I am heading to Orlando at the beginning of November. I have heard mixed reviews on Animal Kingdom and am wondering if I should waste a day of my hopper pass on it or just spend some extra time in the other parks.
Also, is IOA a can't miss park? It's not on the itinerary yet but I have been hearing so many great things. I won't be back for a while so I don't want to miss it if it is that good.
advice?
I would definitely recommend IOA. Its an *outstanding* park with world-class rides and great themeing. But if you do go, I would recommend in getting a 2day pass. It allows you access to IslandsofAdventure and Universal....
On your first question. Im not a big fan of Disneyworld as the only park I would visit is MGM Studios. But, I have heard good things about Animal Kingdom. I think it has a water-rafting ride, some simulators and a bunch of shows. Nice place to take your kids, I guess.
No Kids. this is a young adults only vacation.
As for thrills, IOA can't be beat in Orlando. The coasters, theming and design are all top notch. It is a must-see.
As for Animal Kingdom, i have been there many times now, but I must say I was disappointed on my first visit. The reason being, it is a very SUBTLE park, with a slower pace and more hidden treasures than most typical theme parks, Disney or otherwise. On my second, third and subsequent visits I began to explore & discover the park, and to really appreciate the thought behind it.
The Safari is amazing, the closest you can get to the feel of Africa, but go early morning or late afternoon to see the most animals (and a lot of them come right to the jeep). The Dinosaur (formerly Countdown to Extinction) ride uses the same technology as Disneyland's Indiana Jones attraction, but as a Dinosaur filled high speed Dark Ride. It' great fun! The Kali River Rapids River Raft Ride is not as long as other raft rides in Florida, but it has some unique elements, and the creativity of the queue line is humorous and beautiful.
In addition, the live shows at Animal Kingdom are the BEST stage shows of any Disney park, with "Festival of the Lion King" and "Tarzan Rocks!" told in a highly theatrical non-lineal form of performance that shatters the old Disney tell-the-whole-movie-in-25-minutes standard. I've used my passes just to see these shows again.
Finally, it is the most beautiful of the Disney parks, once you realize that everything was designed and created from Florida marshland. Even the initial walk-in is carefully designed to submerge you in the feeling of a lush jungle setting before letting you eye the park's centerpiece, the Tree of Life. Additionally, walk-through areas like the Asia section use exceptional theming, lighting, decor and even scent machines to create the real feel of a bustling marketplace.
I am a rollercoaster fanatic. I love thrills and Animal Kingdom doesn't have nearly as many thrill 椀搀攀猀 愀猀 漀琀栀攀爀 䘀氀漀爀椀搀愀 瀀愀爀欀猀⸀ 䈀甀琀 琀栀愀琀 猀愀椀搀Ⰰ 䤀 眀漀甀氀搀 栀椀最栀氀礀 爀攀挀漀洀洀攀渀搀 椀琀 琀漀 愀渀礀漀渀攀 眀栀漀 氀椀欀攀猀 琀漀 氀攀椀猀甀爀攀氀礀 攀砀瀀氀漀爀攀 愀渀 攀渀瘀椀爀漀渀洀攀渀琀愀氀 瀀愀爀欀 琀栀愀琀 椀洀洀攀爀猀攀猀 礀漀甀 椀渀 愀 琀漀琀愀氀 攀砀瀀攀爀椀攀渀挀攀⸀ 㰀戀爀㸀 㰀戀爀㸀ⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀⴀ 㰀戀爀㸀∀夀漀甀 栀愀瘀攀 琀漀 猀挀愀氀攀 愀 氀漀琀 漀昀 氀椀昀琀 栀椀氀氀猀 琀漀 挀漀愀猀琀 攀愀猀椀氀礀⸀⸀⸀∀ 㰀戀爀㸀 㰀戀爀㸀䨀愀猀漀渀ഀഀഀ ⨀⨀⨀ 吀栀椀猀 瀀漀猀琀 眀愀猀 攀搀椀琀攀搀 戀礀 䘀氀漀爀椀搀愀䘀氀礀攀爀 漀渀 ⼀㈀㔀⼀㈀ ⸀ ⨀⨀⨀
Once again I find myself in agreement with Flyer. I used to work at Disney and the first time in AK was more or less wondering what they were trying to accomplish. This is in regards to the lack of rides in the park.
However, the K-Safari is definitely good and the times listed above are accurate. Dinosaur I haven't ridden yet in it's latest incarnation, but I assume it is pretty much the same as Countdown to Extinction (it's original name before "re-theming". Lion King is a great show although the seating could be more comfortable (unless they changed it in the last year). Tough to be a Bug inside the Tree of Life is good although confusing to find.
Now for the disappointments. Kali River Rapids just didn't beat out IOA's Bilge Rat Barges in my opinion. Way too short with not enough to keep my interest. Tarzan I just didn't care for.
Basically what you have is a very nicely landscaped park with, in reality, only 3 rides and lots of shows.
-Shady
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Remember, no matter where you go...there you are.
You must go to IOA. I was there last Friday, 10/20, and it was totally awesome. This is the best "Themed" park I've have ever been to and the rides are too shabby either, if you know what I mean. Beings we went on a Friday, the crowd was low. The longest wait was 20 minutes for Dudley DoRight's Ripsaw Falls and was well worth it. The other rides were 5 to 10 mintues, including Spiderman.
Went to AK the first year it was open and was disappointed, but I've heard it's gotten better.
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Thank you for riding America's Roller Coast
Definitely hit IOA! (Can't wait to go myself on the 29th with some friends who are die-hard Disney fanatics - I hope to convert them :) ) Anyway it all depends on the kind of time you want to spend. If you want the liesurely trip, go with AK, but be prepared to have a slow paced day. AK is definitely NOT a ride park. Dinosaur is just ok, the Safari is good to excellent, and Kali River Rapids is mild compared to Popeye's Bilge Rat Barges at IOA. The park's nice for a couple of hours, not a whole day.
If you're looking for a well rounded park, with lots to do and see, and some truly memorable rides and shows (Spiderman, Posiedon, Hulk, Dragons, etc...) go to IOA. You'll have a blast. Just make sure if you do, hit Spidey first thing in the morning and try and catch everything!
Don't go to Animal Kingdom, it is very boring. It has some nice rides, but you should go to the other parks if your in the area.
IOA is wonderful. Do try to get there. As for the AK, my favorites were It's Tough to be a Bug, and Dinosaur. Dinosaur was the first ride in a while to actually scare me (at the very end). Have a good trip!
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S:ROS (SFDL) rides for 2000- 139!
