Best Animal Kingdom Guide - Best Tips, tricks, Must do's, Please Contribute!!!

[IMwink]

Just Checking In

 

[mousescrapper]

Just updated with a few of the posts.


here are some link of a "secret" path by Robo

DAK ParkCU - Secret Path Center
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...le-Paths_1.jpg

that is cool I will so look for this during our next visit!

thanks for the tip!

 

[IMwink]

Thanks. I will add more updates later

 

[IMwink]

bump

 

[DessertGirl]

great thread, lots of great tips! thanks!

 

[eeyoreforever]

I absolutely agree with you! I don't think that Nemo is just for kids. Yes, my small children loved it- my wild DS4 at the time sat through the entire show silently in awe. I think I enjoyed it even more than they did. It is an absolute must do.

.

Another vote for the Nemo show. My dd-16 and dd-14, as well as myself (not telling my age) love this show. We have to see it on every trip. The performers are awesome - they really take on the personality of the character they are playing. The first time we watched it I thought it was going to be kind of stupid, but now I wouldn't miss it.

 

[mhalpern]

I didn't have time to read the whole post so I apologize if any of this has already been said. We really enjoy AK. We loved the breakfast at Tusker House. I believe it is one of the only places where you can see Daisy so if you have any Daisy fans don't miss it. My kids, who were 6 & 8 at the time, hated Dinosaur. They also did not enjoy the Lion King show because it is very different from the movie. Let your kids know it is not the Lion King movie just the music and the characters. They loved the Boneyard playground. I could not get them out of there. We missed Nemo because of it so we plan to catch that this time. We also all enjoyed the Bug Life 3D movie. I hate bugs but it was not creepy at all - just fun. The Tree of Life is mesmerizing and of course the safari is not to be missed. My kids also loved the "petting zoo" on Rafiki's Planet. You would think they never saw a goat before. Personally I could skip that section of the park but my kids want to go back and visit the goats! That's all I can think of right now. Great job on your summaries!!

 

[DaveStroem]

Don't knock Nemo. This was our #1 attraction at all of WDW even narrowly beat out TSMM.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

When we were there in April DeVine was actually by Rainforest Cafe... so be on the lookout there as well!

 

[IMwink]

OK, I have removed Nemo from the "SKIP" list. To be honest, I thought I did that days ago when the defense of Nemo began.

I removed the "once" remark from the Tips for Nemo. I did leave that it is a pick and choose for AK veterans, because several poeple have made that comment. If more speak in defense of Nemo then I'll take that off too.

And I even 1-up'd you guys. I have ADR's for Tusker House for 1:00pm just so I can get Nemo Tickets. I asked the ressie person on the phone about specials and they told me about this one. I didn't ask if it applies to Y&Y, I'll try and remember the next time I call. I still have one TS to plan and I Haven't decided what to do with it yet.

So the let defense of NEMO continue and the prosecution can begin a new

 

[WVParkfan]

Didn't make it through the entire thread, because many of these turn into a "bash the AK," of "if I had to skip a park it would be the Animal Kingdom" type of threads.

The Animal Kingdom is our absolute favorite park. After 8 trips to Disney World, and at least a dozen visits to the AK, we're still in love with this park. Here are a few of my suggestions:

- After you've done all of the "main" attractions, take time to explore what the Animal Kingdom is really about.

- Stroll through the Oasis. Most people who hate the park just run through the Oasis to get FastPasses for EE. The Oasis at the entrance is fabulous, and as the park opens, there are CM's with animals who want to talk about them.

- Take the time to explore the Tree of Life. There are plenty of hidden trails and some of them have live animals that most people never see.

- Don't miss the parade. It is different from the ones at the MK, and can be very festive.

- The Animal Kingdom has their own beer. It is called the Safari Amber and can be found at the Dawa Bar in Harambe' (Africa). Excellent beer!

- Flights of Wonder is a show that many people skip. Surprisingly, it is a very entertaining (and even funny) show. We didn't discover this show until about our 7th trip to the AK.

- Take time to talk with the CM's on the Pangani Forest Trail. Some of them spend nearly every day observing the gorillas, etc. They love to talk, and can captivate you for hours with stories.

- Do the safari more than once. It is never the same twice. Morning is a great time, but if you go back in the afternoon you may have a totally different experience.

- There is a "Kid's Discovery" game with multiple stations throughout the park for kids (kind of like Epcot's Kidcot, but with more instruction). The kids get a free passport and can go to each station to learn something about animals/ conservation/ dinosaur bones, etc.). These areas are clearly marked on the maps with a big, red "K."

- Here is a recent scan of the map to the AK park: http://willcad.org/disney_maps.shtml

- Kali River Rapids is great fun, but is relatively "tame" compared to other amusement park "rapid" rides. So, it may be a good one for a child's first time.

- Whenever you are waiting in a line at any park in Disney World, take the time to look at the incredible theming in the queue. The AK has some of the best theming in all of the parks.

- Dinoland's dig site is the best play area in any of the parks.

Enjoy the Animal Kingdom. It is at-least a 2 day park for our family.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

IMWink, you rock! If you can come up with this concept as a newbie you will be something else when you have been around for awhile, and I surely do hope you will be.

Flame Tree has fantastic onion rings as well. If you follow the path you will find great seating, down by the river. There has been a character boat that comes by occasionally. It is a great view and the ducks do not like it down there as much because there is an alligator in the river. That is what a CM told me so I am not sure. Anyway the birds are not as aggressive down there.

I believe that Wes Palm has retired.

Watch the parade from the back of the park and you can usually hop onto the Safari afterward. The last safari of the day is often very interesting, at least in my experience.

I love Nemo. The staging is incredible.

Get a seat outside of either the Lion King or Nemo and wait until the doors open to just walk in without having to stand in line for a lengthy period. Works with any attraction where they unload one group and load another one. When you see the group exiting, you join the group going in.

The bird show is enjoyable. If you do not want them to land on or near you sit on the sides.

Enter through the Rainforest Cafe to shorten your wait to enter the park.

This is not a great rainy day park. The animals do not like to move about much in the rain and neither do I.

Slightly Goofy

 

[IMwink]

Just Checking in. I will Update Later Tonight.

Have a nice night.

 

[IMwink]

Posted Some Updates

If there is any out of date info please let me know

Thanks

 

[DessertGirl]

A couple of questions:

I was planning on for sure doing the train and Rafiki's Planet Watch. I am now starting to question as I have read some negative reviews on it. My boy are really into animals, so on first impression it sounds great, what do you all think? Skip it, or worth while?

Where do you see Pocahontas and friends? Rafiki's Planet Watch?

Is seeing Nemo and Lion King too much for one day? Or are both worth seeing?

Thanks!

 

[IMwink]

For those wondering, I seen this question on another post

If you make the lunch ADR's to get the Nemo Tickets for 3:15, you should still be able to see the Parade at 3:45. You Won't have prime viewing spots but you can still see the parade.

Those with little ones may want to not do this option because they may be able to see over the crowd.

Personally, with my DD5 and DD6 I think I can get away with it. They like parades, but they don't like the wait, so this option will be best. Maybe we can squeeze in someplace.

 

[g-dad66]

Where do you see Pocahontas and friends?

Is seeing Nemo and Lion King too much for one day? Or are both worth seeing?

Thanks!

Pocahontas and Friends was discontinued last fall (September, I think. I know it was gone by the time we went in early October).

We fit both the Lion King and Nemo shows in during our AK day without any problem.

 

[WVParkfan]

I'll take a stab at answering your questions.

I was planning on for sure doing the train and Rafiki's Planet Watch. I am now starting to question as I have read some negative reviews on it. My boy are really into animals, so on first impression it sounds great, what do you all think? Skip it, or worth while?

Rafiki's Planet Watch is VERY much about education and conservation. After you leave the train, it is a lovely stroll through trails, and once inside the building, there are CM's with animals. There are also real working veterinary rooms, and if you get there in the morning you may be able to observe an operation or a check-up. This is also the only place you can get a photo/ autograph with Pocahontas.

The Affection Section is just like any other petting zoo with goats, etc. I think that most of the people who say the AK is "just a zoo" are talking about this area. So, it is worth missing.

Where do you see Pocahontas and friends? Rafiki's Planet Watch?

"Pocahontas and her Friends" was a show in Camp Minnie Mickey. The little amphitheater is still there, but the show is no longer taking place. So, the only place you can see Pocahontas is at Rafiki's Planet Watch.

Is seeing Nemo and Lion King too much for one day? Or are both worth seeing?

Absolutely, both are worth seeing. In my opinion, however, YES it is too much to see both in one day. That's why we park-hop every day. We spend at least 2 to 4 half-days at the AK, and see the two shows on different days.

If you only have one day at the AK, and don't plan to go back, then you should try to see both shows. It is a little much, though, and will take a great deal of your time.

In my opinion, if you only see one show, make it the Festival of the Lion King. Absolutely fabulous show.

Enjoy the Animal Kingdom!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Not being the thrill ride type of gal I do this at AK, I enter and check out the exhibits in the entrance before the ticket entrance, saunter over to the Lion King Show, I think about 10/10:30 and then to the Flame Tree to eat lunch , catch the Nemo Show and then wander back toward the Safari. Ride it, save a seat for the parade and then hop back on the Safari before leaving the park. Since we drive I often make ressies for Boma's at AKL, just a hop and a skip up the road. You can easily do both shows as long as you plan everything around them. Would be a whole lot harder if you want to do EE and Kali etc. though.

I always plan one hard park, MK/EPCOT, and then the next day an easy park, Studios/AK since we often stay for extended periods of time. If we stay late one night we go late the next day. Need a little vacation along with all the fun, we also have more fun that way.

Slightly Goofy

 

[ZoZo]

I never miss the Flights of Wonder bird show. It's great - definitely worth the time.