Help me to love Animal Kingdom Park more

[MargaretJ]

It seems for the last couple of years we barely make it to Animal Kingdom Park. As a matter of fact we stayed at AKL for 9 days in 2002 & 5 days in 2003 & still only made it there for a day on one trip & about 3 hours on the other trip. I do love many of the rides & shows there but something keeps us away. Maybe it is the heat or maybe it just seems too crowded there. This park just does not seem to be built for ease in getting around. Please tell me why you love this park so that I can change my ways & get more enjoyment here.

[AndyL]

It has the best live musical shows of the parks. The park subtly teaches you about animals, ecology and the regions of the world with the theming of it's areas.

[MissBianca]

I can gape at the Tree of Life for hours! Next time, I'm bringing binoculars!

One thing that seems strange about AK is the distance from the gate to any attraction. Most people just run through the Oasis but it is really lovely! And the employees there love to show off the animals.

Shopping! They have some of THE best. This trip I got the marvelous T-shirt of Pool looking through the magnifying glass at a real tiger and saying, "Tigger, is that you?"

Be sure to look for all the whimsical carvings on the island in the middle. They are just delightful! I have lots of pictures of them!

Dress for the occasion! Nothing would help more than a safari Mickey hat ;-)

[JennyAnne]

Margaret, although I have not been to WDW in so long, I tend to agree with you! We will only have 5 days together in the parks (maybe more for me if I get an AP) and DH has never been to WDW. I can easily see spending our five days in EPCOT, MK and MGM, and I have a feeling AK will get shortchanged. I have seen a couple shows and rides there, but at the present time I am only planning 1/2 day there for us. If we get down there and fall in love with in, we can always spend more time there our last day and shave some time off somewhere else.

I will be watching this thread as I also need to be conviced on AK!!

[sandar]

hi Margaret,

First off, I don't think anyone should feel compelled to have the same level of affection for any given park that other Disney World travellers do. Tastes definitely vary, and that's cool. (Don't tell anyone, but more than 1/2 a day at the Studios and I become all twitchy thinking of the other things I would rather be seeing, doing, eating, etc.).

That said, I love the Animal Kingdom. All the plants are lovely; some even qualify as stunningly beautiful. I like the "big" attractions, too, especially The Festival of The Lion King show and the Safari. I'd happily ride the Safari about 10 times in a row if my family would go along with that crazy idea. And one of my favorite things is simply to watch the critters -- Pangani trail, Maharajah, Discovery trails, or the Oasis, each animal fascinates me. I always end up feeling as if I've been rushed through each encounter, no matter how long I linger there. Just as an example, I find the flamingos endlessly enthralling. I like to watch for each bow, each step, each dainty lift of those impossibly long legs.

Not everyone is enchanted by flamingo ballet, however, and if you don't find the same level of appeal at Animal Kingdom, so what? It's YOUR vacation! Spend your time in whatever way best satisfies you.

Besides, if you're staying at the AKL (a dream of mine), then maybe you're getting your critter fix there.

just my 2 cents,

Sandi

[BetsyAnn]

I agree with Sandi - not everyone will love each park the same way.

I happen to love the AK. We used to tour by getting there early and going straight to the Safari, then tour the rest

Now we go about an hour after they open - and go right - into Dinosaur area, then work toward the 2nd show of FOLK and then to safari. This way tends to avoid the morning rush to safari, park is still not too hot in December, and the animals were very active and different from what we had seen before.

I like the "feel" of the park - it can transport me to a different place - it starts as I walk through the Oasis and through the whole park -- I love the trails - AK is not my favorite WDW park but it runs a close second!

[SusanP]

I think you just may not have given it enough time. Perhaps start with it, or at least plan a whole day for that park so you can just wander. It is a wandering park-a feast for the eyes in every direction. We stopped and watch a CM feed some birds for almost half an hour one day-she somehow made sure the big greedy one didn't get all the fish and seemed to know each of the birds(and she was tossing the fish a good 20 feet to the nearest one). Take a path and see where it goes. I love the music that is played all around-especially in Africa.
Yes, it is hotter there than anywhere, so you must meander!
The shopping there is very unique-we rarely buy much but I just love the shops. And I am expected to show up at any outdoor event-even the church picnic- in my MickeyMouse safari hat!
Besides all that, my most favouritest show/attraction/ride anywhere on Disney property is the Festival of the Lion King Show!!!!! Even better, I hear it is now air conditioned!
It definitely isn't a rushing park. Yes, you can dash in to the Safari, then lion king, then bug show, then dino area etc and catch all the big stuff in half a day if you are lucky, but the charm of the park is all the "roses" that can be smelled if you stop along the way.

[Sheryl]

Margaret,

I find we try to rush our way through the AK. It always seems extra HOT there no matter what time of year we go, and is always crowded. We still ahve not done everything at AK, and last year we decided to do some lazy butt touring there, which really seemed to work out nicely. We did not rush, but rather took it easy and took time to stop and look around. I think because they close earlier than the other parks, I try to fit in as much as we can, which always means rushing through it. And then we tend to miss alot of the details that AK has to offer.

Sheryl :minnie:

[MissBianca]

sandar--Once I spent an hour at the World Showcase watching a flamingo take a bath. It would hunker down and splash and flutter in the water, then stand up and preen with its beak. A very memorable WDW moment!

[LimeGreenCheri]

MJ, you help me love Epcot, and I'll help you love Animal Kingdom. :wink:

I love the sounds at AK. This past December, we sat in the outside seating at Tusker House, eating popcorn and just listening to the sounds of a busy Harambe village. For a few brief moments, I was transported there in my mind and away from extended family. :roll:

The Tree Of Life has to be one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in my life. Walking into ITTBAB, the people behind me get aggravated at my slow pace. But, there is so much on that tree to take in, and appreciate the craft of those that created it.

Hester and Chester's Dinorama. I love singing and doo waping and embarassing my kids here. It's pay back time baby! :rofl: I told Naomi, when she is an adult, she can embarass her kids too. lol

We also took extra time to actually explore the Pangani trails after the Safari ride this past trip. Those gorillas and monkeys are weird critters. They are fasicnatiing but freak me out at the same time. And I decided I really really want a meercat. They are too cool! Naomi loved asking the CM's questions about them and I was surprised at how in depth her questions were. One CM even commented on how smart she was. (that's my gal!) :)

Tarzan rocks! One word! MERCY!!! :wink: Even my MIL said so! At least I know she can appreciate some things in this life. :wink:

And finally, Mickey's Jungle Jammin Parade. One of the best parades. Very different. Very colorful. Lots of detail. All in all, a blast. I will have to say, the CM's made me a little mad about standing inside the tape. But, that's another story.

My only drawbacks to this park are the heat and the crowds leaving Festival of the Lion King. But, we've found that if you'll go left, take a potty break or see a character and wait about 10 mintues, it's much better. Just a trick.

Animal Kingdom is my 2nd favorite park. The MK wins because it's not Disney without it. IMHO!

[VillianGirl]

I agree with Sheryl. This place works best using the lazy-butt style of touring. The first time I went three trips ago I was completely underwhelmed. I agree that this is probably the worst park in terms of layout. How a space manages to be both large and cramped all at the same time just amazes me.

I find the best way to approach this park is not to view it not so much as a park but more as a really cool zoo with a few diversions thrown in. Once I started viewing it that the animals were the attraction and the "attractions" were just filler, I really started to enjoy it. It's still probably the lowest priority on my park list but I like it a lot better now than I did at first.

[Cinderella]

I too, have never spent much time in AK. It's not DH's favorite and so we've never spent more then half a day there. I really LOVE the dinosaur ride and found that the Safari ride last Dec. had more animals then we've ever seen. It was the only really HOT day of our whole trip also. We also did not spend much time there in Dec. as the first Dole Whip Meet was in MK at 1:00 pm so that cut short our trip.

I'd like to spend more time with the animals and I have yet to see Tarzan or Festival of the Lion King. That will be a MUST DO next time.

I also agree that MGM does not have much appeal for us since DH won't go on any thrill rides so that cuts out quite a bit. One of these years I'll get him on them.

Right now besides THE park I HAVE to be in, MK, I would say that I'm now liking Epcot more each visit. I'm seeing so much more each time we go and now allow more then one day to see the park. Last Dec. we got on some old favorites that we haven't been on in years and didn't realize how good they were.

It's true - it all depends on the time of year, the crowds, if you are traveling with kids/grandkids/family etc. Personally, I think AK was much more pleasurable in Dec. then in one trip in August when DH dragged me out of there after a few hours.

But, just keep an open mind, read what all the other Taginators have to say about each park and explore something new each time.

Cinderella

[PoohbearFan]

In my first visits to AK, I, too, was not very impressed with this park. The walkways were too narrow to accomodate large crowds, in was difficult to get from one attraction to another, it was HOT. But, slowly, this has become one of my favorite parks and it is definitely a must-do now.

My favorite attractions are: Festival of the Lion King, Dinosaur, Kilamanjaro Safaris and Flights of Wonder.

I also love both the exploration trails, the Tree of Life and ITtbaB. I've never ridden Kali River Rapids because I HATE rides where you get wet. :lol: And haven't done Primeval Whirl yet because of the spinning. :P

I've found that Fastpass is usable in this park, only if you're willing to do a lot of walking...there are no shortcuts here! But, I still find myself enjoying this park and its attractions more and more. I hope you will, too! :D

Poohbear

:mickeyWalk:

[WDWDen]

I love AK, but I know where your coming from. First, like everyone else said, it IS always hot in the AK. It also always seems to be SO crowded. The other problem is that it is just SO big. Like someone else said, it takes forever just to get to your first ride. I happen to like meandering, but when I want to ride, it stinks. Then, each section that you get to, only has like one or two rides, then you have to walk another half mile to the next section. I dont mind walking, but you really get a workout at the AK. PLUS, I dont really feel any magic there. I guess I have been at the other parks so long, that they each have somthing that I hold special. Rides that I just DONT miss. Like small world or Great Movie Ride or SPaceship Earth. I love a bunch of rides at AK, but I dont care if I miss any of them. My favorite place is definitly gorrila falls though :lol:

I dont think it will ever compare with the other parks, but I love it anyways:-)

Dennis

[Bookwood]

I can't see Animal Kingdom as more than a half a day park. We have some very nice zoo's in our area and I grew up at Brookfield Zoo outside of Chicago, I can see animals elsewhere. I love the Dinosaur ride, the safari and Kali River, also Bugs life. I don't usually see shows (that really means never LOL), excluding the night time spectaculars of course!! I've never even stepped foot in Camp MIckey Minnie- that might change this summer though. I would hope to be able to go with niece and nephews(3-5) when we are there in July (youngest I've ever been to AK with is a mature 10 yr old). I think this summer will be a fun trip to see it all through "little ones" eyes again.

Pam :mickeyWalk: "Bookwood"

[PoohbearFan]

I don't usually see shows (that really means never LOL), excluding the night time spectaculars of course!!

Bookwood,

I hope you do at least give Festival of the Lion King a try when you are there! This is by far one of the best shows in all of Disney! It's even worth the trek back into Camp Minnie-Mickey! :lol:

I always end up seeing it twice when I'm there...give it a try! :clap:

Poohbear

[smallworld0]

I guess I'm not quite a lazy-butt tourist, but again it's the meandering through every nook and cranny of AK that makes it special to me. That said, I agree that they didn't plan it as well as MK for ease from one place to the next.

Nancy

[Kaycee]

AK is our least favorite park. We don't like shows (in any park), we don't like any of the big rides here: we all find Dinosaur to be too jerky; DH and younger DS don't like getting stung in ITTB; none of us wants to get soaked on Kali. The only ride we like at AK is the Safari. AK is definitely a 1/2 park for us.

Now that I've said all that, I have to say we really love our 1/2 day in AK. We know what we love in this park, and we spend our time there enjoying those things. Donald's Breakfastosaurus is our favorite character meal, so that's how we start each AK day. Then we hit the safari so we can see a lot of animals before the heat sets in. We explore one of the trails (not both because that's too much for one trip, so we alternate trails each trip). On the way out, we take our time enjoying all the great birds and plants in the oasis area. And, of course, we spend some time just looking at the tree of life. That's it. But for us, that's enough.

As others have said, don't feel like every park has to be your favorite. Just find what you like in each park, enjoy those things, and move on.