Is Animal Kingdom's Biggest Problem the Safari Itself?

[tirian]

Getting into the logistics for a second, everything animal related pretty much has to be around the perimeter for the animal care facilities.

I guess the interstitial sections of the park is where the future attractions need to to alleviate what seems like long stretches. They do this already by spreading out the shops and eateries.

An interesting point about the walking though; would we have those same complaints if DAK opened 30 years ago?

Logistically, yes, the dark rides would have to be placed interstitially, although some areas are probably large enough for monkeys and other animals that don't require a savannah.

I remember hearing people complain about walking at the Magic Kingdom, and I suspect DAK would have been just as daunting back then.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

If you don't like DAK then don't go.. Easy as that. No one is forcing you to go there. Spend more time at MK or Epcot after all, that's why they have the park hopper option. Even go to Busch Gardens or Universal if you want more rides. I for one like DAK and we always spend a full day there. We don't have any big zoos where we live and everyone in my family loves animals. We are some of the ones who actually do like walking the trails and exploring. Could it benefit from a few new rides? Of course. Any park could always benefit from more attractions. I think 1 or 2 more dark rides would be great there. I do agree though, no more shows. While Lion King is my favorite Disney show, it's not something we HAVE to do everytime we're there like Space Mountain or ToT.
But with over 9 millions visitors in 2009, clearly some people DO enjoy spending time at DAK whether it be half a day or a full day :animwink:

 

[toolsnspools]

The only problem with DAK is that the people who are going there are expecting to maintain the same pace that they do in the other 3 parks. DAK is best taken in at a slow pace. You have to stroll through the park, and not rush from attraction to attraction. One of my favorite WDW experiences was going to DAK for EMH on the first night of our first trip. It was Dec so it was dark out, but the walkways were nicely lit. We spent a couple hours walking off the stiff legs from the airplane ride, and then let the kids have fun at the dig. If you plan to take a day at DAK, and sit through FoW, FotLK, ride KS, go out to CS and walk, not run, through the MJT and the PFET, you'll have a very enjoyable time. Be sure you take a few minutes to sit and enjoy the scenery when your legs get tired. You can even mix in EE, and Dino if you want some extra excitement. Make sure the EE line is long enough that you can take in the extensive detailing of the queue though. It's really an amazing place. You just can't expect to enjoy it at hyper speed. :wave:

 

[WDW_Princess]

I like Dinoland, but hate how non-disney Chester and Hester's looks. I will have to admit that I spend a lot of time in that section regardless because I cannot stop playing carnival games once I start. So, if I have enough "extra" cash, I could spend all day playing games at AK.:sohappy:

 

[loveofamouse]

Well said. The fact that it costs the same as the magic kingdom is an absolute joke.

Thank you


For us, we do like AK. It's just not an all day park, for us. When you look at an attraction line up for all of the parks, AK comes up short. Yet, it's the same price to get in it. Honestly, if we had to buy a ticket for each park, AK would get skipped. For us, and I'm sure many others, AK is saved by the existance of park hoppers.

No one is saying AK isn't a beautiful park. It's georgeous. I love taking pics there. Just not enough to do. Last I checked, AK only has 1 parade and no evening shows. MK has 3 parades and a night show. Epcot used to have a parade and has a night show. DHS has a parade and night show. And while I love Jammin Jungle's music(it's on my phone ), the parade itself is kinda weak by disney standards. It's just puppets and jeeps.

I can respect those who visit for the animal attractions since they have no zoo or the climate can't support warmer climate animals. Please respect us who say we don't visit for the zoo portion as we do have that. No one is saying remove the animal areas and fill with concrete or that it's a horrid hell hole so saying "Then don't go!" isn't very respectful (or a mature way of holding a discussion). The main thing everyone is saying, it seems, is just a few attractions need to be added. Not necessarily shows since some feel that they may not spawn repeat visits(Lion King is mando for every visit for us lol). A few C/D tickets would be much appreciated, though.

 

[njDizFan]

I guess I am a bit of an anomaly but DAK is my favorite park but I hate zoos. I'm just not a fan of seeing animals in jail cells. I guess it's the pixie dust or suspension of belief but I feel DAK gives it's animals due space and comfort. I completely dissasociate it from your average zoo.

That being said for me it's a full day if not a 2 day park. I do all the trails and see most of the shows if they fit into my schedule. It is just so immersive and detailed. As someone who doesn't get to travel too often, and will never get to go to Africa or Asia, this is the closest I can get. Strolling through the broken down African villages and seeing the performers. Seeing the forbidden mountain in the distance with the prayer flags hanging below, I think it's just beautiful.

As well as having some of the best attractions in Fla. DAK for me is the best example of finding yourself so remote from the real world. When you are on the safari or staring at the tree of life, how could you believe you are in central Florida.

 

[thelookingglass]

About DAK pulling in 9.6 million people annually: would it get nearly that much if not for Disney's Park Hopper tickets? I'm sure theres a LOT less people out there willing to pay $80 dollars for just one day at DAK and nothing else.

 

[tirian]

If you don't like DAK then don't go.. Easy as that. No one is forcing you to go there. Spend more time at MK or Epcot after all, that's why they have the park hopper option. Even go to Busch Gardens or Universal if you want more rides. I for one like DAK and we always spend a full day there. We don't have any big zoos where we live and everyone in my family loves animals. We are some of the ones who actually do like walking the trails and exploring. Could it benefit from a few new rides? Of course. Any park could always benefit from more attractions. I think 1 or 2 more dark rides would be great there. I do agree though, no more shows. While Lion King is my favorite Disney show, it's not something we HAVE to do everytime we're there like Space Mountain or ToT.
But with over 9 millions visitors in 2009, clearly some people DO enjoy spending time at DAK whether it be half a day or a full day :animwink:

This thread isn't about whether or not you like DAK; it's about whether or not containing the majority of animals in one space contributes to the perception DAK doesn't have much to offer.

 

[Mickey is King]

Interesting topic. May I assume that in this discussion we are free of any of the logistical issues that would face designing new areas for the animals (sort of a Roller Coaster Tycoon approach of being able to right click and move things)?

I think the problem lies in what you highlighted: people don't want to walk.

I don't think any spreading out of the headline animals in KS would increase the capacity of the park. Especially if you were going to offer up the walking trials as alternative views and not replaces KS all together.

Although Disney has tried hard to get away from the perception that they are "Nah-Ta-Zu" (fun fact, one of my friends on safaris was in that commercial a decade ago), it may be that it has swung to far in the opposite direction and the animals are secondary to the attractions.




i think your correct, people don't want to walk anymore than they have to.

The parks are BIG, but anyone that goes to WDW must realize that the place is HUGE and there will be ALOT of on your feet time. Most people can take the walking, but some can't, I understand that.
but, all that being said, America is getting lazier by the day, and no one wants to exert more energy than need be. Kinda of sad really.

 

[rct247]

I just thought of this, but the opening of AK reminds me of the opening of MGM Studios...where there was the studio tour which, along with the GMR was supposed to be the main draw, it was going to be THE reason to visit the park.

It seems like Disney has tried to make the Safari that same kind of thing.

People may disagree, but for animal exhibits, I still prefer Busch Gardens, it just seems like the animals are more accessible and there's different ways of seeing them (Edge of Africa walkthrough, train ride, skycar, Rhino Rally, etc.)

I agree. I found Busch Gardens more enjoyable for this very reason. I know niether are a zoo, but Busch Gardens does a better job as exposing its guests to animals while combining it with thrills. Sea World doesn't have enough rides and stuff to do. I feel the same with Animal Kingdom.

I like the safari as is, but I would like to see some of the animals from the safari in other places so i can watch them, not just see them at a glance.

Animal Kingdom needs more to do, especially a dark ride or something.

 

[lebeau]

Interesting topic.

To start off with, I do not think DAK's main problem is the safari. Yes, I would like to get a better look at the animals and I wish the safari would move at a slower pace and drop the stupid story. But I don't need any more zoo-like animal exhibits no matter how well done they are. I get plenty of that right here at home.

While our local zoo doesn't quite lize up to the exhibits at DAK, they are pretty spectacular, a lot cheaper and a lot more convenient. When I go to Disney, I don't want to spend my time and money on a higher-scale zoo.

I love the atmoshphere at DAK and I could personally spend the better part of a day just hanging out and exploring the park. But as someone else said, there's not a lot there for young kids. My kids have the patience for one show a day. Two is pushing it. And most of the rides have a height requirement. Even if my kids met the height requirement, some rides were still too scary.

On our last trip, we skipped DAK altogether. When we added up the attractions, we couldn't even make a half day out of it. We could either catch Nemo or the Lion King, ride the safari (which we've done in previous trips), play in the playground (which is on par with the one in DHS) and see animal exhibits which are slightly superior to the ones we have here at home. No one thought it was worth the bus ride over there for that.

When our kids are older, DAK will have more appeal. But until there are more attractions or all the zoos in the tri-state go out of business, I just can't see DAK ever being more than a 1/2 day stop for us.

 

[BizEmom]

I absolutely love the idea of the safari, and it's existence is a major reason that I visit the park. I'd like to see some changes to it, though.....

1. SLOW DOWN. I don't care whether it's a zoo, or nah-tah-zoo I'm here to see the animals. I rode it last week and I swear it went so fast I can't even be sure if the elephants were rescued.

2. No matter how many times I ride it, or who my driver is, I'm always in Simba 1. Wilson always interrupts my safari, then finds the poachers on his own anyway. I'm so sick of that story line. Really- I think the imagineers can do better.

3. What a missed opportunity that mile-long queue is. I think the imagineers could begin to tell the story of your African safari as you walk through the queue. Artifacts, small animals, and CMs could lend atmosphere. Right now it just feels like a painfully long hike.

 

[njDizFan]

This thread isn't about whether or not you like DAK; it's about whether or not containing the majority of animals in one space contributes to the perception DAK doesn't have much to offer.

Sorry for my post which also drifted from the original topic. But I disagree that the majority of animal exhibits are centrally located. In all the lands except CMM and Dino there are animals to be seen. Asia has FoW and Jungle Trek. Rafiki has Habitat,conservation, and affection. Africa has Pangani and the safari. Oasis has their exhibit, and discovery Isaland has it's trails. It seems to me the animals are spread out fairly well.

Granted the Safari is larger than the whole MK, but this is necceary to give them the space they need.

It does take a lot of walking in the heat to see all the animal exhibits, so it may not be for younger children or disabled people. The animals are out there if you are willing to see them.

 

[jakeman]

I absolutely love the idea of the safari, and it's existence is a major reason that I visit the park. I'd like to see some changes to it, though.....

1. SLOW DOWN. I don't care whether it's a zoo, or nah-tah-zoo I'm here to see the animals. I rode it last week and I swear it went so fast I can't even be sure if the elephants were rescued.

2. No matter how many times I ride it, or who my driver is, I'm always in Simba 1. Wilson always interrupts my safari, then finds the poachers on his own anyway. I'm so sick of that story line. Really- I think the imagineers can do better.

3. What a missed opportunity that mile-long queue is. I think the imagineers could begin to tell the story of your African safari as you walk through the queue. Artifacts, small animals, and CMs could lend atmosphere. Right now it just feels like a painfully long hike.

1. The safaris actually go slower now than they did in the past. I think load to load times are up from 18 minutes to around 22 minutes. I could be wrong on that though.

2. I'm a bit perplexed by this complaint. To me this would be the equivalent of not liking that Peter Pan always defeats Captain Hook or Mickey always gets his hat back in Philharmagic.

3. The queue does tell the story. One of the first buildings you enter is the booking office for your safari. The section of the queue after that tells you about Dr. Jobson (who was integral to the previous storyline). After you pass that there are crown cranes usuallys to your right. Finally as you go down the ramp to the loading docks Wilson tells you about the purpose of the reserve and foreshadows what may happens.

 

[cheezbat]

Animal Kingdom is not a park for everyone. Thats a big problem to me.

Yes, it does have SOME things for everyone to enjoy, but look at it this way: Not enough for small children to do. Where are the C/D dark ride/omnimover type attractions? Too much walking/ground to be covered by older people or people with physical conditions. This is a park my mother cannot walk around for long due to her heart condition. Serious lack of thrill rides for the younger/thrill junkies.

So who does this park cater to? Animal lovers and Disneyheads who love everything about the company, and thats about it. :ROFLOL:

Kilimanjaro Safaris is fine to me as is, though i would also like to see the storyline dropped. MORE ATTRACTIONS(preferrably INDOORS) is what the park needs to focus on more than anything.

 

[Scuttle]

I think Dinoland is extremely immersive. Especially when you look in to the setting that's being created. It is extremely rich, detailed and layered. Somewhere there's a link explaining everything that goes in to the story there.

It's just not particularly interesting or beautiful to most. :lol:





Shorter lines for me, I guess.

Dino land is terrible! Are you kidding me. And the dagger is that is was picked over BK by Eisner. It's a joke of a land. This is my sole reason for hating Eisner. This was the biggest mistake of his career. He let Universal beat Disney to the punch with the Lost Continent and now we have lost a land forever. BK will never happen and we can all thank Eisner for that.

 

[BizEmom]

1. The safaris actually go slower now than they did in the past. I think load to load times are up from 18 minutes to around 22 minutes. I could be wrong on that though.

2. I'm a bit perplexed by this complaint. To me this would be the equivalent of not liking that Peter Pan always defeats Captain Hook or Mickey always gets his hat back in Philharmagic.

I was trying to be a little tongue-in-cheek, but it probably doesn't come across well. My complaint isn't seriously that the elephants are rescued. In all seriousness, the story and the plastic animals that go with it actually detract from the safari experience, IMHO. I would prefer the safari to have real animals only. THEY, the real animals, are the story to me.

3. The queue does tell the story. One of the first buildings you enter is the booking office for your safari. The section of the queue after that tells you about Dr. Jobson (who was integral to the previous storyline). After you pass that there are crown cranes usuallys to your right. Finally as you go down the ramp to the loading docks Wilson tells you about the purpose of the reserve and foreshadows what may happens.

I think the wild African safari story is told more through television (in the queue) than actual scenery and atmosphere. The irony gets me every time.

 

[thelookingglass]

1. SLOW DOWN. I don't care whether it's a zoo, or nah-tah-zoo I'm here to see the animals. I rode it last week and I swear it went so fast I can't even be sure if the elephants were rescued.

For the record, the drivers aren't going that fast to be jerks or something. They have to keep a set pace so that the journey is roughly the same length every time. They will also speed up when you don't want them to sometimes because the truck behind them is getting too close and they have to keep a certain distance.

 

[lebeau]

Dino land is terrible! Are you kidding me. And the dagger is that is was picked over BK by Eisner. It's a joke of a land. This is my sole reason for hating Eisner. This was the biggest mistake of his career. He let Universal beat Disney to the punch with the Lost Continent and now we have lost a land forever. BK will never happen and we can all thank Eisner for that.

Bad decision? Yeah. But far from Eisner's worst mistake. Not even in the top 5.

 

[Vernonpush]

1. The safaris actually go slower now than they did in the past. I think load to load times are up from 18 minutes to around 22 minutes. I could be wrong on that though.2. I'm a bit perplexed by this complaint. To me this would be the equivalent of not liking that Peter Pan always defeats Captain Hook or Mickey always gets his hat back in Philharmagic.

3. The queue does tell the story. One of the first buildings you enter is the booking office for your safari. The section of the queue after that tells you about Dr. Jobson (who was integral to the previous storyline). After you pass that there are crown cranes usuallys to your right. Finally as you go down the ramp to the loading docks Wilson tells you about the purpose of the reserve and foreshadows what may happens.

If an animal is in the path of your truck, then the time could be even longer. It is impossible to actually say what the "ride time" is, considering the "show" (animals) can cause a truck to be stopped at any time.

Dino land is terrible! Are you kidding me. And the dagger is that is was picked over BK by Eisner. It's a joke of a land. This is my sole reason for hating Eisner. This was the biggest mistake of his career. He let Universal beat Disney to the punch with the Lost Continent and now we have lost a land forever. BK will never happen and we can all thank Eisner for that.

DinoLand was much more interesting when it first opened and had the Dino Sue fossils being prepared/preserved next to the tent of fossils of other dinosaurs. It had a feeling of being a real "dig site" (like The Disney MGM Studios had the feeling of being a "Real Studio" when it first opened).