Getting around in Animal Kingdom

[Klayfish]

I agree with the others. I don't know what it is about AK, but I find it harder to navigate around. The other 3 parks I can do with my eyes closed. AK still makes me pause and say "Wait, how do I get from Dinosaur to EE??"...and I've been in that park dozens if not 100 times.

 

[Ds4angels]

I just wanted to add that there's so much to look at in AK, lots of trails, to wonder down. It "looks" like a big park, but it's not really that bad. We crisscrossed a lot, but my kids love looking at all the details.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

If Joe Rhode were to read a thread like this, I’m guessing he might think “success.”

 

[BrianL]

It took me a couple of visits to get my bearings but I kept studying the map and, more importantly, started to pay attention to the signs at each of the major pathway intersections and it all started to make sense.

If you look at the map of Discovery Island there is a big U shaped major pathway from which the paths to each of the four lands branch off. In addition, on the other side of the Discovery River, there is a partial circle path that connects the four lands. Once you get this basic outline in your head you won't get lost.

The park that still gets me lost is DHS.

I don't really get "lost" per se, it's just that what I picture in my head just doesn't match up with reality. The U-Shaped path is a good tip to envision that, because that is not what it looks like in my head.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Although @BrianL, @Klayfish, @NH-to-FL.... as guys... are we really qualified to even comment on this thread?

 

[NH-to-FL]

Although @BrianL, @Klayfish, @NH-to-FL.... as guys... are we really qualified to even comment on this thread?

 

[Dis703]

I guess I'm in the minority in that it does seem pretty spread out to me. I try not to plan for FP that will have me running from one side of the park to the other. But maybe it's more because this park always seems so much hotter than the others and I don't tolerate heat well. That said Africa and Pandora are pretty close, but I wouldn't plan for an Everest FP right after Flights of Passage or anything like that. Last week we skipped Asia entirely since we were only in the park until the afternoon. AK is the one park I really enjoy slowing down in and taking my time exploring each section. So I keep that in mind with FP.

Have an awesome trip!

 

[Klayfish]

Although @BrianL, @Klayfish, @NH-to-FL.... as guys... are we really qualified to even comment on this thread?

DW says I can get lost in a phone booth...and she may not be far from the truth.

And once I'm thoroughly lost in that phone both, not a chance I'm going to stop and ask directions how to get out....

 

[FastPasser.]

DW says I can get lost in a phone booth.

What's a phone booth?

 

[yulilin3]

If Joe Rhode were to read a thread like this, I’m guessing he might think “success.”

it's all about the "intrinsic power of nature" Not sure how many times I've heard him use this phrase

 

[No.1000]

For what it is worth...to me Animal Kingdom is a different kind of park all together. It is about wandering and discovering. Of course, you will want to have some loose plans, but make sure you have plenty of time to just explore. Some of the best things about AK are not to be found by rushing from ride to ride. The paths around the tree of life come to mind-as does the street entertainment.

As others have said, once you get a handle on the basic layout of the land, it is not that difficulty to navigate. Just keep the Tree in the center in your mind-like the castle at MK. Even crisscrossing the park, it is smaller than Epcot, by far.

Slow down and have fun! Animal Kingdom is wonderful!

 

[GPC0321]

I still get turned around at AK. For some reason, I can't seem to stop envisioning Dinoland "upside-down" from what it really is.

Me too. Everything looks so simple on the map, but I stay lost in AK. More than once I've looked around and said, "Where's the freaking TREE? How can I not see the TREE??" LOL!