Scathing Animal Kingdom Article

[RonAnnArbor]

I think this article gets a lot of things right. I have never been an Animal Kingdom fan, although I spend a half day there on each visit to WDW. It is absolutely true that EE has changed traffic flow in the park.

You can no longer arrive 15 minutes before opening. You need to be there 45 minutes before opening like the other parks. The crowd waiting from the rope drop extends all the way back to the oasis. Two thirds immediately rush to EE, the other third rushes to KS, and the few uninformed there looking for a peaceful day amongst the animals are left in the dust with their strollers spinning like tops.

Traffic then flows from EE to KS or vice versa. Then by noon many folks are heading back to the bus queus to head to other parks having also done Dinosaur, Bugs Life, and Primeval Whirl along the way and wondering what else to do, especially if they have been there once before.

I agree that EMH at the park in the evening will make a world of difference - people can return later in the afternoon and explore a bit more without that feeling of being rushed out the door by 5 or 6.

As an adult who has visited all the major zoos not only in the US but in other countries, AK is sorely lacking. For an animal themed park - well - mostly you see souvenir stands, food stands, and snack stands.

I take away from this article not "scathing" but "concerned"...this park sorely misses Disney magic - it needs at least another handful of major attractions, not just one new semi-interesting coaster. It needs air conditioned buildings and rides. As overdesigned as EE's queu line is, which of the Imagineers thought that having the majority of the queu line wind around in the hot sun was a great idea?

 

[kcnole]

I actually agree to an extent.

When we visited last we actually planned on doing DAK, MGM, and EPCOT because we'd done Magic Kingdom before but never DAK.

Granted it was in January so lines weren't bad, but we had done everything in DAK by 2 PM including a nice lunch so we decided to hop over to MK to finish the day.

It was a nice park, but not one we loved.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Is the boat ride actually coming back or is this you just saying what you would want to see?

Oh I have no idea...I've just heard the concept of the original plans for it and thought it was a great touch. Just wishing it would be brought back. Obviously it's not an E-ticket, but just an attraction that gives you a nice overview of the entire park.

 

[Incredibles]

First off, PintoColvig obviously has too much time on his hands for such a detailed response.

Second, as far as the heat issue is concerned, I don't look at AK as any different than World Showcase at Epcot or waiting in lines in Fantasyland for a 2 minute briefly air conditioned ride which is what most parents of young childern do. Even when the author gives a so called "positive comment" about the shade growing out, it is backhanded by saying it is a hotbed of heat and humidity. IMO, if you don't like the heat, then go to the parks when it is cooler. Otherwise, you have no one to blame but yourself.

Third, how in the world can RonAnnArbor say that the queues are overdesigned?! That is part of Disney, the total immersive experience. If they had scaled it back, I'm sure people would be blaming the Disney management for putting out another low budget attraction. Can't ever please some people, I guess

Last, I do feel scathing is correct. Anyone starting out an article calling Disney boneheaded is not being professional and openmided. He bashes the ride height requirements. Well, there are other rides and attractions kids can enjoy; if you don't like it, then go to MK! EE is phenomenal, and I haven't heard anyone say it is only mediocre like he implies. He is very obviously trying to buck the trend and write a different review of the ride. Also, anyone that has devoted a ton of time to a cynical website of Disney that states, and I quote, "a highly jaded perspective...look(ing) at the shortcomings of all four Florida theme parks," like the authors website states, is obviously out for some vendetta.

That is scathing no matter how you look at it.

 

[jaredliu]

...and if you would take the time to read my other post, you would see that I wrote that Motley Fool usually always takes the negative side of issues against Disney.
Plus, how is the article offering construction criticism other than to say there is alot of potential left at the park? Anyone that starts off an article by calling Disney's moves as "boneheaded" over and over is not taking an unbiased postion.

Go to www.fool.com and look up other articles by this author. He comes off as almost having some sort of vendetta against Disney; yet he has a vacation home 5 minutes from the parks. The guy is just trying to make a name for himself with slander. Nothing else.

I don't think he is trying to make a name for himself for slander. He just like disney a lot so he has a higher standard. Don't be that harsh. Anyone could have their own thoughts. AK does have lots of problem to fix, and he named a few with good points actually.

 

[AndyMagic]

The article is a criticism and is in NO way scathing. He clearly likes Disney and is simply pointing out Animal Kingdom's flaws, ALL of which are in my opinion completely true even though Animal Kingdom was and still is my favorite park to visit. Lack of air conditioning... completely true. Needs some more things to do.... completely true. Everest is a nice addition but nothing to write home about.... accurate again. Scathing indeed. :brick:

 

[jaredliu]

First off, PintoColvig obviously has too much time on his hands for such a detailed response.

Second, as far as the heat issue is concerned, I don't look at AK as any different than World Showcase at Epcot or waiting in lines in Fantasyland for a 2 minute briefly air conditioned ride which is what most parents of young childern do. Even when the author gives a so called "positive comment" about the shade growing out, it is backhanded by saying it is a hotbed of heat and humidity. IMO, if you don't like the heat, then go to the parks when it is cooler. Otherwise, you have no one to blame but yourself.

Third, how in the world can RonAnnArbor say that the queues are overdesigned?! That is part of Disney, the total immersive experience. If they had scaled it back, I'm sure people would be blaming the Disney management for putting out another low budget attraction. Can't ever please some people, I guess

Last, I do feel scathing is correct. Anyone starting out an article calling Disney boneheaded is not being professional and openmided. He bashes the ride height requirements. Well, there are other rides and attractions kids can enjoy; if you don't like it, then go to MK! EE is phenomenal, and I haven't heard anyone say it is only mediocre like he implies. He is very obviously trying to buck the trend and write a different review of the ride. Also, anyone that has devoted a ton of time to a cynical website of Disney that states, and I quote, "a highly jaded perspective...look(ing) at the shortcomings of all four Florida theme parks," like the authors website states, is obviously out for some vendetta.

That is scathing no matter how you look at it.

If you check out the recent thread you will find out not everyone enjoys EE that much. Maybe they are minority (maybe not) but hey, who say that it has to be "phenomenal" for everyone's taste? I for one think its good but not "phenomenal" at all. You are saying he was just trying to write a different review of the ride, well at least I feel the same. And I believe lots of points of his article is not that different from others.

 

[steve2wdw]

First off, I'd like to say that since AK opened, it has been my favorite park at WDW. As it has grown, so has my appreciation of it. (Knowing the backstory of Dinoland and Chester and Hester, I even enjoy the Dino-Rama section of Dinoland.) Thanks to Everest, we're now able to view this spectacular park in all it's nighttime glory. The lighting is incredible. At times, being in AK at night makes you feel a million miles away from central Florida. Does AK need more diversions, well sure. I love the Jungle Trek in Asia and the Pangani Trail in Africa so I'd love to see more "real" animals. And on the other hand, the park is ripe for a slow moving dark ride (that all family members can ride) based on either real animals or mythical beasts. With the vast acreage that this park has to develope, it is my hope that this park matures into an experience that all members of the family will enjoy.

 

[PintoColvig]

First off, PintoColvig obviously has too much time on his hands for such a detailed response.

'Tis true but, hey, it's my day off and it's raining here. Nothing better to do. Yet, I don't have so much time that I spent it scouring the motley fool website looking for disney related articles. :drevil:

Thanks for sharing the article though.

 

[PintoColvig]

Since I still have some time on my hands (ie., it is still raining and I can't go mow my lawn), let me respond some more to your post...

Second, as far as the heat issue is concerned, I don't look at AK as any different than World Showcase at Epcot or waiting in lines in Fantasyland for a 2 minute briefly air conditioned ride which is what most parents of young childern do.

The long walks in the sun at the World Showcase are rewarded with plenty of air-conditioned shops, restaurants, attractions, and lengthy shows. As for Fantasyland, there are seven attractions close together. All of them provide queues that are at least partly shaded and five of them are air conditioned. And that is just Fantasyland. There are five more lands in MK that have air-conditioned attractions. How many of AK's attractions have A/C? To my knowledge, there are only six for the entire park, and that number includes the yet to be enclosed Nemo theater. I have to disagree on your assertion here.

Even when the author gives a so called "positive comment" about the shade growing out, it is backhanded by saying it is a hotbed of heat and humidity.

It is a hotbed of heat and humidity. Sorry but a fact is a fact.

IMO, if you don't like the heat, then go to the parks when it is cooler.

:brick: Maybe that is what's happening. Attendance at AK is obviously less than the other three parks. Suggesting that Disney fix the problem by providing more indoor rides and more A/C is not a bad idea.

Last, I do feel scathing is correct. Anyone starting out an article calling Disney boneheaded is not being professional and openmided.

I think he was just using a rhetorical device here. You will notice that he returned to the "bonehead" comment at the end of his article but used it in reference to himself. Not the most effective approach, IMO, but it is certainly not a reason to call it scathing.

He bashes the ride height requirements. Well, there are other rides and attractions kids can enjoy; if you don't like it, then go to MK!

Again, maybe that's why the attendance at AK is lagging behind the others. What is wrong with Disney adding more attractions that appeal to a wider and younger/older audience to what is mostly a great set of attractions? How can that not help make an already fun and thematically interesting park even better?

Also, anyone that has devoted a ton of time to a cynical website of Disney that states, and I quote, "a highly jaded perspective...look(ing) at the shortcomings of all four Florida theme parks," like the authors website states, is obviously out for some vendetta.

No person or organization will benefit when all they get is sunshine blown up the wazoo. Critical evaluation is not always easy to swallow but it is a very healthy thing to go through. The real issue with this article is whether or not his criticisms are valid. (I say that they are but that's just my opinion.) Regardless of his personal feelings about Disney, his criticisms must be evaluated for what they are. He has raised honest issues that ought to be considered.

That is scathing no matter how you look at it.

Scathing implies that he was trying to be harmful to Disney but that's not the point of his article. He clearly wrote an article with critical content with the intent of encouraging Disney to improve AK. That's all.

Thanks for your love of AK. I too love it but also hope that it gets even better.


Well, it looks like the sun is peeking out and the mower is calling my name.

 

[Main Street USA]

Oh I have no idea...I've just heard the concept of the original plans for it and thought it was a great touch. Just wishing it would be brought back. Obviously it's not an E-ticket, but just an attraction that gives you a nice overview of the entire park.

That boat ride was THE best thing to do in AK in my opinion. Sort of like a TTA on water for Animal Kingdom. VERY relaxing and beautiful float.

 

[TimeTrip]

That boat ride was THE best thing to do in AK in my opinion. Sort of like a TTA on water for Animal Kingdom. VERY relaxing and beautiful float.

Ugh that boat ride was terrrrible

 

[stingrock23]

I'm really surprised that Disney hasn't created a Lion King attraction yet. It's only Disney Animation's highest grossing movie. There's so much to work with.

 

[fundesign]

EE is phenomenal, and I haven't heard anyone say it is only mediocre like he implies.

It's mediocre at best. I would describe it as a huge let down. A mild coaster that has about as much thrill as BTMR and less show.

 

[peter11435]

I'm really surprised that Disney hasn't created a Lion King attraction yet. It's only Disney Animation's highest grossing movie. There's so much to work with.

Well, technically WDW was once home to 3 Lion King attractions,

 

[TimeTrip]

It's mediocre at best. I would describe it as a huge let down. A mild coaster that has about as much thrill as BTMR and less show.

While i wouldn't go so far to say it's mediocre. I thought it was ho-hum, maybe because I felt let down.

 

[TimonRulz]

I'm looking forward to seeing what they do with the park (additions and such). Could be quite impressive!

 

[Pete C]

post removed...

 

[AEfx]

Well, at least the guy as at the right website - "fool".

AEfx

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I'm not exactly sure why anybody cares what this guy writes anyway. He's a freaking interent columnist. His opinions are no more valuable than yours or mine. Same thing with Jim Hill. Internet columnist. Who cares.

Well hell, my opinion is extremely valuable, it must be, why else would I keep getting sent all these polls from Novatris????

And besides I have a loud voice and an ego as big as my belly.:animwink: