We underestimated AK

[Armadillo4]

On my previous two trips, I have always enjoyed AK, but felt it was only a half-day kind of park. I guess I needed to stop going commando from main attraction to main attraction and slow down to smell the roses. During this last trip, we took our time going thru AK. I think it was the sight of DeVine that made us realize: "Whoa...that's cool. I wonder what else we've missed around here."

We took our time looking at all the carvings around the Tree of Life. We sat on benches with drinks just to admire the theming of the various lands. We spent longer than normal just watching the animals, especially around the Pangani Forest Trail and Maharajah Jungle Trek. We watched Flights of Wonder for the very first time. We had skipped this show during our previous visits...I used to think: "how fun can a show about birds be?" Well, we were certainly surprised! I can't believe we've never taken the time to see this before. It was amazing!!!

There was one thing we didn't get to see. During conversations with a very nice family from Canada, they told us about the so-called "secret path." We looked for it but never found it. Does this path still exist?

Of course, the signature attractions of AK are still awesome...the Kilimanjaro Safaris, ITTAB, and Festival of the Lion King are must-sees IMHO. FoLK, in particular, helped make a rainy day much brighter during our last visit. You just can't help but leave that theater in better spirits! Hakuna Matata!

 

[bibbidiboo]

Thanks for your post.


Most people seem to underestimate AK. I on the other hand LOVE this park. There is so much to see there. Sure, it's not your standard thrill park, but there is so much more to it than thrills. I am glad that you discovered the true spirit of this park and I hope others will also.

We always budget 1 1/2-2 days when we go. There is always something different to see. Some animals are more active in the morning, and others in the afternoon.

I find AK to be an awesome park, and allows you to "relax" (if that's possible) during your trip. They don't call the area in front of the Tree of Life the Oasis for nothing.

 

[futomara]

There really is alot to see in the various nooks and crannies of AK. There are trails upon trails that I still don't think I have been on all of them. Each one seems to take you to some interesting foliage or an animal display we had no idea about.

The 'secret path' has been blocked off the past several trips we have made to AK. The path is off the main path that connects Africa and Asia. There is a 'smoking' area off the main path (away from the river) and right next to the smoking area, you will see a small path that leads into the trees. It leads back along a stream where you feel like you are way back in the woods somewhere. I found it to be cool, because not many knew about it. Anyway, I still look for it but again, it hasn't been open for walking for a year or two.

 

[lilboo]

I love the Maharajah and Pangani trails, too.

Flights of Wonder! I hope Elvis the baby vulture was still a part of that show...he may not be considered a baby anymore though. Maybe they had a new big 'baby'?

 

[ead79]

I also really enjoy Animal Kingdom. I actually prefer this park to Disney-MGM Studios. Before I visited AK, I thought I wouldn't like it a lot since I'm not a huge animal lover. Boy was I wrong! The Kilimanjaro Safari is probably one of the coolest things I have ever done--what a neat experience! Also, I love Festival of the Lion King. I plan to devote more time to AK on my next trip.

 

[ColoradoDis]

We like to spend time looking around too - and the Flights of Wonder is a must see for us each trip. WDW is only worth the money if you take time to enjoy the whole experience - even the water lilies!

 

[tiberius]

I have enjoyed Animal Kingdom more than many who seem unimpressed by it. For me it is a good park for the middle of a trip where one can take a more calm approach to the park, while still getting a few "thrill" rides. I am looking forward to the new additions when I take my next trip!

 

[PandyPaws]

A very nice post! And I so agree. I used to have the same 'half day' impression as many others. However, once I slowed down to take it all in I began to discover the incredible detail this park is filled with

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Count me in as a half day convert.......

We went for the first time in November and spent about half a day there. At the time, it seemed like enough.......then our DD (4) wanted to go back for the Boneyard and we figured "why not?"....

The second time was amazing. We had a blast (and did more than just the Boneyard) and took the whole park in.

Our theory is that it is so different from the other parks that it is sometimes difficult to adjust your mindset. It is not a park where you check off "yep, did that" and move on to the next. You need to just accept that you might not do everything and just enjoy the atmosphere.....

We look forward to our next visit.

 

[joshsmom]

We're also 1/2 day converts. The first time we went to AK was April/May 2003 and we really liked ITTBAB and FoTLK, but KS seemed lacking, especially to my mom. I enjoyed it and DS enjoyed it, but she just kept saying "there's no animals". She definitely had the "overrated zoo" mindset. Convinced her to give it another shot and WOW did she change her mind!!!

We got to meet PandyPaws this time (hi Donna!!), which totally impressed us! And, Josh was chosen to be an animal spotter on KS, which he LOVED--have the certificate hanging in his room with pictures!! And, there were TONS of animals out and they were SO close to us!! Mom was SPEECHLESS, which is an unnatural state for her! We also took our time on the trails and different nooks and crannies of the place. We now devote at least 2 days to it. Can't wait to go back!

 

[Armadillo4]

I'm glad to see others who have felt the same way about AK!!! I definitely can't wait to plan our next trip to WDW and will budget plenty of time for AK.

lilboo: there was a baby vulture in Flights of Wonder, but I forgot his/her name. I think I would have remembered if it was Elvis. It was a handsome bird nonetheless--and I wouldn't have thought that of a vulture before this show.

futomara: thanks for the note on the secret path. Yes, we walked that entire stretch between Africa and Asia several times--including the smoking path--and I think we did see a roped off path entrance. We just assumed it was another entry way to a backstage area. I wonder why they've closed it off? But thanks for clearing that up. We were going a little crazy trying to find it.

CarnotaurDad: yes, I think you hit it on the head. The park is different from all other parks, so you do have to adjust your mindset. I can also see why it may not be everyone's cup of tea either. It certainly isn't for everybody, but that's what I love about WDW. There are 4 parks (plus 2 water parks, DTD, the resorts, etc) for plenty of variety, that there ends up being something for everybody!!!

 

[jennymouse]

In a couple days I'm taking my 80 year old father to WDW. He took us when we were kids, when it was just MK. He says he's not interested in AK as he's not a big animal lover. Wants to go to Sea World instead....like that's not an animal park. Which we are. Since we're going at a slow time of year, I'm sure we could fit AK in too, so I'm hoping he'll change his mind while we're there. I know he'd love FoTLK if nothing else.*sigh* I hope we get to talking to some folks like you guys while we're there that'll sing AK praises. He usually listens to others better than me.

 

[TINK61]

I'm not a zoo lover, but AK is my favorite theme park. Even before I ever visited AK, I just knew it wasn't going to be a typical zoolike atmosphere. I love the theming in each area, and the attention to detail that is so typical of Disney. We always open and close this one. Great Park!

 

[disneysteve]

Thanks for posting. I'm so tired of reading posts from people saying that AK is half-day park or that there isn't enough to do there. We love AK. We were able to attend the preview before it opened and were there for grand opening and have been back numerous times since. I think it is a beautiful park with far more artwork, carvings, paintings, etc. to take time to appreciate than in the other parks. And most people zip right past that stuff on the way to some attraction, not realizing there are attractions all around them.

Steve

 

[WIcruizer]

AK is just a great experience, and mostly because of the ambiance. It has a real calming feel which I can't explain. But it is not a "checklist" type park like the others. It is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace, not frantically running for Fast Pass after Fast Pass.

What's interesting is I've noticed those that really don't like AK at all seem to love MGM. Now to me, MGM is Rockin RC, Tower, and Fantasmic...that's about it. The rest of it they scrambled to get done in a race with US. But US go it right. This year we'll get to MGM late afternoon to go on the 2 big attractions a couple times, then Fantasmic. We've seen it all...and nothing else there is worth it in our opinion.

So now, AK is a full day and MGM is a half day or less.

 

[Madi100]

I agree with you all on the Animal Kingdom. However, I am not an animal person, and we can skip all of that . Even doin that there is so much to see. The theming is awesome, and just a slowed easy going park. I agree with the previous poster about MGM. We don't enjoy it. We will go to RnR and Tower of Terror, and then we've seen it all.

 

[Kuzco]

Uh-oh, let's not shift the dislike from DAK to MGM. (Just kidding )

I enjoy both parks. I've always been disappointed when people complained how DAK wasn't worth it since it was so different from the other three parks. That is what makes it great, IMHO.

But I have to stand up for MGM. I love it all there...but maybe I'm just a showbiz dork!

 

[WIcruizer]

But I have to stand up for MGM. I love it all there...but maybe I'm just a showbiz dork!

Sorry, it wasn't my intention to steer this debate towards MGM. But your quote is exactly why I don't like MGM. We visited a couple of the studios in CA, and Disney MGM falls woefully short in the showbiz area. Even US Orlando is much better. There really isn't an actual studio at MGM (not a real, full time, actual studio) and the attractions featuring showbiz stuff is a ride with a few showbiz articles thrown in to try to make it authentic. To me, MGM is the same as going to a Planet Hollywood. Sure you can see someone's clothing on the wall from a movie, but it doesn't have the feel of history, action, adventure, uniqueness, novelty...none of that.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I'm so glad to hear people say that DAK is really a full day park. I have been to Disney quite a few times but not since DAK has been there. My husband and I have old park hopper passes that may not work there (before it was opened) So we will have to buy one day passes to get in. We were hoping we would stay the day and enjoy it rather than say we waisted the money since we didn't even want to stay the whole day.
It should make for a nice relaxing day!

 

[monalsw]

we always spend a few days at ak on our trips anymore...it is definitely a different kind of world!

we love the watching the animals, shopping in africa, dancing with the drummers, mickey's jammin jungle parade, pizzafari, fotlk and 'wes palm', the talking tree! the pace is slower and great for breaking up the trip for my sometimes-hyper kids!

can't wait to go back!