Animal Kingdom

[rigsby25]

We pretty much know the in's and outs of the other parks. I'm looking for insights into Animal Kingdom. My kids 15 and 19 never want to go. My husband and I took a short trip without the kids in October and we went. When we first went I was in awe of the park because of the scenery, etc. We walked straight to the back to the safari. We were going to get a fast past, but the sign said 30 minutes, so we got in line. About an hour later we got out of line. The line itself was the most boring hateful line I have ever been in! That phone ringing every two minutes was nerve racking. The ride itself was so-so. I was very disappointed that the animals were fake. I don't know what I expected. Then we ate lunch and left because we were so tired and hot and emotionally let down because of that long wait for the safari ride. This park was the most crowded of all during our stay. It was Friday. Does that make a difference? I guess what I'm looking for is park strategies. We looked at the map and it seemed like it would take forever to walk over to the Dinosaur ride.

 

[luv2nascar]

The animals on the safari ride are real and amazing. We try to ride safari first thing in morning. Animals are not that active if the heat is bad. Speaking of the heat - it will be like 10 degrees hotter in AK that other parks?? We don't do well hear. We struggle not to melt down. Festival of the Lion King show is really beautiful and fun. We enjoyed it more than Tarzan Rocks. But I would plan something outside then something in shade. There is also Bugs life 3d movie (my kids are afraid of this movie when they are little). Breakfast or lunch would be a nice break too. We were there in June and it was 90+ degrees in Florida all week. Family wanted to sleep in AK day. We ended up getting there in time for breakfast at Donald's. We love that -it was my DH birthay an it was great seeing Donald his favorite. Then we hit the Dino area. No dinasaur for us (we have a 2 yr old). DH & 10DD didn't care for primevil whirl. We walked over to FOTLK and got some pictures an autographs. Lilo and Stitch were out. We were hot an tired after the show an ended up leaving to avoid a meltdown.

 

[dixiedizfan]

I can't believe you thought the animals were fake! Granted much of the scenery is fake, but all of the animals are very much alive.

 

[Crazy Kanga]

I can't believe you thought the animals were fake! Granted much of the scenery is fake, but all of the animals are very much alive.

All of the animals are real except for Little Red in the back of the poacher's truck.

 

[PamNC]

Fake? The animals are completely real.

We LOVE the animal kingdom. I don't think of it as a theme park visit...it's an adventure. There are winding paths and tons of animals to look at (real ones). The safari isn't the only place you can view the spectacular animals. I'm a total animal lover so I guess it makes me love AK more than usual. I love the safari, Dinosaur and the Festival of the Lion King. Oh, and the bird show...for the life of me I can't remember the name. How embarrasing. I don't like Tarzan, but I hear that's going away and will be replaced. I could simply gaze at the Tree of Life in awe for hours.

Then, there is something to look forward to. Expedition Everest.

I think they've done an amazing job with the foilage and the town of Harambe. The whole vibe is very inviting and exciting. I think Walt would be proud of AK...it definitely has the magic.

Just my humble opinion.

PamNC

 

[Mellie2162]

We absolutely love Ak. This is our middle of the week park to unwind a bit..after a couple of days of MK and MGM (the kids just want to fly from ride to ride) this is the place where we can all just roam around and enjoy the place without rushing from ride to ride...the kids just play in the boneyard and we can relax. I think AK is definitely for animal lovers and scenery lovers. Ive had people tell me they hated it because it was nothing but a big zoo, but I disagree. There is much more to it if you slow down and take the time to really soak it all in and see all there is to see. We actually love the safari because my DD11 thinks the bridge is really broken and the look on her face just kills us everytime we go over it.

 

[isyt]

AK is my least favorite but I would never miss it on a trip either. My kids and myself love the Safari. Each time is different because the animals are free roaming. We had a giraffe stop at our truck and just stayed there , it was great. We also love Dinosaur and can not wait for EE. We usually consider it our early day but we would never miss it.

 

[paladin]

AK is my favorite park (though I agree it is very hot). I especially love the walking trails. I think this is a park that you have to be willing to slow down and watch for things, see what the animals are going to do next, watch the shows, enjoy the settings. I do, however, find it hard to believe that someone thought the animals on the safari were fake.

 

[disnut8]

Oh, and the bird show...for the life of me I can't remember the name. How embarrasing.PamNC

It's The Flights of Wonder and an absolute Not To Be Missed show.

Animal Kingdom is easily our second favorite park after Epcot. If you slow down and take your time and don't concentrate on the "rides", it's fantastic for a day. Even my Disney-phobic brother-in-law spent an entire day here and requested a second trip onto It's Tough to Be a Bug. And since we went through the queue line at Dinosaur too fast, we sent him in with my father-in-law just so they could see all the displays.

We can easily spend a day here and not ride any ride. Too many other things to see and do.

 

[dalstitch45]

AK is my favorite next to MK. The Festival of the Lion King show is not to be missed. There is so much to do there, the only thing you have to worry about is getting tired from walking. I like the nature trails, also. I usually get funnel cake on my way to the safari and sometimes back. It's a bug's life is great, although a lot of small children get scared. I did notice on my last trip that they changed portions of this show. Depending on what day and season it is, you just have to plan strategically to get around the park. Of course, there is always the Jungle Jammin parade.

 

[joshsmom]

Don't forget the TIGERS!!! Oh, and the BATS!!! We love AK. My mother, who never buys ANYTHING at the Parks bought an AK backpack because she loves it so much. We love FOTLK, Mickey's JJ Parade, KS, and just leisurely walking through the park. I really got into light fixtures the last time we were at WDW and there are some REALLY COOL ones in AK--especially around the Tree of Life. It's an AWESOME park!!!

 

[LukenDC]

I was very impressed with the beautiful landscaping of AK. The river that runs through the park is such a special touch and makes it seem like you are far from Orlando. The animals were wonderful and I loved the safari ride. Dinosaur, Festival of the Lion King, and Kali Rapids were also fun. I did not enjoy the small amusement park section (I'm 32 years old), but I bet that kids would love it. I found It's Tough to be a Bug to be quite intense---I would not recommend it for small children and even many adults (ahem, like myself) were weirded out by it. AK also has some of the most interesting shops in WDW.

 

[Allison]

I have to say we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Animal Kingdom. I have 2 days planned there on our next trip.

Everyone has different tastes. AK really fits ours.

I have to ask-How is a line for a ride "hateful"? What made it hateful?

 

[joshsmom]

Oh my gosh and I can't believe I forgot LUCKY!!!! We got to see him and I thought he was REALLY cool!!! It's not very often you see a Dinosaur free-roaming ANYWHERE!!!

 

[Allison]

Oh my gosh and I can't believe I forgot LUCKY!!!! We got to see him and I thought he was REALLY cool!!! It's not very often you see a Dinosaur free-roaming ANYWHERE!!!

Lucky was just a temporary visitor. He isn't there anymore. I wish we could have seen him, though. He sounded great.

 

[Stitchy_Baby_626]

Tell them they have to go otherwise they'll miss 'Dinosaur' the ride, and it's AMAZING!!!!!!!

Donna
xxx

 

[joshsmom]

Lucky was just a temporary visitor. He isn't there anymore. I wish we could have seen him, though. He sounded great.

You're KIDDING me!!!!! I can't believe it!!! I know I've been off the boards awhile, but when did he leave???? We saw him May 2005.

 

[paladin]

He was only there for a couple of months. I think he left in July or August.

 

[joshsmom]

I'm distressed. I guess I should be REALLY happy that we got to see him. Thanks for the info--however disturbing it may be!!

 

[colaz]

Was lucky intended to be temp.? I didn't realize he was gone either.


I also love Animal Kingdom...being an animal lover myself. My parents really love the Fest. of the Lion King show, and have gone to it like 3 times on their trip. I also love the Dinosour ride.