Mr. Toad
Active Member
I think you both make some good points. The Animal Kingdom is more than a zoo and I love wandering around the park. It is a different experience than a zoo, the over all themes in the lands alone set it apart from the zoo experience. I don't think Disney was really trying to make a Disney Zoo when they built it.
However, as innovative as the animal exhibits are, there are zoos that are building or have built similar exhibits. The Bronx Zoo recently opened Congo Gorilla Forest. I have not visited it but from what the website shows it looks impressive. I wouldn't be surprised if they modelled it after the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. The Atlanta Zoo also has a very nice Gorilla exhibit. It is not as nice as AK (from a human's perspective - didn't ask the gorillas) but it is divided into four areas (the gorillas are separated into family groups as I recall) and the gorillas can roam anywhere they want in their area. They have similar exhibits for other animals too. Sometimes we would go to an area and the animals would be completely out of site and if you wanted to see them then you waited for them to decide to come to that area. They also had zoo employees at the main viewing areas to answer questions about the animals. Disney seems to have become a model for major zoos on how to "do it right".
I think that as Animal Kingdom expands it will need to keep a balance between rides and animal exhibits. This is why I think the addition of Dino-Rama was probably a good thing. I don't know if I am particularly sold on the designs. Part of me thinks they look a bit cheap for Disney but another part of me thinks they may come off as being silly and cute. I will remain open minded until I see it in person.
As for the train ride, well I love trains but it would be nice if it didn't drop you off somewhere that the only way out is to take the train back. That was a little frustrating. And it isn't that unique either. The Atlanta Zoo has a steam train (not sure what you see from it) and the Turtleback Zoo (a small zoo here in NJ) used to have a train but I think the zoo is closed now.
As for nighttime stuff at AK, it would not surprise me if someday they do this. Right now there is not enough to do at AK to open it at night. This would require more rides and if Beastly Kingdom is ever built then they may have what they need. I have been in the park at night (a conference event) and it has really beautiful lighting. Add a few more big name rides and another full service restaurant (this one owned by Disney) and they may very well decide to keep it open all day. If they do build an awesome coaster or some other major thrill ride they may need to keep it open at night to handle the crowds. The other parks may be available at night but if you bought a day pass for AK you can't get in them.
However, as innovative as the animal exhibits are, there are zoos that are building or have built similar exhibits. The Bronx Zoo recently opened Congo Gorilla Forest. I have not visited it but from what the website shows it looks impressive. I wouldn't be surprised if they modelled it after the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. The Atlanta Zoo also has a very nice Gorilla exhibit. It is not as nice as AK (from a human's perspective - didn't ask the gorillas) but it is divided into four areas (the gorillas are separated into family groups as I recall) and the gorillas can roam anywhere they want in their area. They have similar exhibits for other animals too. Sometimes we would go to an area and the animals would be completely out of site and if you wanted to see them then you waited for them to decide to come to that area. They also had zoo employees at the main viewing areas to answer questions about the animals. Disney seems to have become a model for major zoos on how to "do it right".
I think that as Animal Kingdom expands it will need to keep a balance between rides and animal exhibits. This is why I think the addition of Dino-Rama was probably a good thing. I don't know if I am particularly sold on the designs. Part of me thinks they look a bit cheap for Disney but another part of me thinks they may come off as being silly and cute. I will remain open minded until I see it in person.
As for the train ride, well I love trains but it would be nice if it didn't drop you off somewhere that the only way out is to take the train back. That was a little frustrating. And it isn't that unique either. The Atlanta Zoo has a steam train (not sure what you see from it) and the Turtleback Zoo (a small zoo here in NJ) used to have a train but I think the zoo is closed now.
As for nighttime stuff at AK, it would not surprise me if someday they do this. Right now there is not enough to do at AK to open it at night. This would require more rides and if Beastly Kingdom is ever built then they may have what they need. I have been in the park at night (a conference event) and it has really beautiful lighting. Add a few more big name rides and another full service restaurant (this one owned by Disney) and they may very well decide to keep it open all day. If they do build an awesome coaster or some other major thrill ride they may need to keep it open at night to handle the crowds. The other parks may be available at night but if you bought a day pass for AK you can't get in them.
(crosses fingers)
