Who Loves Animal Kingdom Park?

[The Mick]

AK and MGM used to duke it out for my least favorite park. Not anymore. The more I've gone to AK, the more I like it.

AK has moved up the ladder and now gives MK a run for its money (Epcot is my favorite park, always will be).

MUST SEES:
Kilimanjaro Safari
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Expedition Everest
It's Tough To Be A Bug
Flights Of Wonder
Kali River Rapids (if you like to get wet - I do - especially in summer)

All of the above are great, great fun. I admit I haven't seen the Lion King show, but if I did I'd probably add it to the list. Will see it eventually.

 

[CindyAnn]

Hi Suz72. I would definitely choose Flights of Wonder over Rafiki's Planet Watch. We've found that Rafiki takes at least one and a half hours, and most of that is spent waiting for the train (twice), riding the train (twice) with very little to see, and walking to and from the building from the train station. We've done this a few times, and at this point, I think I'd rather buy them a goat than have to go there again!

For 4 & 6 yo's my "must sees" would be:
- Safari
- Lion King Show
- Nemo Show (I think it's scheduled to open in the fall?)
- Flights of Wonder Show
- Character Trails
- The Boneyard (playground and fossil dig site)
- Triceratop Spin (like Dumbo, but for 4 people)
- Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
- Maharajah Jungle Trek
- Oasis Trails (we especially enjoy looking for the anteater)
- Kali River Rapids (minimum height is 42 inches)

You can probably do all of these things in a day, but make sure you pick up a show schedule when you enter the park, because the trick is to plan your day around the live shows, such as Lion King, Flights of Wonder and Nemo (when it opens).

Unless it's a very hot day, I suggest saving Kali for the end of the day, so you don't spend the rest of your time sloshing around in wet (usually completely soaked) clothing.

We love AK, and always spend a full day there, plus part of another morning. When people say "we've seen the whole park by noon", they mean that they've seen their favourite attractions in the first 3 or 4 hours, which of course is just fine, if that's what they want. Animal lovers just shake their heads in disbelief!

Have fun!

 

[Harambe]

Well, you MUST stop in Harambe! It is my favorite place in WDW! LOL!

Everyone's given you great advice, and I'll add my two cents. Your girls will LOVE Mickey's Jammin' Parade. So upbeat, they'll be dancing and you'll be taking pictures of them!

I'd do the two trails (what I call the gorilla trail and the tiger trail) over the Flights of Wonder, but if time allows do all three.

The character trails are wonderful! But don't go there right before or right after a Lion King show (which is just across the way) - go DURING!

Tough to be a Bug - one of my absolute favorites! But both my kids still don't like it, and actually cried during it when they were the ages of your two.

For you - AK has some of the best shopping on Disney property, as far as clothing that is adult oriented, as well as character-adorned stuff.

I think Kali is fun, but sometimes I skip it, and sit in back of the kiosk that is at the exit of Kali. An old temple sits in a pond there, vines growing through it and all around it, and three of the most wonderful monkeys live there. I could watch them for hours - and I have!!!!!

 

[MJMcBride]

DAK is probably my 2nd favorite park. But I'm a zoo fan. For your kids, I would not skip the bird show or the Bug movie. I would definately check out the animal exhibits particularly the trails. Rafiki's is nice but difficult and time consuming just to get to. I skipped it last time I was there, but it is nice.

For rides, Safari, Dinosaur and Everest are musts. Kali is OK. The Lion King show is A+ but Pocohontas is only above average.

 

[Evil Queen]

We finally decided to see Flights of Wonder last year, we thought it was a great show. We planning on doing it again.

AK does seem to be the "hottest" park. And the paths aren't as wide as the other parks.

Never went to the petting part, but may do that this year if time allows with ADR's.

We are big animal lovers (we foster from time to time) so this park actually ranks 2nd on our list of must do's.

As for the trails, I believe you can take your time or hurry thru them. Depending on the crowds is how we decide how long we take.

Have a great time!!

 

[lustergirl]

AK is my husband's favorite park. I absolutely love Kali River Rapids- be prepared however to be soaked, great for you on a HOT day, bad for the hairdo!!!!!! I never seen Rafiki's however- doesn't really thrill me. Going on the safari was better then your average zoo any day. Also try the Flametree Barbecue for lunch- they have awesome ribs and chicken.

 

[suz72]

Thank you everyone, I made a list of what we want to do with a star by what we must do (either for DH & I or DDs), this may be the order, but it may change:

arrive b4 park opening to see "The Awakening" *
Kilimanjaro Safari *
Pangani Trail
Kusafari Coffee shop for Coffee/Danish
Kali River Rapids
Flights of Wonder
Maharaja Trek
Expedition Everest *
Dinosaur *
Triceratops Spin (DD3 1/2 really wants this one)*
The Boneyard *
Lunch at the Tusker house
visit Tree of Life (check it out)
Discovery Island Trails
Character Greetings * 2- 2:40
Festival of the Lion King * 3pm show
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade* 4pm
(Any suggestions for a change in touring order)

I did have the following on the list: Its Tough to be a Bug (DDs may be frightened), Pocohantas show (nobody raves about it), Rafiki's planet Watch (takes too long)

Since this is our first visit ever to AK, we will just have to see what we can. The park hours for the day we go are 9-5, so we'll have 8 hours.

 

[LVSWL]

I have a suggestion. When you climb aboard the round rafts for Kali there is a section in the center of the raft where you can put your fanny pack or cameras or backpack. There is a thick cover that closes down over it so that your things stay dry. You only have a moment to put your things in there. My suggestion is to be sure that your cellphones and any pagers and small camera or ipods or gameboys are already put in your bags before you board, but most importantly, we take our socks off while in line, put our shoes back on, and put our socks in the bag.(If you are wearing sandals this obviously doesn't matter). Then at least if your shoes get wet, your socks will be dry, and trust me, it does make a difference. Also, when you go down the big hill, and you will know which one it is, we put our feet up on the bar and lift our hineys. That way our hineys aren't sitting in quite as much water when it washes over and neither are our feet. Of course, if it is 96 degrees, then who cares, but in October it might matter. If all else fails and your panties get soaked, the bathrooms have blowdryers

 

[hidmickey:myantidrug]

I really love Animal Kingdom (hey, it's in Disney, what's not to love?) but I would strongly suggest skipping Rafiki's Planet Watch. I really hate to say it but it kind of reminds me of a z-o-o , there is nothing different besides a giant Rafiki and Poco (I'm not even going to try spelling it! ). I would skip it as well as Flights of Wonder. Tough To Be A Bug I do really like but it can be intense for children around your children's ages. If they really like the movie I say go for it, otherwise they might be afraid and who wants tears in Disney?