What keeps you going back to AK?

[blueboxdoctor]

Ok, so I'm not really a fan of AK, but I know a lot of people really like it. I was wondering what keeps you going back there that maybe I've never noticed or whatever. I always feel like I shouldn't ignore it, but every trip that's what I seem to do. So, what are some reasons to go back?

 

[WDWmazprty]

Its a Disney Park. Thats it. For us, its part of our Disney vacation; it may not be as exciting or big as the other parks, but it does have things that we enjoy and that's enough.

 

[notslim99]

I just find that it is a great "walk around" park. It's got some great attractions and shows, but as much as some may disagree, it is not a full day park. We always go to DAK, and it would be a shame for you and your family to miss out on a unique Disney theme park. I would suggest giving it a half day try, preferably in the morning, then hop to another park. If you don't have the Park Hopper, maybe just give it a half day and enjoy a leisurely afternoon at your resort or DTD. Just my $0.02. :wave:

 

[blueboxdoctor]

I just find that it is a great "walk around" park. It's got some great attractions and shows, but as much as some may disagree, it is not a full day park. We always go to DAK, and it would be a shame for you and your family to miss out on a unique Disney theme park. I would suggest giving it a half day try, preferably in the morning, then hop to another park. If you don't have the Park Hopper, maybe just give it a half day and enjoy a leisurely afternoon at your resort or DTD. Just my $0.02. :wave:

We have done it a few times in the past, and I do agree it's not a full day park. The reason we havn't been there in a while is because it takes quite a while to actually get anywhere, and I think they said it's around ten degrees hotter there due to the vegetation and all. Granted, the rapids ride is rather fun, but to get there you need to traverse the entire park. I feel as if it's about that time that we're going to feel as if we have to go there since we don't have a reason to take that time to go to DTD after they got rid of the Virgin Records mega-store.

 

[brandon8419]

It's the park we visit the least often, but it still is a lot of fun. The safari, Dinosaur, Primeval Whirl and Everest are all great attractions. And as mentioned above, it always feels hotter there so Kali River Rapids is always a good way to cool off.

 

[Nemo14]

We just go because we love the theming. To me, it takes me away from the outside world more than any of the other parks do. It may be lacking a bit in rides, but we can get our "ride fix" elsewhere. We go to AK for the atmosphere.

 

[mickey2008.1]

We find it to be one of the more relaxing parks. It's not a full day park for us either, but thats waht makes it for, dont have to ruch around for this or that. It has really great shows, and a lot of character to it. It's not just a cement pad, its got life about it.

 

[plaz10]

Im actually in the same boat as far as AK goes...really not a fan.

We've gone in the past because we had time and feel we should. We go and do Everest, Kilimanjaro Safari and the Finding Nemo Musical. That's really all we go for.

But our next trip will be sans AK. I just can't waste a precious Disney morning on AK. The rides are nothing great in comparison to what we can get accomplished at other parks. Plus the heat that AK produces + the size of the park (and how spread out the attractions are that we enjoy) it really seems to tire us out much quicker than the other parks. So we will probably just skip it on our next trip.

But if you are looking for reasons - Everest, the safari and Finding Nemo the Musical would be our reasons to visit AK.

 

[Alexx]

Although it's not a full day park, we love it.

Expedition Everest
Kilimanjaro Safari
Dinosaur
It's tough to be a bug
River Rapids

We also like to see the animals, going on the jungle trek and it's just generally a nice park.

 

[Mr_Incredible]

Like someone else said, the theming. I love the drum beats throughout the park like I am in another country. The "bugs life" theme playing always makes me smile, its not all painted pretty and extravagant. it's more like when i was a kid, when i dreamnt of living like tarzan, or being stranded in a deep rain forrest what would it be like? And I love that feeling. Plus, I LOVE the Dinosaur ride, and the river raft ride is great. The live animals is always a plus, since I always wanted to study zoology.

 

[BigRedDad]

There are many reasons for us. Here is a list:

1. Tusker House breakfast
2. It is a great park for a half day when we arrive around noon
3. Kilimanjaro Safari
4. The theming throughout the park
5. D'vine
6. Nemo and Lion King show
7. Pangani trail (sp?)
8. Characters
9. Street performers
10. Flame Tree BBQ
11. some of the rides

 

[blueboxdoctor]

There are many reasons for us. Here is a list:

1. Tusker House breakfast
2. It is a great park for a half day when we arrive around noon
3. Kilimanjaro Safari
4. The theming throughout the park
5. D'vine
6. Nemo and Lion King show
7. Pangani trail (sp?)
8. Characters
9. Street performers
10. Flame Tree BBQ
11. some of the rides

I was a fan of the Tusker house, but apparently they made it go from a counter service to a sit down or something for lunch, so that's the only reason I stopped going there.

I think it's funny how nobody really mentioned the animals yet. That was a big part of it, and I just figured it didn't do much for me since I'm only like 45 minutes away from the Philadelphia Zoo.

Though, I do quite like the train to the petting zoo, there's basically nobody there ever, but it's kind of neat to have that in Disney. For some reason they got rid of the boat ride on the river around the tree of life.

It's a shame they never got to finish the park, because a dragon section would have really made it better than the camp mickey they put in as filler.

 

[DizneyPryncess]

On some trips I think I will skip AK, but I always end up going and skipping DHS instead if I have to skip a park. My main reason is just that I'm an animal person, and I always enjoy any kind of zoo or aviary in any city I visit. Combine that with Disney theming, and I always want to go back. I love the bird rooms, we always stay for a while and try to find every bird. We're big fans of the Flights of Wonder show, and the safari. We're never there all day, but once I'm in Disney I always feel like going for a little bit at least.

 

[cowanfamily]

I enjoy AK but agree it is a half day park. I'm usually out of there by 1 at the latest.
I think Flame Tree is one of the better counter service locations in the parks as well.

 

[echovictor]

This is a park for which you should literally "stop and smell the roses". The flora at AK is amazing. I really wish they did a better job of identifying all of the trees/foliage. I know some argue that the dense plant life makes the park hotter but I disagree. I think it is a lush alternative to the other parks. We love it.

 

[GatorGuy]

Animal Kingdom is one of my favorite theme parks. Most people go to theme parks for the rides, but at AK, one has to go for the experience.
I somewhat disagree with people that say there isn't anything to do in this park, there is tons to do and see, I believe it has some of the best themed attractions, buildings and lands.

Welcome to a kingdom of animals... real, ancient and imagined: a kingdom ruled by lions, dinosaurs and dragons; a kingdom of balance, harmony and survival; a kingdom we enter to share in the wonder, gaze at the beauty, thrill at the drama, and learn.

-Eisner

I bet more than half of the people that go to AK ride Kilimanjaro Safari don't do the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, it is beautiful, guests can encounter Hippos, Meerkats, Gorillas, Birds, Fishes, it truly is wonderful. Or the Maharajah Jungle Trek which has a great story, theme, and animals (tigers, bats, snakes, and Komodo Dragons).

Let's not talk about the amazing shows, The Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo- The Musical, both very entertaining and wonderfully done shows.

Great rides such as Dinosaur, EE, Kali River Rapids, Kilimanjaro Safari, and It's Tough to be a Bug.

The theming IMO is the best from all of the FL parks. The Harambe Village in Africa is just so beautiful, it feels as if you have been transported into an actual African Village, with the telephone lines, fruit stand, the dancing, and music. Over at Asia one enters the kingdom of Anandapur, once again gorgeous theming and story telling.

Overall, AK is a great park that I think everyone should visit and do every single attraction and show listed on the Park Guide.

 

[NiarrNDisney]

Besides having two of my favorite rides (Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris) DAK is probably one of the most beautiful parks in the World and is great for just wandering around.

 

[Tinkwings]

My first thought? BOMA....then again I do adore all the landscaping and next to that? Safari and Bug's Life....the nature trails....enjoyed the Lion King preformance last trip....and am rather fond of Expedition Everest too. We had much fun watching it arise and then riding it at last....but Boma keeps me thinking on let's go there for x amount of time and eat dinner at Boma....since we travelled on this bus ride....:king:

 

[GatorGuy]

My first thought? BOMA....then again I do adore all the landscaping and next to that? Safari and Bug's Life....the nature trails....enjoyed the Lion King preformance last trip....and am rather fond of Expedition Everest too. We had much fun watching it arise and then riding it at last....but Boma keeps me thinking on let's go there for x amount of time and eat dinner at Boma....since we travelled on this bus ride....:king:

Boma is great, but it's at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, not the park, but it is AMAZING and I do recommend it.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I explore pretty much every area of the park except Dinoland USA and Rafiki's Planet Watch. I'll go on DINOSAUR but avoid Dinorama, Dino Sue and the Cretaceous trail. I'm not opposed to Rafiki's Planet watch, but I don't think it's worth the commitment to get back there. I think part of the problem is I'm usually trying to see 2 of the 3 shows and the Planet Watch time commitment is prohibitive.