious, and their fear levels are fairly fluid.

(Besides WDW's idea of a thrill ride is VERY TAME. You don't mention BTMRR, but if they handle 7D, they can likely handle BTMRR, and if they can handle BTMRR, they can handle Space Mtn. Are they doing Star Tours?)

If you are going to WDW for multiple days, then you should absolutely include AK. You really can't know until you go what they will like.

If you happen to see a very short wait for EE, consider walking through the queue, as it is very well done- but skip the ride via the chicken exit. (Just tell the last CM you don't wish to ride, and they will help you exit). I wouldn't waste a FP if you don't plan to ride, but the queue is pretty neat. DO ring the bells.

Another ride they might partly like is DINOSAUR. The actual ride part has strobes and animatronic dinos, so if they are scared of the Haunted Mansion, they may not like the ride part. The vehicle is like a jeep on a very uneven road in the dark with loud noises, and dinos jumping out at you. So if they aren't into intense rides, they probably won't like it. BUT...if they like dinosaurs, the pre-ride, the gift shop, and the area around the ride are all fun.

Primeval Whirl is just a Mouse Trap (also called Crazy Mouse) the ride is not smooth, and the cars spin a bit, but the drops are tiny. If they like the teacups, they will probably like it.

It's Tough to Be a Bug. It is a 3-D show similar to Philarmagic, but with bugs. If they hate bugs/darkness/loud noises, they probably won't like it. If they handle/like Stitch, they will probably do fine with it. Many kids their age like it, but some don't.


AK is less spread out, in general, than Epcot. If you look at a map, the safari takes up much space, but that's to allow for animal enclosures. Compared to many ides, it is fairly ride, but mostly just a jeep ride to see assorted animals.

Otherwise, AK has many little nooks and crannies for kids to explore. It is by far the lushest of the parks. If you at all enjoy seeing WDW's greenery/landscaping, then it is worth seeing just for that aspect of the park. If you are into seeing characters, then you will probably enjoy the ones unique to AK, plus special safari versions of Mickey and Minnie. There's also the fun theming of the AK dining, and gift shops. AK has several fairly unique gift shops.

Tons of great info here! And you're right - my 6 yo is on the cusp of maybe wanting to explore more thrilling rides. We did 7D last year with him so i think he will do BTMRR now. They are both over 40" so the 5 year old will have many more options this year as well.
We will likely skip EE. They are "ok" with Haunted Man so maybe we'll try Dinosaur? I read about the BUG show and we'll definitely give that try - they love bugs (me, not so much!)

 

[Alesia]

Tons of great info here! And you're right - my 6 yo is on the cusp of maybe wanting to explore more thrilling rides. We did 7D last year with him so i think he will do BTMRR now. They are both over 40" so the 5 year old will have many more options this year as well.
We will likely skip EE. They are "ok" with Haunted Man so maybe we'll try Dinosaur? I read about the BUG show and we'll definitely give that try - they love bugs (me, not so much!)

Dinosaur is the only ride that has ever scared my daughter. She's never had a problem with heights, drops, spinning, going upside down, or going fast, but Dinosaur absolutely terrified her the first time she rode it.

 

[shruley]

I love Animal Kingdom. In general my kids have been too young to do much of the thrill rides, and we usually skip the animal trails (thus I never think of it as feeling like a zoo.) I feel like there is still plenty to do. We really like Dinosaur, and when we have had kids too little to ride, they would enjoy playing at the boneyard and triceratops spin while the older ones enjoyed Dinosaur. All of the shows are really good, and very different from each other, especially Lion King and the Nemo show. We really like the Safari. That takes up a little chunk of time, and each ride is different. I've heard doing the safari at sunset (not late in the evening but actual sunset) people have seen some very active animals in addition to the standard early morning ones. It's Tough to be a Bug is very well done. I think by like age 6 my kids were over the scared part of that one. We also try to meet some characters like at other parks, and you will see some here you see less at other parks (Flick comes to mind. Stitch.)

I really love visiting this park because I really feel like I'm immersed in another land. The themeing feels better to me here at other parks, feels more immersive. It has some good counter service food and just a fun place to wander and experience.

 

[Lavitz]

When we have small kids our order of preference for the parks is MK>>>>>HS>AK>>>>>>>>>EP.

AK is great for small kids, extra bonus if they like the shows.

 

[Moback]

Our family of 4 have visited Disney World every year for the past 5 years but we have yet to check out Animal Kingdom. My boys are 6 and 5. They don't really like "thrill rides" - we don't do TOT, Space Mountain,Splash Mountain, etc.
We are going back to DW in November for 6 nights and i'm trying to figure out if this is the year we finally give Animal Kingdom a try. My youngest enjoys going to the zoo but the oldest one doesn't really care either way.
Should we give it a go this year? Please let me know if it's worth it. We don't have park hoppers so this will be our only park that day. My understanding of the park is that it's very big/spread out, has some thrill rides and a few shows. Thanks for any advice!

I cant believe you haven't gone yet. AK is much much more than a zoo or thrill rides. The shows are awesome. Flights of wonder is amazing and always get a fastpass from our family.

 

[tlmadden73]

AK is perfect for kids that age as they still have that thrill of discovery when it comes to the animal world.

With Boys that age I would do AK over Epcot.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

Definitely do it!

I'd recommend doing the Safari first thing when you get there, the animals tend to be more active in the morning. Otherwise there's lots of great educational features around the park and some really wonderful shows. The park is a bit hotter than most, but for me, it's really only a half-day park anyway.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

I'll be the buzz kill and say that AK is our least favorite park and I might not do it without park hoppers.

That's not to say I dislike AK. The safari is great, FotLK is great, and my kids could spend an hour on Kali River Rapids, but IMO the other three parks offer so much more to occupy us.

 

[Princess&JackMom]

Animal Kingdom is my children's favorite park at WDW (CarsLand is their favorite overall). They are now 9 but have been going since they were 4 (twins). They love taking the train to Rafiki's and enjoy the safari, and, of course, digging for dinosaur bones (no matter how hot it is!). My son doesn't like scary rides so he doesn't do Dinosaur; my daughter loves them and now gets to go on Expedition Everest. He also didn't like A Bug's Life the first time but is now OK with it.
And the character breakfast at Tusker House is awesome. It's so fun to go into the park ahead of everyone else to get pictures in front of the Tree of Life with no one around! This park really has something of interest for any child. And we have met some of the best characters there that we haven't seen elsewhere. For example, we happened across Thumper and his girlfriend. And most recently, Dug and Russell.
My kids also like that at AK there are a lot of activities for them to get involved with, like the digging, or dancing during Lion King, playing the drums outside the market, etc.

 

[mort1331]

I will also vote for going. Our girls love love love this park, and almost everything in it. Flights of Wonder, where DD9 has been picked twice to volunteer. Festival is probably the best "free" show IMHO that there is. Nemo is great theater. So as you say the boys like shows, this is a great park. My girls do not do thrill rides, so no EE but KRR and Dino no problem. If there at RD no need for FP for Safari, but we sometimes book a later one and do it twice. You did not say if your staying onsite? You can book BOMA for dinner, short ride and check out AKL at the same time. Great buffet that we don't miss. If you stay late enough there you can do night vision goggles for the boys and see the animals at night, very cool.
Don't skip this park again....lol