Dark Skies in a Downgraded Kingdom

mandstaft · 03-10-2009, 07:57 AM

The most difficult part of this trip report is not avoiding the issue and saying what I need to say right from the start. I love Animal Kingdom- but I was totally bored and ready to leave the park by 2:15pm! If it's your favorite theme park at Walt Disney World, please read on and give my appraisal a fair shake before you judge me...

After a great two days, one at Epcot, one at Magic Kingdom (and one at Disney's Hollywood Studios yet to come), my wife and I were ready for a third great day- at Disney's Animal Kingdom. It's a spectacularly beautiful park, unique in many ways. (Cruise my blog for my "True Life Adventure" on the creation and evolution of this park. It's a multi part series.) This visit, it was the only park we got up early for. That should say much.

We hopped on the first bus of the day. I was feeling an adrenaline rush just thinking of riding Expedition Everest. I couldn't wait. I was also anxious to show my wife this park in a relaxed and unhurried manner.

Arriving in the parking lot, the sky was quite gray and the day felt "heavy". Walking through the gates into the park, it seemed as all was very quiet. The animals seemed still, and I couldn't hear (or see) any of the birds- just the sound of the small waterfall just past the entrance. This gave a very different first impression to what the day would be like. Misty, overcast, somewhat mysterious.
----------------------------
The rest of this trip report and all my photos are on my Insights blog, if you want to keep reading.
Mark

#1DisneyFreak · 03-10-2009, 01:30 PM

I thought it was a good report. I can tell that you are an enthusiast, and I trust your opinion. I've never been, but when we do go, I think I"l make this a half day park, and the other half can just be relaxing by the pool!

alyx92 · 03-10-2009, 04:34 PM

I dont particularly like AK, but when I do go, I usually do a morning there and an afternoon at DHS.

mandstaft · 03-10-2009, 05:22 PM

That's not a bad plan actually, especially if DHS has extnded Magic Night Hours. In the evening DHS is pretty empty and Tower and RNRC are a walk on.

03-10-2009, 07:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
mandstaft People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 47	Dark Skies in a Downgraded Kingdom The most difficult part of this trip report is not avoiding the issue and saying what I need to say right from the start. I love Animal Kingdom- but I was totally bored and ready to leave the park by 2:15pm! If it's your favorite theme park at Walt Disney World, please read on and give my appraisal a fair shake before you judge me... After a great two days, one at Epcot, one at Magic Kingdom (and one at Disney's Hollywood Studios yet to come), my wife and I were ready for a third great day- at Disney's Animal Kingdom. It's a spectacularly beautiful park, unique in many ways. (Cruise my blog for my "True Life Adventure" on the creation and evolution of this park. It's a multi part series.) This visit, it was the only park we got up early for. That should say much. We hopped on the first bus of the day. I was feeling an adrenaline rush just thinking of riding Expedition Everest. I couldn't wait. I was also anxious to show my wife this park in a relaxed and unhurried manner. Arriving in the parking lot, the sky was quite gray and the day felt "heavy". Walking through the gates into the park, it seemed as all was very quiet. The animals seemed still, and I couldn't hear (or see) any of the birds- just the sound of the small waterfall just past the entrance. This gave a very different first impression to what the day would be like. Misty, overcast, somewhat mysterious. ---------------------------- The rest of this trip report and all my photos are on my Insights blog, if you want to keep reading. Mark __________________ Mark Check out my Disney blog: www.InsightsandSounds.blogspot.com
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03-10-2009, 01:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
#1DisneyFreak People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orem, UT Posts: 1,486 Images: 5	I thought it was a good report. I can tell that you are an enthusiast, and I trust your opinion. I've never been, but when we do go, I think I"l make this a half day park, and the other half can just be relaxing by the pool! __________________ " is the star, everything else is in the supporting role." - Walt Disney Trivia: In the movie "Cars", the tow truck introduces himself as "Mater, like Ta-Mater without the Ta". However, in French, the joke did not translate so he introduced himself as "Martin, like Aston Martin without the Aston" Come join us! (You must be 18 years of age or older) My Countdown Counting down to: VF's 4th annual scavenger hunt (and the D23 convention!) Ask me how we did!
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03-10-2009, 04:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
alyx92 People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Miami FL Posts: 1,708 Images: 2	I dont particularly like AK, but when I do go, I usually do a morning there and an afternoon at DHS. __________________ Disney Count: Magic Kingdom-25 times : Disney's Hollywood Studios- 23 times : Epcot- 24 times : Disney's Animal Kingdom- 14 times Blizzard Beach- 1 time : Typhoon Lagoon- 1 time California, Paris, & Tokyo- 0 times TIMES ON SPLASH MTN - 30 : TIMES ON ToT - 29 : TIMES PotC - 32 TIMES on Test Track - 15 "If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream, and a mouse." - Walt Disney Follow me on Twitter Here My Countdown Counting down to: My first Walt Disney World Half-Marathon! 49 days 13 hours 31 minutes
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03-10-2009, 05:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
mandstaft People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 47	That's not a bad plan actually, especially if DHS has extnded Magic Night Hours. In the evening DHS is pretty empty and Tower and RNRC are a walk on. __________________ Mark Check out my Disney blog: www.InsightsandSounds.blogspot.com
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