NEW Animal Kingdom Show | Jungle Book - Alive with Magic

[amg35]

Wait, so based on reviews you read, some of you have to decided not to even bother going to Animal Kingdom at night altogether?

Wow, if I can just say, that is very shortsighted thinking and I really think you will be missing out.
One of the best parts of our trip a couple years ago was experiencing AK after dark and this was before any nighttime entertainment. It is absolutely beautiful, atmospheric, "magical" and completely different at night. Just walking down the dark paths with the gorgeous lanterns is worth being there at night.
Top that with a new restaurant that is supposed to be amazing, night carnivals, Tree of Life show, all rides open in the dark and a night show which is sure to be improved upon with all these bad reviews....I can't wait to get back there and I have to wait until October 2017!!!

To each their own, but unless you have limited time at WDW, I would give AK at night a shot.

 

[Mom2Stitch]

Like I said I've done AK at night years ago and LOVED it because it is so different than in the day. Sadly this show and the indefinite delay of RoL ..... have been a huge blow to the excitement. But all reports are the tree awakening is just stunning, and I am excited about street parties but seems no one is really talking about how they are going. And I LOVE Everest at night.

The other negative, the safari ................ you know, I love animals, love seeing them on the safari, but my gut reaction is LEAVE THE ANIMALS ALONE, GIVE THEM SOME PEACE AND QUIET! Why do we need to stare at them at night too. I get the lions are more awake but do we really need to do this to them? Fake sunsets, night lighting, spot lights .... they are messing with their body clocks. Leave them be.

Once Avartarland opens I think it will bring the extra activity needed to provide enough attractions after animal areas, FOLK and Nemo are done for the day .... until then poor AK - love that park, many don't and Disney just keeps giving more reason for folks to talk negative about it. STOP spreading yourself thin and throwing good money after bad. Take a chill and make a good plan 'cause 2016 is turning in to one disaster after another.

I have to agree with you on the safari, I think the animals should rest. I want to believe that Disney will do not do anything to harm them, that they have planned for how the animals rest. Maybe they have different animals that will be out in shifts? I know that when we went on the Backstage tour there were many Rhinos and other animals in a different off stage area. My hope is that they put these wonderful animals over the guest experience.

I watched Tim Tracker's video on youtube and what he showed, outside of the safari, looks amazing. I loved the live entertainment and the Tree of Life....WOW!! Just watching it on my tiny screen gave me goose bumps and the big Disney baby in me teared up. He rode EE, and I'm looking forward to that as well.

I'll watch whichever show they are playing in September, hoping it will be ROL though.

 

[cornflkgrl]

I really think you will be missing out.
One of the best parts of our trip a couple years ago was experiencing AK after dark and this was before any nighttime entertainment. It is absolutely beautiful, atmospheric, "magical" and completely different at night. Just walking down the dark paths with the gorgeous lanterns is worth being there at night.
Top that with a new restaurant that is supposed to be amazing, night carnivals, Tree of Life show, all rides open in the dark and a night show which is sure to be improved upon with all these bad reviews....I can't wait to get back there and I have to wait until October 2017!!!

To each their own, but unless you have limited time at WDW, I would give AK at night a shot.

I too am surprised to read people saying they are going to skip it based off videos of this one show. I'm so excited just to be in AK at night. We have a kid that can't be in the sun and we LOVE AK. We plan to spend more than one evening there this summer. I've seen videos of the Tree of Life thing and the parti and music stuff going on. The JB show might not be incredible -- I need to see in person to judge -- but there are lots of other things to see and a new signature restaurant to try.

 

[goofy4prez]

I have a JB dinner package at Tiffins next week and I'm going to make it a night at AK, but I think I'm going to stick with my original plan and skip this show, but enjoy the meal. The reviews are what I thought it was going to be, a rushed and rather unspectacular show. I must say I agree, I found it very boring. From the videos I've seen I'll pass and head over to ride EE while thousands wait, push, shove and skirmish to get a seat for this lame show. From there I'm going to enjoy AK at night and hope next year the RoL is running and is all it has been hyped up to be.

 

[HopperFan]

Wait, so based on reviews you read, some of you have to decided not to even bother going to Animal Kingdom at night altogether?

Wow, if I can just say, that is very shortsighted thinking and I really think you will be missing out.
One of the best parts of our trip a couple years ago was experiencing AK after dark and this was before any nighttime entertainment. It is absolutely beautiful, atmospheric, "magical" and completely different at night. Just walking down the dark paths with the gorgeous lanterns is worth being there at night.
Top that with a new restaurant that is supposed to be amazing, night carnivals, Tree of Life show, all rides open in the dark and a night show which is sure to be improved upon with all these bad reviews....I can't wait to get back there and I have to wait until October 2017!!!

To each their own, but unless you have limited time at WDW, I would give AK at night a shot.

I too am surprised to read people saying they are going to skip it based off videos of this one show. I'm so excited just to be in AK at night. We have a kid that can't be in the sun and we LOVE AK. We plan to spend more than one evening there this summer. I've seen videos of the Tree of Life thing and the parti and music stuff going on. The JB show might not be incredible -- I need to see in person to judge -- but there are lots of other things to see and a new signature restaurant to try.

I am not interpreting that. I see one person switching from PM to AM, and if the show was your main focus then it might be a good move for them and another is very concerned with allergies to bug bites, which there have been a few reports the show venue is buggy. It seems more are looking forward to the AK nights - just going to skip this show. I know I won't waste hours in line and watching a show that looks bad and getting bad reviews when I could be on Everest or at the Tree Awakening or at one of the parties, enjoying a cool drink. For most park time is precious so if you are not interested in something, skip it.

 

[amg35]

I am not interpreting that. I see one person switching from PM to AM, and if the show was your main focus then it might be a good move for them and another is very concerned with allergies to bug bites, which there have been a few reports the show venue is buggy. It seems more are looking forward to the AK nights - just going to skip this show. I know I won't waste hours in line and watching a show that looks bad and getting bad reviews when I could be on Everest or at the Tree Awakening or at one of the parties, enjoying a cool drink. For most park time is precious so if you are not interested in something, skip it.

Seen people say it in a few places, just happened to type my thoughts here.

 

[HopperFan]

Seen people say it in a few places, just happened to type my thoughts here.

Got ya. I have no plans to see Jungle Book nor go on the Safari (that one out of principle) but I can't wait for the AK Nights! It's beautiful at night and add these parties, the tree lights, Nomad lounge and other spots. This alone could make me stay on property so I have a ride back to my room! I think it sounds like a great way to spend an evening!

 

[lovethattink]

At show now. They said due to incoming inclement weather, they may have to cancel mid-show.

 

[BayouQueen]

Wait, so based on reviews you read, some of you have to decided not to even bother going to Animal Kingdom at night altogether?

Wow, if I can just say, that is very shortsighted thinking and I really think you will be missing out.
One of the best parts of our trip a couple years ago was experiencing AK after dark and this was before any nighttime entertainment. It is absolutely beautiful, atmospheric, "magical" and completely different at night. Just walking down the dark paths with the gorgeous lanterns is worth being there at night.
Top that with a new restaurant that is supposed to be amazing, night carnivals, Tree of Life show, all rides open in the dark and a night show which is sure to be improved upon with all these bad reviews....I can't wait to get back there and I have to wait until October 2017!!!

To each their own, but unless you have limited time at WDW, I would give AK at night a shot.

We have changed our plans based on reviews. Time is always limited in the parks (time is money!) and we think that there are better nighttime experiences offered elsewhere in WDW. We don't feel compelled to say "I did it" or be first on the block with new offerings. We are dining at Tiffins, for sure, because it sounds up our alley, but the nighttime experience just doesn't sound like a winner for our family. I bet when you got to experience AK at night without all the crowded hoopla, it was probably awesome. Lucky! Anyhow, we'll keep informed on Disboards and maybe next time, with Pandora in the mix!

 

[mlayton14]

We too cancelled our JB dining package the day after the video was released. Disney should think twice about showing something that obviously was cobbled together , an embarrassment coming from a company whose business is entertainment. I would rather have no show until they get it right, but keep the park open for the other activities

 

[lovethattink]

Last night's 10:30pm show was cancelled. Somehow, we were seated in the far left roped off section in the FP+ area. To the left of us was a bartender. Behind us was another roped off area with a cushy couch and comfy looking chairs. It was raining when we left, so I didn't take any pictures. And I didn't notice either when we sat down.

 

[HopperFan]

Last night's 10:30pm show was cancelled. Somehow, we were seated in the far left roped off section in the FP+ area. To the left of us was a bartender. Behind us was another roped off area with a cushy couch and comfy looking chairs. It was raining when we left, so I didn't take any pictures. And I didn't notice either when we sat down.

Interesting, guess a VIP or private party area. Cushy like they couldn't get wet?

 

[ArwenMarie]

Like I said I've done AK at night years ago and LOVED it because it is so different than in the day. Sadly this show and the indefinite delay of RoL ..... have been a huge blow to the excitement. But all reports are the tree awakening is just stunning, and I am excited about street parties but seems no one is really talking about how they are going. And I LOVE Everest at night.

The other negative, the safari ................ you know, I love animals, love seeing them on the safari, but my gut reaction is LEAVE THE ANIMALS ALONE, GIVE THEM SOME PEACE AND QUIET! Why do we need to stare at them at night too. I get the lions are more awake but do we really need to do this to them? Fake sunsets, night lighting, spot lights .... they are messing with their body clocks. Leave them be.

Once Avartarland opens I think it will bring the extra activity needed to provide enough attractions after animal areas, FOLK and Nemo are done for the day .... until then poor AK - love that park, many don't and Disney just keeps giving more reason for folks to talk negative about it. STOP spreading yourself thin and throwing good money after bad. Take a chill and make a good plan 'cause 2016 is turning in to one disaster after another.

I agree. Keep the other stuff open but let the animals rest at night.

 

[lovethattink]

Interesting, guess a VIP or private party area. Cushy like they couldn't get wet?

We walked by so fast, but I don't think there was cover.

 

[PartofYourWorld15]

How is the nighttime safari? What are the differences besides the obvious being dark.

 

[cindyfan]

I tried to watch the video and couldn't get past the 7 minute mark...... looks horribly boring. And I agree with others on letting the animals be in peace.... we really don't need a nighttime safari! I was so excited for RoL.... but who knows how long it will be for that, so until then... I will skip the nighttime AK.

 

[lovethattink]

How is the nighttime safari? What are the differences besides the obvious being dark.

The night time safari is great! We did it Saturday shortly after 10pm and last night at 8:30pm. Saw lots of animals both times. The "sunset" looks better at sunset. It looks too fake when it's pitch dark outside.

Taking pictures on my phone didn't work. But on our video camera it worked. Flash photography is not allowed.

 

[MouseMum]

The night time safari is great! We did it Saturday shortly after 10pm and last night at 8:30pm. Saw lots of animals both times. The "sunset" looks better at sunset. It looks too fake when it's pitch dark outside.

Taking pictures on my phone didn't work. But on our video camera it worked. Flash photography is not allowed.

I'm so happy to hear this! With so many negative comments... well, you know.

 

[lovethattink]

I'm so happy to hear this! With so many negative comments... well, you know.

Last night we saw 3 lions, a cheetah, zebra, giraffes, elephants, okapi, ancole cattle, black rhino, crocs, hippos, gazelle, and others that I don't remember their names. It took us 5 minutes in the FP+ line to get to our jeep around 8:30.

Saturday night it took us a long time to get to the Jeep in the FP line. We saw different animals. Ones nearby the road, because you couldn't see at a distance in the pitch dark. Our safari guide was excellent and knew how to work his lights as spot lights. Two black rhinos were right up at our truck.

My only complaint is the sunset effect. It doesn't work.

 

[mshanson3121]

How is the nighttime safari? What are the differences besides the obvious being dark.

I can only say read the reviews. I know there's one glowing review, but the majority are negative. I think it depends on what you want. I know we won't bother. Our kids want to be able to actually really see the animals near and far, with the full details etc. I've also heard the sound effects are pretty lame and the sunset is bad. I can forgive the sunset, but I don't want to be annoyed by sound effects the whole time.