Compare it to Six Flags

[mamamac]

Are you from St. Louis? If so, I wouldn't even bother with Animal Kingdom. Maybe do a half day, but I wouldn't walk the paths to see animals. The St. Louis Zoo is 1000 times better. I felt like I wasted my time at AK.

 

[Jenifurby]

I grew up in St. Louis. The heat will feel the same in June at WDW. As far as crowds go, get to the park at rope drop and have a touring plan. I think the crowds at Six Flags are a little "rowdier." (More loose teenagers, etc.)

Jen

 

[kjpotter]

OP here.

Yep, I'm in StL. We are heading down for 6 full days. We're planning on 2 MK, 1 DHS, 1 AK, 1 OC, and 1 free day. Our group is mostly kids 10 and under, so the lack of "big" rides really isn't an issue.

Actually I was so happy to see that some of the ride lines are A/C!!!

 

[WizardLarz]

I agree with the last two post. If you can handle the St.Louis heat & humidity, you will be fine at Disney. I was there June '08 and everyone around me was complaining, 89% and 90 humidity, was just like back home for me!

OP are correct it is easier with a large amount of the lines being cover and/or indoors. Plus most of the rides are indoors.

Yes the St. Lous Zoo is a world class place, But AK is I belive the size of all of Forest Park. Plus no rollercoster, or wet rapids ride at the STL Zoo. I like the STL Zoo, esspecially because it is Free. ( That is correct travellers! Should you ever be in St. Louis, MO. Please stop by our World Famous St. Louis Zoo, It will not cost you anything to go and see the animals there!) Having said that AK requires at least a full Day in my book!

 

[Yoshi]

We used to go to six flags in new jersey when we were younger, but haven't been there since probably 1995. The last experience was horrible. The rides were ok at least, but the park in general was dirty and the 'guests' were less than desireable, just real trashy. For my vacation dollar, I'll stick to WDW, even in June.

The park is much cleaner now, security even walks around with trash grabbers. If you go in April or May, you can avoid a lot of the bad crowds and have shorter lines.

 

[KellyNY]

The park is much cleaner now, security even walks around with trash grabbers. If you go in April or May, you can avoid a lot of the bad crowds and have shorter lines.

We actually went in July, it was fine, no impossible lines and pretty clean. I will not advice anyone to fly there and to stay overnight and spend on hotel but if you live close enough, it is ok, not even close to Disney but not that bad.

 

[Becky521]

Al the rowdy crowds at 6 flags in jersey have left to star in The Jersey Shore!!!

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

The park is much cleaner now, security even walks around with trash grabbers. If you go in April or May, you can avoid a lot of the bad crowds and have shorter lines.

We were there last summer, and will never go back. We were mortified at how dirty it was. When we left, the parking lot looked like a dump. There was trash all over. I was embarrassed that people think that it was OK to just dump everything.

I know we're spoiled by WDW, and how clean everything is there. But..we've been to many other parks and thought that Six Flags was by far the dirtiest. Maybe we just hit it on a particularly bad night. But it worked out for us. We decided to use all of our regular amusement park money for next summer to surprise the kids with a trip to WDW in June!

 

[Belle & Ariel]

We grew up in STL and had season passes to Six Flags for about 15 years from about 1990 to 2004. The park had good, clean years and grossly dirty years, probably varying with management and money. It was nowhere near the Disney standard of cleanliness at its best and I always laugh when I read people here complain about Disney being dirty--compared to SF it's fantastic.
I think the weather in FL is much more tolerable than that in STL. A storm comes through most afternoons and clears the air where Stl has that miserably thick air all day and night.
One thing you might miss is the Hurricane Harbor area at SF which is a separate ticketed attraction in Disney. If you like HH, definitely spend a day at Typhoon Lagoon.
My inlaws went to Disney with us a few months ago and she did not care for Animal Kingdom, saying the zoo in STL was so much better. I love the zoo, but think AK has a lot more to offer and never felt the zoo was a substitute and think you should go there.
Have a great trip!

 

[deerhart]

Six Flags in STL will feel WAY hotter then Disney. The asphalt and such at Six Flags just radiates heat and Disney really doesn't. Also shade is far far easier to find at Disney then Six Flags.

AK is hard for a lot of St. Louisans because we have a great free zoo and Grant's Farm is free. Both are similar experiences to what you will find at AK. But I do believe the trails are worth doing. They are very relaxing and you do get to see different sets of animals up close that you wouldn't get to see at the St. Louis Zoo.

 

[lauralong81]

Are you from St. Louis? If so, I wouldn't even bother with Animal Kingdom. Maybe do a half day, but I wouldn't walk the paths to see animals. The St. Louis Zoo is 1000 times better. I felt like I wasted my time at AK.

110% AGREED!!!! I was actually just saying this to DH the other day. It's a really neat zoo with a few cool rides, but we are so spoiled with a great zoo here.... I didn't feel like Animal Kingdom was worth it. I may get flamed for this one - but we are even skipping it on our upcoming trip. It is HUGE (think of the big hills at the zoo and about twice the size). It also felt waaay hotter than the other parks - it doesn't seem to have as much shade, and the asphalt is not nice either. I would maybe try it if you really want to and never have... but don't be upset if it doesnt fit in. MK is way more worth our time!

That said - I agree with all the others. Heat/humidity is going to be the same but much more enjoyable over all at Disney due to the many more varied options for cooling off. I also suggest you look into RideMax or TourGuideMike - both sites will teach you how to maximize your rides and minimize your waits using fastpasses and crowd calendars. Using TGM last year, we never waited in line for more than 10 minutes!.

 

[kjpotter]

Wow, didn't realize we had so many St. Louis people on here.

We are at the zoo multiple times a year, but I think we are still going to AK. Maybe it will be a shorter day for us.

We usually do the waterpark at Six Flags for a few hours but it's not my favorite.

And no matter how hot WDW is, it's cooler than an afternoon game at Busch Stadium in July!!!

 

[thegib95]

I didn't feel like Animal Kingdom was worth it. I may get flamed for this one - but we are even skipping it on our upcoming trip. .

I agree that its hot, and sometimes boring, but i couldnt do with out dinosaur and I cant wait to try EE.

 

[Tara922c]

I haven't been to a Six Flags in years because the one in Houston closed down. I loved Six Flags, and always had fun going when I was growing up, and then I went to Disney. Six Flags has the thrill rides I love, but Disney has so much more. I could go to Disney, not ride anything, and still enjoy myself. I guess it is just the surronding. Disney is cleaner, and more organized. It is just a magical place where one can escape, six flags is fun place to go.

 

[sharonabe]

OP here.

Yep, I'm in StL. We are heading down for 6 full days. We're planning on 2 MK, 1 DHS, 1 AK, 1 OC, and 1 free day. Our group is mostly kids 10 and under, so the lack of "big" rides really isn't an issue.

Actually I was so happy to see that some of the ride lines are A/C!!!

What...no EPCOT?? Please, please put in one day for Epcot. Almost everything is inside and all the Future World rides are great for kids.

 

[kjpotter]

Dont' worry. Definately Epcot one day. That was the 1 OC. I guess I got the abbreviation wrong.

 

[momejay]

We have lived about 15-20 minutes away from a Six Flags park all my life. When we were little we had season passes & went all the time. As an adult, I bought passes every Christmas for my kids & we went all the time. I bought tons of merchandise. My kids had necklaces, jackets, t-shirts & hats. We visited my brother in Houston & went to that park. We visited my family in New England & went there. My friend lives in Georgia & we went to that park. I got a lot of use out of my pass.
A few years ago things changed. The crowd at the park changed...It is geared to amuse teenagers, not families. They took out all the "family rides" & put in roller coasters. Now I like a good coaster but, my kids are too old for kiddie rides & too young or scared for thrill rides. They have nothing in between. If you are Pooh sized, (like my 16 year old niece) you can't ride at all.
My DS is handicapped & trying to figure out which entrance they want you to use today is horrible. I have fought my way against the traffic (to use wheelchair entrance) up a ramp with my DS only to be told come back in 2 hours. They couldn't tell me that at the bottom of the ramp or entrance?
DS is also on a special diet. Try bringing special snack food into the park! The rules say no bags, no food. It's crazy! The cost of a bottle of water is almost double what it is in WDW. I believe I paid $3.75 for a 8-12 oz. bottle last year & $5 for a liter.
The park near me is dirty, last year it improved some, but who wants to sit down in gum or have someone on a sky ride or ferris wheel spit on your head as you walk underneath?
We used to enjoy the shows. Years ago there were circus acts, puppet shows, animal acts, singing & dancing but they are down to about 3 shows now. There are only 2 shows I enjoy & all the other buildings stand empty. What happened to the fireworks? They used to do a 5-10 minute show nightly, at least. Now I have to go on Saturday to see fireworks?
I bought a pass last year for the kids & I think we went twice. This year I didn't buy passes & I don't plan to. I am saving the money to stay an extra day or 2 in WDW.