GAcoaster Posted March 5, 2005 Share Posted March 5, 2005 I recently went on my second trip to DAK, and I have to say it was crappier than I remembered in some aspects and better than I remembered in others. There is really NOTHING TO DO in that park. I know the focus is the animals, but as animal parks go Busch Gardens Tampa is still superior since you actually see animals there. The few rides the park does have are really pitiful, and so much of the park seems half developed. Camp MinnieMickey - pointless. Africa - the star attraction is the Safari which is really sparsely populated with animals (granted, Wild Safari at SFGAdv is practically in my back yard, so maybe I have an unfair frame of reference). Rafiki's Planet Watch is just dull and leaves you stranded waiting for a train which takes you through dull backstage areas. Asia - has the walk through Jungle Trek, which is the best of the animal areas in the park, but even then it only has bats, birds and tigers. The rapids ride is very generic. Dinoland - feels like a hurried afterthought, and Dinosaur (the park's only real E-ticket) is dull and dated (Philicia Raschad and Wallace Langham?...who even remembers them anymore?). The best part of the park is the detail of all the theme elements. Every inch of the buildings and fixtures is full of great detail, which indicates to me the park had a great deal of thought put into it, except in development of the attractions which just makes no sense. Wouldn't you design attractions before the surroundings? Honestly, if it wasn't for EE construction, I wouldn't have even bothered with AK. I did take pictures (which I've posted to my Website). I wanted to share one of the detail shots here since when I saw it, I though of Elissa's love of all fuzzy little rodents: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT3000 Posted March 5, 2005 Share Posted March 5, 2005 The park is definitely lacking in things to do. But the safari is decent for what it is, and IMO Dinosaur is the most intense attraction at WDW. It'll still be a while before the park becomes anymore than a half day park, especially if they don't keep it open later. But the theming is some of the best they've ever made. Well, except for Dinorama. Dinorama is to AK what Toontown is to MK. Except 10 times worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Real Posted March 5, 2005 Share Posted March 5, 2005 BGT sucked IMO. The rides were far superior, but I see tons of animals when Im there. Ive seen most every animal on the safari. Twice now Ive seen the Tigers out playing like little kittens, which is sweet. Nothing like 2 grown big cats going at each other. Howler monkeys have been out. I think the difference is that at AK, the animals have their own habitats. They can get away from the public if they want too. BGT felt more like a zoo, their habitat was half the size and thus the animals had half the room to move in. They seemed rather confined. At any rate, I love Dinosaur and Primevil Whirl. Along with the parks atmosphere. Its ridiculously photogenic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisZer0 Posted March 5, 2005 Share Posted March 5, 2005 AK is best as what it is, a freeform zoo. Its the disney version of Sea World and it works. I like the different feels of the "lands" of the park, esp asia. I like the fact I can go there, sit and watch the day go by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rugged One Posted March 5, 2005 Share Posted March 5, 2005 I agree. We were at the park at couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed it. While it may not be as packed as full of attractions as some others park, we thought it worked great as a "chill out" park. We enjoyed just sitting around in some areas and sucking up the atmosphere. Wether or not being a nice place to hang out for the day is worth the $60 to get in may be debatable. Having Expedition Everest should definitely help out with ride quotient though. Also, I don't think Dinosaur is dull or dated. It definitley gave us a thrill, even after riding it a few times. I'd save words like that for Star Tours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisZer0 Posted March 5, 2005 Share Posted March 5, 2005 Its great if you have MYW w/ park hopper or even an AP, but for your typical johnny six pack with a day to spare, your money is more well spent at MK,Epcot or Disney Studios Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoshiFan Posted March 5, 2005 Share Posted March 5, 2005 I always saw the park as being a zoo with a few rides and shows thrown in and way to small of a park (even when it's not crowded, it still seems like it is). If I want to see animals I can go to the Philadelphia Zoo or Great Adventure Safari and the few rides they have aren't even that great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Volcano Posted March 6, 2005 Share Posted March 6, 2005 GA, Thanks for the review, interesting how it appeared so fast, I actually went to Animal Kingdom today! The interesting thing was the bathrooms in the Raffikis Planet Watch pavillion in the back of the park, past africa when you take the train ride to get over there. (I hope you dont mind me getting off to a story of my own but I have something to say about that which was "disturbing/interesting". We walk in there and decide we should use the restroom, before walking around... when we get in there we find a bathroom has animal wallpaper in it playing "animal noises" this was the biggest WTF moment I have ever had in a park. Shortly after going to a urinal a guy walks in and heads toward a stall, its just playing music at the time he comes in and we hear the music start playing a couple of seconds later with the animal noises. "What.. The. HELL!?!?!!!!" we hear... and start cracking up, this was an awful situation, trying to piss but crack up at the same time. If it gets even worse, we look in front of us and see a sign, it gets bad enough to read "How much does an elephant pee per day? How much does a hippo pee per day? The answers you will find when you wash your hands!" this was another funny as hell moment but couldn't stop to laugh, I dont know why it was so funny guess it was just random/disturbing and odd to put something for someone to read while pissing... (Everyone also had a WTF look around us) and when we go to the wash our hands the sink says "25gallons"... disturbing... Anyways just thought I would share that, sorry it was weird and random, but your review was good. Everyone always has an interesting point of how they dont like Animal Kingdom, most people dont but I dont mind it. Sorry that your trip wasn't very good, as far as seeing animals I actually found AK more enjoyable in animals, I feel that BGT's selection of animals is weird, and their walkthroughs are weird too, like their gorilla exhibit which doesn't impress me, I like AK's alot. Overall I understand how most people just dont care for this park though, it really does need alot, they desperately need Everest, and more! (That ride is going by very well though if you noticed) -Justin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCTfan Posted March 6, 2005 Share Posted March 6, 2005 I love the Animal Kingdom. So, there aren't many rides but for what they have, is great! The Kali River Rapids is great. Okay, so there aren't many rapids and main part to get wet is the drop, but you get wet. It serves its purpose. I love the drop and fear it everytime, just because I don't want to get soaked. Dinosaur is AWESOME. It is far from dated. My friend didn't like it, but that could be because he couldn't see anything and was getting tossed around. As for the new section of the park, its themed to be a carnival. So, the themeing may look bad, but actually, it serves its purpose. It is also the only place you'll find games in the Disney parks, besides Pleasure Island. Fun factoid, all the animals at the parks must return to caged areas. They don't get to roam freely at night. ALL animals return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterFanatic Posted March 6, 2005 Share Posted March 6, 2005 Dinosaur (the park's only real E-ticket) is dull and dated You have to at least give the Safari an E-ticket nod, and maybe even Kali. Animal Kingdom is definately a park built around the park-hopper mentality. Most people are history by 3pm and the park usually doesn't close much later than that. Everest will definately be a step in establishing this park as an all day affair. Now we just need longer hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFMM rocks my socks Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 When i rate the park 1-10. 10 BEING THE BEST I GIVE IT A 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillrider1 Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 what ever happend to countdown to extiction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Johnson Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 (edited) what ever happend to countdown to extiction? They renamed it "Dinosaur" in order for it to tie into the movie. Edited September 18, 2005 by Erik Johnson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Johnson Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 We quite enjoyed our trip to AK last week, but again we like looking at the animals as well...Here is the Photo TR: for it. http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18843 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrowfanman Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 Every inch of the buildings and fixtures is full of great detail, which indicates to me the park had a great deal of thought put into it, except in development of the attractions which just makes no sense. Wouldn't you design attractions before the surroundings? Not at Disney. 1) A REAL theme is when you contribute EVERY aspect of the park to a story, mood, and theme. Disney doesn't just make a ride, and then plop some scenery around it. They ensure that every aspect of the ride itself (not the scenery) is integrated into the over all feel of the story. 2) Budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Jack Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 Instead of Disney investing in the construction of more and more half-a$$ parks that lack attractions, build ONE excellent park. When I visited WDW in July I accomplished hitting all the attractions in MGM (Tower, Rock'n', Great Movie Ride, Catastrophe Canyon, and Fantasmic), Epcot (Test Track, Mission:Space, Living Seas <---waste of my life, Honey I Shrunk the Audience <---aging horribly, and most of the countries in the World Pavilion), AND Animal Kingdom (Kilamanjaro Safari, Tough to be a Bug, Kali River Rapids, and saw Tarzan Rocks)...THAT IS FRICKIN' SAD!!! It took me three days to finish everything the Magic Kingdom, and on top of that, Magic Kingdom feels special, and has so much detail and secret pathways and such to explore and enjoy. (BTW: Stich sucks...remove it now) I'd rather have Magic Kingdom and ONE other excellent park on par with the Magic Kingdom attraction-wise then THREE other crapola parks and TWO water parks. When Universal builds a new park...they build something not on par with the "Original," but better. Maybe Disney can learn from Universal this time around... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COOOOLkid Posted September 18, 2005 Share Posted September 18, 2005 all of Disney's secondary parks are really bad... (meaning non-MK parks) except for DisneySea and EPCOT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BiCoastal Kid Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 Why does everybody bash everything? DCA... love it! I think I'm one of the few that does. It's really sad, because it really is a fun little park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nrthwnd Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 Um, shouldn't it be noted that no other theme park franchise ever did as much themeing to its a) attractions b) services and c) surroundings as Disney had ALWAYS done. Then, Universal 'got it.' And IOA was created. And that's it. For now. The trick is, how do you put themeing around a suspended or rocket or (fill in blank) coaster and make it fit in with the rest of the park's themeing? IOA's Dueling Dragons is still, two suspended coasters whose track in most of it's entirety you can still make out, right? There's just a Dragon-like entrance and the queue line is a building. Disney is putting into EE what some of these franchises should do themself. And I realize it probably can't be done with most coasters, because of their size and build, etc. But remember - there was complaining and major problems with DL when it first opened. Then later on, the old Matterhorn (1959)was created and steel coaster history was born. AK is doing fine with what it's mandate was set for - to educate the public about animals in a new and different way. And they're certainly not going to fold up their theme park tents, because it's not E-Ticket Heaven to some peeps..... yet. Peace all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT3000 Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 The trick is, how do you put themeing around a suspended or rocket or (fill in blank) coaster and make it fit in with the rest of the park's themeing? IOA's Dueling Dragons is still, two suspended coasters whose track in most of it's entirety you can still make out, right? There's just a Dragon-like entrance and the queue line is a building. You make it sound like it's just a regular ole' building. DD has one of the most highly acclaimed ride queues anywhere. You also can't see most of the coaster unless you're in the queue area. Even from the courtyard, all you see is a few loops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nrthwnd Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 ^I stand corrected on that, the queueline for DD is something to go through. I think I am used to too many 'overhead pix' of these layouts, sometimes, lol. The discussion was mainly focused on AK's theming and why there was problems in the E-ticket area, I thought. And my observation, is based mainly on what DISNEY does with (simply) coaster tracks, and what nowadays, you really can't theme, because of size and layout of such coasters. Big huge buildings seem to be the way to go, if you can swing the $$$, yes? Themed, of course. The discussion seemed to be also about various attractions at AK being modest in thrills and not-too-distinct in their design. Well, I think anybody not too keen on some thrill rides certainly can have Disney to thank when it comes to giving first-timers a start. Kali Rapids seems such a start, to me, for rapids rides. And I also seem to remember that Disney was orig.planning to put some sort of suspended coaster in a ....castle? Meaning, a huge big building themed to the teeth, with all of the coaster probably inside of it. That would be awesome to go thru, queue line and all, lol. If IOA had done it with DD, like a building of a huge castle, or a huge mountain beside the castle queue line? Mmm. That would be incredibly choice. Probably lightning effects inside too with all the passes. Exp.Everest at AK may be the start of a new thrill era at AK. Or at other theme parks. You never know, hmmm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT3000 Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 I believe that coaster was based on some movie that bombed, so they never built it. Sounded interesting. They also still have all that land that was supposed to be turned into a kiddie area themed around dragons, which also never came to fruition. They probably didn't want AK to share two of it's main themes with another park (IOA). Dinoland U.S.A had already been toppled by JP. As impressive looking as Everest is, it seems to have "Plan B" written all over it. An expensive plan B nonetheless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandaman Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 ...And just how could you make a "Plan A" out of that mountain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DATman Posted September 19, 2005 Share Posted September 19, 2005 All the people that bash disney are complete morons ALL of their parks have amazing attention to detail. I know someone whose job at diseyland is to design windows for the park. Name 1 other company that has a job for designing JUST windows. All of their parks are amazing, and they obviously dont suck, because people keep coming back to ALL of them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UberBeavis Posted September 20, 2005 Share Posted September 20, 2005 All the people that bash disney are complete morons ALL of their parks have amazing attention to detail. I know someone whose job at diseyland is to design windows for the park. Name 1 other company that has a job for designing JUST windows. All of their parks are amazing, and they obviously dont suck, because people keep coming back to ALL of them Yeah, they're really fighting off the hordes of people clamoring to get back into Walt Disney Studios Paris, 'cuz it's so beautifully detailed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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