Originally Posted By MPierce There wasn't enough room in the title to slip in The Disney Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Gosh what can I say about this Park other than absolutely fantastic. A person could easily spend the whole day here just looking. That is if they actually kept it open for a whole day. I ride very little over here. I just like to look. I guess there's nothing left to say about Mr. Joe Rohde, and his Team. This Park is a Home Run for me. I put a lot of stock in eye candy, and this Park is loaded with it. The attention to detail is fantastic. We spent about 5 hours here both Monday, and Thursday. If I could ride things, and I liked shows, and parades, I could spend at least 2 real full days here. Kilamanjoro Safari's is a must do for me every time I enter this Park. I would ride it all day long if my wife would let me. I have to say this is a masterpiece, even though they have eliminated so many show elements from the original. Pangani Forest Exploration Trail is definetly a must do. I got some of the best shots of the Gorillas ever on this trip. Maharajha Jungle Trek, Discovery Island, the Oais Exhibits, are all beautiful. Even Cretaceous Trail, and Camp Minnie Mickey are worth a look see. My wife informed me there were characters present at the Park, even though I don't remember them. I only get excited when I see Chip, and Dale. She said the Blue Bug we always see, and a couple of others were out. If you don't spend most of your time exploring this Park you miss so much. I have to say once again this Park was real clean. Landscaping seems to always be exceptional here. I have definetly left one area of the Park out in my comments because I feel it has no place in a Park that deals so well with Nature, and Animals. I'm sure some other people like it though. I couldn't ride EE so I am not in the position to comment on it. My guess is there's still a lot not working. It's still beautiful from the outside though. Why Disney would let an E ticket that could become a Disney classic, go unrepaired is beyound my comprehension. I wonder how Mr. Rohde feels about this combined with the demise of the AC. Negatives, It's hard for me to find any in this lovely park. I am concerned about the lack of care for EE, and I don't like the fact they removed Wes Palm. I never saw Devine so I don't know if she was there or not. I couldn't bring myself to go to Conservation Station because of my limitations with the ECV. Dinoland is still and enjoyable spot, but I feel uncomfortable about carnival games. A very well done area, but I think it cheapens the park. In conclusion, build Beastly Kingdom. add a night time light parade. Keep the Park open to at least 8pm preferably 9pm. I guarantee you it will knock Harry Potter's socks off.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Devine was there in May/June, but someone who's been there since the cuts may have noticed otherwise. Is it just me or does everyone else have red xs instead of any pictures? Just today.
Originally Posted By dshyates I love AK also, but am disappointed that they, in 10 years, haven't done more to turn it into a real full day park. As you mentioned a nightime night parade. A nocturnal trek with infrared googles. I would LOVE to see a new skyway that circles the park. Enclosed air conditioned dark green gongolas with on board audio (music and info like which station you are coming up on), right at canopy level to be as invisible as possible and fill the towers with sand to make tham almost silent. Have stops at the mouth camp M/M, over to right in front of dinoland, over to near the bird show, over africa, than back to Camp M/M. Don't put it near Kilamanjaro, or the other Jungle treks. Make sure it is close to the water as it crosses from Dinoland to Asia so as to not ruin the shot of the Big Tree from the bridge. And about 3 more E-Tickets, and a few c-ds. I would like an Amazon River Cruise like Kilamanjaro only on a boat and S.Am animals as one of the E-Tickets.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo MPIerce, we share a similar view. To me DAK and EPCOT are the reasons to go to WDW, and DAK is wonderful. LAst time we stayed at AKL was great, but sadly it seemed to take away some of the awe factor of DAK. Still didn't stop us spending 2.5 days there. Now if they could fix EE, take a bull dozer to chester and Hesters, and add some more family friendly attractions (I was shocked, DAK was the least family friendly park attraction wise - didn't realise until we took a couple of toddlers). If you ever go to DL though, I find the San Diego Zoo comes a close second. Ok, they don't have the theming and entertainment, but the animal exhibits are also first rate.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I have heard DAK has been having some major ops issues of late ... cars stacking up on Dinosaur because the CMs can't space them correctly ... EE is basically a coaster with no effects anymore ... and they appear to be on an MK schedule as far as washing walkways ... I wonder what Joe Rohde thinks. Oh wait, I kinda know.
Originally Posted By kennect M, I agree with you so completely on AK...But I can also see where there would be a large portion of the public that simply wouldn't...If one is into details than AK is certainly a place they can find them if that theme is of interest to them...If takes a careful eye to discover some of the hidden gems that the park holds... Dave, I have never found the AKL to be any distraction to my enjoyment of the park...For me it is just sort of the perfect plus if you enjoy AK... Spirit, Your comment leaves me asking this one question...Apparently there are major issues with the gigantic AA in EE...I feel sure the design of the Yeti AA went through tons of planning, etc. But somehow I want think that all of the planning and research they would have done on this character would have given them something that would work and would work everyday...Where did the ball get dropped here? I get the idea this is one creation that sounds like it may never be fixed...That is a shame...I would love to know how much money went into the creation of just that figure.. But my biggest complaint is the idea that I really wish people would stop complaing about the Chester and Hester's area....I don't get why people can't grasp the simple carnival idea and understand where it came from and what it is about....It is pure cheese and that is exactly what it is suppose to be....There are so many great details in that area that folks just don't pick up on...And that is really a shame since it does have some serious thought behind the overall design of the area...But for the folks that don't like it they will never notice any of them....
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt DAK is an all day Park, well for us anyway..WE hit Kali River twice! Did I miss your mention of food MPierce? We ate @ Yack & Yeti. Group of 10, little wait, great food/service/atmosphere! I totally agree with your comments on DAK atmosphere..it's the attention to detail that brings it all together. I love the Prayer Flags & those little statues they hide in all the foliage!! DAK is truly beautiful!
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad ...But I can also see where there would be a large portion of the public that simply wouldn't...If one is into details than AK is certainly a place they can find them if that theme is of interest to them...If takes a careful eye to discover some of the hidden gems that the park holds... This year I had planned only 1 day at AK but my kids insisted on going back for a second day. While we did the rides, it was the other things that drew us back. The whole spirit of exploring and finding things we haven't seen before <<I never saw Devine>> She was there in Nov. AS for the Yeti, I read it was a structural problem that the foundation could not withstand the forces generated by the giant AA's movement. I think management doesn't want to shut down the attraction for a prolonged period until it needs more of a refurb. Now why they don't just say this is another matter.
Originally Posted By dshyates Jim Hill talks about the yeti issue, among others, in his article today. <a href="http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hilll/archive/2009/02/06/test.aspx" target="_blank">http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/...est.aspx</a>
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Did I miss your mention of food MPierce? We ate @ Yack & Yeti. Group of 10, little wait, great food/service/atmosphere! << We didn't eat there. I'm pretty sure my wife got some of those $3.28 fries to snack on. That's about the only time during the year she eats fries.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> But my biggest complaint is the idea that I really wish people would stop complaing about the Chester and Hester's area....I don't get why people can't grasp the simple carnival idea and understand where it came from and what it is about....It is pure cheese and that is exactly what it is suppose to be....There are so many great details in that area that folks just don't pick up on...And that is really a shame since it does have some serious thought behind the overall design of the area...But for the folks that don't like it they will never notice any of them.... << I freely admit this area of the Park is well done. I just don't think it fits in with the intent of AK. To me Carnival games belong in DD or what use to be PI.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> If you ever go to DL though, I find the San Diego Zoo comes a close second. Ok, they don't have the theming and entertainment, but the animal exhibits are also first rate. << I still regret not going there. The Houston zoo just doesn't come close.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Is it just me or does everyone else have red xs instead of any pictures? Just today. << No problems on my end.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> (I was shocked, DAK was the least family friendly park attraction wise - didn't realise until we took a couple of toddlers). << Camp Minnie Mickey would be perfect for some entertainment for the toddlers. It would be a perfect spot for Pooh's Playful Spot, as well as some A, and B ticket kid friendly rides, themed to the Park.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Jim Hill talks about the yeti issue, among others, in his article today. <a href="http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/...est.aspx" target="_blank">http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/...est.aspx</a> << Thanks for the link.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^Good. Let Jim 'splain it (even though I haven't read him yet) ... don't have the time or the energy right now!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I have heard DAK has been having some major ops issues of late ... cars stacking up on Dinosaur because the CMs can't space them correctly ... EE is basically a coaster with no effects anymore ... and they appear to be on an MK schedule as far as washing walkways ... I wonder what Joe Rohde thinks. Oh wait, I kinda know. << Why build it if you're not going to maintain it?
Originally Posted By dshyates "Why build it if you're not going to maintain it?" To say you have one. Doesn't matter if it actually works.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> ^^Good. Let Jim 'splain it (even though I haven't read him yet) ... don't have the time or the energy right now << It's those antibiotics that's zapping your strength.
