Animals at Animal Kingdom

[mamahauldren]

I am still working on my strategies and plan of attack to obtain all the magic I can find in the world. Our family has been to a lot of zoos and animal exhibts (including seaworld) previously and sometimes we have been disappointed by the animals hiding or being nowhere to be found as we find ourself looking into a certain animal area. Is Animal Kingdom anything like this? I know there are rides too but isnt the animals the main attraction or am I wrong?
In the wdw video it shows so many great animals roaming within their boundaries...Is it really like that?

I know I have so many questions, Everyone has been so helpful to me and appreciate your patience and advice.

 

[April76]

Over the past several weeks I have ridden the safari ride at least 5 times and each time we have seen the following:

Tommies (gazelles)
Giraffe
Assorted "horned" animals large & small
Zebras
Rhinos
Elephants
Ostrich, Flamingos, and other large birds
Gators
Hippos
Pumpa (oops, I mean warthogs)
Rafikki (sorry, can't remember the name of this type monkey)
Lions (both male & female)
Cheetas (although these guys are ALWAYS sleeping way back in the shade)

I'm positive I'm forgetting a few..... but my point is, that most of these animals were extremely close to our jeep throughout the safari --- there's a special "thrill" to have a white rhino walking along side your jeep --- Often, we had to stop because of animals casually walking across our path.

You experience will differ each time you ride --- but it's a definite "must do"!!!

(Almost forgot.... there are also exploration trails where you can see "up close" other animals like gorilla, tigers, and giant bats!)

 

[Tiziminchac]

There are rides at AK, but the animals are what it's all about. On my last trip I seen them all. Well, I don't recall any hiding. The video pretty much shows it how it is. The AK is a wonderful park, IMHO. I hope your family enjoys it!

 

[MNRMommy]

We took a behind the scenes tour at AK once and they told us that they animals are never "required" to be on display but they put enticements out for them like hidden food etc to get them out and about. I have been at all times of the day and when it is decent weather (80's and lower) the animals have been out at all times of the day. On our trips in the hotter weather I noticed that a lot of animals were harder to see in the afternoon because they had sought shadier areas and were often hiden. We got up one morning and went there and got in line before the park was opened. We headed straight for the safari ride. We walked right in and BOY DID WE SEE ANIMALS. I don't know if they feed them early to get them out there but we saw more animals in the early morning then we ever had before.

 

[decker96]

We saw TONS of animals when on the Safari. The only ones that were "hiding" were the lions. Otherwise we saw every animal there was to see on the Safari. We didn't make it to either of the trails -- where the gorillas and tigers are -- but I've heard from friends that they are great for animal viewing as well. It's definitely not like any zoo you've ever been to!

 

[wannabee princess]

Oh, my, the animals we have seen at AK!! We just have had such wonderful experiences with the animals there, that I can't express how much we love AK!! You can go on the safari, or walk the trails 4 times a day (we have!) and still see something different or new!

We have zoo membership in our city (considered a top zoo by reports) and everytime we visit, it is brought to our attention that AK is sooooo much better! With the added benefit of the CMs, we have found AK to be a wonderful place to learn and watch. The CMs are FANTASTIC!! We love to strike up conversations with them on the trails - they really know their animals!

We like to go on the safari multiple times (yes, we can quote the "spiel"!) because it is never the same ride twice! We have also had to stop in the middle of the road as giraffe cross, or rhinos chase each other.

The animal trails are wonderful - do not skip these!! We have laughed so hard at the gorillas! They are quite funny. We have seen one carry a canvas bag around on his head, and one hanging on a branch of a tree and then the branch broke and he landed on the ground. We spend more time here than we do standing in lines!

The tigers are great too! We love watching their interactions! It is fun to pick out the one who is "the boss" and watch them pacing at the end of the day because they "know" it is time to go in.

Don't skip AK thinking it is "just like a zoo" - it is soooo much more!

 

[Aisling]

The only ones that were "hiding" were the lions.

There are LIONS?

That's scary! How are the lions kept from coming at the Safari jeep?? I'm really scared of lions!

 

[Aimeedyan]

I'm sure that animals are the main point, but we visited AK and never once even saw an animal... we skipped the safari and it's not like a zoo in which you just walk to displays. We just rode the rides and saw the shows and left =)

 

[dgaston]

There are deep moats not visible to folks on the Safari ride that separate predators from their prey. There is no way the lions could get to the Safari truck. Can you imagine if the lions really could get near the zebra? Not an WDW family moment!!!

 

[XStAnt]

There are various animals around the park. Sometimes you have to look a little. for example, there is an area of trees and water you pass on your way towards the Tree of Life. there are several birds and other small animals in this area. But many people miss it because they do not stop to look in this area. They either think it's just some trees and water or they're in too much of a rush to get to the safari ride.

Best bets to see animals: go on the safari early in the am when the animals are most active, walk along both nature trails (most people skip these and then complain that they didn't see any animals. It's like not going into the lion house at your local zoo and complaining that you didn't see any lions ), and look in the little nooks and corners all over the park for animals.

 

[buzz2400]

The safari ride is never the same. Last year we used a fast pass as soon as we got off the ride and all the animals have moved around. The elephants, lions, cheetahs (any dangerous animal) is "caged". If you look closely at the display areas you will see. Disney does do a good job at camoflauging. You are never in any danger from any animal while on the safari. Sometimes the grazing animals will walk right by you when on the safari. There are a few animals you might not see when on the trails. I have a hard time finding the komodo dragon, sometimes it is hard to see the merkats. AK is also worth going to for the Lion King show. Terrific show.

 

[wannabee princess]

Originally posted by XStAnt
There are various animals around the park. Sometimes you have to look a little. for example, there is an area of trees and water you pass on your way towards the Tree of Life. there are several birds and other small animals in this area. But many people miss it because they do not stop to look in this area. They either think it's just some trees and water or they're in too much of a rush to get to the safari ride.

Definitely agree here! There are a couple of pathways to enter the main part of the park, and we always try to walk in one and out the other, so we can see the birds and other animals. It is very rare to see any other people stopping as we do. We are there to see the animals and ride the rides or see the shows, so we try to actually take the time to see all the animals - not just the lions and tigers!

 

[Poohbear123]

The Animal Kingdom Lodge! Go there around 4:30pm and go out thru the lobby, and you will see the Animals being Fed. You will get some GREAT photos there, I know I did!