Is Animal Kingdom worth it?

[mommy2savannah]

We are going in May with DH and DD2. DD loves animals. However, I have read on other posts that Animal Kingdom can be a tiring park to walk through and many people rank it as their least favorite park. We are doing MK for two days. I was think of doing AK as well. We are not intersted in MGM or Universal. Epcot is a possibility. Can anyone make any recommendations? Have your young toddlers enjoyed themselves at AK or is Epcot better? We can't do both b/c we are only going for a couple of days. I know everyone has different experiences but I would just love to hear your thoughts! TIA.

Sandra

 

[jeannief]

I went last year w/ a 4 and 5 year old and they loved it. I'm not sure if a 2 year old would as much. It's Tough to Be a Bug is great, but dark. Dinasoar is not for toddlers but my boys loved it. There are some smaller, more kid friendly rides in Dinoland and the boneyard if she's into climbing, etc.
As for tiring.... my 2 rode in a stroller so they were fine. I didn't find it too tiring. We didn't do the safari which might be a nice relaxing thing with a wee one.
We're going back this year and spending 2 days there. I'm glad we tried it out last year, it was for us a great place.
Good luck!

 

[blitzkrieg048]

AK is better because she will enjoy more there than Epcot. At AK there is the safari, Festival of the Lion King, Pocahantos show. At Dinoland she can ride the flying dinosaurs which is exactly like Dumbo, there is the boneyard and the playground right across from it. At epcot the only thing really she would enjoy is Turtle Talk.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

I LOVE this park. I haven't gone with kids so I don't have any advice there. However, the park is great. We actually did this park two days (of our 5 day vacation).
FOTLK is a wonderful show and I do think your DD would like it.
They do have a ride just like Dumbo for her to do and there is a playground.
The Safari is good too: I would go in the morning.
You can do a child swap so you and your DH can ride Dinosuar (great!) and EE.
I didn't find it tiring to walk around at all nor did I find it too hot (we went in late April).
I would give it a try.

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

My kids really enjoyed themselves at AK. They were 3 and 15 months last time we went and they liked it. It is a lot of walking, but it is worth it. I would think your child would enjoy that better than Epcot, but that's JMO.

 

[la79al]

My kids love animals and when we went they were 4 and 8. They both decided it was their favorite park and the little one still talks all the time about playing in the sand in the boneyard.

 

[budbeerlady]

DD (5) loved AK. WE spent two half days there. She got her face painted like a tiger. We walked the trail, did the safari (over rated but alright) her favorite thing was joining in with the performers in Africa. She did it twice, limbo and the dancing. The dinasour ride scared the daylights out of her, she liked bugs life. WE had a great time. It could have easily been done in 1 day but we slept in and were there from 10-2 two days in a row. (That gave me 2 lunches at Tusker house in Africa!) The bats were freaky once I realized there are no windows in there.

 

[mickeymousemom]

I don't hate AK, it just happens to be our least favorite park(MGM isn't far behind, and Universal isn't even a WDW park). If I had to choose two parks to go to, it would be Epcot and MK. I think the rest of my family would concur.
AK isn't a bad park, it just doesn't have enough things to interest me. We haven't been our last two trips, but will definitely go this time for EE...and Festival of the Lion King is an awesome show. It's like a kids version of Cirque du Soleil, but for adults too. I cry when I see it. I like Kali River Rapids but think its way too short. The visuals of the park are amazing. Eye candy to me. Everything is so detailed. The park isn't really laid out that well, which makes it a pain in the butt to sometimes get from one attraction to another.
Okay, just reread your post and saw that you have a 2yo who loves animals. If thats the case then I think she might really like this park. Not ALOT of rides for her, but much to see and do. There's a playground, an animal walk thru that's like going to the zoo, but she would love it...my DD loved it when she was 17 months. She also loved the train ride and the petting zoo and she got to see Minnie Mouse again there also. If I had to pick only two parks for a 2 yo and she loves animals, my choices would be MK and AK.

Have a great trip!

 

[laceemouse]

We find EPCOT to be the hottest park (lots of concrete, not much shade) and the largest park, most walking. However, our kids love it and have since they were toddlers. They like UofE, SSE, and all the shows in future world. Now that they are older they love world showcase too. AK, to me, is a better park for really young kids. The safari is great, and there are two trails you can walk and see more animals. You can ride the train to conservation station and there is a petting zoo. The shows are wonderful. There are really only a couple of rides a little one CAN'T do! As far as tiring, it is not nearly as big as EPCOT and there are trees/shade everywhere! The folks who DON'T like AK are the ones who really only go to WDW for thrill rides and don't want to see shows and slow down and enjoy plants and animals. We never skip AK!

 

[tony609]

We took my nephew 2 at the time......he loved it.....
We had breakfast at breakfastasaurus..he loved the characters.. Mickey, Goofy, Pluto and Donald. He liked seeing the animals on Safari. The petting zoo was also fun. the Pocahontas show, the lion King show,the jammin jungle parade. Camp Minnie-mickey was a good photo opportunity and for him to get autographs as well. I would definately agree with some of the other posts and do AK over Epcot.

 

[golden1]

AK is my second favorite park behind MK. I really like it and when I bring my kids (will be 4 and 2) in December we will definitely be spending a day there. I think because there really isn't a ton to do in AK, it will be a less stressful day than trying to see one of the bigger parks in one day with two toddlers. The beauty of AK isn't really the rides, it is seeing the animals and all the foliage. I would do AK over EPCOT, especially with young children.

 

[mommy2savannah]

Thanks! I will choose AK. I think we will enjoy it. I am soooooo excited now!!!

Sandra

 

[Disney Debbie]

I agree that for you age child AK is probably the better choice then Epcot - BUT - it is by far the hottest park IMO. And May is only a few degrees cooler then July at WDW. So do it first thing morning and since you probably won't be doing any of the biggie rides I'd start with the flying dinosaur thing before the line gets long and then do the walking around and looking at animals before it gets too hot. Then do the shows and go back to hotel to nap!!

 

[mill4023]

I'm curious why you're not interested in MGM.
IMO, it's a great park for younger kids with some really fun shows (Disney Playhouse, Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid)

 

[Ride Junkie]

I didn't think I would like AK, but now I really do! I love the atmosphere - lots of trees, plants, etc. - the park has a really tropical feel to it. I like it even more when it rains...you really feel like you're in a faraway place! The rides, animals, shows, etc. are a bonus. It doesn't seem as hectic as MK.

 

[jjarman]

I’ll have to admit, the first time we went to Animal Kingdom, June, 2004, I did not like it. I thought it was hot, dirty looking, crowded...But last year, in March, when we went, I loved it. Of course it was not hot and not that crowded. I guess most of the springbreakers didn’t like AK. DS14 and I spent most of one day there and saw all he wanted to see but not all I wanted to see. The gorillas were really interesting and we got some great views and pictures of the hippos. I can’t wait to go back.