Animal kingdom needs help

Summersfigment

Summersfigment

New Member
Original Poster
I just came back from Disney and it is crazy how much space they have in between each attraction at the animal kingdom. I know avatar is coming eventually. Does anyone think eventually they need to move some animals out to stay open later? Bring in smaller attractions to fill in the gaps.
 
D

doctornick

Well-Known Member
There are strong rumors about a night time show -- apparently something performed on the water of the Discovery River -- being developed for DAK and for the hours of the park to be extended into night time. There has not been any solid rumors about any attractions being built besides the stuff for Avatar which will be built in the area of Camp Mickey-Minnie.
 
The Empress Lilly

The Empress Lilly

Well-Known Member
Summersfigment said:
I just came back from Disney and it is crazy how much space they have in between each attraction at the animal kingdom. I know avatar is coming eventually. Does anyone think eventually they need to move some animals out to stay open later? Bring in smaller attractions to fill in the gaps.
Click to expand...
I know what you mean. It feels like a two day trek from Africa to Everest to Dinosaur, with nary a diversion in sight.

Still, the area of DAK that you walk in is hardly bigger than the other parks. I think it is all more psychological. The effect of vast distances is created by all that empty space. Well, empty...filled with that fifty foot tall bamboo.
The distances would be more manageable if there was something interesting to see or hear or walk in. But disappointingly, for a park that sells itself as the exploration park, there is actually very little to explore in many areas.

However that may be, Avatar is not going to change any of that. It's going in Camp Minnie Mickey - more far flung corners of the park to walk to! ;)
 
raymusiccity

raymusiccity

Well-Known Member
afarese said:
You're right. Besides Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Dinosaur their isnt much to do. In the closing hours of the park, it's absolutely dead. Not much to see or do sadly
Click to expand...
I think this will soon become an interesting thread. The very nature of everything being spaced out is partof the charm of Animal Kingdom. Walk around the Bronx Zoological Gardens or any major park where animals are the focus and you'll see the need for each portion of the park to slowly transition. You can't expect, 'Oh, look at the rhino and see the penguins and the flamingos!....'

Otherwise, you might as well place avatar next to the Tree of Life so people will be continuously entertained. I think people need to appreciate the journey as much as the destination. I don't think there's a boring view or pathway in the park.
 
afar28

afar28

Well-Known Member
raymusiccity said:
I think this will soon become an interesting thread. The very nature of everything being spaced out is partof the charm of Animal Kingdom. Walk around the Bronx Zoological Gardens or any major park where animals are the focus and you'll see the need for each portion of the park to slowly transition. You can't expect, 'Oh, look at the rhino and see the penguins and the flamingos!....'

Otherwise, you might as well place avatar next to the Tree of Life so people will be continuously entertained. I think people need to appreciate the journey as much as the destination. I don't think there's a boring view or pathway in the park.
Click to expand...
I do somewhat agree. But their is just too little to do. If they maybe fleshed out the walks a bit, it would be much better. Much of the time I feel like I am just walking in the middle of nothing surrounded by 50 foot bamboo and a bunch of nothing.
 
E

eddieh

Member
raymusiccity said:
I think this will soon become an interesting thread. The very nature of everything being spaced out is partof the charm of Animal Kingdom. Walk around the Bronx Zoological Gardens or any major park where animals are the focus and you'll see the need for each portion of the park to slowly transition. You can't expect, 'Oh, look at the rhino and see the penguins and the flamingos!....'

Otherwise, you might as well place avatar next to the Tree of Life so people will be continuously entertained. I think people need to appreciate the journey as much as the destination. I don't think there's a boring view or pathway in the park.
Click to expand...

I agree. I love the views of the Tree of Life throughout the park. It's Animal Kingdom not Ride Kingdom. Although I agree that there is opportunity for additional attractions at the park, it's not just about rides. Spend time watching the animals, take in the shows, enjoy the atmosphere and the "street" entertainment. Try not running from big ride to big ride and you'll realize that you'll be there the entire day.
 
L

Longhairbear

Well-Known Member
Personally speaking, Animal Kingdom is our favorite park at WDW. We often spend two days seeing everything it offers. We do like the attractions, but we like roaming and looking at the landscaping, the different plants as well as the animals. Of course we don't know anyone that agrees with us.
They once offered a booklet to check off the various animals, and flora that you would see walking around the park. It's nice change of pace from the other parks. We would hate to see it sullied by adding in Avatar.
 
misterID

misterID

Well-Known Member
I'm not paying Magic Kingdom prices for a ticket to sit on a bench and stare at some plants. That's ridiculous. If they want it to be a park instead of a theme park, then cut down the price.

I had a four day park hopper for a five night stay at the world, which I wasn't comfortable with because of my feelings about AK, and MGM to a certain extent. Disney screwed up my reservation, then they wanted to be patronizing instead of helpful like they were when they were trying to get my money(haha! funny how that works). So I cut the vacation in half and I'm staying off site for the first time ever (for a much better room and a much lower price!) and I'm cutting off two days at the parks as two days is all I feel I need for this kind of stay. Until there is significant change, I'm not wasting another day on a half day park again.

I'm not turning this into a UNI vs WDW thread, but Disney officially lost two of my days to them... One year earlier than expected.
 
Beholder

Beholder

Well-Known Member
I love the visual and thematic elements of AK. I love the "explorer vibe" the place radiates, and I love the animal exhibits. I'm in the minority in my family (and elsewhere it seems) in this regard. I do, however, understand the perceived lack of things to do. If what you want is rides/attractions in the traditional format, then yes, AK will disappoint. I'd like to see a couple of extra dark rides and would 100% love to see the dinosaur area expanded on as I really do believe that this has vastly more potential.

And Avatar/Pandora? Meh. There is so much in house or even things unrealized in our natural world that can still be exploited, but that's been discussed (A LOT!) elsewhere.
 
sgtmgd

sgtmgd

Well-Known Member
The Empress Lilly said:
I know what you mean. It feels like a two day trek from Africa to Everest to Dinosaur, with nary a diversion in sight.

Still, the area of DAK that you walk in is hardly bigger than the other parks. I think it is all more psychological. The effect of vast distances is created by all that empty space. Well, empty...filled with that fifty foot tall bamboo.
The distances would be more manageable if there was something interesting to see or hear or walk in. But disappointingly, for a park that sells itself as the exploration park, there is actually very little to explore in many areas.

However that may be, Avatar is not going to change any of that. It's going in Camp Minnie Mickey - more far flung corners of the park to walk to! ;)
Click to expand...
Well said..."These are not the bamboo stalks you're looking for"
 
Florida_is_hot

Florida_is_hot

Well-Known Member
Have not been to the Animal kingdom, for 4 years. I hate it. There is nothing there that i have not seen at the Toronto Zoo except for the roller coaster and dinosaur.

Kind of which,

a) They lower the price, for people that like such a park.
b) Instead of developing it spend the money on Epcot or Hollywood Studios.

Market Walt Disney World as 3 theme parks, 2 water parks, Downtown Disney (shopping, night entertainment) and the Animal Kingdom(day time relaxation).
 
copcarguyp71

copcarguyp71

Well-Known Member
I see DAK as a different animal all together (pun intended). I think it is exactly what it was meant to be in that you are supposed to experience a journey and not just walk out of one attraction and into the next. I don't know how many times I have seen families talking and decide the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail was too boring or not interesting and leave it behind as they exit Kilimanjaro Safari. While I would have to agree it does not have the blatant mass appeal that the other parks have with their glitz and glamour I think Disney went a different direction. Joe Rhode went so in depth in his transitions and theming that I think many of us fail to notice the nuances and subtleties that were so carefully thought out. I know I myself have done some reading on the park from conception to construction and found that I had been missing a lot of the details myself and when I realized they were there I was actually able to appreciate it a little more.

All that having been said...yes, it would certainly be nice to see maybe two more big name rides in the park and I would love if they could find a way to keep the park open into the evening hours. I have never been in the park after dark but I am sure there is an awesome untapped personality that could be discovered in this park in the evenings with subtle lighting and cool evening breezes.

oh....please fix the Yeti:banghead:
 
S

Susan Savia

Well-Known Member
I don't think the park was meant to be full of coasters and rides. It's an Animal Kingdom. You don't find 'rides' in your local zoo. We usually spend a full morning in AK, walking, exploring and a ride on Dinosaur and the Safari. The landscaping is beautiful and it gives you the feeling of what it might be like in Africa or Asia as you walk along the narrow paths full of flowers and vegetation.
 
lunchbox1175

lunchbox1175

Well-Known Member
deanaandrich said:
There's plenty to see and do at AK. Forget about all the big attractions. Take in the sights and sounds around you instead of running around. Sit in a bench and watch the monkeys or walk the trails. It's definitely the most relaxing of any of the parks.
Click to expand...
This is the beauty of AK, the parks need to be different. People say that it is a half day park, and I agree with them for myself personally, because I am not one to sit on a bench or walk the trails, I want to go for excitement and fun, so there aren't a lot of things for me to do at AK that I enjoy, so I only spend about 3 or 4 hours there. It does however offer a great relaxing park like you said for those that don't go at such a frenetic pace and like to enjoy the scenery and animals as well as the rides. Think about it, the sites and sounds upon entering AK as opposed to entering MK are completely opposite and have a totally different feel, as they should.
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom