Favorites in the Animal Kingdom

Kali River Rapids! I love that ride!

Animal Kingdom is by far the most underrated park. Great rides (the Primeval Whirl is underrated too!) and great theming, plus you can go see the kitties!

I just love to wander around AK--especially at night. It's so pretty.

Has anyone taken the Backstage Safari tour?

I think the Animal Kingdom is exactly the kind of park that tends to appeal to adults more than kids. While this disparity has probably diminished since the arrival of Expedition Everest, probably the most impressive thing about Animal Kingdom is the theming. Whereas I would never consider just "wandering around" (as Annie says) Hollywood Studios, I can enjoy just sitting and relaxing in AK. I think the actual park itself is one of its biggest attractions.

The Safari was hands down my favorite experience at WDW, so I'd have to go with that. I bet the Backstage tour is great. Lion King was the best show I saw at WDW, and Tusker House was my favorite counter service restaurant, so that's 3 of my "WDW bests" in Animal Kingdom. I also thought Dinosaur was a fun ride. Unfortunately, Everest wasn't open yet when I went. I'm looking forward to trying it in the future! I think Animal Kingdom is an underrated park, when it's really got a lot to offer.

I love the Lion King and Nemo shows too.

AK is absolutely an underrated park!! Let's keep it that way so it stays uncrowded!!

My favorite bar in all of WDW is at Animal Kingdom --the Dawa Bar at Tusker House...yum!

I agree that Animal Kingdom is an underrated park. EE is one of my favorite rides, a Big Thunder Mountain Railroad on steroids. My favorite counter service is Flame Tree BBQ.

Jim

The Flame Tree BBQ "circle of life" theme has always made me a bit nauseous--though I do like their food!

I know what you mean, Bali. Kind of puts you right in the middle of the food chain with that themeing. I will say that eating out out on the deck with the view of EE is one of the nicer outdoor dining experiences in all of WDW. It's interesting to note that that space was originally slotted for a show area before deciding to use the Tree of Life space for a show instead of a restaurant.

Regarding AK as a whole, I agree with the poster who said it's best feature is it's themeing. To me, this park boasts the greatest attention to detail of any of the four theme parks at WDW. Many things that most guests probably overlook involved a lot of thought, planning and design by Walt Disney Imagineers.

I highly recommend the book "The Imagineering Field Guide to Disney's Animal Kingdom".

I had no idea the Tree was originally supposed to be a restaurant...sounds very "Universal Studios"
Yes, I agree on the Imagineering Field Guides. There's a link to them here if anyone's interested.

Hi Spaceace.

Yes, in the space where It's Tough to be a Bug is found now, there were plans to put a restaurant entitled appropriately enough "Roots Restaurant".

But yes, the Imagineering Guides are great. The Hollywood Studios one is due to be released in spring of 09.

Man I totally want to eat at the Roots Restaurant now! Someone go build it!

I wonder if there's any space left over down there now?