Who else was skeptical the first time they visited Animal Kingdom?

[Walt Disney1955]

I know I was. The park opened in 1998 of course but I never went in 2002. I finally go my next trip in 2009 with not very high expectations (I don't know why). My wife and I loved it. When we went in March 2010 with my parents we told them they should come to AK since they had never been. They loved it too.

So who else here didn't think Disney could pull off a zoo-like kind of park? I didn't think they could

 

[Master Yoda]

I wasn't at all. AK opened before I became a Disney nut so I had no idea it was even being built. I just happened to be on property with a length of stay pass in April of 1998 and read a flyer about the resort guest preview of AK. I was absolutely giddy about going to the place and even though the park had only about 2/3 of what is currently there I was blown away about how immersive the place was and how much attention was paid to the little details. That visit to AK is what transformed me to a casual guest to a complete Disney nut.

 

[zurgandfriend]

The first time we visited DAK we were totally underwhelmed. We did the safari and only walked around Africa a little bit. DW said “they got rid of Discovery Island for this?”
The next trip I had to force DW and DS to go back. I told them let’s do DAK the morning of our first day and “get it out of the way.” We found DAK had a lot more to offer including EE which wasn’t open our first trip. We always visit MK on the day we arrive, got to keep the tradition, but we now always visit DAK our first full day.

 

[Fable McCloud]

I was skeptical, and I had a right to be. I think seeing animals is nice and everything, but I can do that at home. I'm more a fan of attractions, like EE or Dinosaur, so my mom was really interested, but I wasn't too impressed. "Oh look, a tiger...behind re-enforced glass..."

That was also the day I passed out on the bridge, so I have bad memories from AK. I did enjoy EE and all the other attractions, and I did like Kilimanjaro Safaris, but I AK is definitely not my favorite park in WDW.

 

[Evil Genius]

I went to Animal Kingdom for the first time in Feburary of 1999...right after it opened and while it didn't blow me away...I did enjoy it. I thought the theming and landscaping was amazing and Kilamanjaro Safari was the first experience of its kind I'd ever had so it was great as well.

We also got to ride Kali River Rapids in soft openings...in the morning...in the cold which was...interresting...

Oh...and we got to ride Dinosaur when it was still Countdown to Extinction and that blew me away!

 

[wdwmagic]

Not at all. I was lucky to visit in its first month, and was excited as heck to get in. Nothing like a brand new Disney park (well except maybe for DCA and DLP Studios).

 

[Mickey is King]

AK is one of the best parks in the world, period. when it is finally "complete" it will be magnificent beyond compair.

 

[JustInTime]

I was only ten or so when they were building it. But my Neighbor was a Disney Parks freak and she all the magazines etc. of the new park. She was there the week it opened and brought me back all kinds of stuff from the park (pictures and park maps). I went a few months later during the first few year it was open as well. That was my first visit to Walt Disney World. Now, we go to AK every time first. It is a tradition now and it sets the tone for the entire trip. I was so excited before our first trip and I still get just as excited now. Nobody does it like Disney. And because of the build up and it being so new, the park really holds a special spot in my heart. It have gotten even better with Asia. I love it.

 

[ctosh]

we love AK!! nobody does it like Disney.. It is my sons favortite park.. he would live there if we would let him.

 

[loveofamouse]

to me, AK is still a half day park. Like others have said, I can see animals at home. I lived in Jax which has the same climate as Orlando so our zoo has many of the same animals. I go to AK for attractions but between Dino, EE, FotLK, and a few others, it only takes us half a day to do them. I hope they plan to add more. For now, MK and HS are still my fav parks.

 

[wizards8507]

I'm confused about the "we-have-animals-at-our-home-zoo" people. Just because there happen to be animals at a local zoo doesn't mean there AREN'T unique and interesting animal opportunities at Animal Kingdom. I wouldn't miss Flights of Wonder for anything, and there aren't many places in the entire world where you can a family of Gorillas or a Komodo Dragon. If you take your time to talk with the keepers of the different exhibits you can learn some fascinating information. I'm always amazed at the people who blow through the exhibits throughout Animal Kingdom, The Seas pavilion at Epcot, The Magic of Disney Animation and One Man's Dream at DHS, etc. I know they don't have black lights and motion simulators, but the walk-through educational type attractions are part of what makes Walt Disney World such a complete experience.

 

[MagicMegan]

I don't love or hate AK, but it is the hottest Fn park in the whole of Disney World!

 

[WishIwasThere]

I was excited to visit it the first time back in 1999 since it was still 'new' but disappointed that we saw everything by noon time. Kali wasn't there, neither was EE, Hester and Chester wasn't there, DW didn't want to see Tarzan nor Pocahontas, so there is half the park there. We loved safari, Lion King, CTE, and ITTBAB.

So not skeptical...but a bit of a let down. I assume it was the same when D-MGM first opened with its limited rides and few shows.

 

[tiaragirl]

It wasn't until our last trip that I really, fully embraced AK. I think it had something to do with the age (not being ALL ABOUT THE RIDES) and having newbies with me. Now I'm excited to go back, maybe do some of the walking trails.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I remember watching the Today show broadcast from AK when it opened & I wanted to go there sooooo bad. At that point I had only ever been to MK & Epcot because I moved away from the Orlando area around the time the studios opened. I finally got to see the other 2 parks in Jan. '04. AK was impressive & I thought it was themed beautifully. It did seem like there wasn't enough to do. We weren't into all the walk-thru animal exhibits. We did a quick once-thru of the Jungle Trek but it didn't dazzle us. At the time we were members of the Audubon Society in New Orleans & anyone who has been to the Audubon Zoo there will tell you it's an incredible place. I guess we were spoiled by that. The safari was awesome & has always been our youngest's favorite. Loved Dinosaur & all of DinoLand ((gasp! Yeah, we 'get' DinoLand & love it!)! We didn't spend a ton of time there. I wouldn't say we were disappointed. There was plenty to be impressed with.

Does anyone else find a day of walking at AK to be far more exhausting than any other park? I think it's the uneven, path-like walkways. And elevation changes. It's a lot of work on the legs. I recall on one trip waking up the day after AK with my legs from toes to hips aching something fierce.

 

[rodserling27]

So who else here didn't think Disney could pull off a zoo-like kind of park? I didn't think they could

I still am not entirely convinced they've pulled it off :lookaroun

 

[loveofamouse]

Does anyone else find a day of walking at AK to be far more exhausting than any other park? I think it's the uneven, path-like walkways. And elevation changes. It's a lot of work on the legs. I recall on one trip waking up the day after AK with my legs from toes to hips aching something fierce.

Yes, and it is freakin hot there! lol The humidity at that park is nuts. I think all of that contributes to crazy fatigue there.


wizards8507- Didn't say we skip the attractions but it doesn't make them spectacular. Driving in a bus to see lion lounging on distant rocks is no different than local zoos.


Personally, I love the theming of AK. I think it's a beautiful park in most areas. It's just not an all day park.

 

[JustInTime]

Yes, and it is freakin hot there! lol The humidity at that park is nuts. I think all of that contributes to crazy fatigue there.


wizards8507- Didn't say we skip the attractions but it doesn't make them spectacular. Driving in a bus to see lion lounging on distant rocks is no different than local zoos.


Personally, I love the theming of AK. I think it's a beautiful park in most areas. It's just not an all day park.

I would like to respectively disagree here. While you my be able to see the a lion behind glass at your local zoo, The rest of the animals are pretty up close and personal. The experience gives the illusion that you are mixed in a real African environment. Zoos can't touch that.

Also, if you really do all the attractions, there is NO WAY it's a half-day park. Impossible. Even if the rides are walk-on. Just doing the shows alone would take up half the day. Add in lunch and the rides...you easily run out of time to complete everything. I have had this issue on every tip to Animal Kingdom. We never have enough time!

 

[Walt Disney1955]

Also, if you really do all the attractions, there is NO WAY it's a half-day park. Impossible. Even if the rides are walk-on. Just doing the shows alone would take up half the day. Add in lunch and the rides...you easily run out of time to complete everything. I have had this issue on every tip to Animal Kingdom. We never have enough time!

This is kind of what I thought too. It seems like pretty near an all day park to me. If by all day you mean 9am-6pm. It isn't quite like Epcot or MK where you certainly need 12 hours and still probably don't get it all. But it's a lot like Universal that way. One park can take you up until 6pm, that's about it.

 

[loveofamouse]

Also, if you really do all the attractions, there is NO WAY it's a half-day park. Impossible. Even if the rides are walk-on. Just doing the shows alone would take up half the day. Add in lunch and the rides...you easily run out of time to complete everything. I have had this issue on every tip to Animal Kingdom. We never have enough time!

Ive usually seen everything I want to see by 6 with pretty much walk ons and that does include the safari and such. And given that AK closes earlier than other parks, it's a half day park. I am not the only one to say that. Doesn't mean it isn't fun. It's just not an all day park. Everything can be seen in a day.




It is a matter of personal exp and opinion. The OP asked if others were skeptical before their first visit. My answer is yes and I stated why. I do not agree with you and Im sure I'm not the only since others have said similar things.