Is AK worth a visit?

[jekajekalynn]

I'm contimplating next years trip, and I have a question.

We have visited all the parks except AK, and I was wondering if it is worth a visit? My dh is NOT interested, and quite frankly from what I have seen it is just a gloryfied city zoo.
So is this place even worth going to when we could be spending our time at MGM or EPCOT? Half day maybe? Is there anything in AK that I can't see in the Detroit zoo? lol TIA!!

 

[kilee]

Well our zoo doesn't have broadway worthy shows and incredible rides like Dinosaur and Kali River Rapids. I would think if you haven't been I'd give it a least a fair try. I really don't think you can compare it to a zoo since it really is nothing like one. Yep- there's animals but they kind of just the backdrop for another theme park.

This is by far DH's least favorite park. He wouldn't go to it every visit. He's okay w/ every 3rd or 4th trip. Anyhow, even he admits that the theme and attractions are just amazing. I think he goes just to see FOTLK alone.

 

[cleo]

If you're comparing it to the Detriot zoo I can tell you without one moment's hesitation you'll see things at AK you won't see in Detroit. Detroit has a decent enough zoo but it can't begin to approach the qulaity of Animal Kingdom. After all, we're still talking about a Disney park!

We don't see it as a glorified zoo. There are far too many wonderful touches (not to mention fabulous shows!) for it to be 'just a zoo'. At least give it a try, even if you leave mid-day. It's a terrific park for slowing down and appreciating what Disney does best....creating beautiful parks.

 

[kathymc]

Its one of our favorite parks - I'd give it a chance. Most say its a half day park but we spend up to 1 1/2 days there! At least go to see the Lion King show and the safari - they are worth the price of admission alone

 

[FromVatoDisney]

We're the opposite here -- this was my DH's very favorite park. We all loved it, with the exception of Primeval Whirl -- made my ds sick.

I think AK is very beautiful. We all loved seeing the animals (and we have a wonderful zoo right here -- I'm in a suburb of Washington, D.C.) and we did Kilimanjaro Safaris twice.
We thought It's Tough to Be a Bug was a riot, and that FOTLK was the best show we saw -- yes, we liked it better than Fantasmic -- and we liked Fantasmic a lot.
AK has very easy character interaction. You can get close to the Jammin' Jungle Parade and there are always characters in easy access at the entrance to the park and at Camp Minnie Mickey. If you go to an evening EMH at AK, you can get time with Minnie and Mickey together without waiting forever in line.
And Dinosaur -- what a crazy ride!
Tusker House has yummy food -- my only complaint with AK is that the fullservice restaurant is Rainforest Cafe -- what this mediocre chain restaurant is doing in a prime spot at a Disney park is beyond me, but anyway...

we couldn't imagine skipping AK.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I vote for a visit to the AK too! I love it there! The attention to detail is amazing. I think that more attractions would be nice but they are working on that. You should definitely go. You can give DH the job of trying to find "Miss Devine".

 

[WeLoveThePoly]

As with everything in life there are things that some people really enjoy but others don't.

My DD & I visited AK for the first time last year. We mainly went because DD wanted to try Kali River Rapids; I personally had no interest in going but thought maybe once I got there my attitude would change.

It didn't. We spent several hours there and hit many of the attractions and I can't say I really enjoyed it. But, to be honest I used to feel that way about EPCOT (many years ago) but now I love it. So, maybe I just need to give AK a few more chances.

Debbie

 

[spaceacewannabe]

Nothing like a zoo!
Either AK or Epcot is our favorite park (can't quite decide). The animals are better than at a zoo, and seem more like they're in a natural environment and less aware of the people (some of them, anyway).
Do the safari, walk the trails (I'm sure this doesn't sound appealing, but especially if you can hit them when they're not crowded, they're fantastic---and make sure you hit the Asia trail as well as the Africa trail), go to Flights of Wonder (not like anything you've seen before, and we've been to a number of "bird shows"), Festival of the Lion King...I'm sure I'm missing something. Thrill rides if they appeal to you...they don't to us and we still end up there for at least portions of 4 days in an 8 day trip. LOVE Animal Kingdom!

 

[Pea Picker]

After you go I do not thnik you will compare it to your local zoo again. Animal Kingdom is our 2nd favorite park we usally go to it for 2 half days during our trips. In our opnion it has the best scenery of all the parks. As has been stated the Festival of the Lion King is one of the best (if not the best) live show on property. The safari ride and It's Tough to be a Bug show are 2 of our favorite things to do. Kali River Rapids and Dinosaur are 2 mild thrill rides that can be fun for the whole family. With the addition of Expedition Everest in early 2006 you will see this park get more positivie feedback.

Oh yes I forgot they do have animals.

Go and give it a try with an opened mind.

 

[sammielynn]

We only do about 1/5 of a day at AK or about 5 hours. Would never call it a zoo. I really enjoy this park as others have said the shows are wonderful and rides are fun. I think it is worth the visit.

 

[We-Luv-Disney]

Definetly check it out! The safari is awesome! Must ride Kali River Rapids and Dinosaur and watch the Lion King show. Give it a try.

 

[mjmcca]

My kids love AK. On our last trip we spent most of our time at AK or MGM ( Power Ranger gotta love em). In fact we were at WDW for at least one week in June July and 2 in August and i think we only went to MK 3 times. I let the kids choose where they want to go.( the only time i would put my foot down is when they said they wanted to see the power rangers at MGM several days in a row)

 

[Snowy]

AK is worth a visit. That said, we are going for just about 4 days next month and I don't think we'll visit AK this time. However, if I had never been to AK before, I would definitely be going. Others have mentioned the rides and shows. Some of the food there is great too - unique to the continents. Our experience is that it does not take a full day to enjoy the AK. Give it a try.

 

[eclectics]

We love AK. It's a great "Theme Park" in it's own right. I don't understand why some think it's just a zoo. Great experience. We wouldn't miss it!

 

[Rigel Kent]

I know we're in the minority, but my criteria would be:
is the expected high temperature above 80? Then skip it.
Is the high in the 70's or lower? Consider it.

We went in January 2001 and enjoyed it.
When we went in August 2005, it was the only theme
park I wish we had skipped. It could be that it
was the only park where we arrived late (i.e. not
before it opened). We only did the Boneyard,
the Tarzan show (which was way too hot for me,
but DW, DD10, and DD7 enjoyed it), and the Safari
ride. Oh, yes, and Triceratop Spin.
We kept looking for *anything* with air
conditioning, to no avail.

DD10 and DD7 get scared of loud noises, especially
like thunder and lightning. We could not try
Dinosaur and the Bug 3D movie with them. Plus,
they did not want to get wet, so no rapids.

Flame away, but I prefer the zoo in summer,
AK in winter.

 

[fiveforall]

We love AK. It is such a beautiful park and the rides are wonderfully themed and so much fun! Actually, we like it so much better than MGM or Epcot. IT's so much more than a zoo. To me, Lion King and Kali River are worth the price of admission alone.

 

[beautybelle]

Our family LOVES AK. I guess me and my ds moreso than dh, but we all love it and visit every trip. I just love the surroundings and the shows. Im really looking forward to EE. I say you should go at least twice to get a good feel for the place and our family usually spend a whole day there.

 

[paladin]

I love AK. Yes, it is much more than "just a zoo". We have an excellent local zoo of which I am a member, so I go to the zoo a lot. I really enjoy zoos, so would probably like AK even if it were "just a zoo". The animals are great, of course, but there is so much more - the details are amazing - the plants, the design; the shows, the entertainment. I do agree, though, that it is very, very hot - we like to go first thing in the am (though since we always go in December, it can be quite chilly). Give it a try - especially if you have park hoppers, you can always leave if you don't like it.

 

[SheDaisy0088]

I would say give it a try. DH, DS8 and I like AK. It is not our favorite park by any means, but it is good for a half days worth of fun.

 

[Laurajean1014]

With Tough to be a Bug, Kilamanjaro Safari, Dinasaur, The Festival of the Lion King and Mt. Everest (5/06) - I don't think you would want to miss it!