I am considering a visit to Animal Kingdom

[IMGONNABE40!]

I have not been to a Disney park in about 20 years--so I am pretty naive when it comes to these parks. Anyway, since I really like animals and will be in Orlando that day, I am thinking about going to AK for my birthday on 8/15. It is a Tuesday. It will be me, DH and DS 13. What can we expect? Does this park get crowded like the others? Are there "grown-up" things to do? Would it be bad to go straight from the park to a nice dinner at Jiko? (We will not be on-site at Disney and a trip back to the hotel to freshen up does not seem feasible)

Thanks for any information.

 

[JulielovesDisney]

August, the crowds usually slow down, so it shouldn't be too crowded. But it'll be hot. And even hotter in AK. The plants usually raise the temps a bit, so it's steamier in this park.

There are a lot of adult things to do. Dinosaur, although scary, is fun. Primeval Whirl is another fun ride, although it looks like a kiddie ride, I'm 16 and I LOVE it. Kali River Rapids is fun. It's a water ride, so you'll get wet and cool off. That's a fun ride. And Kilaminjaro Safari is an AMAZING ride. It's like you really have gone to Africa and you're at a real safari. Lot's of fun!!

And the new roller coaster, Expedition Everest, will be open. If you like roller coasters, you have to go on this ride. It goes fast and has some nice drops, from what I've read.

Check out disneyworld.com and click on AK for more info. It has a list of all the rides and attractions.

Have fun! I'm sure you'll love AK, it's an amazing park!!

 

[webmomom]

The Festival of Lion King you can't miss. It awesome show. The best property.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Thank you for the info. I am leaning towards going. I have some concern about being out in the heat all day. Is there enough air-conditioned area to escape to, or is everything pretty much outdoors?

 

[Skroops]

We went in July last year. HOT! A lot of the attractions have air, so at least you get out of the heat during the day. We brought those tiny mini fans and they help.
I love the AK park. It is beautiful and has some of my all time WDW favorites.
I spent my birthday at WDW this year too! Of course my DS didn't quite understand that this trip was for me and not him.
Have a great time, and a magical birthday!

 

[eeyoreiscool]

It will be hot but there are enough buildings or shaded areas that you can escape when you need to. We love AK and enjoy the entire atmosphere. In August, Expedition Everest will probably be the primary draw so other rides/shows may have less of a wait.

Make sure you get your birthday button at guest services when you get inside the park.

 

[BYC]

I have not been to a Disney park in about 20 years--so I am pretty naive when it comes to these parks. Anyway, since I really like animals and will be in Orlando that day, I am thinking about going to AK for my birthday on 8/15. It is a Tuesday. It will be me, DH and DS 13. What can we expect? Does this park get crowded like the others? Are there "grown-up" things to do? Would it be bad to go straight from the park to a nice dinner at Jiko? (We will not be on-site at Disney and a trip back to the hotel to freshen up does not seem feasible)

Thanks for any information.

You post totally confuses me! You have almost 3000 posts here, so I am assuming you are a Disney fan. How is it you haven't been in 20 years?

 

[maxiv]

You post totally confuses me! You have almost 3000 posts here, so I am assuming you are a Disney fan. How is it you haven't been in 20 years?

that is EXACTLY what i thought about , too

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

You post totally confuses me! You have almost 3000 posts here, so I am assuming you are a Disney fan. How is it you haven't been in 20 years?

I am afraid if I answer your question I will be ignored--or worse yet, banished from the boards! LOL. (BYC--if you look closely at the threads you have posted on lately, I think you will figure it out! )

Anyway, I really know very little about visiting Disney and appreciate the input here regarding a visit to AK. Now, can someone please explain birthday buttons to me and what is Expedition Everest?

 

[BYC]

I am afraid if I answer your question I will be ignored--or worse yet, banished from the boards! LOL. (BYC--if you look closely at the threads you have posted on lately, I think you will figure it out! )

Anyway, I really know very little about visiting Disney and appreciate the input here regarding a visit to AK. Now, can someone please explain birthday buttons to me and what is Expedition Everest?

Sorry...I am totally clueless to what you are talking about! I am fairly new to these boards, so maybe I am missing something. Please tell me!!

 

[sames1]

A lot of people are disappointed with Animal Kingdom. I know my parents don't like it. It's different. Like EPCOT is a different experience from the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom is a different experience from anything else.

Some have called it a Zoo, but it's more than that. It has attractions and fun things to do, but it's not the Magic Kingdom.

It will seem smaller than the magic kingdom but it's actually bigger. I think the narrow walkways contribute to that feeling.

More attractions are coming, like Expedition Everest, a "matterhorn like" but better than Matterhorn type rollercoaster.

To cool off, ride the rapids an get wet. There are plenty of shade opportunities in this park. More perhaps than other parks.

One thing I've noticed, the animals do not smell. I don't know how they do that. From other post on this board it seems the bathrooms in the MK smell. That's not Disney like at all.

 

[Mudd77]

Sorry...I am totally clueless to what you are talking about! I am fairly new to these boards, so maybe I am missing something. Please tell me!!

A lot of big Universal fans (including myself) use these boards in the same manner (obtaining and passing on useful information) as the Disney fans.

 

[BYC]

A lot of big Universal fans (including myself) use these boards in the same manner (obtaining and passing on useful information) as the Disney fans.

OH! OK! Now I get it! Well...I am a Disney AND Universal fan! One doesn't have to exclude the other, does it? Maybe I am not 'up' on the politics of such things!

 

[BAST]

One thing to check - Tuesday has traditionally been an EMH day for the Animal Kingdom (it was the last two times we visited in August). These days get very crowded and tend to stay that way for the whole day. I would not say 'don't go' - I would say is another day available?

We love AK - it is a more relaxing, slow down type of park. We regularly spend two full days of our trip at the AK (get there before it opens, and be among the last to leave). We will then go the AKL for dinner - Jiko or Boma - even though we are rather sweaty.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Thank you for the tip about Tuesdays. Technically we could go another day, however, our Universal AP's expire on Monday, August 14th and we are looking for something to do on the 15th before heading home on the 16th. Of the 4 Disney parks, AK appeals to me the most. Besides, I will probably be going to the MK during our Universal trip in July (my sister's 40th b-day) because my sister wants to take my 7 year old nephew there for a day.