Why is Animal Kingdom so blessed hot?

[Tetanus Shot Ty]

My girl just read an article that AK is hot because it is built in a bowl like hole to control temperature for the animals. Has anyone ever heard this?

 

[kmb584]

I always thought it was the foliage adding extra humidity.

 

[mshanson3121]

I've heard both

We honestly didn't find AK that bad - and we went during the blazes of summer. In fact going through Maharajah Jungle Trek was great as they had HUGE fans blowing which were great for cooling off in. Kali was also a great way to cool off. And we found there was more shade there than probably any other park between all the foliage, the "caves", fans etc...

 

[HopperFan]

My girl just read an article that AK is hot because it is built in a bowl like hole to control temperature for the animals. Has anyone ever heard this?

Read that as well in several articles from several sources... It would make sense to make all the plantings etc be easier to maintain but I also think it's just the fact that there is so much foliage which in turn traps moisture in ground etc which in turn boosts the humidity. Also with all the plantings and design there are minimal open spaces for breezes to pick up. Think about how exposed the other parks are, and the ability for air to move freely about. AK almost has a sauna structure.

 

[keepswimming76]

Interesting. I feel it is warmer there than other parks and have always thought it was due to all the trees and plants blocking any possible breeze.

 

[Amanda999]

There's just no air flow - all those trees/leaves etc.

I love AK, but the first time we went was a hot, humid late August day. We left after 45 minutes (got there around 10am).

 

[Disneylover99]

I've never noticed that it's hotter then the other parks.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

Air conditioned spots where you can escape the heat are also few and far between, which has a psychological effect on our perception of the heat. I've only been there twice, but both times it just felt hotter there than in the other parks.

 

[disneynerd28]

The walkways also aren't as wide in some areas at AK, so guests are closer together and more compact than at other parks. We always find ourselves in clumps of people on their walkways

 

[North of Mouse]

We no longer desire to go to Disney in the summer months, but always dreaded the heat at AK (my least favorite and 1/2 day park anyway).

It feels like a combination of things to me - so much foliage close to ground blocking any breezes, not too many air conditioned areas to pop into and not many tall trees to shade the long paths between attractions. I just like to see Nemo, Festival of the Lion King show, Birds, eat at Flame Tree BBQ, then I'm ready to leave. Dh likes the trails and animals, but I've had access to many nice zoos that have nice animal presentations, so I can skip the rest.

 

[jojomoore]

I'm not sure why but I have always found AK to be the most humid and hot of all the parks. Disney Springs can be blazing too with no shade. We were there Thursday and had scheduled the Wild Africa Trek. We walked from the bus stop back to Africa where we checked in and It was so hot that we were worried about the trek. However, once we were on the trek it didn't feel as hot. It was overcast midway through the trek which really cooled it down. Loved the experience.

 

[MataHari22]

I never thought it was any hotter than any of the other parks, either. I think there's more things to do outside, and less shops and attractions that are air conditioned, maybe. A couple of trips I took the train up to rafiki's jist for a little quiet and some air conditioning. The day we took my niece, just a one day visit, it was in the summer and 100° that day, and I thought I was going to die. I'm pretty sure I'd've felt the same way at any of the other parks that day. Which is why I do not want to go during summer. That day ranks up there for one of the worst days in a theme park for me, only second to when me and my dad went to Busch Gardens. Also another hot day, and that day, I almost passed out.

 

[flvy]

I don't think it's that horrible. If you just hang out in Harambe before going on the safari it can be kind of bad with the sun beating down, and with all the plants it can be a bit more humid. I think the areas around the major rides tend to be a little worse. So if you're just hightailing it to everest/the safari or the other way around the park is going to seem miserable. If you go on the treks, and over to planet watch and really explore the park it's not that bad at all. Just space out your FP+.

I normally go early hit up the safari, do the treks, Dinosaur/Everest, go to Planet Watch, last FP+ and then wait again for the safari.. Still a half day park for me, but I normally pair it with a Boma reservation and an early night in.

 

[hakepb]

The walkways also aren't as wide in some areas at AK, so guests are closer together and more compact than at other parks. We always find ourselves in clumps of people on their walkways

The natural, winding paths result in a lot of cut corners and an effectively more narrow walkway. Then you add in animal viewing along some walkways resulting in stopped groups. And people tend to be more confused/lost and stop to look at a map. Play the normal snack stops.... And it's nearly impossible to maintain a constant pace in AK.

 

[hakepb]

I would say AK is absolutely, scientifically hotter than other parks.

How else can you explain the large number of misting fans Disney eventually installed in AK?

 

[jlwhitney]

I have never found it to be the hottest. What is hot is the world showcase walking around. There is like no shade on the main walk ways. HS is also pretty hot with all the cement and buildings.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I always thought Epcot was the hottest, being a giant concrete jungle with few to no trees. Not sure I ever really felt the horrible heat at AK that most complain about, and I have been in the end of May and early September.

 

[anniemae]

I always thought Epcot was the hottest, being a giant concrete jungle with few to no trees. Not sure I ever really felt the horrible heat at AK that most complain about, and I have been in the end of May and early September.

OMG Epcot in the ws is the worst! No shade or anything. We went in Aug and it was like walking on the surface of the sun. I almost died walking aroung the WS!

 

[Madame]

We found more humidity in AK, but WS in Epcot is the worst, like eggs frying in a giant skillet.

 

[Accident]

In my opinion AK lacks places to get out of the heat to cool down. It's mostly fans and shade elements unlike other parks with more air conditioned queues, stores and indoor activities. The only time I ever enjoyed that park was a day where it was overcast but it was still really hot.

I do agree with epcot though, there is some spots where you just bake like your standing in a solar oven. At least there is a couple stops not far away to get inside and cool back down.