Animal Kingdom tidbits

[djkidkaz]

The trails are great but annoying to me because if there is any animal out you have everyone on the trail in front of that one spot you can actually see them. This is much more prominent with the tigers as the gorilla exhibit actually does a good job of allowing people to spread out and still see them.

 

[Matt_Black]

Plus, the theming and design of some of the trails, ESPECIALLY Maharajah Jungle Trek, is some of the finest I've ever seen.

 

[doctornick]

Plus, the theming and design of some of the trails, ESPECIALLY Maharajah Jungle Trek, is some of the finest I've ever seen.

This. It's one thing to have animal enclosures. It's another to have them in an environment that totally makes you feel like they are in their natural land. The theming is just outstanding and really makes a difference versus a typical zoo.

Honestly, I walk them as much for the environment as seeing the animals.

 

[ChrisM]

Thanks for the update @drew81.

The trails are great. But need a peoplemover. To hard to stuff my face and walk. Would be good to completely eliminate the exercise portion of those trails.

You mean like the Bronx Zoo monorail?

 

[startraveler]

Thanks for the pic. Brings back memories. Haven't ridden that since I was a kid. Love that zoo.

 

[doctornick]

You mean like the Bronx Zoo monorail?

I've said before that I think a nice addition would be a monorail type ride that goes from DAK to the AKL which passes over animal enclosures along the way. Would be a nice combo of ride and transport and make it easier/quicker for guests to go to AKL for expanded dining options. And would help with occupancy (and DVC sales) at AKL by giving guests there a novel way to get to the park.

 

[DABIGCHEEZ]

Here is a 2 week old gorilla that we saw on the Pangani Trail last week...

 

[afar28]

Here is a 2 week old gorilla that we saw on the Pangani Trail last week...View attachment 63519

Amazing photo. I tired getting a good picture but struck out, seeing it in person though was great. This was the best I got..

 

[ChrisM]

I've said before that I think a nice addition would be a monorail type ride that goes from DAK to the AKL which passes over animal enclosures along the way. Would be a nice combo of ride and transport and make it easier/quicker for guests to go to AKL for expanded dining options. And would help with occupancy (and DVC sales) at AKL by giving guests there a novel way to get to the park.

I've always maintained they should have put in a highly themed train (like the Wildlife Express) connecting AKL with AK. It could have been up on a berm to allow for viewing of enclosures along the way. A major whiff in not doing this.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

Where else can you see this?

 

[PhotoDave219]

Any pics of the baby meerkats?

I skipped straight to the baby gorilla

 

[JLipnick]

We were just at AK this past Sunday and spent two hours just exploring the trails. We saw the new tiger and watched it walk down the steps into the little water basin where it laid down in the water. It was obviously trying to cool off. However, the best part was seeing the little 2 week old baby Gorilla being held by her mama. I got a great pic of the face of the little baby. Those are the special parts of the park that many people either don't care for or don't appreciate which makes AK my favorite of the four parks.

 

[RSoxNo1]

A new baby Wallaby is also on display at the Oasis Exhibits.
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...aby-joey-at-disneys-animal-kingdom-its-a-boy/

Also, WDW Today reported that the Pangani Forest Research Center will be closed from 9/2-9/30. Can anyone confirm this? I assume it's just the research Center and not the entire trail?

 

[WDWtraveler]

Photo update of construction area behind Tamu Tamu refreshments and Mombasa Marketplace at Animal Kingdom (viewed from the Wildlife Express train). Photos as of Wednesday, October 8, 2014. Appears to be a large expansion of Harambe African village.

 

[Prototype82]

So much love going on at Animal Kingdom. With the way Epcot is in a downward spiral of ruin, come 2017, AK is going to be my favorite park.

 

[doctornick]

I don't think we ever had it confirmed as to what is coming to that area in Africa. I think the rumor was a new quick serve as well as possible merch in addition to a walkway between Africa and Asia. Do we know for sure?

 

[Fox&Hound]

I've said before that I think a nice addition would be a monorail type ride that goes from DAK to the AKL which passes over animal enclosures along the way. Would be a nice combo of ride and transport and make it easier/quicker for guests to go to AKL for expanded dining options. And would help with occupancy (and DVC sales) at AKL by giving guests there a novel way to get to the park.

Wow! This is one of the best ideas I've read on these boards in a long time! Fantastic idea!!!!!! And for those who have never been to the AK lodge, it really is quite breath taking.

 

[danlb_2000]

I don't think we ever had it confirmed as to what is coming to that area in Africa. I think the rumor was a new quick serve as well as possible merch in addition to a walkway between Africa and Asia. Do we know for sure?

There have been a bunch of permits filed for the area, but nothing to revealing.

 

[dumboflyer]

There are so many reasons beyond a couple great rides to LOVE AK. The ribs at Flame Tree are one of the best quick service meals around. But the two trails are some of the most underrated parts of the entire resort.

We went through AK twice in two successive weeks about a decade ago. The first week, I saw a gorilla fling his own feces at an unsuspecting tourist, squarely hitting his video camera. Epic. The next week, I saw (I assume) the same gorilla enjoying a 10-gal bucket. I will never forget what I saw that day: the gorilla would projectile vomit into the bucket, then tip the bucket up and *drink* it. This cycle repeated several times. When he was finally done, not wanting to be an unhygienic primate, he took his bucket to the stream and rinsed it out a few times. One of the strangest and best things I've ever seen.

 

[dumboflyer]

More recently, I also witnessed a shocking act by an obviously male bat on the Asia side that is far too graphic for this chat room. You don't see that at the Studios.