Skipping Animal Kingdom?

[LR_BCV]

It's definitely a divided camp on AK. We are in the "love it" camp and usually hit it at least twice per trip. However, we will be skipping it in August. If you think you'll be back at a cooler time, you may want to save it for then. There's a lot to explore there, but if you only want to hit the "main attractions" you can do them in half a day. I personally enjoy some of the not-so-main things.

If you do go, go early and plan on leaving early. It gets REALLY hot at this park and the flow of the park isn't very good so the crowds can get unbearable (to me). Or hit it late in the afternoon for a few hours, if you have rested and aren't a cranky hot mess ;-).

Laura

 

[CamColt]

If I had to skip 1 park it would be AK, however I do think its worth a visit if you can work it in.
We usually go on an EE day, stay about 4-5 hours(8:00-12:30 ish), and get quite a bit done.
Festival of the Lion King is a great show, the Safari is neat to see the animals, and Dinosaur is a fun thrill ride.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Like others, I think that there are enough good things here to at least spend 1/2 a day. I'd get there before opening and go on the Safari first thing. As you're waiting for the rope drop you can find out the schedule for the Lion King show (not to be missed!). The timing might work to go to Lion King right after the Safari. Catch It's Tough to be a Bug, Dinosaur and Primevil Whirl (you'll y need to baby swap those), and bring your little one on the Dumbo type ride near Primevil if the line isn't too long. You can catch any other shows--I haven't seen the other ones so don't know how good they are. Your 12 yo might enjoy Kali River, but I didn't catch the time of the year you'd be there to know if you'd want to be wet.

I'm not a big zoo person, but did enjoy some time in AK.

T&B

 

[whjoyjr]

Our next trip, we plan to hit AK for the safari, Everest, and Dinosaur. Then Tarzan, Bug and Lion King shows. Then we will be done.

We also will consider EPCOT a half day park, hitting Test Track, Mission Space and Soarin. SS:E and Energy will be done between the headliners. The kids are too young to enjoy World Showcase. We did the boat rides at Mexico and Norway, and did American Adventure our first day, first attraction this trip on check-in day.

Studios are also a half day for us, with TOT, Rock-n-Roll Roller coaster, Star Tours, Muppetvision and Indy. Lunch at Sci-Fi.

Now, the Magic Kingdom? 2 days as well as an E-ride night if we go during the summer months. My youngest is becoming a coaster nut at the tender age of 6. She loves Big Thunder and Space Moutain. On her second ride, she asked to ride in the front seat, laughing all the way...

 

[swilphil]

RachelFran--Go with your instinct and skip AK. We love animals, but we've been to AK twice and both times I wished we had skipped it. We have a great local zoo, but probably not as good as the ones in NY. There will be very little for the 3 year old to do. My 3 year old actually asked to leave AK after two hours. It's also much hotter than the other parks and doesn't have as many indoor attractions. Both times we went, we ended up waiting twice as long for a bus than we did at any other park.

There's so much to do at all the other parks for you and your kids that AK is definitely something that can be missed. I'm happy some people love it, and I'm sure we'll go more when my kids get older and ask for it.

 

[murph103]

We loved AK so much that we went on 2 different days when we were there last month. We loved the safari, Lion King show and the river rapids. We didn't care for Bug's Life (very scary for little kids). I think the trick is to get there early and leave after lunch. While it was hot, it didn't seem as hot as MGM and EPCOT because there are so many trees at AK. And ride Kali River Rapids last, just before you leave the park

 

[CindyAnn]

We're another family who could NEVER miss Animal Kingdom! If we had to skip a park it would be MGM for us, probably. In fact, even if we arrive at AK at opening, we still haven't done everything we want to do by the time the park closes. We generally go during the cooler months, though, so that may make a difference, and we've never been on Kilimanjaro Safaris without seeing tons of animals. At AK we take things at a slower pace and thoroughly enjoy our day.

In criticism of the park, though, traffic flow patterns appear not to have played a part in the overall park design. The trails are narrow and rough and do a poor job of handling the volumes of people at some times. While this may enhance the feeling of discovering something new around every corner, it also means that even on a slow day when the attractions are almost deserted, the pathways can be clogged.

Our local zoo is stunning, and we love to visit it, but AK is something very different and special.

 

[Eeyore2003]

Personally, I don't think it's a matter of if you will like it or if you will not. My SIL doesn't like animal watching or zoos at all, but loved Animal Kingdom!!!

I think you have to realize that you just can't do everything. There are SO many things to do that you should just chose what YOU'D like to do that day. Just keep in mind that some will say, "Oh you should have been here or there or whatever", and you'll have to just deal with that. BUT, do what YOU want for that time knowing that AK will be there for years to come and you'll probably come again (if you don't think you will, read the thread on addictions )

If YOUR choice is AK, then that's fine, if you choose to relax by the pool, that's great. Just have a wonderful time, you really WON"T enjoy AK if you don't really want to be there!!!

 

[prairie]

Originally posted by kaylajr
Well it depend on your families tastes

we go every trip and it is one of our favorite parks

couldn't imagine skipping it

if i HAD to skip a park it would be MGM

Ditto. The Hollywood theme of MGM is the least appealing to me of the parks. But truthfully, I love them all and don't plan on skipping any if time allows. AK has the most memorable atmosphere, IMO, of all the parks.

And am I the only one who absolutely loved/adored the Jammin' Jungle Parade? IMO this is a must see!

03- AKL
WL next month!

 

[luvmk]

AK is 2nd favorite park for our family!(MK is 1st) We go more than one day as my kids love some of the attractions there. There is an atmosphere there that I can't really explain. I think it is more relaxed. I do agree that you can't rush the park. You really need to take your time and enjoy your surroundings. I think people who rush from attraction to attraction miss half of what makes AK special. Enjoy your trip, whatever you decide to do!


Rachel

 

[simonmunro]

Two trips in a row I skipped it thinking " I can go to a zoo anytime"... Last year I went for the day and fell in love with it! Watching the FOTLK is worth the trip (that girl in flight around the ceiling is awesome. The Gorillas are unbelievable! The workers in Africa told us that boy gorillas leave the group at about 9 yrs. of age. He said he'd seen where a 4 or 5 yr old male had to be taken in for surgery or something for a few days and the groups "daddy" silverback would sit and cry, actually grieving for one that shouldn't be missing from home.

 

[cobbler]

We have skipped AK our last two visits and I honestly felt that I haven't "missed" anything and don't feel bad about missing it.

If you do have to miss one I would miss this one, I would presonally get more pleasure out of doing more at MK or EPCOT.

 

[cboudre1]

If your 3 year old likes animals I would not miss the AK. We spent about 6 hours there this last trip, but we like the zoo.

 

[arminnie]

I really enjoy AK (especially Festival of the Lion King) but I wouldn't do it in August. When it is hot and humid I swear you feel like you are really in the jungle. I enjoy it so much more when it is cooler.

 

[PHILLYBUZZ21]

I originally had planned 6 days / 6 parks (4 disney parks, uso and ioa), but really thought that would wear us out. Since I did all 4 parks on the last visit and had never done any Universal Parks, we decided to axe AK. It is a nice park, but we didn't think it to be a can't miss park. My kids were bugging me to add a water park day (It take much bugging for me to agree). So AK is out....Blizzard Beach is in and we now have a relax day jammed in between our park hopping!

 

[TN Traveler]

Philly Buzz........have you been to Blizzard Beach before? We went in June for our first visit and really liked it. You're right...
it is a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the parks. Loved the family innertube ride; official name escapes me now but it's alot of fun. Not sure of ages of your kids but there's something for everyone there. It is the only place we bought a souvenier mug at and thought it was a wise choice. All of us are big soda drinkers--prefer Pepsi over Coke which is disappointing in the Parks but we can make do w/coke if it's all available. The mug definitely saved us big $$ that day. Bought just one and all shared. It was definitely worth it.
HAVE FUN!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

It's definitely a personal choice. My family and I are huge animal lovers and will not miss AK. MGM is the first park we would skip in order to squeeze in AK. I think everyone should at least try it once to decide for themselves.

 

[TN Traveler]

Hey Luckymom...........Noticed you're going on the Grandeur soon. Have you cruised before? You'll love it and you'll love the Grandeur. Awesome ship. Have a great time!
Karen---aka TN Traveler

 

[The Sweetness]

If you skip it all together, you could be making a mistake. I like the AK, and many claim that its their absolute favorite. (they do have the best showsIMO). Maybe you could just fit in a half day. EPCOT could easilly be 1+1/2 days. If you enjoy it, next time you could stay a full day

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Karen, I just PM'd you!!