How do you guys like Animal Kingdom?

[serpentar1us]

Just wanted to hear some opinions. I looked through the attractions list for AK and it doesn't seem like it's a very unique Disney park--it seems to be filled with mostly animal-centric attractions and safaris that I can get at any old zoo or theme park anywhere. I was at Epcot yesterday and after doing Spaceship Earth and Test Track I was very quickly bored (hated the World Showcase, I don't see the point--if I wanted to know more about a country I would go there, not see it here).

So which is a better option in your opnion: complete the WDW tour with AK? Or revisit Magic Kingdom (I barely got to see Tomorrowland for lack of time, although I did see most of the rest)? Just some advice for a first-timer please?

 

[rwdavis2]

Given your opinion, go to MK. AK is not like any zoo anywhere but if that's what you believe go with it.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Just wanted to hear some opinions. I looked through the attractions list for AK and it doesn't seem like it's a very unique Disney park--it seems to be filled with mostly animal-centric attractions and safaris that I can get at any old zoo or theme park anywhere. I was at Epcot yesterday and after doing Spaceship Earth and Test Track I was very quickly bored (hated the World Showcase, I don't see the point--if I wanted to know more about a country I would go there, not see it here).

So which is a better option in your opnion: complete the WDW tour with AK? Or revisit Magic Kingdom (I barely got to see Tomorrowland for lack of time, although I did see most of the rest)? Just some advice for a first-timer please?

Well, I love Animal Kingdom. But then, I love Epcot, too. So, I'm not sure how much my opinion will mean to you.

Yes, it does have a lot of animal exhibits, and yes you could likely see many of these animals at a regular zoo. The benefit of Animal Kingdom is seeing them in a more natural-seeming surroundings. Plus the safari ride, which really does allow you to get up close to them. But, that being said, I am the kind of person who enjoys spending hours and hours at a zoo photographing animals and watching them. Regardless, AK does have some fun rides. I guess it depends how many days you have left. If you only have the one, and you missed stuff at Magic kingdom the first time, then you should probably return to the MK. MK is a 2 day park, in general. But if you have a couple days left, then I would check out Animal Kingdom, just so you know what you're missing.

 

[sturner324]

Animal Kingdom is better than "any old zoo" in my opinion because it is so beautifully detailed and themed. Some people love it and others consider it a half-day park. If animals do not interest you at all, maybe you should go back to the magic kingdom.

Reasons to go to AK:
- It has two of the best WDW shows, Lion King and Nemo
- The feeling, music, atmosphere is unique. Very different from the other parks. I personally love it.
- Expedition Everest is possibly the best Disney coaster
- The safari is fun and beautiful (assuming you like animals)

Considering your attitude about Epcot, you may just want to stick with what you know you like... especially as it sounds like you are there right now and didn't plan much in advance?

I personally couldn't skip Animal Kingdom, but everyone likes different things.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

Just wanted to hear some opinions. I looked through the attractions list for AK and it doesn't seem like it's a very unique Disney park--it seems to be filled with mostly animal-centric attractions and safaris that I can get at any old zoo or theme park anywhere. I was at Epcot yesterday and after doing Spaceship Earth and Test Track I was very quickly bored (hated the World Showcase, I don't see the point--if I wanted to know more about a country I would go there, not see it here).

So which is a better option in your opnion: complete the WDW tour with AK? Or revisit Magic Kingdom (I barely got to see Tomorrowland for lack of time, although I did see most of the rest)? Just some advice for a first-timer please?

If you are like me and just like rides vs. shows and attractions, it is a park that can be done in half a day. If alone I just do the Safari, the River Rapids ride (kind of disappointing as it is way too short), Everest and Dinosaur. If with others I will do Lion King and Bug's Life. But for me it is in and out in about 3 hours. For me my favorites are MK and Epcot. I know you didn't like them but I love going through the countries.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

I would do AK and be sure to see the shows Festival of the Lion King and Flights of Wonder.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

To me, AK is a glorified zoo with a few rides. We have a much better, and must less expensive zoo an hour from my house.

That being said, we do take a day there when we go to WDW, to go on Expedition Everest, the safari, and Kali River Rapids. We don't usually spend more than 1/2 a day there.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I was at Epcot yesterday and after doing Spaceship Earth and Test Track I was very quickly bored (hated the World Showcase, I don't see the point--if I wanted to know more about a country I would go there, not see it here).

I agree with you about World Showcase. It's not much more than an internationally themed outdoor mall.

 

[smitch425]

We typically spend a few hours at AK, and some years we skip it completely. We've seen the shows, which have not changed in years, and while I do enjoy the safari, the animal interaction is better for us at our nearby zoos. This year we plan on going from 8am-11/11:30 (safari, Dinosaur, Kali and lunch), and only because we have hoppers. I would choose MK in your situation.

 

[BDL]

I am 1 of those people that thinks that AK is a 1/2 day excursion. I may visit it again on a multi-park hopping day. But we usually get there for rope drop. Get breakfast at Tusker House (1 of the best character meals in my opinion). And because the 3 things we like to do best there (safari, Everest, Dinosaur) are so spread out, we take in the sights as we go from 1 to the next, to the next. And from there, we either do DTD, MGM or World Showcase.

 

[minnie mum]

We think AK IS a unique park, and much more than just a zoo. But given your feelings about Epcot, you might as well skip it. We spend 2 days at each of these parks, but if you are not inclined towards exploring the non ride offerings, I would never criticise your personal preferences.

But if you tend to lean towards only enjoying rides, you might find that Universal is a better fit for you on future trips.

 

[serpentar1us]

Animal Kingdom is better than "any old zoo" in my opinion because it is so beautifully detailed and themed. Some people love it and others consider it a half-day park. If animals do not interest you at all, maybe you should go back to the magic kingdom.

Reasons to go to AK:
- It has two of the best WDW shows, Lion King and Nemo
- The feeling, music, atmosphere is unique. Very different from the other parks. I personally love it.
- Expedition Everest is possibly the best Disney coaster
- The safari is fun and beautiful (assuming you like animals)

Considering your attitude about Epcot, you may just want to stick with what you know you like... especially as it sounds like you are there right now and didn't plan much in advance?

I personally couldn't skip Animal Kingdom, but everyone likes different things.

Hey, thanks for the list. I do love animals a lot, although I'd rather see them actually in the wild than in a theme park. That said, I heard great things about the Nemo show and Lion King, so I might go check them out as well.

I read a lot of "park-hopper" posts here and I unfortunately don't have a park-hopper ticket, it's my last day here in WDW before I head over to Universal tomorrow so I wanted to make it really good. I prefer rides over shows but I love both so I guess that won't be much of a problem, just wondering how much Disney magic was in AK (as opposed to MK). Thank you all for your advice!!

 

[joannamet]

If you go to Disney for characters and rides you may not like AK any better than WS. We love both because we enjoy taking our time and seeing the amazing theming. The detail and atmosphere at both places are wonderful. We end up at WS almost every afternoon when we get tired of the crowds and madness in the other parks and we give AK a whole day every time we go to the World but we don't just go for the animals. For us the Disney Magic is in the details.

If you like rides, go to AK for an early half day and hit Dino and EE and some of the other rides then bail out when it gets hot and busy. Then decide if it was worth your time.

 

[WEDWDW]

I agree with you about World Showcase. It's not much more than an internationally themed outdoor mall.

Well,if you take away the detailed authentic architecture,themed music and food,the authentic CMs from each Country,the Grand Fiesta Tour, the American Adventure,the 2 movies,the Agent P WS Adventure,the Voices of Liberty,British Revolution,China acrobats,etc.,etc.,Friendship boats and IllumiNations,I have to agree with you!lol

 

[sturner324]

Hey, thanks for the list. I do love animals a lot, although I'd rather see them actually in the wild than in a theme park. That said, I heard great things about the Nemo show and Lion King, so I might go check them out as well.

I read a lot of "park-hopper" posts here and I unfortunately don't have a park-hopper ticket, it's my last day here in WDW before I head over to Universal tomorrow so I wanted to make it really good. I prefer rides over shows but I love both so I guess that won't be much of a problem, just wondering how much Disney magic was in AK (as opposed to MK). Thank you all for your advice!!

Tough call! Its your last day, and you know what the magic kingdom has to offer you. If you feel like you didn't see everything you wanted there, definitely go back. MK has more obvious Disney magic, but I do believe the magic is alive and well in AK too. Just depends on your point of view and preferences.

Maybe save AK as something to try out next trip if you are able to come back one day. As much as I want to tell you to give AK a try, I don't want you to be disappointed on your last day.

Enjoy Universal!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Well,if you take away the detailed authentic architecture,themed music and food,the authentic CMs from each Country,the Grand Fiesta Tour, the American Adventure,the 2 movies,the Agent P WS Adventure,the Voices of Liberty,British Revolution,China acrobats,etc.,etc.,Friendship boats and IllumiNations,I have to agree with you!lol

f I want to see authentic architecture and people from a foreign country, I'd rather go to the foreign country. I have no desire to do the Agent P game. And I dislike IllumiNations. But you do have a point when it comes to the two rides and the various entertainers.

 

[SJSloan]

AK and HS are tied for my least favorite park, however each one has several things at them that a Disney vacation isn't complete without seeing so we have to go everytime. However, if you have doubts and didn't get to see all of MK I would suggest visiting that again. There is so much to do there, I can't see how anyone would be bored.

 

[librarymom2007]

AK and HS are tied for my least favorite park, however each one has several things at them that a Disney vacation isn't complete without seeing so we have to go everytime. However, if you have doubts and didn't get to see all of MK I would suggest visiting that again. There is so much to do there, I can't see how anyone would be bored.

Agree with this. I would never skip HS or AK. But if you don't have time and you don't have a park hopper I would go back to MK. Sounds like you would be happiest if you did that.

 

[Jeannie in NJ]

some of us are not able, for various reasons, to visit the actual countries that Epcot represents so we get a flavor of different countries when we visit World Showcase.

 

[jon18uk]

The non-Disney nature of the park is one of the things I like about AK. Harambe and Anandapur could be villages in Africa & Nepal, the theming is absolutely spot-on. The Safari ride is better than what you would see at many zoos and the theming of the animal enclosures on the trails (such as the tiger area) is better than a standard zoo cage.

If you want Disney in Animal Kingdom there are shows based on Lion King, Nemo and Bugs Life but if you want to see animals in amazing settings there is a safari ride and several walking trails. Then in-between there is a rapids ride, coaster and thrilling dark ride. Plus some great food options.