Although you have to hand it to Joe and Co. for the huge undertaking, to me AK is nothing more than a fancy zoo environment with average quality animals and mediocre rides (to be changed with EE) plopped in. The landscaping is top notch, but to me, something is missing (more than just rides).
If you ever get a chance to visit San Diego Wild Animal Park -- do so -- its incredible. That park is still to me the golden standard for zoo attractions (yet its over 30 years old!)
The killer attraction is the Wgasa Bush line railway, a 5 mile, hour long outdoor monorail treck around several land zones with lots of animals in natural habitat (that attraction apparently inspired Spielberg for Jurassic Park). Its Amazing what 2200 acres will do for animals roaming.
There's also a beef I have about calling AK a theme park, its not a theme park, its a re-creation park. All Joe R. has done is cloned existing areas. Some people go for that. But to me, that's not theme-ing, nor does that require any brain-power. That's replication. Themeing is not copying a place. Main Street USA is a caricature of a real Main street. Its cleaned up, adjusted, compacted etc to provide entertainment quality to a place with historical references. Check out Adventure-land, same deal --- its not historically accurate, its highly manipulated emotionally charged architecture. AK has little to any of that.
All AK does it seems is use the photoshop clone tool and plop stuff in, with great detail. Some people go for that and yes, it requires great discipline.
But to me, to be a 'theme' park -- AK could withstand putting in some more attractions with entertainment value (see original MK). Imagineers talk about the importance of story. But yet they tell the same one (which you could hardly call it a story, more like heavy handed pedantic moralizing) over and over at the park: man shouldn't mess with Mother nature.
Boo hoo! After 4 hurricanes through Disney property I'm sure this 'story' is getting old. Mother nature can defend herself thankyou very much. Man isn't all powerful. Good lord sing a new tune.
AK could withstand to pack more animals in, increase that density and do something with that failed discovery island moat. If they were really interested in pumping up attendance -- get some top notch sit down dining in the park and extend the hours by 2 or two more in the evening -- get locals to visit the park, a la Epcot after 4.
Just an idea.