Can (should) we Eliminate AK???

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I am takings my daughters to WDW for our first trip ever in October. Living in San Diego, we have passes to the San Diego Zoo, the Wild Animal Park and Sea World. Does AK compare and duplicate the features of the zoo and wild animal park? I am trying to plan our days in WDW and wondering if we can eliminate a day at AK since the kids visit one or both animal parks here at least once a month.

Anyone? Bueller?

 

[ccgegg]

I live in St. Louis, which boasts the nation's 2nd best zoo (behind SD of course). Never been to SD for comparison's sake, but my family really enjoys AK because it is "nahtazu" (not a zoo). The Kilimanjaro safari ride is an experience and the entire park has such a well-done theme.

 

[Luigi's Girl]

AK is nothing like a zoo! If you have at least 4 days in the parks I say don't skip it! It is a beautiful park with some great shows and fun rides.
Kiliminjaro Safari, Kali River Rapids, Dinosaur, Festival of the Lion King, Tarzan Rocks, It's Tough to be a Bug are among our favorite AK attractions. The whole atmosphere of the park is a really nice experience. I would never want to skip AK on any of our future trips!

 

[TXTink]

I would plan on at least a half day at AK. You do have some wonderful touring places where you are from , but it would be nice to give it a half day just to say you did it, and you might find you really like it there. We love the AK! There are wonderful sparks of Disney there. Like, try to find Devine, she is great, I think your DD's will really like her.

You may want to skip the "looking at all the animals" and check out the live shows there. We love the Lion King show and Tarzan Rocks! Also, if your DD's aren't afraid of bugs, there It's Tough to be a Bug 3-D movie (I like it, but our DD's do not...).

I don't know how long you have to tour WDW, but if you have time, try to give it a half day....Just my opinion!

 

[goofy4tink]

Try to spend at least 1/2 a day in AK. While it is our least favorite park, we still do it every trip. The only time we don't worry about it is in the summer. It can be brutally hot in there then. But, in the fall it would be wonderful. There is so much to see and do. It is so much more than a zoo. In fact, I can't even call it a zoo. Yep, try to spend a little time there..maybe a morning and if you really like it, you can stay a little longer!

 

[ReggieB]

I've been to the San Diego Zoo and the Animal Park, and they are both something else! Excellent. The Animal Kingdom is not really in the same league from a zoo perspective, you aren't going to encounter as many animals, however from a fun day out perspective I think it is just as good. AK is presented very differently to a zoo. There are lots of other things going on. Kali River Rapids & The Lion King Show are my two personal favorites. Flick through a guide book, get a description of the rides and attractions, that way you can see if they are things that your family are might be interested in.

 

[pumpkinfish]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not bypass AK! If your daughters love animals as much as I do, then it is a must. I have been to many zoos in my life (san diego, cleveland, national, bronx, you get the idea) and I still really enjoy the animals at AK. I agree with ccgegg, when it was said how it is "nahtazu" (one of my fave disney words!!!). There is so much to take in! Maybe even try doing a little "exploring" and let the girls take lead. There are tons of "caves" and hide-aways that might interest them. I know when I was a little girl, I used to love stuff like that!

At least take 1/2 a day and soak up the atmosphere!

 

[rascalmom]

How old are your girls? We used to live in S.CA & visited San Diego Zoo regularly. AK doesn't compare if you are going into it looking to experience the animals.

My girls are 16 & 12 and we never miss going over to AK to see the Lion King show. We like to Safari ride, but could miss it if there are too many other things on our itinerary. Kali River Rapids is very well themed, but the ride is soooooo short that it's hardly worth it. You WILL get wet! Dinosaur is fun, but would be too scary for little ones.

We're going to be there in less than 2 weeks, and after several trips our only goals at AK are the Lion King show & Mickey's Jammin' Jungle parade, which we have never seen. Depending on the crowds & weather, we might hike over to do the Safari. Hope this helps.

 

[sanibelover]

You may like AK or you may not, but it's "Nahtazu" so I don't think you have been anywhere like it before.

We enjoyed it, but it certainly wasn't our favorite.

If you do end up bypassing it on this trip, then you will have something to do that's new on your next one............

If I had to choose a park to bypass, it would be hard to choose between AK or MGM. Neither one quite lives up to MK and EPCOT imo. (They are still fun, though.)

 

[F1Julie]

AK is definitely worth a visit. The shows are great. DD4 and I love Tarzan Rocks and FOTLK. The Pocahontas show is fun too. We love the safari. Even if you just go for 1/2 a day, you should check it out.

 

[eeyore0062]

most defintely NOT!!!

AK is a GREAT park, and has one of the best shows on property there (Festival of the Lion King), the best parade (Jammin' Jungle Parade) and the kids LOVE the animals, the Kali River Rapids, the Boneyard and Kilomanjaro Safaris. It's Tough to be a Bug is fun, and Dinosaur is a great ride. Also, there are great opportunities to see characters there that you may not see many other places.

The is "Natazu"... it is a wonderfully, beautiful and educational theme park. It should not be missed!!!!

 

[Twende]

As my screen name says...Let's GO! and AK is something you should not miss!

As others have already said It is not a zoo!

 

[tekmom]

I was also thinking about skipping Ak because we are staying at AKL and thought the kids could get their fill of animals there. Now I'm reconsidering and we will probably go to AK. It does have what appears to be a great safari ride.

 

[cathyce2]

Definitely do the Safari and see The Lion King show at AK. We like the park and usually spend a full day there, but the show is a 'must see'!

 

[cux2]

Similar to the post above, I live just across the river from St. Louis and my DH, DS and I make at least monthly trips to the wonderful St. Louis Zoo.
It is true that Animal Kingdom is NOT anything like any zoo or wild animal park that we have been to! There is something there for everyone I think. The rides - Kali River Rapids and Dinosaur - are great for those who like a little excitment - like DH and me! The shows - Festival of the Lion King and the movie It's Tough to be a Bug - are favorites of my DS (and his grandparents). Last year DS had a blast playing in Dinoland and meeting the characters at Camp M & M (We went during a Lion King show and he practically had the characters to himself!).

I say plan for a half a day and give it a try. You never know, it might become your favorite too!

 

[javaj]

We're probably in the minority but we spend a minimal amount of time at AK. IMO San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park are much better for seeing animals. The only things that we usually go to AK for are the Tarzan show and Lion King show, plus DS likes seeing Stanley and Rafiki. Oh, and I like Kali, but I'm the only one in my family. Last December, we spent 2 weeks at WDW, and spent only 1 afternoon at AK. That is usual for our WDW trips.

 

[mjmcca]

I live in NYC and , while the Bronx zoo isnt onthe level of the SD zoo it is more than adequate. There is no comparison to AK. Ak is still a themepark adn even the Areas that the animals are showcased and well planned and nice to walk through.

 

[DonnaDuck]

Next to MK...AK is our favorite park. We love it there. I would not miss it, if I were you. Have a wonderful time!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I love this board! Everyone is so helpful and I can't tell you how much I appreciate the different viewpoints!

I think we will schedule half a day at AK, at least enough to see the shows you all rave about. My daughters are 16 and 11 and although we will be there for 7 days, we were planning on taking a day to visit Kennedy Space Center somewhere in there. We briefly entertained the idea of visiting Universal one day, but as I start to flesh out our itinerary, I think we'll just concentrate on WDW and the one NASA day. Can't wait!

 

[mjmcca]

Since you are going in October be sure to get tickets to MNSSHP. Infact if your kids really want to do Universal you could try Halloween Horror nights. They are of an age that they would appreciate it.