Happy (B)earth-day ANIMAL KINGDOM

[Shan-man]

Today is the 10th Anniversary of the opening of Animal Kingdom!

I know that AK gets some mixed reviews, but for me it's my second favorite park, right after Epcot (third is MK and DHS is last). As I sit here and think about it, I rank the parks based on how I like being there, not so much because of the attractions it contains. I love several attractions at DHS, but the park itself is merely the medium I have to use to move between the rides! At AK I can have a lovely day just hanging out in the environment of the park (unless it is "surface of the sun-hot"!).

There are tons of details I really appreciate at AK, too. One of the 'secrets' I really enjoy is on the African trail how they disguise the entrance to the aviary with the research station. I think most people are clueless that they are in a birdcage when they walk through this little jungle teeming with birds.

How about you? Care to share an AK memory or favorite to celebrate the girl's (b)earth-day?

 

[JPG]

I too love AK.


But, I think it's actually the 11 year anniversary. The park opened on April 22,1998.

 

[Mmketeer]

Happy Earth Day!

Wow, 11 years already. Man, does that make me feel older. LOL!
I can't say AK is my favorite park, but it will certainly always have a soft spot in my heart as I was able to go to the Cast Preview for it. It still seems like only a few years ago to me, certainly not 10. <BG>

 

[ScrapperBelle]

Count me in as an AK lover! I guess it might be because we took our son for his 1st trip that year. AK had just opened and he loved it! He was totally obsessed with dinos, so of course Dinoland was his favorite.

Anytime you take a 4yr.old to WDW and their favorite thing is simply walking a path in AK looking at dino statues, it just makes that place special for you. Seriously, I think we must have walked Cretaceous Trail at least 50 times that trip!

I think AK is the most beautifully landscaped and most peaceful of all the parks.

Happy (B)earthday Animal Kingdom!

 

[BradyBz12]

love, Love, LOVE AK! I could spend days and days there (DH not so much, unless he's riding EE a zillion times).

I've taking hundreds of picture on KS. The first year we went I took the good SLR and shot 2 rolls of film on one ride! I ended up making my young nephew an animal scrapbook.

Even a year ago, when I swore I wasn't lugging a camera around anymore since I've taking so many pics all over WDW over the years, I ended up whipping out my phone to snag some good pics of the lions and rhinos. LOL

I love the feel of the whole park - especially the walking trails where you "discover" animals along the way. I could spend a couple of days just wandering along those.

And you really do feel like you're in a foreign land. My favorite area is around EE, and the preshow for that ride is my favorite in all of WDW. I'd love to go to the real Tibet (not likely to happen), and this feels so much like what I would expect to find there. I actually enjoy standing in line just there just to get a chance to soak it all in and really look at all the details. Love the ride too, and finally convinced DH it's way more fun with your hands in the air!

And I could watch the gorillas and tigers all day!

I know a lot of people consider skipping AK or only doing 1/2 a day there (DH included) but I'm not in that group.

 

[Shan-man]

Thanks JPG, I feel silly! I know when the parks opened... or at least I used to a few thousand beers ago! LOL Heck, if nothing else I remember the disappointment in the DIS fan community that Disney pretty much ignored the 10 year anniversary. Thanks for the correction.

 

[JPG]

Thanks JPG, I feel silly! I know when the parks opened... or at least I used to a few thousand beers ago! LOL Heck, if nothing else I remember the disappointment in the DIS fan community that Disney pretty much ignored the 10 year anniversary. Thanks for the correction.

Hey Shan, you don't have to apologize....I mean its tough to keep everything straight at your age!!! Now of course I am kidding

You know we love ya my brother...

 

[Shan-man]

You're not kidding... and I resemble that remark! LOL

 

[Jack & Tink]

I too was a cast member for the opening and decidied to check it out. As with a new park, little and young foliage created an environmet equal to the surface of the sun in 30 minutes. Few drink locations did not help.

Trees grew and more cooling stations popped up. The park has grown for the better every year. We have now moved it up to our 3rd favorite park. The first 2 favorites are still up for discussion between the wife and 2 boys. AK has developed into a great adventure for any family.

Remember, WDW did not to want follow the other traditional theme parks... NOT-A-ZOO! Happy B-Earth Day AK