Your favorite hidden gems at Animal Kingdom

[cleo]

I love Animal Kingdom and always seem to find something new whenever I visit. Some are more obvious, like the Xylobone near the Dig Site, some are less obvious like the Coke bottle on top of a utility pole in Harambe.

Anyone else love to search out special ambiance/atmosphere at Animal Kingdom? I know the park must be full of little gems. What have you found?

 

[disneyholic family]

we love just walking around it....the landscaping is gorgeous..
and we also love the 'big gems'.....especially tarzan rocks and flights of wonder

 

[kmkja1]

On our last thip we only spent about 1/2 day at AK. That is what all the books said it was worth. That was one of my biggest regrets about our first visit. On our next trip I plan on spending much more time there and hopefully experience more of these "gems".

 

[pennylynn]

When you go to Tusker House restaurant in Africa go into the room opposite the counter and then go out onto the patio in the back. It's a quiet place to relax and you can hear people upstairs. They're washing dishes and gossiping. Every once in a while they break a dish and argue.

 

[Twende]

DeVine is my favorite Gem in AK. I can watch her forever!

 

[jann1033]

not really hidden but i love the way the pavement looks by africa ...reminds me of mud paths. can't remember if the asian walkways look the same but do not think they do( can't remember what they do look like though)

i guess my best "hidden" gem was the info the cast members had about the animals on the trails. they were so great/interesting it really made the experience special and wonder how many guests even ask them about the animals( we were the only ones i saw when we were there)

 

[TheBellhop]

I love almost everything about Animal Kingdom, except how hot it is in the summer! But that's it, there was so much thought in the making of this park, and it's amazing.

But my favorite thing....would probably be the theming of Kali River Rapids, the queue line is very detailed.

 

[bicker]

there was so much thought in the making of this park, and it's amazing

That's really it -- the other parks were "designed operations" -- Animal Kingdom is a work of art.

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

My husband and I love the seating area behind the Flame Tree Barbecue. The seating goes way back, and it's all under tree cover which provides some much needed shade in the summer. There are also some little pools with animal sculptures and lots of ducks and birds to watch. It's very peaceful and cool back there and it's great place to relax and take in the true ambiance of AK.

 

[GarrettJD]

My husband and I love the seating area behind the Flame Tree Barbecue. The seating goes way back, and it's all under tree cover which provides some much needed shade in the summer. There are also some little pools with animal sculptures and lots of ducks and birds to watch. It's very peaceful and cool back there and it's great place to relax and take in the true ambiance of AK.

We love the Flame Tree seating areas also. Our favorite is the one furthest away, right down by the water. We had a nice early lunch here on our last trip, and we were the only ones in the area. While we were there, the boat with all the characters floated past us. We were the only ones there, so it made us feel pretty special.

Also, we had a friendly duck that refused to leave us alone during our meal. He just sat there next to my feet. I guess he wanted me to toss him a french fry or something.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Thanks for this thread! Like a previous poster, I was told this was a 1/2 day park. So in 2003, I spent barely a half day and didn't even see Dinosaur! I have committed to spending a lot more time here during my next visit. I'm looking forward to everyone's suggestions.

 

[Jennifer48]

In Camp Minnie Mickey, before you get to the Festival of the Lion King, there are statues of Daisy Duck leading Huey, Duey and Louie for a hike on one side of the bridge and on the other side, Mickey, Donald and Goofy are doing some fishing. Some people don't even know that they are there and its fun to point them out.

 

[JDarling]

My DH and I make a tradition of getting a new South African red wine we've never tried. We open it with our lamb dinner on Christmas eve! It's become a very special tradition, and an affordable souvenier! Out here in CA, you pay about $12 for a decent bottle of wine. In the AK, it's about the same!

 

[lilpatty19@aol.com]

One of my fav little hidden yet not so hidden secrets at DAK is the little show they put on in african, I believe its at the Tusker House restaurant. heres a pic of the show so you know what I'm talking about!

 

[blestmom]

I agree with lilpatty19...there were a couple of different shows put on at that restaurant...excellent! This whole park was just so refreshing. We did this after visiting the other 3 parks, and it was nice to have a more relaxing day. We were glad it closed early, too, as we went back to the hotel, swam, relaxed, and were ready to hit the other parks refreshed!

 

[Dancenash]

My Favorite things at Animal Kingdom are De Vine & Tarzan Rocks. Last Trip in Sept I saw for the first time the dragon in the water.

 

[LightBurnsBlue]

My favorite thing is at Conservation Station (or wherever you take the train to). It's indoors and there is a part where you can go into a dark listening booth to listen to a story about the rainforest. It was our FAVORITE thing at AK...the sound was incredible!

 

[bizeemom4]

We love the Flame Tree seating areas also. Our favorite is the one furthest away, right down by the water. We had a nice early lunch here on our last trip, and we were the only ones in the area. While we were there, the boat with all the characters floated past us. We were the only ones there, so it made us feel pretty special.

The exact same thing happened to us on the first day of our January trip. We were dancing to the music and waving at the characters and I was so thrilled to start off our trip in such a magical way. I picked the spot to sit and eat because it was beautiful and private. It was definitely an unexpected treat.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Animal Kingdom is definitely my favourite park.

During my last visit in February, there was a little area set up in Asia with tables and two cast members helping children make kites. I took my friends' two daughters over and while they made kites, I talked to the cast members, who were from Thailand. It was very interesting to hear about their lives there and the symbolism of the kites in their religion. It was an unexpected little gem!

The gorillas are a "big" gem for me! I could watch them for hours some days, it's just so interesting to see them interact.

Has anybody been on the "Wild by Design" (I think that's what it is called) tour? I've done the "Backstage Safari" and LOVED it, now I'm thinking of doing the other one in the hopes of discovering more of these hidden gems.

Teresa

 

[PLUTO2]

Animal Kingdom is definitely my favourite park.

During my last visit in February, there was a little area set up in Asia with tables and two cast members helping children make kites. I took my friends' two daughters over and while they made kites, I talked to the cast members, who were from Thailand. It was very interesting to hear about their lives there and the symbolism of the kites in their religion. It was an unexpected little gem!

Teresa

Was the kite making listed anywhere like on the guide map?