Is Animal Kingdom worth it?

mouse_luv

mouse_luv

Well-Known Member
For me? No. If I want to see the Safari animals (which are my fave) I'll just stay in a Savanna view room @AKV. Then I can actually see them whenever I want, since the AK park safari is hit or miss. I'm not a fan of EE or the rides at AK, so as I've said for me it's a no or a half day park at best. I don't feel like wasting time on my hopper that I'd rather be using at MK or EPCOT.

For you? IDK do you like EE or Kali River Rapids or Dinosaur or one of the other rides there? If so then I would say yes, it's at least worth a half day spent. Otherwise, no.

Either way, enjoy your trip. :D
 
jloucks

jloucks

Well-Known Member
Have you been to the zoo 30 miles away?

If you have never been to your zoo, and can only afford one, then I say goto your zoo.

If you have been to your zoo before, ever, then I say goto MK. New experience better than wasting money on an attraction you have already experienced.

Is AK better? I dunno, I have never been to your zoo so I cannot say for sure which I prefer.
 
StarWarsGirl

StarWarsGirl

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
Chef Mickey said:
First of all, you're asking a group of biased Disney fans. Secondly, how long will you be there? If you're there 2 days, I would probably stick to MK and EPCOT and a few hours at HS. Personally, I think Expedition Everest is a top 3 ride at Disney and a must do.

Animal Kingdom is beautiful. There are tons of areas to explore and observe. From a rides and attaractions perspective, it is somewhat lacking. However, I mentioned EE as a must do and Festival of the Lion King is the best show on property.

The Safari is solid, probably better than anything than your zoo offers. I wouldn't call AK a zoo...it's better. I too have a nationally top 3 zoo in my city and it still doesn't come close to matching AK.

Could Animal Kingdom be better? Absolutely. Is it "worth it?" Not even a question.
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You sir have hit the nail on the head.
 
Tom Morrow

Tom Morrow

Well-Known Member
Personally I would not buy a 1 park ticket for DAK. If it's your first visit you can fill a whole day, but it will involve catching every show, doing every animal exhibit, and taking a leisurely pace, and that isn't always everyone's cup of tea.

Definitely worth a park hopper though.
 
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lunchbox1175

lunchbox1175

Well-Known Member
No, it isn't worth it, I am completely ok with going in, riding Everest a few times in a row, hitting up TTBAB on the way out and leaving.
 
ItlngrlBella

ItlngrlBella

Well-Known Member
We have 3 amazing large zoos within 1 hour of our house (Milwaukee, Brookfield & Lincoln Park). AK felt like another zoo with some rides. We skipped it the last 2 visits.

After the Avatar update we will go back - for now... Eh.
 
BigHero4

BigHero4

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
SnarkyMonkey said:
Wait...you said that you have already been there....since you said you have already ridden KS. So, wouldn't you know if it's worth it to you or not? So, I'm not sure what you're really asking. Do you mean because of all the construction? How long are you going to be there? These are important questions in answering your question.
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Good catch @SnarkyMonkey. I have been to AK before but it was several years ago. I won't be back until after Avatar land is complete. However, I think @WDWFigment touched on the whole topic pretty well in his blog: http://www.disneytouristblog.com/disneys-animal-kingdom-praise/
 
Chef Mickey

Chef Mickey

Well-Known Member
ItlngrlBella said:
We have 3 amazing large zoos within 1 hour of our house (Milwaukee, Brookfield & Lincoln Park). AK felt like another zoo with some rides. We skipped it the last 2 visits.

After the Avatar update we will go back - for now... Eh.
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Interesting some still view AK as a zoo with rides. The zoo in my city is a nationally ranked zoo and it doesn't come close to AK for me. EE alone is worth the price of admission.

For me, there are big differentiating factors you won't get at any zoo.

Festival of the Lion King
Nemo Show
Expedition Everest
Dinosaur!

Combine those with solid performers like Tough to Be a Bug, Kali River Rapids, and an absolutely beautiful landscape, and I'm struggling to see the comparison with a zoo. I've even been to the San Diego Zoo and don't find that any better than my local zoo and not nearly AK.
 
JasonDeyoung

JasonDeyoung

Well-Known Member
It's not a zoo that's the truth but it is kind of a hot mess right now as well lol. Honestly I go just to see the Fest of the Lion King. If the lines aren't long def will ride a few. It's a beautiful park to walk around (normally) getting to run thru it after hours you see it in a whole new perspective and at night it's amazing and potential is endless. But as of now, def a 1/2 day park at most. It's great in the morning for a few hours
 
BoarderPhreak

BoarderPhreak

Well-Known Member
Long and short of it; it's worth it to see it at least once. Just like the shambles that is Hollywood Studios.

If I were limited on time, I'd take a pass and stick with Epcot and the Magic Kingdom.
 
ItlngrlBella

ItlngrlBella

Well-Known Member
Chef Mickey said:
Interesting some still view AK as a zoo with rides. The zoo in my city is a nationally ranked zoo and it doesn't come close to AK for me. EE alone is worth the price of admission.

For me, there are big differentiating factors you won't get at any zoo.

Festival of the Lion King
Nemo Show
Expedition Everest
Dinosaur!

Combine those with solid performers like Tough to Be a Bug, Kali River Rapids, and an absolutely beautiful landscape, and I'm struggling to see the comparison with a zoo. I've even been to the San Diego Zoo and don't find that any better than my local zoo and not nearly AK.
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I think it depends on your situation/preferences. If you have very small kids they can't do some of those rides. Also some families just aren't into shows. That leaves the animals and many zoos now days have very immersive exhibits.
 
MKCP 1985

MKCP 1985

Well-Known Member
s_a said:
Sorry AK lovers, but I have to ask the question... We have a top ten nationally ranked zoo within 30 miles of our town, as well as a nearby safari. Is there really any reason to visit AK if you have a great zoo near by? Our zoo has shows and interactions for kids. We've seen the Kilimanjaro Safari before and it was fun, but not sure it's worth the price of admission. I'm not trying to brag up our zoo, but I also don't want to waste money on admission to AK. Thoughts?
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In my opinion as a long time repeat out of town visitor to the Walt Disney World resort, the answer depends on the type of trip you are taking. If you are doing the Disney all-inclusive, staying on property for several days and relying on Disney transportation to get around then, sure. Go to the Animal Kingdom Park as part of the 4 park Disney Vacation/Holiday experience on a 6 or 7 or 10 day ticket where the price per park per day drops down substantially.

I never take trips like that. LoL!

So, that being said, I do not personally find the Animal Kingdom park is currently worth the price of admission for me and my family because we would rather spend a little bit more money and drive up the road to Universal Studios and visit the 2 in one day Universal Parks. When I think of paying $100 for one day at Animal Kingdom (which closes early most days), the feeling is not so magical. :D Add in my little ax to grind over Disney's failure to fix the Expedition Everest ride and you will know I am not completely unbiased, but imagine if an entire scene in Splash Mountain stopped working and Disney Parks made the economic decision not to shut it down to fix it because people still enjoy the big flume ride . . . and I am getting off on a tangent. :eek:

I will go back to the Animal Kingdom park when the Pandora area opens up, but until then, no. Spend your money elsewhere . . . unless you are on an extended stay.
 
JiminyandTink

JiminyandTink

Well-Known Member
It's such a subjective thing. Personally, I spend 2 days there every trip and love every second of it. I really find it a relaxing place to be, it's totally different than the other 3 parks, but still completely Disney. That being said, I'm always on a 10-day ticket during my trips and have plenty of time to see everything, I would definitely adjust accordingly with less time, but I would hate to miss any park on any trip.
 

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