Does any one else not care for AK?

[Drummer71]

I jsut got back from WDW. Normally, I dont go to AK. Since Everest had opened though, I had to go. I have been to DWD around 11 times, and that was only my 3rd time in AK. I didn't relize how much I hated the place till I went back. I know I'm being a lil whiney but heres some of my reasons:


The size. The park itself is soooo freakin huge,it takes for ever to get from one place to another. It's like you just keep walking and walking and walking.

The heat. In all three times that I've gone to AK it has always been really hot. And other people that have been there agree. It might not be very hot in other parks, but it always seems to be in AK.

The tight spaces. Even though AK is Disney's largest park. I think its the most crowded, and not just with people, but trees, and strolers, and other stuff like that. I know that it's an animal freindly park, but theres just waaay too many trees. It makes the park seem so crowded. And most of the attractions you cant see unless your like 5 yards in front of them, because all the trees are in the way. Wich makes it twice as easy to get lost. I know the trees play a part in the park, but they just doesn't make things any better in my opinion.



The Tree of Life. Its a really cool structure. But one thing doesnt make sence to me, The Tree of Life is the AK logo, right? So why can't you see it from any where??? The only time you can see it is when you're near it. You can see Cinderella's Castle from just about anywhere in MK, you can see Spaceship Earth from just about anywhere in Epcot, and you can see both the water tower and the hat from just about anywhere in MGM.



The stollers. Is it just me, or does AK always seem to have strollers just sitting in random places? I never notice this in any of the other parks .



Now don't get me wrong. I think all of AK's attractions are great. Everest is so awsome, and I love Dinasour. But I just hate to go to AK because I'm all wore out after I've been in there for about 10 minutes. I don't think Ak's problem is that there isn't enough attractions, I think it's problem is jsut the ways it's set up. I know the Imagineers have put soo much work into the park, but really i think if they would just adjust it's lay out and some of the other stuff a bit, it would be alot better.




I know I'm being a lil picky, but thats how I see it.

 

[allisonswonderland]

I love AK - I think the park is beautiful. We usually go in the morning and that park (now I have not been since the EE opening) seemed way less crowded in the morning than many other parks- It is also cooler then so maybe that is the difference for us

 

[Mecha Figment]

well to enlighten you on some great imageneering devices.

The tree of life is only visiable in some locations because they wanted you to feel fully emerged into the country or area you are in at that time. They didn't want the tree to distract from the atmostphere of the area. this is the same reason why you can't see expedition everest from everyhwere in the park.

Also the reason Animal Kingdom is hotter is on purpose. Animal Kingdom was built in a lower elevation than all of the three other parks. This was designed this way because it causes the park to be hotter and to better simulate how it would really feel in africa or parts of asia.

Animal Kingdom as a park is actualy quite small, it's the Kilamanjaro Safari that makes the park large. You could fit magic kingdom in the safari.

But just think of it this way. Disney Land is packed into an area the size of MGM studios. If it was like that here the crowds would be unbarable. Be thankful they gave us some space.

 

[alite]

well to enlighten you on some great imageneering devices.

The tree of life is only visiable in some locations because they wanted you to feel fully emerged into the country or area you are in. They didn't want it to distract from the atmostphere you were there. this is the reason why you can't see expedition everest from everhwere in the park as well.

Also the reason Animal Kingdom is hotter is also on purpose. Animal Kingdom was built in a lower evelation than all of the three other parks. This was designed this way. Because of this, it causes the park to be hotter and to better simulate how it would really feel in africa or parts of asia.

Animal Kingdom as a park is actualy quite small, it's the Kilamanjaro Safari that makes the park large. You could fit magic kingdom in the safari.

But just think of it this way. Disney Land is packed into an area the size of MGM studios. If it was like that here the crowds would be unbarable. Be thankful they gave us some space.

We usually visit AK on the last (and most tired) part of our trip and figured that's why it always seemed so hot there . We usually only spend a half day there because it's so hot and we only like the Safari ride and Dinosaur (yet to try Everest). This year I plan on making the Lion King show, since it gets great reviews in some of the trip reports I've read.

 

[mking624]

AK is pretty much on the bottom of the list of our favorite parks. We go and spend maybe a few hours and then leave...just enough time to grab something to eat and do the things we want. Amounts of trees and strollers don't bother me, but I do think the layout is pretty poor which could explain why it seems so much more crowded. Yes as a park, it's smaller than the others (land wise, it's the largest)...but the way it's laid out makes it feel even *smaller* and people are going back and forth so crowds are not as manageable. The layout can also be very confusing for people who are not used to it.

I am glad they are "expanding" the park by adding something new to it (EE)...and I hope they keep it up to attract people who also don't consider it their favorite. On the other hand, my fear is that new attractions will make it even more crowded and congested than it already is.

 

[remmy_7]

Of all the parks, AK is definitely my least favorite. As a family, we've never spent more than 4 or 5 hours there. Don't get me wrong, there are certain attractions there that I absolutely love like KS and Dinosaur, but there are more rides there that I dislike than like. In this situation, the bad outweighs the good. I think that's why they needed to put in EE. It needed a boost.

 

[Tam1067]

My husband really was disappointed when we went (pre EE). I liked it mostly because of the safari ride. But it is really hot, and the Dinoland area is just ridiculously lame. If I wanted to go to a cheap and tacky roadside carnival, I'd do it five minutes away from my house, not spend thousands of dollars in Florida.

But the heat--why would Disney WANT to make it hotter? I'd assume Florida isn't all that much cooler than parts of Africa and Asia, so I don't get why they would intend to make us sweat even more.

 

[MightyAphrodite]

The OP mentions that a problem with AK is that there aren't many attractions. I agree to disagree. The park is meant to celebrate animals -- real, extinct, undiscovered, or imaginary. The lack of attractions isn't a handicap; it's a point of focusing the visitor's attention back to the true "nature" of the park. It's the same educational obstacle that Epcot's been trying to overcome since its inception.

Many won't hesitate to tag AK as a "glorified zoo." I think these people have their noses too deep in their guidebooks to see the park for what it truly is. AK is Disney's curveball. They're bringing the beloved animal characters from classic Disney films to life. Literally. And just look at the care they've taken for their 250,000 animals! It grossly exceeds that of a regular zoo. Their facilities are absolutely unparalleled anywhere else on Earth. I wholeheartedly think Animal Kingdom is magnificent and magical in its own way.

In closing, you either get it or you don't. Don't forget humans are animals, too!

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I just noticed an interresting trend- both AK and the Adventurer's Club were designed primarily by Joe Rhode, and both seem to be love it or hate it places. AK is my 2nd favorite park, just after Epcot- sign me up for the Joe fan club!

 

[Kycha]

I am not a fan of AK either. I think the shows are lame(Festival of the Lion King, and Tarzan Rocks(RIP)). The rides are OK. I just think the park is a glorified zoo. And I dislike zoos. I am very bothered by the animals captivity. Don't get me wrong, I am sure that Disney takes great care of their animals, but I don't think animals should be held captive for our enjoyment.

The main reason I dislike AK is that I don't feel the Disney magic. Next time we go, I will try and give the park another chance and maybe I will find something magical.

 

[jjatwdw]

Last year we went to AK on our first afternoon at WDW. We were all really tired and it was really hot!!! We had planned to return at some point during our six day trip but no one was excited enough about it to go back. We did go to MK twice and Epcot three times. This year we're going to give it another chance.

 

[BTown]

No way. Epcot will always be my fav park, but I'd take Animal Kingdom over the Magic Kingdom any day of the week.

 

[DISUNC]

AK is not my favorite park either. I think it is very good as a half day park.
Besides the heat in that park, and lack of air conditioned outlets, I always seem to be very confused as to where I am there. I know they have the signs all over the place...but yet...I am confused...and always lost!

Can't quite put my finger on it.

I really do like The Safari & Dinosaur. Hoping to like EE.

I really liked the Festival of the Lion King...the first few times I saw it...however.....it has gotten old for me. This seems to be a commom theme for me in regards to AK, besides the attractions I mentioned above. None of the other attractions are "returnable". Once you did them...You did them. If I never saw them again ...so be it!

It's not like MK where I can ride Peter Pan & experience COP over & over & over again. Also in Epcot & MGM (which I think needs some serious updating) There are many attractions I like to do over & over...year after year!

Just not in Ak!

I try I really try!

 

[PaulaSB12]

AK is my favourite park because of the animals, just wish they had som orangatans as well. As for the animals being in captivity many of them need to be to keep the species alive. The captive breeding plans maybe the only thing keeping them going.

 

[mickeymom629]

Animal Kingdom, like all the parks, is easier to enjoy in cooler weather. We went the week before Easter, and it was perfect 70 degree weather. Animal Kingdom became one of my favorite parks (tied with EPCOT now) and I didn't ride EE. I think the atmosphere and attention to detail is wonderful. I love Safari, Lion King Show, Dinosaur (I just rode it for the first time), and walking around. The bird show was okay (we've only done it once). My family loves EE, Kali, PW (could spend all day on those 3), Safari, Dinosaur, and Lion King.

I always love being at any of the parks, but the weather and crowds definitely can affect my enjoyment.

And Mecha Figment stated some interesting points about AK. The more you know about the planning of AK, the more you can appreciate it.

 

[KelnRon]

AK is my least favorite park. The kids really didn't care for it at all! This trip we won't be visiting AK but I am sure we will return in the future.

 

[Pig Pen]

While I like most everything in AK (except Conservation Station and most of DinoLand) I too find the park very crowded. We enjoy walking thru the animal exhibits, but most times there are just too many people to be able to view the animals and birds.

We tried to get on EE in March several times. We missed getting fastpasses twice (too late). On our final day, I managed to get a 3:00 pm fastpass at 9:00 am, but developed a headache due to the 90 plus degree heat and couldn't stay. (Gave the fastpasses to a lovely couple from England who were commiserating about the long EE wait).

 

[Kath2003]

I hate Animal Kingdom almost as much as I hate Epcot (A LOT)!

The central hub around that darn tree is always packed because you HAVE to go via it to get to different lands (except Africa-Asia). They didn't make that area wide enough and they stuck a massive attraction right in the middle of it. Yes, the design of Magic Kingdom works and they've tried to replicate this here BUT you can travel between MK's lands without going via the castle most of the time AND the castle is just something to look at: it doesn't draw hoards of people for one of the best attractions in the park within it!

Even on a quiet day, AK seems crowded and awkward.

 

[beattyfamily]

We've skipped AK on a few trips. If we do go it's only for the Lion King show and Safari ride and maybe we'd fit in Primevil whirl.

Now, I'll schedule it in again to try EE.

 

[gems_smiling]

I love AK. My least fav park is MGM. We also find AK the coolest park because there is a lot of shade from all the trees.