What To Skip At Ak?

[NvrBnToWDW]

This will be our first time and at first we weren't even going to go to AK. But I've read how great the Safari and It's Tough to be a Bug are. So, now I think we'll go. Could you tell me what is not worth seeing or what we could just see at our local zoo? I know it's gonna be hot and since we're from TX, (we don't even go to our own zoo til Oct. cause the heat) will like it too much. What is worth the heat and what ain't?

 

[Aimeedyan]

I visited AK once and never saw one animal. Don't think of it as a zoo, really. (we skipped the safari that morning, btw).

I think A Bugs Life is great if you have older children or adults. Anyone young will likely be scared - *I* will not go again because it scares me LOL! But its cool technology.

Dinosaur is great, if you like more adventurous rides... very bumpy and loud, but DH loved it.

Lion King show is AWESOME, I enjoyed Tarzan Rocks! but mainly because Tarzan is wearing nothing but a loincloth and looked mighty good in it.

If you get there at opening, you can pretty much hit highlights by lunch - start with the safari. We didn't do the safari, but did everything else in 1/2 day (including Primeval whirl and all those rides). I have heard that there are lots of selfpaced things, like the dinosaur dig and nature walks and such, if you have smaller children they may enjoy...

=)

 

[Tiggerlover91]

First of all, please don't think I'm flaming you, because I'm not. But the AK is NOT like a zoo. I work at a zoo and the two are NOTHING alike. I don't understand why so many insist on calling the AK a zoo, but to each his own.

You're going to get different opinions on what to skip, so here is mine:

DINOSAUR...intimidates me a bit, so I refuse to do it. Also a bit too jerky for me.

TARZAN ROCKS....seen it once...it was okay, so I won't do it again.

Those are the only two that stick out in my mind right now. Please don't forget to do THE FESTIVAL OF THE LION KING also. It's a FANTASTIC show and gives you a chance to cool down a bit depending on what time of year you are going.

Have fun planning,

Denise

 

[Planogirl]

Hi! We're from Texas too and I know what you mean when you talk about the heat. I love zoos but I don't go to Animal Kingdom for that. The overall theming is animals of course but the emphasis is far more on theme park activities than zoo displays.

There is one exception for me. I love, love, LOVE the Maharajah Jungle Trek. The animals are great and the theming is really beautiful.

I would get to AK early and enjoy those attractions that appeal to you before it gets too hot and the crowds pick up. You might discover that you really enjoy this park.

 

[NvrBnToWDW]

My kids saw the DW planning video and have already warned me about the Dinosaur ride. They refuse to get on, so that's out. And they weren't interested in the Tarzan Rocks, but I really want to see Lion King. I'm not sure DH can deal with Primeval Whirl, he doesn't like spinning. How long (timewise) is the Jungle Trek?

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Originally posted by NvrBnToWDW
How long (timewise) is the Jungle Trek?

The Jungle Trek is a long as you choose to make it. DH and I just take our time and stroll through leisurely, enjoying the animals and taking lots of pix. It's been almost 3 years, but I think we took somewhere between 20-30 minutes to stroll through. Don't quote me please....as I said it's been a few years.

 

[Planogirl]

Twenty minutes or so sounds about right if you take your time. You can easily walk through in about half that time too I believe.

I was taken with the tigers and the ruins and took a lot of pictures too. Now I make it a point to go there during each trip.

 

[CuteKatCar]

Here's what we do everytime we go to AK. My girls were 7 and 10 last trip.

DINOSAUR - very scary, but it's a "get off and get right back on ride"

PRIMEVIL WHIRL - we don't mind spinning

TARZAN ROCKS - Fun music, roller bladers, etc.

SAFARI - just a must do!

IT'S TOUGH TO BE A BUG - fun also. Scary for pre-schoolers, but older than that isn't bad - not like Dinosaur

LION KING - we see that show every other time we are in WDW. While I think it's great, it's long. It's a definite if you've never seen it.

BIRD SHOW - great to see once. Not needed to be seen every trip.

We'd like to do rapids, but we don't want to get soaked, so we don't. My kids also like the dinosaur dig, but they're probably too big now.

Flametree Barbeque has great pulled pork sandwich!!

Enjoy,

Anna

 

[hockey mom]

It's a bugs life is my absolute favorite. The one thing not many have mentioned is Kali River Rapids. The perfect way to cool off in the afternoon.

 

[crzy4mk]

Originally posted by NvrBnToWDW
This will be our first time and at first we weren't even going to go to AK. But I've read how great the Safari and It's Tough to be a Bug are. So, now I think we'll go. Could you tell me what is not worth seeing or what we could just see at our local zoo? I know it's gonna be hot and since we're from TX, (we don't even go to our own zoo til Oct. cause the heat) will like it too much. What is worth the heat and what ain't?

Probably the closest thing you will find to a zoo at AK is the Conservation Trail. It's a walk through kind of exhibit that takes about 20-30 minutes. I'll skip it next time.

 

[pjlla]

Are you skipping stuff because you won't be there all day? If you will be there around 3pm.... don't miss the parade. SO much fun! And DON"T MISS Festival of the Lion King.... I would go to AK just for that!! Personally, I would skip the entire Dino-land area.... kind of cheesy in my opinion and the Dinosaur ride terrified my children! Plus the carnival-type games will suck the money from your wallet like a vacuum cleaner!! HTH....................P

 

[Hippychickali]

I'm also curious if there's a reason you want to skip things. Since you've never been there before, I would say give everything that you can a try and form your own opinions. I'm pretty sure you won't be seeing much of the things at AK at your local zoo.

Ali

 

[linda_pizzuro]

I agree with above post. Lion King is a "Do Not Miss" show. Kali River Rapids is great, especially if it is warm out - you will get wet. We love "It's Tough To Be A Bug". We usually see lots of animals on the safari. We could also spend hours just looking at the tree. There are hundreds of animals carved into it and you get different perspectives from different angels. It's great to play can you find the horse, whale, seagull, lion, spider, etc. You can also go visit Minnie, Mickey and other characters dressed up in their safari cloths at Camp Minnie-Mickey. There is also a Pocahontas and her animal friends show which is very nice.

No one mentioned the parade. We just love the parade at AK. It is very lively, colorful and the music is great. It really wants to make you get up and dance.

Linda

 

[goofyernmost]

The real problem is that skipping anything at AK means that you have substantally shortened your stay there. AK is a "relatively" new park and doesn't really have a lot to do and see. Skipping any of it makes the experience seem quite small. IMHO!!

My feeling is that it is a half day park if you do everything. Kali River rapids is fun but you will get quite wet. I'd save it till the end. Clothes dry fast in the Florida sun but shoes slosh all day.

 

[jillybeanjo]

What can you skip at Animal Kingdom? I would skip Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends unless your kids are preschool age. I would also skip Flights of Wonder - just a typical bird show. We usually skip the entire Rafiki's Planet Watch section. It takes a lot of time to get there and back, and there isn't a whole lot to there.

Do not miss Kilimanjaro Safaris, It's Tough to Be a Bug, or Primeval Whirl.

Have fun!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I usually skip Kali River Rapids because I do not like getting soaked.

Aside from that, we try to see as much as we can. It's not really a zoo. There is a lot more to do here.

If I had to skip anything, probably the Dino-land stuff. Except Dinosaur. Dinosaur is really neat but it may scare small children.

 

[ZeoliFamily]

We love AK! It is NOT a zoo!

It can be very hot there, seems more humid than the other parks, (possibly because of all the vegetation?) but pace yourself and it will be a great day! And don't forget the camera's for the safari and walking trails!

We never miss the Safari, my kids like to go on in the morning and then again before we go if time permits. I wouldn't ride it at the hottest part of the day because the animals like to stay out of the heat too and you won't see as many then. Don't forget the cameras!

Dinosaur is a fun ride, but it is jerky, and can be scary for younger kids. We ride it once every visit.

Primevil Whirl is also fun, kind of a "crazy mouse" ride. We ride this most trips, but not always. My wife doesn't like the spinning so she watches us. In this area of the park there are also 1 or 2 other rides which appeal to the younger kids.

Kali is great if you don't mind getting wet. Not everyone gets wet, but 2 or 3 will get SOAKED. Ponchos are recommended if you absolutely don't want to get wet. The theming is very cool.

We love Tarzan Rocks! and see it every time. Great music, great energy. Roller bladers are amazing.

The Lion King is AWESOME! Do not miss it. Sit close to the floor and the kids may get a chance to participate at the end of the show when they invite kids to play simple instruments in the finale. Great video opportunity if they do!

We often have breakfast at Donald's Breakfastaurus. Most of the servers are great jokers and make it fun. Not just a straight character breakfast.

The Jammin Jungle parade is one of our favorites. We always try and stay long enough to see it. But, sometimes we get tired and hot from walking and chose to take a break before the evening activities. We have the CD with the music on it and my 3 year old son loves to play it in the car and sing along (over and over and over!).

Conservation Station (or is it Rafiki's Planet Watch now?) is interesting. A short train ride takes you there. The petting zoo is a favorite of my younger ones. They also have a medial facility there where you can sometimes see them caring for the animals. And Pochahantas is often there.

We also love the Jungle Trek and Pangani Forest, both walkable trails with plenty of shade. One features Tigers the other Gorilla's as the main (but not only) attraction. Don't forget the camera's for these either as the photo ops are great. You can get great closeups of the tigers and gorilla's in their natural habitat!

I'd recommend visiting WDW Web Site where they have short videos of featured attractions.

Finally, I can't wait for Expedition Everest in 2006! Looks like an awesome roller coaster.

Hope this helps,
-Jim

 

[luvsTink]

Our family really loves AK. We find it relaxing and beautiful. Of course there are great attractions and shows (my kids loved Pochahontas, but some adults do not). But, what we found the most interesting is the overall theming. Even the queue for Kali is fascinating. Take your time to enjoy the ambiance, it is why we go....well, and also for the chicken at Tusker house LOL

Anne

 

[SomeSayImGoofy]

AK was my favorite park...

I don't understand why some people say it's a "half-day park" we were there all day and another half day and felt like we probably missed something!

I would skip the Poco bird thing... yawn. The Lion King show is cool, but silly if you've seen the show on Broadway (we have (thrice) and were kinda bored at this one in AK).

This park is absolutely beautiful!

Kevin

 

[jaygatz]

Devine is not to be missed. She appears on the path between Africa and Asia, I think. Watching her do her thing is so cool.