Originally Posted By imtigger2 I like Dinosaur as well. It scares the CRAP outta me! Sit in the seat on the left-side and TRY to tell me you don't scoot over a little when that Carnasour(sp?) comes charging at you with that thundering BASS and the loud scream of the dino. For the people who don't like it, I'd love to see their picture at the end of the ride. I have yet to see someone just sitting there with no expression on their face. Most of them look pretty scared! ... or "Goofy", but isn't that what it's all about? As for the Indy Jones (DL) "been there, done that" people. Remember, most visitors to WDW haven't been on Indy a jillion times, so there's no comparison. Personally, I 'used' to not care for Dino, but they changed it, made it a LOT scarier, and now I love it! It's a MUCH better ride. If you haven't been on it in the last year, check it out. DB
Originally Posted By Kevin I’ll start by agreeing with some of the posters that the beauty and themeing of AK is top notch. It still amazes me. First, to the author’s points about AK trying to be entertaining and educational and “[missing] the boat on both”. There are educational things about AK that hit right on the mark. Conservation Station has several education areas. I stood and watched some doctors perform tests on a raccoon while listening to a cast member describe what was being done and why. It was so fascinating. It really taught me something and increased my interest in animal care. I also watched a gorilla family at Pangani and talked with a cast member about the kids and the female and why they do what they do, it was fascinating. I didn’t want to leave. The same can be said for Maharajah and the old Dino-Sue area. On the reverse, there are original entertaining things that hit right on the mark. Festival of the Lion King and Tarzan Rocks are both very original and very entertaining, IMO, and were not mentioned. The new Jungle Jammin’ Parade is also great entertainment. Second, to the author’s point about there being no “weenie” – when you exit from the Oasis and start to cross the bridge, the Tree of Life is the most amazing “weenie” of any Disney park. The idea of the weenie is to pull guests into the park. When people first see it, believe me, it pulls. Just stand and watch people as they come out of the Oasis and see it. On to Kilimanjaro, which seems to get the most discussion here – I get the impression that the author has only been on the attraction once. Maybe he has only rode it once and had a bad driver but this ride is in my top 5. This attraction deserves repeated visits to see all the animals and the variety of locations they can be in on different safaris. And, the complaints that the poacher chase takes away from the animals is invented because they clearly make a point about leaving the reserve BEFORE the poacher chase begins. The reason the additional story was added – the reason I heard – was that they wanted to have something for those days when the animals are hiding; they needed something to pass the time. This doesn’t happen often but when it does, the story line helps. The talented drivers know when to play up the story and when to play it down. Last, regarding Disney not practicing what it preaches, not only did they recently purchase additional endangered lands south of WDW, for the purpose of protecting them but they also have donated a decent percentage of the WDW resort into protected wetlands category and will never build on it. To me, this demonstrates that Disney is looking at solutions, not just pointing out problems.
Originally Posted By aquamoptop >>- I just like finding a quiet spot in the oasis or near the tree of life and letting go of some of the chaos<< Me too!! And i always felt that was the point of the Oasis. I love the Music and the ambiance. You know its funny, we all sit here and complain about the fact that they are overkilling us with gift shops in the enterances. Here in the Oasis, with the exception of a little shop right up front, you arent slapped in the face with gift shops. First, your presented with the Oasis and then you hit the gift shops. I like that!!!
Originally Posted By TammyMullins Visiting AK for the first time was on a resort pass before it opened to the public. Granted not everything was up and running and alot was still under construction. AK is kind of hard to navigate the first time and is very confusing to some guests. That is why repeat visits help you see what you didnot see at first. I ride the safari each time and I am always surprised. Alot of guest do not go back because it is a strange layout for a park. I tell them to go back and explore. They will be pleasantly surprised. Just my two cents worth.
Originally Posted By rannxerox WOW, these have been some long post and a lot of them. I will try and put my comments in relation to both the artical and the post. * The artical is too negitive: I just can't stand it when people say that someone or someones ideas / statments are "too negitive". He gave you his opinions, he did not call you names (those shining happy people bimbos just think this park is great) and anything like that. He just did not enjoy the park and told you why. Others said that he should stay home or the LP should not post something so negitive. I, for one, want to hear opinions that may not be mainstream or PC. * I agree with a lot of people that AK excels with themeing. I also agree that the Oasis is just fine the way it is. * ITTBAB: My wife says that she did not care for this attaction at all. Me, I do not care wheather I see it again or not. And I, for one, would have loved to seen a dark ride there. It could have been about bugs also. Maybe you are driving around the roots of TToLife and seeing how insects live below ground, you get chased by a big bug, etc. * The queue are on the raft ride was better then the ride itself. Don't run through it, you will be missing the best part. * The Rain Forest Cafe is a perfect match for AK. I like the eatery anywhy and it really puts me into that AK mood. * AK Education: I really do not need Disney educating my children or myself, my wife and I do that ourselves. I think that what Disney needs to do is take a hands off approch and let people experance a ride / attraction and then have educational stuff to the side if the guest likes. The animal trails are like this. They have lots of CMs that you can stop and talk to or you can walk by them and continue on to the next viewing area. * HOT: Boy, who ever said that it was hot was right. Again, dark rides help cool you off for a time. Even a noctrnal animal area in the dark would be good. But they need to do more about getting out of the heat before someone dies there of heat stroke (very easy to get in FL). * The pocher thingy: My wife did not care for it and said that it would get old fast. But I pointed out to her that most guest at WDW are one time guest and will only ride this thing once. People like us at LP will ride it over and over again so it might get old. Me, I ignore it and look at the animals. * Bird Show: Someone said that they hated this show. It just goes to show you that you can get completely diffrent reactions from two people about the same thing. My family LOVED this show. One of the best in all of WDW. My two daughters also loved Pocahonis (sp). I am not really into shows but it is nice to rest and you might as well watch something while you rest. Overall, I like AK, mostly for its detailed themeing. It is still a 1/2 day park for us. We like Disney at night and once they can get enough stuff going on there that does not involve animals, maybe they can keep parts of it open into the night.
Originally Posted By daveisbaloo AK is one of my favourite parks. I think it is much better than the MK or the Studios. Epcot wins out slightly with things like Tapestry (I have not seen Jammin Jungle) and Illuminations (inappropriate for this type of park). But it is so well executed and I would argue that it is the most romantic Disney Park. Holding hands with my wife in the Oasis, Pengani or Maharaja is wonderful. The Tree of life is up there in our books with Mount Rushmore or the Eiffel Tower for remarkable engineered art work. I have been to parts of Africa, India and Hong Kong, and I'll tell you, AK have made it so realistic (except it is cleaner and less snakes - great). But the one thing nobody has mentioned is the worldshowcase style cast interaction. Instead of being able to mingle with fairly western biased or wealthy culture of Epcot, there is the opportunity to speak to knowledgeable people from Africa and Asia - a true delight. My wife and I love ITTBB, the Treks and the Safari. As for the poachers, it's an entertaining way to get back to the station after leaving the main savanna so that you don't see the back stage areas. I thought it quite clever. We enjoyed the walk throughs in Dinoland and Dinosaur was alright - on par with the Land - fun, but not the best - but not everything has to be. As for the shows, I suppose we must be mental. We enjoyed the one's that are often slated, the Bird Show and Pocahontas, but we were disappointed with Tarzan and the Lion King. The Tarzan show at DLP is much better and we had been spoiled by seeing the Lion King stage show in the West End of London 3 months before going to WDW. I think the problem is that AK does not appeal to the thrill seekers or the in your face 5 minute attention span set. But I saw so many families and elderly enjoying the park. Not something I saw as much at the Studios or indeed what I here of DCA. I think in this light, AK is the closest to Walt's ideals after Disneyland.
Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct <I think in this light, AK is the closest to Walt's ideals after Disneyland.> well said!
Originally Posted By jmcobery I have a great suggestion for Author of this artical! Go give your business to Universal, and stay clear of the Disney theme parks. Animal kingdom is and eye full of spectacular beauty, I have to agree we could use some more rides in the park though, but take a look around and enjoy all the architechture and wonderful sites provided to us. On our last trip in December,I remember seeing many smiling faces within the gates or the Animal Kingdom.
Originally Posted By aquamoptop >>But it is so well executed and I would argue that it is the most romantic Disney Park. << And i would have to agree with you on that point.
Originally Posted By rannxerox Again, I think that a statment like this just does not show respect for someone opinions. I disagreed with him on many points but I do not think that he should stay out of the parks and keep his "bad additude" at home. Without out healthy debate on what is needed and not needed, all you have left is a bunch of yes man. I think that is the problem the Disney Co. has today, the CEO surounds himself with yes men, the board of directors have been stacked to rubber stamp anything ei$ner wants, and there are no large blocks in the shareholders group that can flex shareholder wants. Opinions are good on all sides and debate is healthy. Do not insult people away from speaking there minds.
Originally Posted By jmcobery Thank you for that mild scolding. I agree with you one hundred percent % that we are all intitled to our own opinions, (FREE SPEACH). I just finished the authors artical on DCA, and I couldnt agree more with him on his assesment of DCA being a work in progress. go figure? we agree to disagree.
