Does any one else not care for AK?

[MartDM]

Every one of the hundreds of times this topic has come up, it's so clear that folks are split into two camps:

-Those that enjoy animals & nature, who obviously enjoy this park because that is exactly it's focus

-Those that are looking for more a more traditional park & attractions, who tend not to enjoy the park because that is not it's focus

The OP obviously falls into the latter category, as do the many others who posted things like "I like Dinosaur & Everest but not the rest" or "There's too many trees", etc. Animal Kingdom is a non-traditional theme park and those looking for the traditional will never be completely happy visiting there.

What I can't understand is, with all the copious amounts of information out there that illustrates how AK is different, why people go there expecting something other than animals to be the main attraction.

 

[Allison]

I could not disagree more. Animal Kingdom is the favorite park for my family and we will spend 2 full days there this year.

 

[stitch&ariel]

Me and my family LOVE AK! It seems a slower day to us and the park itself is beautiful, we make sure we go every year.

 

[disneyphanatic1911]

 

[CarolA]

Well, I personally am very glad that some of you are on the "I don't like it" plan. That means for those of us who have taken the time to enjoy the park it's not NEAR as crowded.

If you hit AK and RACE from attraction to attraction, then I would bet you are going to hate it.... If you slow down and observe then I think you will find it's a great park.

I would MUCH rather be at AK, then at MK. I don't really need to be battered by a stroller, watch a five year old have a melt down and hear mom/dad YELL at them (yeah that works!) about how much they are spending. (I am of the view that it's not the kids fault they have reached the breaking point, it's the PARENTS. I have watched WAY too many parents drag kids who are just over exhausted on to "one more ride" etc for the parent's enjoyement or to get thier money's worth and then be upset with junior when he/she finally just loses it)

 

[JFrey4240]

We like AK but wish it wasn't so darn hot. It seems easier to cool off at any of the other parks except this one. It would also be nicer if they had another table service restaurant besides Rainforest Cafe. We were there the week before Easter and it was so nice because the weather was somewhat cool. That was great!

 

[misslissa]

We find the same thing.

We have been to AK twice and this last time decided that we weren't going to go back. We like Dinosaur but now that Everest has opened, do you recommend we go back for that?

We aren't huge roller coaster fans, especially coasters with drops, but we don't mind Rockin' Roller Coaster, Space Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain?

 

[Kath2003]

What I can't understand is, with all the copious amounts of information out there that illustrates how AK is different, why people go there expecting something other than animals to be the main attraction.

Maybe in the past but Disney just put their headlining rollercoaster in AK. They're trying to market it to thrill seekers, now - they just haven't got the goods to keep people interested, yet. I'm not a rollercoaster fan - I loved Dinosaur, though, and the Lion King, and the Safari, and the Kali river rapids...but then what? The animal viewings are always massively overcrowded. It seems like they're trying to crush too many people into this park - compared to other animal-oriented parks like Sea World and Busch Gardens, this place is a NIGHTMARE.

 

[mking624]

Every one of the hundreds of times this topic has come up, it's so clear that folks are split into two camps:

-Those that enjoy animals & nature, who obviously enjoy this park because that is exactly it's focus

-Those that are looking for more a more traditional park & attractions, who tend not to enjoy the park because that is not it's focus

The OP obviously falls into the latter category, as do the many others who posted things like "I like Dinosaur & Everest but not the rest" or "There's too many trees", etc. Animal Kingdom is a non-traditional theme park and those looking for the traditional will never be completely happy visiting there.

What I can't understand is, with all the copious amounts of information out there that illustrates how AK is different, why people go there expecting something other than animals to be the main attraction.

My issue is not that I'm looking for a "traditional" park. That's not why I don't like it. On the contrary, I'm a big lover of animals and have only about a gazillion pics of the animals from the safari. My biggest problem is the congestion. They layout is poor and very confusing to many people, creating somewhat of a "traffic jam" of sorts making it seem even more crowded then it already is. Another problem I have is the sheer amount of places to shop as opposed to things to see. I'm not talking rides and such....but your opportunity to spend money is more in your face than the opportunity to check out the animals. The animals have almost become the side attraction. I would spend a ton more time there if the park actually was what you said it was...a place where the animals are the main attraction. And now that EE is open, animals are most definitely not the main attraction anymore. Making it, for me, an even greater disappointment. Sure, I'll check it out, but for a place that once boasted it's focus on nature and animals, it sure isn't living up to that. This is exactly why we just do the things we want to do and head out...and it's not for a lack of appreciation for nature and animals. If that was really it's primary focus, we'd be spending a lot more than just a few hours there.

 

[cstraub]

Every one of the hundreds of times this topic has come up, it's so clear that folks are split into two camps:

-Those that enjoy animals & nature, who obviously enjoy this park because that is exactly it's focus

-Those that are looking for more a more traditional park & attractions, who tend not to enjoy the park because that is not it's focus

The OP obviously falls into the latter category, as do the many others who posted things like "I like Dinosaur & Everest but not the rest" or "There's too many trees", etc. Animal Kingdom is a non-traditional theme park and those looking for the traditional will never be completely happy visiting there.

What I can't understand is, with all the copious amounts of information out there that illustrates how AK is different, why people go there expecting something other than animals to be the main attraction.

Anyone remember the big deal about it being NOT A ZOO! I think they spelled it weird but the messgae was that AKL is NOT A ZOO. I think people expect there to be more rides because of the way it is advertised.

ETA: When the park opened in 1998, Disney used the made-up word "nahtazu" in advertising to describe the park. Pronounced "not a zoo," the word emphasized that the park was more than animal displays found in a typical city zoo. As of January 2006, Disney is no longer using the "nahtazu" phrase in park promotional material.

 

[gssmks]

Without a doubt AK is our entire families favorite park. DD is an animal lover and goes for anything that has anything to do with animals. I don't really care for the animals. I love the park because it is so beautiful and contrary to a lot of the posters here, I have found it to be less hectic and less crowded and more laid back. It is the only park that I have every sought out a bench and sat down to just take it all in. Now, that said, if you are anywhere near the theatre where Lion King shows at the time that the show is ending, yes it will be very crowded. Just step to the side and everyone moves on quickly. I would also agree with the person who commented on the lack of sit down restaurants. For those who are complaining about the heat, just jump on Kali River Rapids. You are guaranteed to get cooled off quickly on that one. We have not been since the opening of Expedition Everest, but we are going for two full weeks at Christmas and AK will be the first park that we go to.

 

[mking624]

Without a doubt AK is our entire families favorite park. DD is an animal lover and goes for anything that has anything to do with animals. I don't really care for the animals. I love the park because it is so beautiful and contrary to a lot of the posters here, I have found it to be less hectic and less crowded and more laid back. It is the only park that I have every sought out a bench and sat down to just take it all in. Now, that said, if you are anywhere near the theatre where Lion King shows at the time that the show is ending, yes it will be very crowded. Just step to the side and everyone moves on quickly. I would also agree with the person who commented on the lack of sit down restaurants. For those who are complaining about the heat, just jump on Kali River Rapids. You are guaranteed to get cooled off quickly on that one. We have not been since the opening of Expedition Everest, but we are going for two full weeks at Christmas and AK will be the first park that we go to.

I guess my question is...what time of year do you typically go? If you're going during a busy season, simply "jumping on Kali River Rapids" is not exactly possible (as much as I would LOVE it to be in order to get my cool down every now and then). This also works with the crowds, too...it's all relative to what time of year you're going.

 

[tonga]

DH and I both love Animal Kingdom! It's my second favourite park (after MK), and it's DH's favourite. We always go in September though - no crowds, and we can ride Kali 4-5 times in a row with no wait if we get hot!

 

[gssmks]

I guess my question is...what time of year do you typically go? If you're going during a busy season, simply "jumping on Kali River Rapids" is not exactly possible (as much as I would LOVE it to be in order to get my cool down every now and then). This also works with the crowds, too...it's all relative to what time of year you're going.

First, Hello fellow Kentuckian!

Second, you are right about KRR. I was mostly just joking. But it is a fact that if you manage to get of KRR you will cool off. Every time I have ridden the ride I have gotten soaked. I have been several times at different times of the year. We went Sept 28-Oct 11, 2004 and the crowds were quite a bit lighter than in August and June. We also went in March 2005, and there basically were no crowds at all. We even got to ride through twice on KRR without having to get off. My suggestion for the busier times is get a FP early on and save it until the hot part of the day. The heat has just never really been a problem for us. Instead of sitting around in the air conditioning all summer long, our family lives outdoors. Even on a hot day, we would rather be outside enjoying the fresh air. I don't think anyone in our family has complained about the heat during any of our trips to WDW, but we have never been in July, just March, June, August, September and October.

 

[eblack0409]

The trees and atmosphere of AK are just 2 of the things I really like about this park....

I will agree with you that AK does seem hotter than the other parks if you are there during the middle of the day, but if you go in the morning, it doesn't seem as hot!

We usually go to AK first thing on the first day...we usually don't go back, but now because of EE we may go back!!!

 

[aunt kelly]

AK is my favorite park. I love the atmosphere, I truly feel like I am in another part of the world when I'm at AK. When I ride the Safari, I am transported to Africa. I love those lions! When I am standing in line for Kali River Rapids, I feel like a tourist in Asia. I'm always disappointed if the line for It's Tough to Be a Bug is short, because I enjoy finding all the different animals in the Tree of Life. My kids are now addicted to Expedition Everest although once was enough for me. My favorite restaurants are in AK-Tusker House and Rainforest Cafe. I love the safari costumes the characters wear in AK. I could go on and on, but I just love everything about AK!

 

[laura001]

I just posted somewhere else that AK is my least favourite park....in saying that though I don't dislike it, and fully intend on going there on my next visit.

I wish there were a few more adult things (educational even) and that it was not quite so far to get everywhere, but it isn't the end of the world.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

The worst day at AK beats the best day of TPS reports any day.

 

[bobbiwoz]

If we skip a park, it's more likely to be MGM. In January we happened to go to Tarzan Rocks, for what was only our second time, and we really enjoyed it, much much more than we did the first time, the place we were sitting in may have had something to do with it. I am so glad that we gave it a second chance, sorry to see that it's gone but looking forward to what's coming next.

My biggest disappointment at AK was Lucky the dinosaur that was there last year. DH doesn't want to try any of the carnival rides that they have, I'm game for them, but never have done them. We've also never been to the parade, AK is usually a morning park for us. We enjoy going to the Tasker house for lunch and then we head for our resort for an afternoon rest.

I/we enjoy AK a lot. We are members of the Cincinnati zoo, and going to AK is definitely different than going there, we like them both.

Bobbi

 

[NC State]

We are not fans of AK, it's just not as fun as the other parks. We can visit the park within 4 hours or less. We just don't get the Disney Magic when we visit AK.