Animal Kingdom Experiences

[TwitterMouse]

I'm planning a trip for next year, and I am considering going to Animal Kingdom this time. I've never been there before, and I wanted people's experiences with the park.
I generally dislike any sort of zoo, because I hate to see wild creatures penned up in small areas, alone, bored and unhappy. I am however thinking that Disney wouldn't do that to poor animals.
Anyone's opinions and experiences would be greatly appreciated.

 

[DCL]

Disney's Animal Kingdom.... "Naht A Zu"... or however it's spelled... oh resort TV..

..Anyways the AK definately is nothing like a typical zoo. While there are places to view the animals, they all have plenty of room and I believe the Disney people take good care of them.

AK is a fun park with a lot of things to do. Festival of the Lion King, IMO, is probably the best stage show on property. The Safari ride is amazing as well, definately something you'd want to ride as soon as the park opens, and FastPass so you can do twice. There are plenty of other things there to keep you busy, including Its Tough to be a Bug, the 3-D show in the Tree of Life, and a more intense experience in Dinosaur.

There are fun things to do there, and the Cinnamon Buns at the Tusker House are delicious! Normally when I go down, I don't spend more than a half a day there. You can pretty much see everything in less than a day. But, there is a lot of walking involved! You should definately visit when you go down.

 

[ImaginEAR]

What time of the year are you going?


Animal Kingdom is not necessaraily a zoo. Look at it's slogan Nahtazu. (Pronounced Nat A Zoo) Not a Zoo, get it? Besides, Animal in DAK are not penned up. They have a HUGE savannah the size of the Magic Kingdom to roam in.

 

[Irrawaddy Erik]

Check your Private Messages. :wave:

 

[m star]

I love the AK. I agree that the Festival of the Lion King is the best live show on property and the safari is absolutely amazing. I love the look of the park, especially Africa, and Asia, which look so realisitic, as well as Discovery Island with all the bright colors.

 

[SpenceMan01]

I went to the Animal Kingdom for the first time earlier this month. We skipped it on our last trip in 2000 because we thought exactly that thought....that it was just going to be a zoo. I'd say it's more like Busch Gardens with Disney flare.

The animal "pens" (if you can call them that) on Kilimanjaro Safaris are almost non-existant. There are devices to prevent animals using the safari path as a gateway to other "pens", but otherwise the animals pretty much roam free. Sometimes the safari vehicles even have to stop because an animal gets in the way! I really liked It's Tough to Be A Bug. I think it was the best 4D show in Orlando, and The Festival of the Lion King is not to be missed! Dinosaur was a cool ride, but like many others, I wasn't very happy with the "Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama" section of the park. I didn't feel like it fit with the themeing of the rest of the park.

I would reccommend Animal Kingdom, especially if anybod you're going with likes animals (and who doesn't!). Depending on how busy it is, you can go there in the morning and have most of it completed by mid afternoon and then parkhop to another park.

PS: I reccommend Flame-Tree BBQ. It's yummylicious! :slurp:

 

[barnum42]

It's my favourite park. The theming is great, the whole place is very relaxing. If you like animals, you will love the safari, the two trails - particularly the gorillas and Tigers, there is a great natural bird show (though how good depends on the actor playing Guano Joe/Jane). Whilst the park is not totally devoid of cages, they are few and far between.

The two best shows in the parks are there - Lion King and Tarzan, plus the best counter service grub. Flame Tree Barbecue being favoured, but I also love Tusker House. If you are a parade person, don't forget Mickey's Jammin Jungle parade. I could rabbit on about this place for hours, but I'd best not.

 

[Master Yoda]

Every thing that has been posted earlier is 100% true, AK is nothing like a zoo. One piece of advice. Get to the park before it opens so you can see the opening show and make a bee line for the safari at the back of the park. The animals will be much more active early in the morning especially in the heat of summer. If you have the cash and can stay in a concierge room at AKL you can sign up for the sunrise safari that happens before the park even opens. This will really maximize your AK experience.

 

[barnum42]

As the park closes early you can hop over to another park for the evening and/or swing by Animal Kingdom Lodge for some great grub and a nose around the resort and it's animal savannahs.

 

[shoppingnut]

We love the AK and it is nothing like a zoo. When we go down to the world the way we plan going to AK is by whatever day is supposed to be the coolest. AK is the hottest park and we always joke around and call it Pass Out Kingdom. Definitely get there early before the heat of the day so you can see the animals because later in the day they tend to be sleeping/hiding. Went with my nephew in July and the day was overcast, totally perfect, all the animals were out and about. The Lion King show is fabulous especially now that they enclosed it with a/c. This past December we saw the afternoon parade that they did up for xmas, it was really well done considering they were taking the existing parade and just re-working it for xmas. I really enjoyed it.

 

[KaliSplash]

Not to worry that the Animal Kingdom is a zoo.

You'll find no animals cooped up, or alone. I think the area covered by the safari ride is several hundred acres (The MK is just over 100). You can do the safari ride over and over and see something different each time.

That said, Animal Kingdom is probably still a half-day park. You can stretch it into a full day if you do literally everything in the park (and take a couple of trips on the safari.

Dinosaur is a superbly exciting ride and by my name, you can tell I love Kali River Rapids. (You will get wet and you may get drenched and they really do mean that. No one comes off dry.)
It's Tough to Be a Bug is a great 3D movie, although it does scare some children.
Festival of the Lion King is a great show. I also like Tarzan Rocks.

Flame Tree BBQ may be the best fast food place in all of WDW, (with the possible exception of good ole Sonny Eclipse at Cosmic Ray's!)

Tusker House is also an amazingly good fast food place with extraordinary variety.

Enjoy!

 

[Raven66]

We love the Animal Kingdom. Last year when we went, we were there for the early entry and while we were waiting in line we got picked to be the honorary first family. :sohappy: It was so cool, we got to go on the first safari and we were in a truck by ourselves with just the guide and driver. We also got a certificate and a special fastpass that let us go to the front of the safari line whenever we showed it. It was a wonderful experience.

So go to Animal Kingdom and have fun!!!! :wave:

 

[Slipknot]

... and by my name, you can tell I love Kali River Rapids. (You will get wet and you may get drenched and they really do mean that. No one comes off dry.)

I have.

And try and plan on going a little after spring (you did say next year... 06 right?) By then, Expedition Everest should be open.

 

[barnum42]

That said, Animal Kingdom is probably still a half-day park. You can stretch it into a full day if you do literally everything in the park (and take a couple of trips on the safari.

Unless you are me, in which case Animal Kingdom is a several days park

 

[Lauriebar]

I love to spend time at AK. I feel it is an all day park because at so many of the attractions you get a different experience at different times of the day. Go on the Safari first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening and get two different shows! Walk down the Pangini Trail and you'll see something new every time. The same can be said for several other spots in the park. The overall feeling of the park is relaxed and comfortable so, the guests there are much more mellow. While you are there just keep your eyes and ears open to all the park has to offer!!! Have fun!!