Animal kingdom needs help

[LucyK]

AK doesn't need attractions to "fill in the gaps", the place is awesome just like it is. We spend 3 days minimum there, it's a lovely place. People in general, specially the ones living near zoos seems to underestimate the park as a whole. AK is not your normal theme park, it's a place to enjoy nature and take it in a slow pace.

I'm not opposed to new attractions as long as they don't mess with the flow of the park nor make it so animals have to be moved.

 

[Beholder]

AK doesn't need attractions to "fill in the gaps", the place is awesome just like it is. We spend 3 days minimum there, it's a lovely place. People in general, specially the ones living near zoos seems to underestimate the park as a whole. AK is not your normal theme park, it's a place to enjoy nature and take it in a slow pace.

I'm not opposed to new attractions as long as they don't mess with the flow of the park nor make it so animals have to be moved.

That a great point, AK is NOT a "normal" theme park and therefor the experience isn't going to be standard. Perhaps if Disney refocused is advertising and marketing in regards to those differences, then people might have a better understanding of what to expect. I liken it to EPCOT in that it tends to be a more "mature" park, a park that's better appreciated by those willing or able to put the time in.

Just my opinion though, no facts!

 

[wdwstateofmind]

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).

I hate it too...I love Dinosaur but it's just not worth the hassle of getting in, to it, and then just leaving after....I'd rather be stuck in DHS for the rest of my life than go to AK...

 

[Tim Lohr]

AK and EPCOT were both built with extra spaces for future expansion, they just never got around to doing any...

The Studios on the other hand was built as a little park of backstage tours about film, television, and animation, isn't the most land locked park with not much extra space... so naturally this is the one they keep expanding

When MK opened in 1971 it had big empty gaps where Tomorrowland, Big Thunder, and Pirates are, but within 5 to 10 years these areas were filled in

 

[misterID]

Reading this thread it's clear some people are under the false assumption that Animal Kingdon's current state is what was intended or that its beloved creator Joe Rohde intended this to be his vision (remember when it was argued by him that it WASN'T a zoo?). If you could see what was supposed to be in this park and what has been pitched, begged and pleaded, by Joe, I think your opinions would be different.

And yes, I'm talking about more rides and overall things to do, besides looking at the foilage. The trails and ambiance was never intended to be the central focus of the park.

Back when I was an APer I could waste as many hours as I wanted to there, as it's a different mindset. I'm sure people love it for what it is, people love all sorts of weird things I don't understand, but it's not worth the time or money to me. And I consider it a "what could've been" park on top of it. Yes, it's pretty. That prettiness doesn't mask the fact it's charging theme park prices for a zoo experience.

 

[Fox&Hound]

I love the look and feel of AK but after doing the safari and Dinosaur we always think....now what? Yes, the Lion King show and Nemo show are awesome but we do not want to do them every time. I feel like the park is soooo big but there is nothing much to do. And don't even get me started on Rafiki's planet watch aka the train to nowhere. It's like the park tries to be a zoo but there are not enough animal exhibits and tries to be a theme park but there are not enough rides. Give us mythological animal rides and "experiences", some dark rides for classic films, a section themed to the Lion King, some better sit down restaurants, and a section themed to paradise falls from "Up", and mystic manor and I will be happy. Heck, even some more meet and greets and shops would be nice too. Maybe the average tourist does not get it and they have a big theme park mindset so they so in disappointed. But, is that the guests fault or Disney's fault for not making their vision clear? People go to Disney expecting rides, experiences, good food, and to interact with beloved characters. To me, AK does not fit that bill. It doesn't even feel like it represent the Disney brand all that well. Bring in more characters and experiences that feel like Disney. I don't think it is beyond help but it does need some love.

 

[luv]

Reading this thread it's clear some people are under the false assumption that Animal Kingdon's current state is what was intended or that its beloved creator Joe Rohde intended this to be his vision (remember when it was argued by him that it WASN'T a zoo?). If you could see what was supposed to be in this park and what has been pitched, begged and pleaded, by Joe, I think your opinions would be different.

Please expand. I've never heard what was supposed to be there that isn't!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Even though I'm not the biggest AK fan and still consider it a half day park, I love that there is the unused space that is kind of "wild" like the jungle. It adds to the exotic feel of the park.

 

[FettFan]

Animal Kingdom = "The Little Engine Who Wanted To Be Busch Gardens But Couldnt"


Sometimes, I think DAK even falls flat even by zoo standards....one will barely see any animals unless one makes it all the way to the Pangani or Maharaja trails.

Me: "Oh look, there's a parrot here in the Oasis Gardens or Genesis Gardens or whatever they are calling it now!"
Cast Member: "If you get lucky you might see two parrots!"
Me: "TWO parrots?!" *swoons*

Sure they go on and on about how great the tiger enclosure is....but I live minutes away from LSU and can see Mike the Tiger whenever I want for free. Mike even has a live feed.

http://www.mikethetiger.com/index.php?display=tigercam

 

[AintNoOtherMan]

I think AK's problem is that not everyone wants to spend a lot of time looking at animals. Personally, I love animals and could spend all day in the park. On the other hand, a lot of people go to Disney for mostly the rides. That's what these people like.

The perfect park should have a balance between rides and being able to take in the scenery. MK and EPCOT do this, while HS and AK don't. Animal Kingdom has great ambiance, but does lack in rides. Hollywood Studios doesn't have as much ambiance as the other parks, but has some of the more thrilling rides on property. So, yes, Animal Kingdom does need more rides, but what it offers now is great imo

 

[doctornick]

Please expand. I've never heard what was supposed to be there that isn't!

Neverland files is probably a good place to start. The big thing is obviously Beastly Kingdomme which gets a lot of attention around here, but also a much larger/longer rapids ride with animals (Tiger River Rapids), a wooden roller coaster in the Dinosaur area instead of the roadside carnival plus other expansion ideas featuring bird, insects and Ice Age animals.

 

[doctornick]

So, yes, Animal Kingdom does need more rides, but what it offers now is great imo

This is basically my feeling. DAK is a great park, it just needs more. And not just Avatar, but more than that. Another 6-7 rides/attractions plus a night time show would really make it a fully fleshed out park.

 

[blueboxdoctor]

Avatar is a really awful idea. Nobody cares about the movie now, the fad is done, everyone's moved on (or finally realized that as a movie Avatar is very poor). They should bring back the fantasy theme originally planned. I believe they wanted a light and dark side, which means a lot of creativity could be put into it making it pretty unique and not tied to an already aging movie franchise.

 

[blueboxdoctor]

Neverland files is probably a good place to start. The big thing is obviously Beastly Kingdomme which gets a lot of attention around here, but also a much larger/longer rapids ride with animals (Tiger River Rapids), a wooden roller coaster in the Dinosaur area instead of the roadside carnival plus other expansion ideas featuring bird, insects and Ice Age animals.

I missed this when writing my post, but all these ideas are so much better than Avatar and they'd stay relevant longer.

 

[epcotisbest]

Avatar is a really awful idea. Nobody cares about the movie now, the fad is done, everyone's moved on (or finally realized that as a movie Avatar is very poor). They should bring back the fantasy theme originally planned. I believe they wanted a light and dark side, which means a lot of creativity could be put into it making it pretty unique and not tied to an already aging movie franchise.

But I think an aging movie would work as a theme for a whole section, with rides, shows, entertainment and food,,,the Wizard of Oz...a timeless classic on so many levels!

 

[blueboxdoctor]

But I think an aging movie would work as a theme for a whole section, with rides, shows, entertainment and food,,,the Wizard of Oz...a timeless classic on so many levels!

The difference is The Wizard of Oz is a timeless classic, it has a lot of charm and movie magic that a lot of older movies have. It would be cool to have a wizard of oz type section in Hollywood Studios (actually, it would be cool if they had a bunch of little movie themed areas there, maybe in the big main street in the back which is useless except night times for Christmas).

Back to the thread, I don't see Avatar ever being timeless, I couldn't even tell you the name of the main character or who played him.

If they want to do a movie themed land then maybe play up movies like Tarzan (I always feel like it's far too under appreciated, very good movie), the Jungle Book, and other such movies. These are fun movies that everyone knows, and even if you don't know the Jungle Book you likely know songs from it.

 

[epcotisbest]

The difference is The Wizard of Oz is a timeless classic, it has a lot of charm and movie magic that a lot of older movies have. It would be cool to have a wizard of oz type section in Hollywood Studios (actually, it would be cool if they had a bunch of little movie themed areas there, maybe in the big main street in the back which is useless except night times for Christmas).

Back to the thread, I don't see Avatar ever being timeless, I couldn't even tell you the name of the main character or who played him.

If they want to do a movie themed land then maybe play up movies like Tarzan (I always feel like it's far too under appreciated, very good movie), the Jungle Book, and other such movies. These are fun movies that everyone knows, and even if you don't know the Jungle Book you likely know songs from it.

Good point...and who doesn't know Over The Rainbow?
Now I often struggle with the lyrics to Big Spaceman Riding a Dinosaur or Something While Wooing Another Species and Enjoying Lots of CGI. It is a nice song and all, but can't touch If I Only Had A Heart.

 

[jkl2000]

Has anyone here used the Unofficial Guide touring plan for AK, and if so, how'd it work for minimizing criss crossing of the park? I'm planning on using it.

 

[Ginzuishou]

I say forget Avatar as well. Although I liked the movie, I don't see where it fits in at Disney. I say make a fantasy-beastly-world, with coaster and dark rides. but don't make it kiddy.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Yeah, but Disney wants you to know that it's Nahtazu....

Nahtanymore...They dropped the whole gimmick and guest realized...ITZAZOO!