Animal Kingdom Advice About This Page:

[statelady01]

Can you really do Animal Kingdom in one day or is it better to do over say, 2 mornings? We were disappointed in our first trip there and I am hoping if we change strategies we might enjoy it more.

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[CRCrazy]

We tend to break up our Animal Kingdom touring, and spend at least 2 mornings there, since it is one of DH's favorite parks. I think a lot depends on when you are visiting - crowds and heat matter a lot more here, I think! You may want to split your touring into 1 morning, and then 1 afternoon, if you are bringing the kids, since the parade is really nice, but not until 4 pm. Although everyone really pushes the morning safari, which is nice - we've also had good luck with the late afternoon safari - plenty of animals up and around!

When the weather is cooler, and the crowds are low - Animal Kingdom is awesome for just strolling around, taking in the atmosphere - the trails are awesome! Tusker House is a great spot for a morning brunch or snack - their cinnamon rolls are to die for! The only area of this park that we don't enjoy is Dino-rama. Too much cheese!! We let the girls, less Jennie, enjoy a quick spin on Primeval Whirl, then head right on out to Dinosaur. Now this ride rocks!! Even when it is crowded, it never seems to have more than a 5-10 minute line! The shows here are terrific - Festival of the Lion King is incredible, and when they enclose the theater, it should only get better!

[wdw4us]

You "can" do it in one day, but when I read your post I thought it would be nice to do it in 2 monrnings because it gets so hot at that park. You could get there early and then leave for a park with indoor air conditioned attractions when it gets too hot. But in the summer, it's already hot in the monring too. I hope we can go again during a cooler temp month beause AK is much nicer to visit when it's not so hot.

[LuckyPup]

The one big problem I had with Animal Kingdom is the layout of it. By the time afternoon hit, I was hot, tired and lost! Two mornings sound like a great idea, especially considering how bad this park can get when it's crowded and hot. Either that, or try really late in the afternoon, when everyone has sort of "given up" on the park. Like from 4-6, depending on the heat.

[Luv2plan]

I would definitely recommend the 2 mornings approach, or a morning & an afternoon as CRCrazy suggested. AK was new for us on our trip last year and our first day there we were having fun all morning but stuck around too long into the afternoon and ended up hot & tired wandering around the trails in Asia with no idea what we were seeing. We went back in a second morning and again had a nice time, leaving right after lunch. For our trip week after next DH wants to go early a couple days to AK and do just a little bit then move on to another park, so we can let you know how that works out!

[AKLRULZ]

Maureen,

I/m glad you'll try AK again because we just absolutely love it. From your T/R, it sounds like you hit it on an off day - 2 mornings might be a great way to experience it. Marie hits it on the target when she talks about how it is in the cooler month - boy, what I wouldn't trade to be there right now though! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[dnbaci]

Originally posted by LuckyPup:
The one big problem I had with Animal Kingdom is the layout of it. By the time afternoon hit, I was hot, tired and lost

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">I agree with LuckyPup about the layout. I found us walking around in circles following my brother with his open map all day. If we passed that tree one more time, I think we would have killed him!!! The layout is very difficult to navigate! [img]graemlins/puter.gif[/img]

[chezp]

Do try AK again - we love it there! We always go there on our first day, as we find it an easy park to tour in a day and we're usually done by around 3 - 4 p.m.