Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<<I didn't think they were going to have late hours at DAK due to the animals. >>> Yeah this was the origianl plan. I remember going the first year when it was open and having to leave aroud 5:30 PM . Why did it change?
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<<You do know that was an attempt to inject a little bit of humor as I don't want to chase any new folks away.>>> Of course I know! I love it.
Originally Posted By jonnyrzone420 The new seaworld park is gonna be a straight foward water park, it opens in may. They are going to have tube slides that go through makeshift aquarium tanks or something like that.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Thanks for the heads up jonny. As for Animal Kingdom...well my family of 8 takes hours and hours there. My very young children love the jungle trail and the sufari. We take the time to admire these animals, talk to the kids about them, what they eat, how they live, and we talk to the CM who is usually stationed nearby for questions. In fact, my 3 year old is still talking about two things from our last visit to WDW... "Those Lippos (Hippos) like to stay in the water, but those alligators like to stay out of the water right dad? Thosse Lippos are fat, right dad? Those alligators are cool, right dad? They can get wet but they like to stay out of the water, right dad? But we can't pet 'em because they might bite right dad? But we can pet those Lippos one day, right dad?" We treat the Animal Kingdom as a chance to learn and we really try to "model" as parents someone who is genuinely interested in animals and wildlife. Our kids think seeing a tiger is a really cool and special thing, not just something to look at and go "pffft." Now AK has left quite an impression on my 3 year old. My 4 year old LOVES "It's Tough To Be A Bug" and we all enjoyed the new and IMHO odd Nemo show, and we all enjoy the Lion King Show although it's fun, it's been around a while now. We still like it. We usually spend an hour between the Dino Dig and the (looks around to see if vbdad55 is listening) playground / boneyard. We ride all the rides at the park, we fastpass Everest and Kahli and Safari. This in some way forces us to stay longer, waiting for the next fast pass availability. We used to ride the train that takes you to the post, whatever that is, but for some reason that has slipped below our radar on recent trips. We stop at the character meet and greets, and that usually takes a while. I guess the point is, we don't get in a big "commando" hurry. We take far fewer photos and no video. It really makes the park visit about fun and enjoyable. I mean really, I went home about 4 years ago and asked myself, how often to we look at our Disney photos and watch our videos? My answer was one word, "Never." So to say that a family can do AK in a few hours, well that is true, but geeeze, stop and smell the roses people. I really wish Trippy would weigh in here, I know how he feels about going to AK with just he and his hot wife.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I'm a huge Animal Kingdom fan. I think the park is great and I expect to see even better things there in years to come. I'm not a huge zoo nut; I like them but I don't visit often. But, A.K. has just enough pixie dust, good shows and interesting attractions to keep me entertained all day. In the beginning I agree what it was a bit of a short visit park (as was MGM in the beginning for those with short memories) but with the additions of Everest, the Nemo show and parades I think it is really coming into its own now. And, I agree with DVC dad, the park is even more enjoyable when you slow down and check out the details. Heck, I could spend an hour in front of the Tree of Life.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<<Heck, I could spend an hour in front of the Tree of Life.>>> WORD! Especially if that enchnating grape vine lady whatever she is is hanging around.
Originally Posted By u k fan Completely irrelevant, but I've just worked out my first WDW visit was 8 years ago!!!
Originally Posted By jonvn It's very nice, DAK. It's much nicer than the Studio park, that's for sure (so is DCA, for that matter). We enjoyed our time there, but just not enough for us to enjoy for all day. We're going there with youngster this time, so maybe he'll want to spend more time on the animals than I would. He sometimes has a better attention span than I do on things.
Originally Posted By christiemarsh88 <<<Walt did indeed consider St. Louis for a park in the mid-60s prior to deciding on FLA.>>> I'm still in mourning. Thanks for reminding me that there's no Disney park in the midwest. I'm just gonna go cry now. But it's okay. If we all repeat the urban legend about a park in Branson, MO long enough, I'm sure it will come true. *fingers crossed*
Originally Posted By magnet One of the greatest things about DAK is that there is no zoo smell. I've been to big zoos and small zoos and they ALL have places where the animal odor comes wafting by and it REEKS! I've never had this problem at DAK, but never noticed it until I was at a zoo later and had to hold my nose a good bit.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Just like there are no theme park plans for Galvaston Texas - another rumour that will not die. << That is just about the worst location possible. >> Especially if that enchnating grape vine lady whatever she is is hanging around. << De Vine is fun to watch.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<<I didn't think they were going to have late hours at DAK due to the animals. >>> <<Yeah this was the origianl plan. I remember going the first year when it was open and having to leave aroud 5:30 PM . Why did it change?>> Actually, this was largely Internet/CM/Disney Geek rumor ... DAK's orginal daily park hours were 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. (no extra hours though) ... the park's hours were drastically adjusted downward all the way to the current offseason 9-5 in 2001.
Originally Posted By bean There are no plans to build anymore gates at WDWin the near future or distant future at the moment. The focus right now is to update and restore the focus of the parks that are there. The MK needs lots of work in upkeep and upgrade. The park is beginning to show its age. Epcot has been receiving the attention lately to help and move that park forward from the stigma it has. Expensive attractions have been added and other areas of attention are being looked into. DAK at the moment has seen an upswing in attendance due to two very popular additions. Everest and Nemo musical have done wonders for the park but the focus is still to help increase the parks nightly stay. Now for MGM studios - soon to be Disney's Hollywood studios, the focus in the next several years will be on this park. The third gate of WDW is in dire need of help. Right now everyone is amazed at the amount of money that will be spent on DCA but no one knows or realizes that WDW has done the same for its second gate in the last few years and will do the same for its third gate. MGM will get its own makeover that will also be spread out thruout several years. Obviously the parks entrance will not be retooled heavily since it already has a nicely detailed mainstreet but there are other issues at the end of mainstreet and other large areas of the park that need to be addressed. As for new gates none for WDW the focus at the moment is internationally for new gates and Anaheim. Yes, Burbank is gearing up to strengthen DCA and Disneyland with new attractions and offerings to prepare them for what will eventually be the announcement of the third gate sooner than expected.
Originally Posted By bean Not sure if someone has answered the orginals posters question about the imagineering contest. Disney has periodically done contest like these. It does not necessaryly mean that the winning attraction would ever get built. It is just a way of supporting and inspiring future WDI's
Originally Posted By jonvn "Epcot has been receiving the attention lately to help and move that park forward from the stigma it has." How could that be? Epcot is perfect and wonderful...and...hey, haven't they basically ripped down half the original place at this point and rebuilt it? Gee. OH, and MGM....it's really a great place, because...oh, I guess that's going to basically look nothing like how it was originally built, either. Oh. Yes, what's going on with DCA has never been done before by Disney. Except when it has.
Originally Posted By jonnyrzone420 I think Universal florida should build a third gate that focuses on animal wildlife and their preservation. They could call it 'Mammal Palace'.
Originally Posted By jonnyrzone420 A third gate at disneyland, where are they gonna put it. I was there in July. You can stand at one end of the propery and throw a coin to the other end. Honestly except for the firehouse and knowing that walt used to stay there and the whole lamp story. I wasn't that impressed with Disneyland. I know it came first, but I think it is a smaller version of WDW with less frills. Except for POTC, I thinks it better in DL, even though the differences are small.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper DL is not a smaller version of WDW...WDW is a larger version of DL...and the reasons are plainly obvious. Disney expected, and got, much larger crowds at WDW. And, they had a lot more land to work with. To be honest, it is pretty amazing how much they really have at DL considering the size limitations. The "third gate" at DL will likely be a waterpark in the strawberry fields across the street to the south...if I have my directions correct.
