Animal loving friend and Animal Kingdom

[MellyBeans]

How would you pitch Animal Kingdom to my Animal Rights-loving friend? She is planning her first visit to Disney World and says she'd prefer to skip Animal Kingdom, as the whole concept of it kind of turns her off. I don't think she fully understands what Animal Kingdom is or what it represents, and I honestly think she has the wrong idea about the park. However, she is a vegan and a *HUGE* animal lover/activist, and I want to respect that. Should I agree with her assessment and tell her to just stay away, or should I try to make it more appealing for her. Thoughts?

 

[whitneyNC]

uuuggghhh... Why would she pass judgement if she doesn't know what it is or what it represents? If she is opposed to wild animals being kept in captivity and gawked at how could you convince her AK isnt' that? I'd let her make her own choice.

 

[MellyBeans]

I know...it's a touchy subject. I get where she is coming from, but I really don't think Animal Kingdom is anything to get upset about. I think they do a lot of good for the animal's housed there, and they really try to be eco-friendly, etc. I also feel that she is missing out on 1/4th of the Disney experience by skipping this park. I really do not know how to pitch it to her though without her thinking it's some creepy zoo...which I'm pretty sure is her impression of it right now.

She's a great person though, and her intentions are well. She is just a HUGE Animal rights lover/person.

 

[NickyNoodle]

Maybe you could tell her how great the bbq is at Flame Tree.


Oh, wait...

 

[hpfan100]

I am a card toting member of PETA and big animal lover. I have two rescued cats after all I'm a vegetarian too.

That being said....I love animal kingdom in fact it may be my favorite part of disney world.

Tell her to do some research on it. If she likes rides then there are some goodies...EE, Kali, Triceratops Spin Also I think the birds of prey show is good as is the Safari. Oh and Bug's Life and The Lion King

I would say to not start with the Safari and see if she gets more comfortable with the other things first. Maybe she would like the conservation station stuff??

If you have hopper tickets maybe you could go to AK early one day and if she hates it then you could move on to Epcot or MK??

 

[Deb & Bill]

Have her take the Backstage Safari. You go through the hospital where they might be doing surgery and the kitchen where they prepare the meals for the animals. Plus you get to go backstage of the animal areas and you can see where they house them at night.

 

[stargazertechie]

It's definitely not a zoo- they do so much more. The animals have huge habitats, many have access to the savannah to roam at their leisure, and most of the park is not qccessible to visitors to give animals their space.

Animals are not forced to be out for guests to view, and they can get away from the crowds if they choose.

There have been many births at the park, most recent being a baby white rhino, a baby giraffe, a baby elephant (Luna) and a baby gorilla (Lily). Those have all been within the last 14 months or so.

Tell your friend to give it a chance with an open mind.

 

[tony609]

This topic was just discussed about a month ago. Do a search on the topic and you'll find a long thread about an animal lover and animal kingdom. On another note. Don't talk up AK to her or make her think she should go. I find that if you "force" something on someone they usually end up having an awful time and then you will too. She can have a relaxing day at the resort and you can enjoy AK...or she can go to another park. Don't force her. Anytime you have to "sell " someone on an idea it usually bombs in my expirences.

 

[Lil_Me]

Animal Kingdom is very focussed on conservation and not exploitation. The animals all have loads of space to roam around and it's great to see them. It's also very educational! Plus the rides are great hehe.

 

[dmccarty]

Maybe you could tell her how great the bbq is at Flame Tree.


Oh, wait...

I about spewed my beer.

Is Flame Tree BBQ based on red sauce, yellow sauce, or vinegar?

Later,
Dan

 

[stargazertechie]

Here are some of my favorite photos from my last trip. Share them with your friend- I think they give a good perspective on how much room the animals have.

 

[CurlyJo224]

The baby elephant picture reminds me of one of the things that impresses me about AK: the breeding rate. They've had how many baby elephants since opening? A few gorillas? And tons of assorted antelopes and such.

 

[DizzDoll]

You could also tell her that the reason the park closes earlier than the others is for the safety and well-being of the animals. Disney takes great care of their animals.

 

[Carmen NC]

For note: On our trip a month ago, we were walking through MK when I heard a pop and looked around and a small bird had collided with a big bird and was injured laying on the ground. We decided to shield the bird (trying to not to traumatize anyone) and flag a CM down and they contacted Animal Kingdom to come get to see if it could be saved and take it ti the AK Vet services. So not only do they take excellent care of the species within the AK park they are also responsible for the care and well-being of all animals within the park that may get hurt. Your friend should be impressed by what they are doing to preserve and protect the species (visit Conservation Station) where she can actual speak with animal experts. There are plenty of other options if she prefers to stay away from the animals but I hope you would keep an open mind and enjoy the architecture of the different cultures represented and then there are the parades, and for ride alternatives (no real animals) - DINOSAUR, Expedition Everest and Khali River Rapids.

 

[estherhead]

I don't know...

I have a friend who is vegetarian and an animal activist. She refuses to watch American Idol because JLo wears fur.

I just now searched for disney animal kingdom cruelty to see what came up and sure enough, there is an article on PETA.org discussing Disney's Wild Animal Kingdom and how it kills animals and that even though the animals are treated humanely, it is basically just a giant cage where animals have no freedom and are doomed to die.

I'm not claiming to understand or agree with PETA. And I'm pretty sure animals in the wild die fairly often too. Ok, I'm 100% sure animals die in their natural habitats, often horrible and cruel deaths. But I also don't try to get my friend to watch American Idol. Because her feelings are real and strong and what's the harm in skipping something that upsets her, even if others feel she is missing out?

If your friend is going to walk around and feel upset when she sees scorpians in a box instead of their natural habitat, or an owl sitting on a guy's shoulder instead of freely chasing mice in the dark, then it won't be fun for her. It will be upsetting.

EE is a really fun ride, but I'm not sure it's worth her being sad.

 

[raidermatt]

Bottom line question I would ask - Is your friend averse to all zoos? I realize AK is more than a zoo but there are people who don't want to see animals in captivity no matter how well-designed the enclosures are. If she is one of those people, taking her to AK would not likely go well.

 

[Bullseye]

She might want to avoid Living Seas in EPCOT also.

 

[actualxash]

i could never say that i am an extreme animal lover, i like animals and prefer not to see them locked up, but other than for everest, dinosaur, and kali, i hate animal kingdom. part of it was because of a back stage tour i took with my high school, but it really is just a glorified zoo. and those are just the parts on stage, back stage is a typical zoo. i know they do great things with research and veterinary services, but i would encourage her to skip it honestly.

 

[disnut8]

We are total animal rights people. I can honestly say that my husband really does break for butterflies. We have stopped not once, not twice but three times to help a turtle across the road (and one of those times was a Disney World).

We love Animal Kingdom. Because there is no where else we can see these beautiful creatures without spending a fortune. There's no where else we can take our son (now grown) and our grandson (son of the former) to understand the plight of these animals. There's no where that local animals (ducks, ibises, cranes, osprey, and even eagles) can all be seen in one single day all along with "exotic" animals.

We don't go to Animal Kingdom to gawk at silly animals and make fun of them. We don't go there to see them behind bars. We go to see them in their natural habitat and the LEARN from them. They can't speak for themselves but they teach us so many things every single time we see them.

How else would I know how the anteater mates? How would I know about the amazing birds if not for Flights of Wonder (where the birds do ONLY their natural things)? How would I know how much Disney cares for the wildlife around the resort if not for seeing a turtle (no, not the one we helped cross the road) getting some surgery to repair his shell? Or the bats having check ups to make sure they were OK?

Animal Kingdom does so much more than just display animals. They teach. If you want to learn. And, sorry, maybe your friend is just turning a deaf ear like so many others that go to other zoos and rush right through it wanting to see more thrills. Animals aren't that thrilling and for years that's been Animal Kingdom's downfall. Disney gave us a few thrills but for the most park, Animal Kingdom is one of the best places to see animals in their natural habitats. It's too bad your friend won't even take a chance.

 

[jcemom]

I think you should probably visit AK without her, and arrange for her to do something else while you are there, something she'd enjoy. If she's set against AK there's probably nothing you can do to change her mind, and you don't want to have that stress while on vacation. Whatever you decide, best wishes, and I hope all goes well.