Went this weekend for the first time since they completed Pandora. While pandora is beautiful at night, Animial Kingdom is still complete underwhelming. I think after Epcot catches up after all the contraction this park will still need something. It’s still lacking compared to the other 3. Hollywood studios blew me out of the water with the new addition, it used to be the worst park.
I agree about AK. I love the design and feel of the park, but before Pandora opened, we visited and had seen everything except for the bird show by 1 in the afternoon. We were going to stay for the nighttime experience, but after riding Everest about 4 times in a row and rain coming in, we decided to head back to the hotel around 5. I wouldn't even call it a half day park at that point. I haven't had a chance to visit Pandora, so I'm excited to see what that brings.
I will say, as a CA native, I was way oversold on Festival of the Lion King. A big vacuous warehouse with the parade floats DIsneyland had in the 90's parked around the arena. For a land rooted in such realism, I was hoping for a more artistic and imaginative show, not an actor in a Timon Meet and Greet costume and cartoonish parade floats parked around with lip syncing to pre-recorded music.
Nemo was cute, but even if it was still around, not sure I'd watch it again. Kali River Rapids is one of the worst raft rides I have ever experienced. Its short, boring, and you don't even get that wet. I feel like it serves no function. Safari was phenomenal and the trails were really cool. But they only take up so much time. Hopefully a redo of Dinoland will help complete the park.