I love doing everything there is to do in Asia.
Kali River Rapids has one of the best queues of all the parks. Even if you don't ride the ride, walk through that queue!
Maharajah Jungle Trek is awesome. And there is a story there. Ask one of the cast members to tell you about the Maharajahs and their history. There is so much detail there. Make sure you stop at the prayer tree and offer a prayer. If one of the bells rings, it is being answered. What look like bird houses in the aviary are actually spirit houses for spirits to protect the property. I just love this trek and never miss it.
EXCELLENT post, Wdwprince! I agree with everything you said.
Asia is my favorite section in the park. In addition to all the awesome theming and backstory you mentioned, I LOVE the sitar-heavy music loops!
I'm not always a big fan of getting soaked, and since winter and early spring is the main times I am at WDW, I often skip Kali. But like you said, even when I do, I enjoy walking the queue to soak in the details and backstory, and pretty views and atmosphere.
In addition to the animals, I love the story of the Maharajah Jungle Trek, such as the story of the 4 Maharajahs you mentioned and prayer trees.
Flights of Wonder is enjoyable and you wouldn't know unless you try it. The show I saw was interrupted and ultimately cancelled when an owl flew off into the trees. Up until that point it was great! It was also interesting to know that there are no nets to keep the birds there. If they want to leave, they leave!
Wow, I've never experienced that kind of interuption there! Usually the shows I see are merely interupted by a tour guide who is carrying a red flag on a stick and has FOB ("Fear Of Birds") and has Fastpasses for a movie called "Marsupial Madness: My Mom's Pouch is My Couch" or "A Sloth Named Speedy: He's A Coffee Drinker"!
Many people don't even know that there are trails around the Tree of Life. You can get up close to the tree to observe the animal carvings. There are also little areas with animals along the trail.
One of my favorite areas of the park, especially the part that goes right up along the front of the tree that so many people miss, apparently in the quest to get to the next big "E-ticket". This area has AMAZING views of the animals carved on the tree, and after numerous visits, I still find animals I've never noticed before every time! It's also a great place to see the Kangaroos near sunset as they gather by their backstage gate in anticipation of returning to their evening quarters.
(For those who don't know, this trail can be accessed by a path right next to the It's Tough To Be a Bug queue entrance, and the other end of this trail is on the Pizzafari side of the island, just past the otters when heading to Africa)
Rafikis Planet Watch is something I also really like. I avoided it in the past because a cast member said it was for little kids when I asked what it was about. There is a petting zoo which is fun for everyone. There is also plenty of educational entertainment inside of the building. I recommend it.
Again, I completely agree! As an animal fan there is something so rewarding about being able to actually meet and pet animals, and I heartily disagree with those who consider this a "kiddie" activity! I love all the animals there - the goats, the sheep, the Sicilian miniature donkeys, the pigs, and the llamas. But my favorite is the Dexter Cow, named Miss Kitty!
Speaking of favorite atmospheres in the park, I really like the seating area of Flame Tree Barbecue, especially the area overlooking the water and Everest after sunset. Just taking a few minutes to enjoy this view with the Discovery Island music loop playing in the background is, for me, one of the sublime pleasures of Animal Kingdom.
