? On Animal Kingdom Trails

[kitkat4622]

Is it worth it to walk the Panagani & Maharajah Trails at AK and how long would you say it takes to walk these trails at a relaxed pace? thank you

 

[BrianL]

I like them both, but especially Maharajah because of the big bats. You can really spend as much time as you want there, but I'd think about 30 minutes at a normal pace, depending on crowds. I would say though that I tend to move through them faster when crowds are high because it is less pleasant to be there.

 

[kitkat4622]

thank you, going in April about 3 weeks AFTER Easter

 

[MataHari22]

I definitely think it's worth it. Last year we spent quite some time gawking at the tiny baby gorillas. They were pretty cute, and it was neat to the mommy gorillas holding and caring for them, just like humans do. I usually figure 20-30 minutes per trail when I do my plans.

 

[Hopefully]

Definitely worth it. There are also very knowledgeable CM's on the trails that have great info and insight into the animals they share with you. We love the trails.
I think about 30 minutes each is correct

 

[Ambear]

If you like animals or zoos, it's definitely worth it. The animal exhibits and habitats are awesomely themed and gorgeous. I especially love the bird houses they have heh. So cute.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Since Animal Kingdom is such a "short day" park as it is, and is basically a glorified zoo, we do tend to walk the trails. But I can't tell you how long it takes.

 

[kaybird]

Totally worth it! I would walk Mararajah even if it didn't have animals, the theming is that great! As a pp has said, the baby gorillas are awesome on Panagini.

 

[Hisgirl]

If you have not seen all the trails, then yes, definitely walk them. If you have children, the CMs can give you a cool booklet where they look for certain animals. We found that this added substantial time to our day and Animal Kingdom went from a short day to a day where we were constantly trying to switch our fastpasses and had to run to try and meet our ADR. If I had known of the extra time it took, when kids are enjoying each animal, asking questions, and pausing long enough to write in a book, I would have spread the whole entire day out. Consider yourself armed with knowledge.

 

[RustManFan]

AK is about animals and these trails are the best way to see many! Yes, I know some guests are focused more on the rides but I am all about the Animal in AK! I can't say how long each takes 'cause we definitely take our time. If it isn't that busy and a CM is around we stop and chat about their job and how they came to be working at WDW. And we can watch tigers, hippos, bats, monkeys, birds, etc. for quite awhile! Enjoy!

 

[Tomh]

Yes, the trails are pretty cool. We don't do them every visit to AK, but have done them more than once, and they are still fun.

 

[Lucius Best]

Definitely worth it, figure 20-30 minutes. Pangani we usually do while waiting for Safari FP window. Maharajah is shorter, we usually walk through in the afternoon, although last time late afternoon the tigers were all gone except one sleeping, CMs said if the tigers get bored/tired/agitated they are allowed to leave the exhibit, so morning would have been better.

Note there are also some other "hidden" places to see animals. After getting off the Safari trucks, there is a spot to the right where you can check out gorillas. Also immediately after exiting It's Tough to be a Bug theater, everyone goes right, but if you go left there are some animals on a short quiet trail.

 

[georgina]

Unfortunately, the tigers, being cats, are usually sleeping! We always go on the trails when there.

 

[PEC]

Agree 20-30 Minutes. Definitely worth it. Sure the trails are what make Animal Kingdom a glorified zoo but with the name of the prak being Animal Kingdom it does make sense for you to view Animals there.

 

[disnut8]

Is it worth it to walk the Panagani & Maharajah Trails at AK and how long would you say it takes to walk these trails at a relaxed pace? thank you

At a relaxed pace or at the pace of a then five year old who cried when we said we were going to do one of the trails? Until she was on it. What my husband and I would normally do it about 30 minutes took over an hour, mostly because she needed to know the name of the common ordinary bunny in the first area. She's seen bunnies before but she had to know the name of this one. And then she saw this animal, and that animal, and then this one. She had to have all the animals told to her. It was a lot of fun with her but her parents were, um. less than thrilled. Yes, it's nice being a grandparent!

 

[Best Aunt]

Seeing the gorillas is one of my favorite things to do at Disney World.

 

[MouseyMin]

The theming in the Maharajah trail is incredible - one of my favorite places in the park! I would walk it just to see the scenery.

 

[mountdew1]

Definitely worth doing. I've spent 30-45 minutes watching the Gorillas alone (the bachelors were being feisty that day and refusing to go backstage when closing up). The amount of time will vary greatly depending on your desire to observe, and what any given animals happen to be doing. It's much easier to loose 10-20 minutes watching the tigers if they are active or playing vs sleeping in the shady corner.

 

[Quin]

So much worth it that the trails are our AK rope drop activity. We literally plan 2 AK mornings just so we can do 1 trail each day first thing. Other attractions can be FP'd but having the trails practically to ourselves is priceless. One time in addition to the regular CM a keeper was still in the bat enclosure when we got there, setting up their fruit kabobs. We must have spent 20 minutes just in that one area and I'm not even a bat fan. It was awesome! Each trail also has a walk-through aviary where you are inside the birds' enclosure. Again, the experience when there are only 1-2 other people there is worlds different than what you get at mid-day when the birds are tired of getting chased and won't come near the ground level any more.