In defense of Disney's Animal Kingdom

[kermit116]

Although DAK is not my favorite park, I do really enjoy going there. I think the theming throughout is amazing, and I love just strolling around the park first thing in the morning before it is crowded. There aren't as many attractions, so we usually spend a half day there, but I would assume that Disney will expand throughout the years. This seems to be the pattern with most of the parks, so I'm content with having fewer attractions now. Plus, I just love that the park has animals from all over the world. I think this is a theme that Walt Disney would have been excited about. The Kilimanjaro Safari is my favorite attraction at DAK, and a trip to WDW is not complete until I've done that ride. I understand people's complaints about the vehicles being too bouncy or too fast, but this is part of the theming that Disney is so famous for. I'm sure if it was a smooth ride all the way through DAK would get made fun of for making such an inauthentic experience.

In short, I do enjoy DAK, and I definitely think it's a park that lends itself to taking a more relaxed approach.

 

[OKW Lover]

I won't defend Animal Kingdom...because it doesn't need a defense.

Its one of our favorite parks. Nice place to just wander around and notice all the little details that most people easily overlook. I love taking pictures in this park.

 

[Oglet]

According to the park hours listed here on WDW info, it says there are 3 Evening EMH days for AK in May and June. It's only 3 for the whole month though.

What dates? I couldn't see them listed (It's quite possible I just didn't see them)

It was quite well announced that Disney had discontinued PM EMH at DAK and would be interesting to see if there were PM offerings there still. All I seen for EMH was this

EVENING OFFERINGS
2011 Dates:
March-None
April- None
May- None
June- None
July- None
August- None
September- None

 

[kaligal]

I really like AK. It's the most thoroughly themed park. It's very pretty and a lot of fun.

I do wish they'd fix the Yeti.

Any park is a 1/2 day park if you've chosen to spend half a day there. But there aren't any parks in Orlando where you can do everything there is to do in 1/2 of a day.

And no, there aren't a bunch of thrill rides at AK...or at Disney, for that matter. Splash Mountain is not Millennium Force and isn't trying to be...but Millennium Force doesn't have cute bunnies or flowers, either.

 

[Demosthenes]

And no, there aren't a bunch of thrill rides at AK...or at Disney, for that matter. Splash Mountain is not Millennium Force and isn't trying to be...but Millennium Force doesn't have cute bunnies or flowers, either.

I actually think if Animal Kingdom's next expansion is a focus on thrill rides, that would be a big mistake. I think a major E-ticket attraction would be nice, but I think one that is more like DisneySea's voyage to the center of the Earth would be much better received. They need a family friendly e-ticket ride in the park. I'd also like to see an expansion to the animal habitats that would include Austrailian animal life, or Animal life of the Americas. Who wouldn't want to see bears and jaguars, or kangaroo and koala? An American theme would also allow for a positive portrayal of native American culture.

 

[kermit116]

I actually think if Animal Kingdom's next expansion is a focus on thrill rides, that would be a big mistake. I think a major E-ticket attraction would be nice, but I think one that is more like DisneySea's voyage to the center of the Earth would be much better received. They need a family friendly e-ticket ride in the park. I'd also like to see an expansion to the animal habitats that would include Austrailian animal life, or Animal life of the Americas. Who wouldn't want to see bears and jaguars, or kangaroo and koala? An American theme would also allow for a positive portrayal of native American culture.

I like this idea! Wasn't there also a rumor that they were creating an Australia area themed around the Great Barrier Reef? Or perhaps it's more than a rumor? I think that would be a fantastic edition to AK. They could continue with their theme(s) of conservation and education, and they could probably incorporate some water-themed rides that might help people beat the heat.

 

[WaltD4Me]

What dates? I couldn't see them listed (It's quite possible I just didn't see them)

It was quite well announced that Disney had discontinued PM EMH at DAK and would be interesting to see if there were PM offerings there still. All I seen for EMH was this

EVENING OFFERINGS
2011 Dates:
March-None
April- None
May- None
June- None
July- None
August- None
September- None

I'm looking at the calendar on wdwinfo.com for Theme Park Hours and Fireworks. Maybe it hasn't been updated, but I just looked again and it shows May 14th and 26th as evening EMH hours at AK and June 7, 16 and 30th as evening EMH at AK.

Here is the calendar page for June: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours/june11.cfm?requesttimeout=1000

 

[Oglet]

I'm looking at the calendar on wdwinfo.com for Theme Park Hours and Fireworks. Maybe it hasn't been updated, but I just looked again and it shows May 14th and 26th as evening EMH hours at AK and June 7, 16 and 30th as evening EMH at AK.

Here is the calendar page for June: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours/june11.cfm?requesttimeout=1000

Interesting ... Now I will have to ask a manager at work to see if they know anything about EMH.

 

[LazyKat]

I haven't been to AK since 2000 (or WDW - I know tragic!) and I think we made it a 1/2 day park. I remember being disappointed that there wasn't more to see, but there are twice as many attractions now. I've since worked in a zoo (as an intern at a place very like the Conservation Station) and now have a much bigger appreciation for how they are run and developed. Plus, now that I'm a mother, I can see AK being my daughter's favorite park and cannot wait to someday see it through her eyes. What seems to be the general consensus among kids, do they seem to like it more than adults or the other way around?

 

[Iceman13]

We have had a few discussions in our family about our most favorite and least favorite Disney parks. My DW and I agree that we really don't have a most or least favorite. Each park offers us something different, depending on what mood we are in. AK fits our needs on days when we are more into scenery an relaxing at shows (but also has a couple of nice rides for a change in pace).

I don' think we would ever consider going to WDW and not spending some time at AK.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Epcot is my favorite park because I LOVE to just wander around WS and look at the details. Even at its most crowded, there is still plenty of room.

DAK beautiful themeing and details should have made it second on the list but even though it has the largest acreage it can't handle a crowd. A sidewalk in reality is only as wide as its most narrow points and DAK has some inexplicable narrow spots. Usually blocked by people standing in the middle of it. Here is where I really notice people standing in the middle of a sidewalk conversing while crowds of people swim past them and large groups walking 5-7 across. It is the worst park to navigate a stroller.

I always feel like I'm in Times Square fighting a crowd.

 

[rotlex]

We have two younger kids. Animal Kingdom is our favorite park. Offers something for everyone, and the theme is SPOT on. To me, out of all the parks, it truly give you the best experience in regards to actually being there. Each land is done extremely well.

I'd say after AK, MK and Epcot are a tie. We love them both, but for different reasons. Lastly, other than TOT, R&R, and Star Tours, we could take or leave DHS.

So in short, here's a BIG vote for Animal Kingdom being a great place to visit. For us, it is usually a two day park. One of those is spent simply enjoying the scenery.

 

[cindyland]

We just returned from our first trip in 20 years. We had thought before going that Epcot would win hands-down for our "favorite" because we had enjoyed it so much 20 years ago. I found it to be way too much shopping, not enough ambiance and "feeling." Of course, this trip had our first trip to AK and that was my favorite day. Granted, MK is never going to be my favorite because we're from CA and love DL so MK feels weird, and DHS is nice, but for all-out theme and color and originality, I LOVED AK. LOVED Lion King and Nemo, loved the que for EE (the ride was o.k.), loved the Dinosaur ride (and the picture, it's hilarious), and had a really great day. Would I want to do it multiple days, probably not, but a wonderful experience anyway.

My 13-year old daughter would disagree, she loved DHS, and my 9-year-old daughter loved Epcot. But that's the great thing about DW, there's something for everybody!

And my husband's favorite...the tram back to the car, he's such a poop.