What do you think about Animal Kingdom?

[inluvwithfla]

We are going to Disney for 4 days in a week. The plan was....one day in Epcot, one in MGM, and 1 and a 1/2 in the Magic Kingdom--and spend the other half of the day at the hotel at the pool. I have a 5year old who has never been at all--my husband and I have been to MK and Epcot.

Question is.........should I change the 1/2 day at MK to going to AK?? What is it like? Is it small? Can we do it in 1/2 day?? Is this a place we MUST see?

Help! I thought I had the whole vacation figured out until now--started getting second thoughts.............

 

[ccgegg]

You'll get very mixed reactions on AK. If your 5-year-old likes animals and dinosaurs, I think you should spend 1/2 day at AK, but maybe toss out the 1/2 day at hotel pool and still keep 1.5 days at MK. The Safari at AK is a can't-miss attraction.

That being said, if your plan is to go back soon, then keep things the way you have them and you'll have AK to look forward to on your next trip. We never try to "do everything" on our trips to WDW, but that's only because we know we'll go once or twice a year.

 

[croach]

I think Animal Kingdom is underrated but that is just my opinion. Since you have a five year old I think keeping your 1.5 days at MK might be better so that your child can experience it more. You probably can't do AK justice in half a day anyway. Have a great trip!

 

[L107ANGEL]

I agree you will get such different responses. Some love it, some hate it and some are indifferent. My family loves it and we go all day. We try to be there as it first opens and you will see many CM's with all kinds of creatures out and about and it is the most active time of day for the animals. We usually go during non peak times so the park usually closes early. If we are not too tired at closing we will sometimes hop to another park or go back to relax by the pool to re-charge for the next day.
In either choice you make, I hope you have magical trip.

 

[NCombs]

Honestly, AK was one of our favorite things last year. My husband has already mentioned we need to spend more time there next year. My kids had a blast. They could have spent a whole day at just the Boneyard. The parade is beautiful and not to be missed in my opinion. The Tree of Life is amazing.

 

[inluvwithfla]

Thanks for your opinions, they are greatly appreciated! I will take them all into consideration.........maybe we will just play it by ear. At least I know what to expect, though.
Thanks again!!

 

[jenr812]

My sons love animals and dinos so AK is a must for us. Plus I just have to see the Tree of Life But it may be different for you. Your plan looks good and like another poster said, perhaps you can do AK another trip? Have a wonderful time no matter what and have no regrets :

 

[beattyfamily]

We LOVE MK and do at least 2 days there and usually another half day. We do one day at MGM and one day at Epcot. Some trips, we skip AK. We are not big fans of AK. The only things I enjoy are the Lion King show and the safari ride.

We skipped on three of our 7 trips and we are skipping it again this December.

Your 5 year old will LOVE MK and it takes a lot of time to see and do it all so maybe you can decide once you are down there what to do.

Good luck!

 

[tink2]

I agree with beattyfamily- we skipped AK this past Dec. and spent 2 whole days at MK. Your 5 year old will LOVE MK. The trip before that we went with the whole family- my niece was 7 at the time and after the safari ride and lion king show, she was very ready to go! AK is a neat experience, but it just isn't our type of park. Now a coworker of mine thinks it is the best of all 4 parks and thinks I am bonkers! So, you might want to play it by ear. If it were me, I'd spend more time at MK- my two kids were 3 and 5 in Dec. and could not get enough of MK!!!

 

[Evil Queen]

We love it and go each time.

But we are big animal lovers (we almost have a zoo at home). We do Lion Country Safari or Miami MetroZoo, near our house once a year, but still love going to AK.

 

[debkorb1]

My boyf and I adored AK! It is such a different park to the others with less traditional rides and attractions. But it is a park to linger over and savour. In short to enjoy the atmosphere. Half a day would be a rush, which isn't fun for any Disney park, but especially AK. I'd leave it for a future trip - you'll find plenty else to do!

 

[skuttle]

I love AK. MK is my favorite and then AK is second. It's such a beautiful park with wonderful details which many people unfortunately overlook. I find it a very relaxing park. We plan on spending a full day there with our DS in December...he'll be 2 1/2 at the time.

 

[bscs]

When we go we go one day at each park then I ask my family which one they want to repeat. We all agree AK! We all love animals but also I find it less hectic than MK. But I think you should go to AK at least 1/2 day skip the pool you can swim anytime when else will you be able to go on a safari. With a 5 year old (that is how old my daughter was the last time we went) With only 4 days I would do 1 day MK 1 day AK and MGM and Epcot can do 1/2 days, 5 year old won't be interested in visiting the countries at Epcot.

 

[ccgegg]

5 year old won't be interested in visiting the countries at Epcot.

If your 5yo is into crafts, they'll absolutely LOVE doing the Kidcot stations at the countries at Epcot. It was one of my DD4's most enjoyable things on our Feb trip. And if you want to relax, I think strolling around the Epcot countries (World Showcase) is TONS more relaxing than any pool time. Swimming is exhausting and it blows my mind how many people say they go to the resort pool to "rest". Just my .02

 

[mybgirl]

Thanks for your opinions, they are greatly appreciated! I will take them all into consideration.........maybe we will just play it by ear. At least I know what to expect, though.
Thanks again!!

HI TRY AND MAKE IT. YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY


My DS and I LOVE AK .


This year he is 7 we are doing one 1\2 day and one EMH AT NIGHT , TRYING IT OUT .


take care and god bless

mary and ds

 

[Rneighh]

AK is not to be missed It has the best show on grounds --Legend of the Lion King

You also don't want to miss:
Kilomenjara (sp) Safari
Tough to be a bug
Dinosaur
Tarzan Rocks

Renee

 

[Kimickey]

I'm going to be totally honest but our family prefers Animal Kingdom over Magic Kingdom. Don't get me wrong we like the Magic Kingdom, but it just gets too crowded sometimes and because of it's size you feel as if there are a ton of people in one spot. The Animal Kingdom is more spread out such as EPCOT and you don't feel as if you are sitting on top of one another. Plus we just love the AK atmosphere especially in the morning before it gets too hot.