Why Animal Kingdom?

[truebelievers]

At the very least, try to convince her to go on the safari first thing in the morning to see the animals at their most active. If everyone enjoys that, maybe they will want to stay in the park and do some other things.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I say have her do AK in the am and MGM in the evening...neither park is an entire day trip (depending on what time of the year she goes).

DH and I were there 2/8 to 2/11 and we did MGM in less than 3 hours and did almost every attraction!

 

[Skroops]

Do you have limited time, is that why you would skip an entire park? Can you only get three parks in? In that case, each to his own.

We have never skipped a park until this visit coming up, and we only have 3 full days. For the first time ever we are skipping a park and that is MGM.

Animal Kingdom closes earlier than the other parks most every day, so that is why many people use it as a half day. If you have little ones you'd have to leave for nap and then by the time you'd get ready for evening park time AK would be closing.

AK is an awesome park. It is so beautiful! It also has EE, LK, the new Nemo musical, and Dinosaur.

We wouldn't miss it.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

The animals.

Perhaps it's just because I'm an animal lover and one time biology major, but the animals are the reason I go. I know a lot of people would say, "Oh well, I can stay home and see a zoo," but not like this one. AK is still the only place I've ever seen Lemur catta (ring tailed lemurs), one of my favorite primates. I have to go one state over from my home to get near naked mole rats (one of the most fascinating mammals in the world). The same zoo with the mole rats has a "savanna" that looks like someone's backyard when compared with AK.

AK is a better zoo then what you have at home...with rides!

 

[NancyIL]

While Animal Kingdom is probably my least favorite park, it keeps getting better and better. When I was at WDW right after Thanksgiving - the new Nemo show was open and it was great! I also went on the "Wild By Design" tour which was very interesting. I don't go on rides like Expedition Everest and Dinosaur - but my son really likes them, and EE is so well themed. I also think the queue for Kali River Rapids is very well done. This park is definitely growing on me!

 

[88Keys]

I don't think anyone has mentioned these things as well....

The Flights of Wonder Show is a lot of fun (Pocahantas, I admit, is a bit of a bust)
Divine is really great
The live music is a lot of fun
I know I am in the minority, but I could spend 1/2 a day at Conservation Station -- last time I was there, they were repairing a turtle's shell that had been run over by a car -- really fascinating (and I actually like the train ride)

AK does need a few more rides and restaurants (and the nightime torch parade that keeps getting rumoured) but I could easily spend 2 days there.

 

[njchris]

I avoided AK the first couple of years it was open. I had it in my mind that it wasn't interesting. I don't know why, but maybe it just didn't SEEM like it would be different or disney-like. I can't put my finger on it.

Then, I went and I kicked myself for not going sooner. I loved the Safari and Dinosaur and going on the trails to see the animals. And now with expedition everest, I have to go!!

 

[libinatorsmom]

I recently had to convince my hubby that when we go next year we have to hit AK... I had him watch the DVD again and see the rides and that its not "just a zoo" (we have a very good (or shall I say FANTASTIC) zoo about 45 mins from here) and I got him convinced... Also I have been told AK is a quick visit as in comparison to the other parks... we are planning on a 1/2 day at AK....

 

[calgarygary]

If your friend is of the mindset that it's the number of rides that counts tell her not to go! However, if your friend wants to see the BEST Disney show outside of Broadway & Touring companies, wants to see the best Disney theming anywhere, wants to slow down and actually talk to CM's about their experiences, wants to experience state of the art in zoos and take in a couple of very good rides to boot, then Animal Kingdom is not to be missed!

 

[ransom]

Why visit Animal Kingdom? Because it's a park you can do "your way."

Like to stroll around? AK is wonderful for that. There are animals (of course), plants, musicians, and oodles of great theming to enjoy on your strolls through the park.

Like thrill rides? AK has two of the best: Expedition Everest and Dinosaur. Not to mention Primeval Whirl and Kali River Rapids!

Like shows? AK has those, too, including the new Nemo show that's gotten great reviews.

Like sit-n-rides? AK has one of the best in the Kilimonjaro Safari.

Animal Kingdom has enough different stuff for any first-time visitor to spend a minimum of a half-day there and truly enjoy themselves. (But some of us prefer to spend two days there! )

 

[ginkyoo]

To answer some of the questions/assumptions arisen through the course of this discussion - there will be 4 full days and 2 half days - so it's kind of a matter time but I am sure we could do a half day, too.

It is also the common misconception that it's just a zoo...

Anyway - knowing her as long as I have I just suspect she will regret skipping it and I won't make her go - so maybe this thread will help her decide!

Oh - and love the video!

 

[nastory4]

If I see it, fine, if I don't, no big deal. Do not really care for the park, really not interested in EE, Kali Rapids is fun but the lay out of the park is hard to understand. Seems to be no rhyme or reason for touring. Walkways are very crowded, even in the off season and other than the vegetation, the landscape has little to offer going from one area or attraction to another. Also, when the sun is fully up, it tends to be very hot when other parks are more airy and comfortable plus the lack of ACed places to cool off. We usually go 1/2 day out of our 8-12 night Disney stay, other parks seem to hold our interests more.

I agree to most of this. EE, kr, and Dino are outrageous, but I don't need the rest of the park.. Nemo, Lion King, and Pocahontas are great, but I would rather spend an extra day on Rock and Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror.

 

[NZMUM]

I thought I would get bored with Animal Kingdom and was not looking forward to it. But it turned out to our favourite.
The kids loved it and for our last half day they chose to go back to Animal kingdom again.
We went on EE & Kali rapids many times.
It was the least crowded of the parks while we were there as well.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I like AK a lot, even more now that EE is there. I know how your friend feels though, because that's how I feel about MGM. I don't hate it, but I don't feel any great need to go there. Last trip, we didn't go there at all. Shame too, because that park could be awesome with some work...

 

[REC213]

Great video!! Are you sure you don't work for Disney??

LoL no I don't work for Disney but I would love to get hired to do more videos like that!

Here are some of the other park videos as well in case you're interested in watching!

http://www.livevideo.com/REC213