Is Animal Kingdom worth it?

[BigHero4]

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?

 

[Chef Mickey]

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.

 

[JasonDeyoung]

I live in Tampa and we have one of the best zoos in the country but I still make time for AK. Like said above it also depends how long you'll be in Disney for. If it's just a short few days Id prob not make it due to MK and Epcot. But if you're there around a week it's a good park to experience something other than those two. I dunno it's a love/hate park so maybe it's just not for you.

 

[MaryJaneP]

We'd also say probably worth it, especially if it is part of a multipark ticket. As a stand-alone experience, it is a tough sell but nonetheless an enjoyable visit. When you buy multiday passes, the per day cost goes down, and the return on investment of time goes way up. We have enjoyed EE, Safari, Festival, an even Nemo. We still have things we want to do so we will most likely return.

 

[sgtmgd]

I enjoy AK even though its not a park that requires a full day to see, I believe the Breakfast Buffet at Tusker House is one of the best in any park or resort, the Safari, Kali Rapids, Dinosaur, EE, FOTK, Nemo, Tough to be a bug, all enjoyable to us and the crowds are always manageable if you plan right. Of course this all changes once Avatar is complete.

 

[belledream]

If you have the luxury of time, I would say go for it. It's not just a 'zoo' really, and I personally love the variety it adds to my WDW vacation! Everest and Dinosaur are fun rides. There are some beautiful, remote areas that really make you feel like you're somewhere else. And of course, there's Festival of the Lion King - best show in WDW!

 

[BigHero4]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I am anxious to see Avatar land - that might get me back in the door.

 

[Chef Mickey]

I'm also questioning how it's a "waste of money" to get into AK? At minimum, you're going to have a Park Hopper ticket, correct? Or maybe not the PH option? You haven't said how many days, but you're never really just buying admission into 1 park at Disney unless you're doing it wrong.

This is why people that use the "$90 to enter DHS" argument don't really understand the full picture. It all has to be viewed as a package. You don't like AK? Just do the things you like and park hop to the next park.

As we've all said, there is plenty to enjoy at AK if you have the mindset that you're going to do more than just ride EE and do the safari.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Sure its worth it... its more than a zoo. They planned to make it different just to avoid having guests thinking that it was going to be like the same old zoos at home. No place else does it like Disney. Sure you will read other posts that say its a 1/2 day park and not much to see but we always find enough to keep us there a full day and keep coming back.

 

[wdwgreek]

Definitely worth it, not only is it beautifully themed, the animals are in cohesive well maintained environments and not pens, and remember its "NOTAZOO." It features an amazing Broadway Style show, some great rides, CTX and Everest and some really neat attractions and shows. I live next to the Bronx Zoo and if money and distance weren't things, I would take Animal Kingdom over it any day.

 

[Incomudro]

I love AK.
Love the three big rides - though they've got detractors here on this forum.
Love the zoo features.
Love the safari.
Perhaps most of all, I love the theming.

 

[Redsoxfn79]

It's well worth it. Such a fun and beautiful park/experience.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

Definitely worth it.

 

[Jane Doe]

If you're going anytime soon be aware that there are walls everywhere in the park, visible cranes and the parade is no longer there. It's a good park if you're on a multiday ticket, but as a stand alone day ticket it's not worth the money at the moment.

 

[Disneydreamer23]

I have a zoo membership for a zoo close to me which is also a very nice zoo! It does NOT compare to DAK at all! I go to the Zoo and always say " Disney does this so much better" With alot of things I see. Animal Kingdom is a great park, great shows, great food!!

 

[JohnD]

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?

Absolutely, yes. I understand where you're coming from with the zoo aspect. But there is so much more. You have the non-animal shows (FOTLK, Nemo, Bug), Everest roller coaster, Rapids, Dinosaur, and several restaurants. (I purposely left out Safari, trails, Flights of Wonder, and Rafiki's Planet Watch). Plus, if you're coming to visit WDW anyway for the other parks, this is a great one to just stroll around it and take in a more easy going atmosphere.

 

[yensid67]

I love all the Disney World parks, including AK...that being said I do not waste the money to go to AK because I only live an hour from National Zoo. For me, its basically a zoo that a couple of rides and shows.

If you are asking whether I think you should plan a day at AK, it depends on your time and budget and preference.
If money weren't an object, I would go. Usually I want to save as many days as I can to do other things on International Drive so the time and preference would come into play if there was other activities on I Drive or elsewhere I wanted to do...

Personally, I stay away from AK since the National Zoo is so close if I wanted to go! And I may add, that I stay away from HS until they are finished with the reimagined area in a few years

Just my opinion

 

[SnarkyMonkey]

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.

I usually go to DHS one trip and DAK the next. I don't agree that it's a half day park. I need to spend a whole day there and still don't accomplish everything. Right now, though, I am tempted to skip both DHS and DAK until the construction is finished.

As for the zoo comment, well, I think that has been adequately covered. And I agree with the others that this is a different experience than a zoo. It's a theme park. And I've been to lots of amazing zoos around the world, including the best in the country many times.

 

[Goofnut1980]

Meh. We can do AK in a few hours. Same as the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium here in our town.

 

[Matt_Black]

And there's a lot of fun live entertainment, too. Gi-Tar Dan is a hoot. Also, from a character M&G standpoint, it's the only spot to meet Baloo, King Louie, Rafiki, and Pocahontas as well as some more rare characters from time to time (outside of the surprise meets at Epcot or the Characterpalooza at DHS).