Getting around Animal Kingdom

[Nostromo]

I have not visited Disney's Animal Kingdom so far, but will be on our next visit. One worry I have is coping with this park's sheer size, which I have heard is almost equal to the total of Epcot, Magic Kingdom & MGM. We were very tired with Epcot during the last visit and have spread it over 2 days this time around. But we have been told 1 good day is enough for Animal Kingdom; I will have my elderly in-laws (they are fit for their age) with me and am not sure if they will cope. Is there a lot of walking to do or is there another way to minimise the effort?

[blott]

I think you'll find that most of the size relates to the space that the animals have to themselves, rather than the amount that you need to walk around. There's a vast area where the animals roam free (well, as free as possible!) which includes lions, elephants, giraffe, etc. You'll see these in this area from the Kilimanjaro Safari ride so make sure you get on that!

The rest of the park isn't, I wouldn't say, any bigger than any other park in the area. I don't remember being exhausted having walked around it several times in one day.

[athurstance]

Blott is right - although AK is huge most of it is the animal area. You view this in the safari 'bus' so no need to walk. It is actually quite a small park in terms of guest walking area and it is best to g there early because it can get crowded on the walkways between attractions.
I really like it - there are lots of little corners to explore.

[esprit]

I echo what has been said before in that the walking area of the park is very manageable. One tip for AK is to go early in the morning, particularly in the summer ( it opens before the other parks) and go straight to the safari and do that first. You then catch the animals whilst they are still active. By 11 am, they had retreated to the middle of the area away from the roads and are kipping under a tree and you will see very little. Moreover the queues for it build up in the middle of the day. If you really cant get there early, do the safari as late a possible as they come out again in the evening. It is just the same as a real life safari ( we have done one and started at 6 am. AK doesnt open THAT early!)

Other tips on AK, dont miss Its tough to be a bug inside the Tree ( great show) and the Kali River Rapids ( one of the best of its type).

[caroline]

Don't forget "Dinosaur" !! Our kids love it...so do we

[esprit]

Yes, Ive seen the photo, Caroline!!!

[blott]

quote:Kali River Rapids ( one of the best of its type).

Oh, I'd forgotten that! If you're feeling really mean, you can squirt everyone on the ride from the bridge over the top... just when they thought they couldn't get any wetter too!

[Nostromo]

Thanks everyone! Yes, in fact, we have planned to be there early as our villa is quite close to the park. We will do the Kilimanjaro Safari and Pangani Trail first, by which time it will probably getting warm. Then we'll spend time with Dinosaur! and other attractions till evening and leave the Maharajah Jungle Trek for later in the evening when the animals come out again. Does that sound OK?

[athurstance]

Sounds like a good plan to me.

[orlandobabe]

The Lion King Show is very popular-so make sure you get there in good time. We turned up about 10 mins before last show of the day-and they would not let us in.

AK shuts really early too at around 5-30pm-so you will find time just runs away with you there-and you can miss so much.