Disney -Animal Kingdom

[Avatar]

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I have been wrestling in how to do a trip repot for Disney’s - Animal Kingdom Theme Park for some time. Because the Animal Kingdom is so unlike any other park that I have had the privilege in experiencing. So I’ll just jump into it and we will see how it comes out.

Before going to the Disney I did some research and looked for insight as to the individual intricate details of the parks. The reviews that I had found concerning the Animal Kingdom were very mixed in that guests either really liked it, while others guests didn’t. About 70 plus percent of those said that if you get there at rope drop, then it is easy to have the park done by 2 P.M. In the afternoon. So I planned this day to fit in when it would best suit our needs for a short day in the parks. We did arrive at rope drop and followed most advice and went straight to Expedition Everest, a recent roller coaster addition and we were able to walk straight on for all three of our rides. Two of the rides were in the front seat and the last ride in the back, as we requested and the seat assigner was happy to arrange for us. Both rides from the front or back have their distinct advantages as the back allows for good viewing of special effects taking place towards the front as the front is to close to the action to get a good panoramic view. Although my favorite seat is in the front, because the roller coaster is so heavy themed that it’s really nice ridding through the attraction with an unobstructed view and especially when you come to the point were the track ends at the very top of Mt Everest. From there you can literally see out and all across the various Disney properties and see their signature icons associated with those parks. I personally feel Expedition Everest is a medium to low thrill coaster but because of it’s heavy and unusual effects for a roller coaster , I would say that Expedition Everest is a must do!!

Line going into Expedition Everest

.

We then rode several other attractions as to try to beat the rush and also so that we could do the inside shows in the afternoon when it got hot outside. Most of Animal Kingdoms other rides really are similar to other theme parks with the exception that they are extremely themed, as I enjoy the ambience in getting into the themes as much as I do the rides themselves. Before I move onto other non ride attractions I first want to point out one of their signature attraction at Animal Kingdom.The Kilimanjaro Safaris is also a must do! Not just because of the live wild animals that you will see but also because of the unique way that it is done. When the line brings you into the loading station you are told were to line up to sit when the vehicle enters the station. (Tip; I suggest the back seat on this one , so that if you would like to take some pictures while on the attraction it makes it easier to turn around in the back seat and get a nice unobstructed view) When its your turn they pull up a large truck that has been converted into a safaris style looking vehicle with two cast members in the front, one drives (as can be seen in the video below) and one narrates as it journeys through the Animal Park. The Safaris Truck pulls up parallel and within inches of the elevated loading platform so that guest just walk right into the vehical. The road literally goes through creeks and pretty convincing safaris scenes as the whole Kilimanjaro Safaris jorney lasts about 20 minutes.

Moving on; Animal Kingdom is divided up into “areas” like most parks do. The stark difference at Animal Kingdom is that they have put so much theme into the park with natural plants and structures that you really don’t recognize goin from one area to another and you can’t look across one of their many lakes in the park and see the other area‘s of the park. I felt like when I was in one of the special area's of the park that we were immersed into that area and felt miles away from reality.

Looking across a lake into another area of the park.

We rode most of the attractions and also took in a lot of shows at this park and I was extremely surprised towards the end of the day when I felt like we needed to rush a little bit so that we could take everything in. After all a lot of reviews said we could get Animal Kingdom done by early afternoon. I wonder now if some guest are so busy trying to get from one main attraction to the next that they then rush out of the park and say to themselves “ what’s the big deal” . I believe most of those guests have missed a great opportunity to slow down and see all the small interesting details that Animal Kingdom has to offer.

So in conclusion; As this was my first visit to Animal Kingdom I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend this park for only those who would be willing to slow down to take in the atmosphere of the park as I believe this is the best attraction of the whole park and what I believe most guests pass right by and hardly take notice.

If you look close you can see a woman in the vines, she walks around the vegitation areas.

This is a video that I have put together from pictures that we took while we were at the Animal Kingdom. When the page comes up please click; "click here to play" in the lower left hand corner of the video player to start the video. Due to the lack of quality from other Web Host Video sites this is one that I found that allows one to keep the quality of the video intact. After all if we are going to take the time to produce the video, upload it and then link it to be viewed by others, then I think it's worth it to show it in a quality format.

So with no futher a do; May I present to you an Avatar Production and Directed by Jesse Marchbanks it's

" Animal Kingdom "

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[The Interpreter]

What a wonderful report and awesome video!

Thanks for sharing!

--The Interpreter, who some day soon will get down there again (and ride that coaster and get some of the best barbecue in any park anywhere...)

[Avatar]

Your welcome.

I as well as you, enjoy great BBQ too!, but sadly I did not get to enjoy the Flame Tree BBQ while there. But I did get to try and would highly suggest Tusker House for Rotisserie chicken, Pan-seared Salmon and fresh steamed vegetables, for a gtreat meal while still costing the same as other counter sevice meals.

side note; you can see the outside of Tusker House in the video. Its the building behind the Afican Drum Performers and in one shot you can see guests having lunch through the window. And yes almost all Disney restaurant’s are themed inside and out to blend into their area surroundings , as well as Tucker House and Flame Tree BBQ.

[flightoffear1996]

Sounds like you guys had alot of fun and great pictures.

[TOPGUN1993]

Sweet

[jzarley]

Fantastic TR! You certainly capture the feeling of the park for those who haven't had the chance to visit.

I really enjoyed AK too...and I haven't been there since the year they opened! There's even more stuff to do now.

[Gordon Bombay]

Great TR jesee, especially the video you put together, it brought back so many memories of when I went to WDW for the first time back in 2004! I actually didnt care for the animal kingdom back then, but that was before everest and I was in a very bad mood that day. However, Disney World, no matter what your age, is one hell of a good experience especially when shared with family!

[UncleHenry]

Avatar, curse you! I'm going to have that song stuck in my head all day now!!!

And in case anyone didn't notice, the hampster dance is that song, sped up.

[Hank]

Boy, those elephants almost looked real!

Just kidding.

Nice slideshow.

I was very impressed by AK when I was there a couple of years ago. Some friends of mine said it was nothing but a glorified zoo, and I found that to be firther from the truth than the earth is from Pluto (the ex-planet, not the dog). And yes, even without a crowded park, it took a lot more than just part of the day to experience everything - and we still didn't get to all of it. That's OK - time to go back!

[Delirium_Guy]

Great TR jesee, especially the video you put together, it brought back so many memories of when I went to WDW for the first time back in 2004! I actually didnt care for the animal kingdom back then, but that was before everest and I was in a very bad mood that day. However, Disney World, no matter what your age, is one hell of a good experience especially when shared with family!

I will agree 100% Disney is a fantastic experience for ANYONE. I practically turn into a two year old when I'm running around Magic Kingdom. Your Disney perception does certainly change as you get older. For example, Epcot. I *hated* Epcot growing up and dreaded having my parents drag me there. Now, its quite possibly my favorite park down there. Getting back on subject, Animal Kingdom is a spectacular park. Before I made my first visit back in 2004, I had also heard that it was a half day park. Thats quickly changing. We pretty much spent from open-close there back in September and even made a few repeat visits to catch the Festival of the Lion King Show (another MUST do) and some more Everest. What impresses me the most about Animal Kingdom, much like the other Disney parks, is that you feel as if you are in a different world. The intricate details that are in place from the midways to the landscaping to the Tree of Life are unbelievable! Kilimanjaro Safari is pretty amazing, even more so when you think of the incredible amount of work Disney put in to create the entire thing. As Avatar stated, its a must do! Hey, was Finding Nemo: The Musical in soft opening mode yet? I've seen some early pictures of the stage sets and costumes and it looks like it'll be another hit like Festival of the Lion King. darn, now I'm dying to go back to Disney! Only one more month......

[marlfox_21]

Your welcome.

I as well as you, enjoy great BBQ too!, but sadly I did not get to enjoy the Flame Tree BBQ while there. But I did get to try and would highly suggest Tusker House for Rotisserie chicken, Pan-seared Salmon and fresh steamed vegetables, for a gtreat meal while still costing the same as other counter sevice meals.

side note; you can see the outside of Tusker House in the video. Its the building behind the Afican Drum Performers and in one shot you can see guests having lunch through the window. And yes almost all Disney restaurant’s are themed inside and out to blend into their area surroundings , as well as Tucker House and Flame Tree BBQ.

GREAT TRIP REPORT, AVATAR! I like the respect you have given to Disney's Animal Kingdom in your report.

And I will agree with other statements in saying that I really enjoyed your slide show as well. It's a shame I did not know you were coming. You being a great fan of my beloved former park, Kings Island. I could have given you some behind the scenes views. ( However Disney would have my neck, not to mention my job if any picture taking was done behind the scenes. ) I am going to attend the park tomorrow on the 14th just for a day of enjoyment. Afterwards, I am going to SEAWORLD, with a group Zoo Students, and we are going to spend the night in the viewing area of DOLPHIN COVE. I can't wait for that!! We are going to be the 1st people that the dolphins see on Wednesday morning, and they are supposed to be extremely excited when they get fed in the morning. Not to mention that we will have the park to ourselves Tuesday night, after they close to the public. Anyway, enough about me. I'm really glad that you had a great day at Disney. And I have to agree with you on EXPEDITION EVEREST. It is a ride that is truly a MUST.

[Avatar]

Avatar, curse you! I'm going to have that song stuck in my head all day now!!!

Uncle Henry; Sorry about the catchy tune in the Video, as I was trying to put a catchy song on to appeal to my 6 year old daughter, as she often will dance and sing to the tunes too. I guess catchy songs stick in your head similar to a lot of 6 year olds. Coincidence? Hmm…..

Boy, those elephants almost looked real!

I was very impressed by AK when I was there a couple of years ago. Some friends of mine said it was nothing but a glorified zoo, and I found that to be firther from the truth than the earth is from Pluto (the ex-planet, not the dog).

Hank; I enjoyed your Pluto pun; tied into the subject, and I did encounter around 10+ elephants while at the Animal Kingdom and only two where not real. One was in the Lion King Show as all the animals represented there are representations. The other one can be seen in the back of the truck in the picture below, it was taken towards the end of the Kilimanjaro Safaris journey and was tied in to complete the story line that they tell as you go through the Animal Park.

Hey, was Finding Nemo: The Musical in soft opening mode yet? I've seen some early pictures of the stage sets and costumes and it looks like it'll be another hit like Festival of the Lion King. darn, now I'm dying to go back to Disney! Only one more month......

Delirium Guy; Unfortunately the musical show Finding Nemo was not open at the time we were there. Towards the right in the picture below you can see the green painted board walls that lead from Dino-Land towards Expedition Everest in Asia that is were they are putting that show and because of the Boards, I was unable to get a view of the progress at that time. And it sounds like we were there pretty close to the time you were there.

GREAT TRIP REPORT, AVATAR! I like the respect you have given to Disney's Animal Kingdom in your report.

It's a shame I did not know you were coming. You being a great fan of my beloved former park, Kings Island. I could have given you some behind the scenes views. ( However Disney would have my neck, not to mention my job if any picture taking was done behind the scenes. ) I am going to attend the park tomorrow on the 14th just for a day of enjoyment. Afterwards, I am going to SEAWORLD, with a group Zoo Students, and we are going to spend the night in the viewing area of DOLPHIN COVE. I can't wait for that!! We are going to be the 1st people that the dolphins see on Wednesday morning, and they are supposed to be extremely excited when they get fed in the morning. Not to mention that we will have the park to ourselves Tuesday night, after they close to the public. Anyway, enough about me. I'm really glad that you had a great day at Disney. And I have to agree with you on EXPEDITION EVEREST. It is a ride that is truly a MUST.

marlfox 21; Thanks for you comments, I hope you share your experience about you trip with us and I know you’ll have a great time. Maybe next year when we come down to Orlando we could hook-up and maybe see some Parks together . It’s always nice to get some inside information about the different parks.

Also I would like to Thank everyone for the kind words in regards to the trip report, it was fun to put together.

[DeLorean Rider]

SPOILER WARNING: DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES LOOK AT THE NEXT THREE PICTURES, IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO RUIN THE SUPRISE OF EXPEDITION EVEREST.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

THIS CANT BE GOOD

OH NO

THIS IS IT

LAST CHANCE TO TURN BACK

PHOTGRAPHED IN LIVING COLOR...THE YETTI

The first two were taken by me, the third by my girlfriend. This is not easy as you only get a very short gilmps of the yetti. We had to ride it 5 times before we finally got a picture.

Disclamer: Tomb Raider Nick will not be responsible for any loss of anticipation and/or thrill of anybodys initial ride experience on Expedition Everest due to these pictures.

[Avatar]

Hey thanks Tomb Raider Nick; I love those pictures that you posted. When I retuned home from our vacation and started to go through our 700+ pictures that we took, I realized that I did not take enough pictures of the various attractions without having someone posing in them Oh well lessen learned.

Also I would like to go into more detail about ride experience on Expedition Everest using your pictures so I hope you don’t mind.

TO; FIRST PICTURE

Before you get to the first picture at the top of the mountain you go up a lift climb and then rush around the mountain and through scenic villages that only the roller coaster passengers can see. Also you go in and out of the mountain and can see the park itself and because the common area’s of the park itself is so heavily themed, it lends it self to the coaster experience as well. So after racing in and out of the mountain like a run away mountain train you come up to the first picture and come to a complete stop. If you are in the first two seats you can see a spectacular view over the top of the mountain. As you are paused there for about 10-15 seconds the track is being switched.

TO; SECOND PICTURE

So after the switch and with no warning the train starts to roll backwards and continues to pick up speed as it descends in another direction of the Mountain. I felt like when you are going backwards that it was going faster than at any other point of the ride and it seemed like you go backwards for about 15+ seconds. Suddenly and you don’t see this coming because you are going backwards you go back into the Mountain and it is extremely dark as you come to a complete stop! As you are coming to a complete stop the Yetti starts screaming and jumping around as you watch him tearing up the track. I will note at this point they are switching the track again while you are watching the Yetti.

TO; THIRD PICTURE

So The Yetti is still screaming and walks away from the projected tore up track and out of sight. The train starts forward again and ventures to a new section of the Mountain and comes to an opening in the Mountain that leads you back outside and to safety. Right as you approach the opening the 20 foot Yeti jumps out and loudly screams at you and at the same time swings his arm at you. At this point the train winds down to the separate unloading station, while you discuss with your company if you should get a fast pass to do it again later or get back in line NOW!!!

[Captain Picard]

Where that first picture was I remember a bird that had a look at us.

[KIBeast]

Great TR Avatar! Nice vid!

I'm already thinking about how great a TR from next year's PKICentral trip is going to be. Maybe instead of all of us posting TR's, we should have something thrown together to commemorate the gathering.