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[Chrislo]

Last year was our first visit to Animal Kingdom. We (Me, my mother and DS 5) all hated it. So many others really love this park. Looking back I think we just wandered in circles and didn't really see anything, got hot and went back to the hotel.

We want to give it another try this year. For those of you that love this park, please give us some advice so we can really decide if we like it or not.

My son and I love animal, this should have been our favorite place.

Thanks

[JoanneS]

AKL is my least favorite park, but we usually do a half day here. I love Finding Nemo the Musical and The Festival of the Lion King. The Kilamanjaro Safari can be fun and the trails are good for seeing animals. If you can get to the Conservation Station early enough there are some interesting veterinary procedures happening.

[chezp]

We always head first to the safari, so we can enjoy it before the lines become too long, then we explore the Pangani Forest Trail. If you like animals, while you're in this area, consider heading over to Rafiki's Planet Watch. Another favourite of ours is the Maharajah Jungle Trek in Asia.

[MichaelF]

We also go to the Safari first. Then off to KRR., Its A Bugs Life and the Dinosaur ride. After that we don't find much to do at AK either and are usually out of there and back to the resort by 3 p.m.

[yalibrarian]

Make a plan! Consult your PassPorter so you have an idea of what might be of interest to you, and then group the activities by area so you don't spend a lot of time criss-crossing the park. We love AK; it's our favorite park, really!

Although there are thrilling rides here (Dinosaur, Everest), its really about the animals. The Kilimanjaro Safari is not to be missed. Try it first thing in the morning, or later in the afternoon--or both. You will see different animals out at various times of day. Like us, they tend to seek shade and lie down when its very hot. So try to do this attraction at cooler times. After you finish KS, consider riding the train up to the Conservation Station (Rafiki's Planet Watch). Along the walkway to the main building you will find animal displays and children's activities. When you get to the building, enjoy the cool air-conditioning and clean restrooms (complete with animal sounds). Then experience small animals up close, like lizards, or watch a medical procedure through the glass wall. You may meet Rafiki, Pocahontas or Jiminy Cricket, so have your camera ready as there are no Photopass photogs unfortunately. And try out the rainforest sound booths before you exit to the petting zoo.

Among other favorites for us are the animal trails, where wonderful CMs give talks and demonstrations related to the animals you are seeing. Please ask questions as they are very knowledgeable and eager to share. We also love the aviary which will reward patience. Take a seat and wait for the birds to come out of the bushes and trees. Many of them are like living jewels. We loved seeing the troop of male gorillas last year, including one we called Linus, since he was dragging a blanket around. The tigers in Asia are simply stunning too. And we do love the homely fruit bats. Cool things you just won't see at home!

Don't miss the Festival of the Lion King. It is a condensed version of the Broadway show and absolutely well worth the time. We haven't tried the Nemo show, but it is getting rave reviews. For both these shows, you will be seated in a nice cool spot, so work one or both into your visit, especially if it is hot.

There are lots more things to do, including a dig site in Dinoland for kids, and musical performances (try to catch the drummers near Tusker House). Cool off with an adult frozen beverage, the Yak Attack, served in Asia, or enjoy some barbecue down by the river at Flametree. Plan your day, pace yourself, and give AK a chance, and I think you will love it too.

[cburke]

Glad I came across this thread so I can make notes to what to do when we go.

[eeyorepam]

the AK is our #2 fave park we love it most of the time we try to vist 2 days but we wont have time this trip but thats ok we start with the lion king show if you start there you should get a up front seat because everyone eles it going to the safari then make your way to conservation station and see the vet working on the aniamls last time we saw a tiger. then the safari the animals are all out they may not be doing much but they will be there then the 2 other treks/trails to see the animals then if you like coster everest is the best skip Nemo we really dislike this show waste of good time then dinosar if you like wet rides kali river rapids but ride it last you will get very very wet and dont forget its tough to be a bug in the tree of life

[Wolfhunt]

One thing that might help is to get ahold of a park map before you get there and try to familiarize yourself with the layout.. Of all the parks, AK is the one that I still get turned around in.

Also try to have a rough plan on what to do once you are there. I'll echo the others suggestion to try to do the Safari first. If you get there at rope drop it will be a bit cooler and chances are the animals will be more active.

This park, IMO, has the most hidden secrets. With all of the hidden trails there is really quite a bit to discover here. I could easily spend several hours walking the trails around the Tree Of Life just seeing how many of the carved animals I could find (many of which can't be seen except for on the trails because they are part of the tree's "root" base.

I think because AK feels pretty enclosed because of the plantlife, alot can be missed. The other three parks are fairly open and landmarks are easily found, while at AK that is not always the case. I think this might frusterate people who are new to the park (I know it did me the first time we visited) because you spend alot of time feeling lost even with a map.

In short, I would suggest approaching the park with a rough plan and some knowledge of it's layout and then remember to look for those hidden areas that can be a joy to find.

[saibot0001]

We love Finding Nemo and Festival of the Lion King. We also go on the Safari first thing. My girls love Expedition Everest and KRR too!

[disgirl22]

We plan on doing Animal Kingdom for only half a day. Nobody has mentioned Camp Minnie-Mickey yet, that is one of my family's favorites and I plan on doing it when my friends and I go down, It is a great experience because we usually go on the way out in the afternoon so there is almost no one there and the characters have more time to spend with you. We also have plans for KS, EE, KRR and the conservation station, but that will probably be the extent of it.

[modisney]

Definitely try to eat and Yak & Yeti, it's awesome. The food has an Asian flair and it's really yummy. Our server told us in March that it's actually not a WDW restaurant, it's owned by Landry's.

Our park "to do" includes The Kilimanjaro Safari, the Jungle Trek (we liked the themeing and animals better there than on the Jungle Trek), Expedition Everest.

Have nice day when you go.

[Luvsun]

Animal Kingdom is my favorite park! I love animals and I love the whole feel of the park.
When entering the park I head to Kilimanjaro Safari to get a FP for later. I then get in the stand by line for the safari. I have found that every time you go on the safari you see something new and something different!
From here I like to head to Planet Rafiki. Sometimes they are doing a surgery or doing a physical on one of the animals. The last time I was there they were doing a physical on one of the tigers. It was so
The Pangani Forest Trail is where you can see the gorillas, meerkats and hippos. We love to watch the gorillas!!
By this time I head to Camp Mickey and Minnie for Festival of the Lion King. In my opinion this is the best show on property! I this show!!
If you are in need of some character interaction, this is the area to meet up with Mickey and many of his friends!
Heading back to the Oasis and the amazing Tree of Life, go to It's Tough to be a Bug! Fun stuff!! All around the Tree of Life there are winding paths where you can see many different animals and you can get a closer look at the animals that make up the trunk of the tree!! The tree itself is amazing!
From here I like to head to Dinoland. If your son is in need of exerting some energy, there is the Boneyard - a place for children to climb, explore and dig for dinosaur bones!
Dinosaur the ride is here and I love this ride! But it may be a bit scary for some.
There are some rides in the Chester and Hester area - TriceraTop Spin and Primeval Whirl.
Check your park guide for times for Finding Nemo the Musical. It is right around the corner from Dinoland.
If you are adventurous, head to Asia to ride Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids! Just know that you will probably get wet on Kali River Rapids....but it is so much fun!
Also in Asia you can see tigers, bats, a Komodo dragon, tropical birds and other animals on the Maharajah Jungle Trek.
And if you like birds, there is a show here: Flights of Wonder.
At this point I head back with my FP for the safari and get to experience the safari at a different time of day.
Of course at some point I stop to eat and I highly recommend Flame Tree BBQ for counter service or Yak and Yeti for table service.
There really is a lot to see at Animal Kingdom! I hope you give it another chance!

[mamajab]

We love AK! I agree that it can be easy to get turned around, but the advice to get a map is a great one. The thing I like best about AK is so much of it can be at your own pace. Spend 10 minutes watching the tigers or gorillas, if you want. Sit and watch the performers outside Tusker House, while eating ice cream (join the dance, too!) Ride the train out to Rafiki's Planet Watch, one of the hidden, and IMO, underappreciated treasures of the park. We have taken Kilimanjaro Safari at various times of the day, and have never failed to see lots of animals. I also agree that there are not-to-be-missed activities: Festival of the Lion King, It's Tough To Be a Bug (make sure to check out the Tree of Life!), Finding Nemo, Expedition Everest (a family fave!), Dinosaur. Check out the different rooms in Pizzafari-- we happened to be there during a slower time and got a very helpful CM to give us a tour. There are also plenty of Disney details to check out. Take the time to look around: animal tracks in the concrete, bug lampshades, murals, etc. Definitely, give it another chance; you're sure to find something you'll love!

[Sue M.]

AK is one of our fav parks too. The theming and attention to detail is amazing. Be sure to slow down, and take it all in.
We head to Safari first, then Everest to ride, and grab a FP for later. Then on over to Dinosaur, and maybe Primevel Whirl- may need a back adjustment after that one though!
Catch a ride on Kali River rapids, then if it's getting close to lunch we'll eat at Flametree BBQ, it has great ribs, and the most beautiful seating areas anywhere, or eat at Yak & Yeti cs, which is right by Kali River.
At this point we've done all the attractions that have long lines, so we'll slow down and enjoy the trails, Flights of Wonder, Festival of Lion King, Tough to be a Bug, use FP to ride Everest again, and if we've also collected a FP for Safari too, ride that again. At some point, take the train to Rafiki Planet Watch too.
That's pretty much a whole day. We can spend 2 days at this park. There are also CM's along the paths often with animals or birds, all to happy to talk to you about them. If you haven't seen Finding Nemo, go see it. It's not our fav. show, but worth seeing once. You may find it is your fav, many love it.

As with any park, plan to go for rope drop. And do Safari first, mainly because the animals are more active early morning, then mid day.

I hope you have a better experience with AK this time around. Let the magic find you!

[808boneplayer]

As stated earlier, it never hurts to have a battle plan. My first AK visit wasn't memorable. I neither hated it, nor liked it. My past trip made me realize why that was so. Basically, if you don't take the time to study a map, one may find themselves doing more walking then anything and in the hot sun to boot. Know where you want to go and take advantage of the Extra magic hours.

I personally can't see myself spending a day there. Usually, two visits to AK throughout our trip is good enough. Hope this helps.

Travis