How much time should I spend in Animal Kingdom?

[lugnut33]

I think you should spend your entire vacation at AK. Heck with those other parks!!

 

[Plutopia]

Safari, Rapids...done. When we started going to Disney many years ago, AK was always on our itinerary. The last few visits to Disney, both of my kids BEGGED me not to put it on the schedule. No matter how many times we've tried to like the park, it just doesn't have that "magical" feel that the other parks possess.

 

[kwdw]

So - if its your first time at AK - it's nearly impossible to do EVERYTHING available in that park in one day because it usually has short hours. Folks that say it's less than a one day park or a half day park are skipping major attractions or shows because they have done them already and don't need to go back to them. But to do everything - all three shows, the train to Conservation Station, spend time on all the animal trails, all rides, ITTBAB, etc - it's tough to get that all in - I can't plan it perfectly to make it happen all in one day. We skip a few things - and get in most everything we want in one day.

Can you do MOST of it in one day? Yes. But you should make a touring plan in advance. Most folks head to either Safari or EE at RD - and either of those choices work - but plan the rest accordingly. And maybe if you walk faster than me, take fewer restrooms breaks, spend less time on the trails, don't do any character meets, and eat quickly - maybe you can see everything......

 

[mickeyfan9194]

We LOVE this park! This next trip we will be doing the Wild Africa Trek which will take 3 hours, then hitting rides, late lunch, and shows. I'm thinking we'll need 2 days there to see everything we want...and, of course, ride Everest as much as we can. I like the laid back feeling there. Not as crowded as MK, which we're only leaving a day for.

 

[IslandAdventure4]

I would reserve a FULL day. Animal Kingdom is my favorite park. I can get lost just watching the animals and exploring the trails that run in and out of waterfalls, bridges, water features etc. and around the Tree of life. If you take the time to look and listen to everything that Animal Kingdom has to offer you could spent 2 full days in the park. IMO I would at least do 1 full day, no matter how short your trip is. Again my favorite Park.

 

[allysetraskos]

We spent 6 hours there... It was enough for us, went during a low crowd season, that plays a factor. Road all the rides & saw festival of the lion king.. One thing I wish we would of done was the Nemo one.

 

[tlmadden73]

Are you "zoo" people? (Can you spend an entire day walking around your local zoo?) .. if so .. then yes . a FULL day at AK.

If you just want to hit the major rides and attractions (via Fast Pass) . .then half day.

I've been there 3 times .. full days each time, but since the park closes early (compared to the rest) .. I use that day to hop over to another park or have a big dinner/show at another resort.

When you REALLY look at it .. there isn't many "attractions" at the park. Safari, Mt. Everest, River Rapids, Dinosaur and a few shows.
But ... when you look at the 'non-attraction' things to do .. there is plenty to do in a day.
- Walking around the two "zoo" areas (Africa and Asia) .. I could spend hours there just watching some of the animals .. while most people just "zip" through.
- Taking the train ride to Rafiki's planet watch and enjoying the characters and petting zoo there is a nice relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle and takes some time.
- Last time I went . .there was a Wilderness Explorer thing (where kids (or adults) talked to "zookeepers" around the park and learned interesting animal facts) .. that is fun . and educational and could take a better part of the day just doing that.
- The shows are fun ...
- I would highly recommend the character meal at Tusker House (that takes some time too).
- DinoLand USA is awful (and probably skipped by most people) .. unless you like midway games and cheesy carnival rides .. I still don't understand the reason behind that area in Animal Kingdom. An area with Animatronic dinosaurs (like you find in pretty much every zoo or amusement park (as an extra cost attraction) would be better than DinoLand USA.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I think you should spend your entire vacation at AK. Heck with those other parks!!

I agree completely! AK lovers, unite!

 

[skuttle]

We normally spend two days at AK. We really love the park and don't go there just for "rides". For our last trip, we only did one day at AK due to all of the construction (instead we spent 2 days at Epcot for Flower & Garden), and we didn't get everything done that we wanted to do even with getting there for 7am rope drop and staying until the park closed!

We were lucky and stumbled upon the macaws flying in to their spot near the tree of life. Coolest thing I've seen in a very long time! Here's a pic from when they left.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We were lucky and stumbled upon the macaws flying in to their spot near the tree of life. Coolest thing I've seen in a very long time! Here's a pic from when they left.

That IS really cool! Unfortunately, it seemed when I was there last, the only way to see it was, like you said, to stumble on it-be in the right place at the right time. The people that run the Flights of Wonder show say they run this too, so I asked them for the times. They said 1:00, so I was there at 10 before 1, and sat…and sat…and sat, for a total of 1/2 hour, waiting for the show, which didn't happen. Another day I happened on it around 11:15 and loved it. On the first day, however, I will admit that there were some Ospreys flying around-maybe Ospreys eat Macaws and the people decided it was safest for the Macaws not to perform. I'd love to see the show again though.

 

[skuttle]

That IS really cool! Unfortunately, it seemed when I was there last, the only way to see it was, like you said, to stumble on it-be in the right place at the right time. The people that run the Flights of Wonder show say they run this too, so I asked them for the times. They said 1:00, so I was there at 10 before 1, and sat…and sat…and sat, for a total of 1/2 hour, waiting for the show, which didn't happen. Another day I happened on it around 11:15 and loved it. On the first day, however, I will admit that there were some Ospreys flying around-maybe Ospreys eat Macaws and the people decided it was safest for the Macaws not to perform. I'd love to see the show again though.

Yes, we were just lucky. They told us they aren't on the time guides. It sounds like the timing varies. I wish it was a regular thing because I would definitely make an effort to see them again.

 

[GrumpyDad1974]

First timers may want a full day depending on how long your trip is. Any trip after that a 1/2 day is good for us, we hit our favorites and leave, it's usually midweek our relaxing day.

 

[lllGurulll]

Some people say half a day is plenty, but others say at least 1-2 days. What are your thoughts?

It really depends on what you like. For us, it is a half day park. The kids only care about Tusker House, the safari and the rides. We are usually out of there by 2pm.

If you are more of a explorer then you should plan on a full day as there is a lot to cover there since it is so spread out.

 

[Judique]

It's an individual thing.

I've been going since it opened for previews in 1998 ($18 for a ticket for the preview!).

I love it, but my family humors me when they go with me now. For them a Safari and a few trips on Expedition Everest, plus Festival of the Lion King and some lunch and they are finished.

Me - I'll do the Safari ad nauseum. Then I'll bird watch all over the park. I like the music and the little dance and music groups that entertain in Harambe. I love to watch the other park goers dancing and enjoying performing with the guys.

I really like the Pangani trail but it is now too popular and often there are wall to wall people. Used to be you were asked to be quiet near the gorillas but now cast members don't bother much. There were several babies there when I went in February and people were fascinated watching them with their mothers through the glass.

The park has certainly evolved since it opened in 1998. So, for some it will be a day, for others a half day and some will be ready to leave right after their fast passes for Safari and Everest. To each his own and the more that leave but pay to get in to keep it open, the better I like it. Oh yes, love it as it gets dark in there!

If you like looking at details and meandering around, it's great in cooler months. It is pretty hot in summer and difficult to really enjoy as it just seems really steamy in there, as you would imagine a jungle to be.

I'm looking forward to the new things coming and have never missed going on any of my vacations.

Oh, and for the person who mentioned the toddlers having nothing to do, I guess you missed the Boneyard in Dinoland area. Just a playground. But I couldn't drag my 4 year old out of there. And at age 10, she had to go on Primeval Whirl several times and wouldn't leave until she won a stuffed animal from the games section. Not an area that many adults enjoy - I know I don't - but a certain age of children love it. Maybe most of the time they don't get to say so on message boards - just us who hate that atmosphere get to complain about it. So if you don't want to pay for a playground don't tell the 3-7 set about Dinoland and the Boneyard!

 

[jon18uk]

If you've never done it before, one full day so you can see all the shows and animals.
Don't forget you have Lion King, Nemo and Flights of Wonder at fixed times so you need to plan round those. Then the four main rides (Safari, Everest, Kali & Dinosaur) plus time to explore the animal trails (be sure to do the Africa one to see the gorillas!) and the other bits that you wander into. We usually leave about 5pm and head over to Boma.

You can do it in less time if you don't want to watch all three shows.

 

[Ashley Nadeau]

Some say Animal Kingdom is a half day park, but I disagree! It is very large with so much to explore! We always liked to end our day by eating at the Rain Fores Cafe! If you're going for a 4 day stay, one day is plenty, but if you're going for an extended trip I would definitely go twice!

 

[lugnut33]

Safari, Rapids...done. When we started going to Disney many years ago, AK was always on our itinerary. The last few visits to Disney, both of my kids BEGGED me not to put it on the schedule. No matter how many times we've tried to like the park, it just doesn't have that "magical" feel that the other parks possess.

This is just my personal opinion, but AK is the best themed park out of all the parks in Orlando. No other park immerses you like AK, but you need to take the time to let it in. Also, there is no more beautiful park at night than AK and Everest at night is a totally different experience (much more thrilling).

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

I love AK, so I normally plan two days but I leave one open to do what we want and leave if needed. Taking our animal loving 2YO DD this time, so I have a feeling she will want to stay both days. I normally leave out around 4 before close because I've been able to get everything I wanted to do in. Once Avatar and Rivers of Light open, that will be harder to accomplish.

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

I could easily spend a whole day at Animal Kingdom, but I actually have only done half days so far for a couple reasons:

1) Our first three trips (since Animal Kingdom was built) were in August, and it feels ten degrees hotter in AK in August than the other parks. So I am done by lunch time--not because I don't have anything left that I want to do, but because I am too hot.
2) Animal Kingdom closes earlier than the other parks. So I can't go back to the room for a break in the afternoon and then come back in the evenings like I do in the other parks.

With the Animal Kingdom expansion, supposedly it will be open later, so I look forward to doing a full day there in the future like I have always wanted to do.

 

[Asellus]

We typically do about 2 half days at Animal Kingdom with the other half day at Epcot. It's one of our favourites but we only ride so many of the rides and do only so many shows.

We have a local zoo membership and never spend more then two hours there although it's great training for walking at Disney.