The Animal Kingdom Debate

[luisov]

It is a beautiful and great park. Definitely not just a zoo.

Let's say that Avatarland will do wonders for the park though.

 

[Josh Hendy]

We love AK, it's our 2nd-favorite after MK. If we have a 5-day pass we do MK twice, but 6-days and up we always do AK again.

The shows are fun (especially Lion King, but also Nemo and Wonders of Flight).

Expedition Everest is fantastic, more scary than Big Thunder Mountain but tamer and easier to ride than the big looping coasters at Universal, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens.

Kali River Raft ride is really well themed, better than the old-generation raft rides like at Busch Gardens but not as long or as wet as Popeye at Islands of Adventure. You can count on about 2 people on each raft getting soaked to the skin (whoever is facing backwards when it hits the bottom of the big drop). So keep your shoes dry (in the bin), and either wear a swim suit bottom or bring dry undies to change into! (it takes too long to dry them in the bathroom hand dryers, trust me, I and thousands of people have tried!)

We always love the Kilimanjaro Safari. The only trouble is, we like Everest better so we always ride it first. It's a long walk over to the Safari afterwards, and we always seem to get stuck in a pretty long line. If you're not planning to do Everest first thing, then I strongly recommend getting to the Safari first, to beat the crowd and also to see the animals when they're most active.

All the rides in DinoLand are kind of "meh" for our family (Dinosaur, a spinning coaster and a dumbo-type ride) but you may enjoy them.

We saw "Tough to be a Bug" just once, nobody asked to see it again!

The trails which bring you to the animal exhibits are really nice ... especially if you are animal/wildlife lovers. Don't forget the small, winding trails around the Tree of Life.

The train ride to the Conservation Station can be skipped, unless you have little kids who absolutely need to pet baby animals. The whole process of going there and back is just too long otherwise.

It can be quite hot and tiring going back and forth across the park, so you need to plan your rides/shows fairly well on hot days.

Summary: a 1/2 day park if you like don't care much about animals and dislike coasters, a 2/3 day park if if you like animals but dislike coasters, and a whole-day park if you like both (i.e. you will ride Everest as many times as possible and visit animals and watch shows in between).

 

[louis11]

My wife and I can never manage to spend an entire day at AK. But we love it. It's probably one of the best themed parks of the four!

 

[bryanb]

Is it wrong for me to say that I am NOT looking forward to Avatar? To me, Animal Kingdom is amazing because the theming makes you feel like you're transported to real, exotic locations around the world (even though the location names are made up). In fact, the miserable heat even adds to that experience of being an explorer in a far-away land as you're walking into a roadside stand that serves Coca-Cola... or driving down a rough, cracked pavement out to the safari.

Dinosaur has its fans, but I'm not one of them. I find it to be contrived and soulless compared to the rest of the park. Dinoland in general is the odd-one out among all of the lands. I am reminded that at the time, Disney built it as a defensive maneuver against Jurassic Park at IOA, so it was a smart move. I'm glad that mythic creatures was never fully fleshed out. But worse than Dinoland... Avatar will be the first land at AK that is not only NOT grounded in some kind of reality, it's also NOT about animals at all!

Again, smart business... but devoid of the real world authenticity that makes AK so awesome, in my opinion.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Is it wrong for me to say that I am NOT looking forward to Avatar? To me, Animal Kingdom is amazing because the theming makes you feel like you're transported to real, exotic locations around the world (even though the location names are made up). In fact, the miserable heat even adds to that experience of being an explorer in a far-away land as you're walking into a roadside stand that serves Coca-Cola... or driving down a rough, cracked pavement out to the safari.

Dinosaur has its fans, but I'm not one of them. I find it to be contrived and soulless compared to the rest of the park. Dinoland in general is the odd-one out among all of the lands. I am reminded that at the time, Disney built it as a defensive maneuver against Jurassic Park at IOA, so it was a smart move. I'm glad that mythic creatures was never fully fleshed out. But worse than Dinoland... Avatar will be the first land at AK that is not only NOT grounded in some kind of reality, it's also NOT about animals at all!

Again, smart business... but devoid of the real world authenticity that makes AK so awesome, in my opinion.

I'm really disappointed a new continent wasn't planned instead.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Amen to a more "in-theme" park land. I mean, how hard would it be to have done an Australia land (another area that has tons of unique and cool animals, cool culture, great food and drink, possibilities for great attractions, etc - I mean, two words - an Outback Adventure!)...Avatarland is just so misplaced (it should be in DHS). Also, Dinoland should be rethemed to Prehistoric Land - there are more things that could be fleshed out in theme that way. And they could always have the Seas as a land (where the Nemo show would fit in great)...

Animal Kingdom's one draw was its authenticity. I found the carnival Dinloand area detracted from that...I'm sure I'll find Avatarland does, too. While I'll like the section (most likely), it will probably make me like the overall park less b/c it will stick out like a sore thumb...

 

[jco_direwolf]

I'm really disappointed a new continent wasn't planned instead.

Originally, AK had Asia, Africa, Prehistoric, and Mythic lands. If you look at the park signs you see all those represented.

Mythic never came about, and was replaced with Camp Minnie Mickey.

The overall theme of the park has always been Living with nature, ecology, and generally contributing to/conserving the environment. The Avatar theme does fit in with that. I admit that Disney has plenty of properties that they can make work with this, since Avatar was Pocahontas with 10' Blue aliens.

Am I thrilled about Avatar, no when it came out and I saw it my first thought was "Wow it's the Jazz singer for 3-d movies. A big production with stars, and a thin plot that is carried by the new technology. Not the first to use the technology, but the first with mass appeal."

Joe, seems to be "on-board" with it now. AK is Joe's park. I personally have faith in Joe (and his mystical earring of power.)

 

[JRawkSteady]

Amen to a more "in-theme" park land. I mean, how hard would it be to have done an Australia land (another area that has tons of unique and cool animals, cool culture, great food and drink, possibilities for great attractions, etc - I mean, two words - an Outback Adventure!)...Avatarland is just so misplaced (it should be in DHS). Also, Dinoland should be rethemed to Prehistoric Land - there are more things that could be fleshed out in theme that way. And they could always have the Seas as a land (where the Nemo show would fit in great)...

Animal Kingdom's one draw was its authenticity. I found the carnival Dinloand area detracted from that...I'm sure I'll find Avatarland does, too. While I'll like the section (most likely), it will probably make me like the overall park less b/c it will stick out like a sore thumb...

Honestly, Dinoland should have been torn down and replaced with Australia. It makes sense because Nemo takes place in Australia already. And Flame Tree BBQ is right on the edge! They have kangaroos over at Discovery Island, so all they would have to do is move that exhibit over! Imagine an outback themed land instead of that eyesore? How amazing!

 

[tcherjen]

I was of the same mindset, until I went... My family loves this park. It is relaxing and dd loves dinosaur, it is her favorite ride.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Originally, AK had Asia, Africa, Prehistoric, and Mythic lands. If you look at the park signs you see all those represented.

Mythic never came about, and was replaced with Camp Minnie Mickey.

The overall theme of the park has always been Living with nature, ecology, and generally contributing to/conserving the environment. The Avatar theme does fit in with that. I admit that Disney has plenty of properties that they can make work with this, since Avatar was Pocahontas with 10' Blue aliens.

Am I thrilled about Avatar, no when it came out and I saw it my first thought was "Wow it's the Jazz singer for 3-d movies. A big production with stars, and a thin plot that is carried by the new technology. Not the first to use the technology, but the first with mass appeal."

Joe, seems to be "on-board" with it now. AK is Joe's park. I personally have faith in Joe (and his mystical earring of power.)

Oh, I know the original plans. But now 16 years after the park opened, it's clear what "works" at AK. And I'd love to see more of it. In addition to the often mentioned Australia, I'd love to see a "North America" complete with an attraction that simulated either a wagon train Westward, or better still Lewis & Clark's trek.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Honestly, Dinoland should have been torn down and replaced with Australia. It makes sense because Nemo takes place in Australia already. And Flame Tree BBQ is right on the edge! They have kangaroos over at Discovery Island, so all they would have to do is move that exhibit over! Imagine an outback themed land instead of that eyesore? How amazing!

You're right, I forgot Nemo WAS Australia (need to watch that movie again...couple that with a Outback Adventure and bring in a few more Aussie animals to go with the kangaroos, and it would be awesome (or better than Avatar...

 

[MakiraMarlena]

A lot of commenters feel that their time in a theme park should be centered on rides, and AK doesn't have that many rides. They have far more shows and exhibits than, say, Magic Kingdom has. So it may depend a good deal on how you feel about rides.

 

[Acedink]

So much more than a zoo. Pretty decent roller coaster, and I think Dinosaur is a great ride. If you've never been, I think you owe it to yourself to try it.

Recently, we went for a week (5 park days) and did AK, MK, Epcot, DHS, MK.

AK, at least when we were there wasn't open too late, so gave us time to head to MK afterwards for dinner/fireworks.

 

[wmson2000]

We're big fans of AK (Wife and I, 3 daughters, 7 grand kids) - everyone in our group seems to hold AK high in popularity. After reading this thread, here are some of my thoughts:

• Heat - yes it can get hot and humid. But epcot feels even hotter on a sunny day with limited shade and open pavement. Lots of shade at AK
• Zoo? - I've been to the San Diego zoo a couple of times. AK = nothing like that. Much smaller animal displays but more immersive.
• Dinoland - I love the kitsch of Dinoland and I'm fine with the theming in the AK setting. My observation is that I always see people having fun there.
• Shows - "Nemo" show is my favorite at all of WDW. "Bug", "Lion King", "Birds of Fancy" also just good fun.
• Decent rides - EE, Dinosaur, Safari. Love each of them. I've never done "Rapids" but it's a family fav.
• Other competitive Orlando area attractions - WDW ticket pricing schemes have kept us close to "the mouse" for the last few trips. But we like Universal quite a bit. Legoland is top on the must-do list as grandsons are currently Lego master builders. Fun Spot?? Nah, I don't think so.

My 2.5 cents . . .

 

[Bullseye]

We love AK and absolutely love staying at Kidani village... so much so that we actually redecorated our spare bedroom in an African theme. A trip to WDW without visiting AK would be disappointing imo

 

[auntyjenn]

My son loved it! He was 8 or 9. He loves tropical birds and animals. You could see the birds all over, not just on the rides. : ) And the dino dig place is the best kid are!

 

[dkrauss]

Calling AK a "zoo" at any level is missing the point IMHO! Yes the safari is there but its really not a zoo....its an experience that is different every time..........there are shows (LION KING!!!) and rides. Probably our favorite roller-coaster "Expedition Everest" is located in this park. Also our favorite QS restaurant "Flame tree BBQ" is here too.........much more that I'm not even discussing here.............

My sweetie and I always include a visit to AK.........always. While its #3 on our fav list (EPCOT - #1, MK - #2)..........its a strong #3.

Doug

 

[ZoZo]

I guess this thread just goes to show the truth in the statement, "Different strokes for different folks!" Not everyone likes each park equally. That's why I get discouraged reading advice to skip certain parks, or reading "XXX is a half-day park." What the poster is really saying is, "XXX is a half-day park for me!"

This advice is often given by people who have traveled to WDW many times. They know what they like (and don't like!) and often don't feel the need to repeat rides and attractions over and over every trip. That touring style can make a specific park a "half-day" park for that particular family. But I think it's terrible advice for first-time visitors!

I always recommend that new WDW visitors devote at least one full day to each park. It's often very surprising to newbies what things their family ends up enjoying the most! In the case of AK, they might not consider themselves "animal people" but end up loving the park!

PS - Personally, AK is a two-day park for me!

 

[JoeA]

I guess this thread just goes to show the truth in the statement, "Different strokes for different folks!" Not everyone likes each park equally. That's why I get discouraged reading advice to skip certain parks, or reading "XXX is a half-day park." What the poster is really saying is, "XXX is a half-day park for me!" This advice is often given by people who have traveled to WDW many times. They know what they like (and don't like!) and often don't feel the need to repeat rides and attractions over and over every trip. That touring style can make a specific park a "half-day" park for that particular family. But I think it's terrible advice for first-time visitors! I always recommend that new WDW visitors devote at least one full day to each park. It's often very surprising to newbies what things their family ends up enjoying the most! In the case of AK, they might not consider themselves "animal people" but end up loving the park! PS - Personally, AK is a two-day park for me!

Have to agree. I may not like a park, and I'll tell you why and my experiences, but I would refrain from telling people (I hope) to avoid a park. I may not like it but unless you go...who knows, you could be missing your favorite park and not even know it.

And for the record we are DVC owners at AK and love that park!

 

[MissMaryQC]

Natazu! When DBF and I went to Disney in 2012 Animal Kingdom was his favorite park. The animal shows are great, especially the bird show, we loved that. The rides are super fun, and all different speeds and thrills so there is something for everyone. But our favorite part were the little trails. We got to watch a few bird feedings and learn about their patterns, caught a porcupine fight, help a macaw parrot and watched a baby otter go through his daily exercises. All because we happened to be seeking a shady, quiet spot to rest. I say go, if by noon you hate it spend the rest of the day poolside at the hotel.