Parenting

Disney's Animal Kingdom - yes or no and ?

We are going in a week and I am trying to decide if we should do Animal Kingdom with a 3 1/2 yo and 17mo.  Thoughts?  What can/can't you do with this age?  And it did not even cross my mind but I am guessing that DD cannot do the safari b/c she is too little.
Jen - Mom to two December 12 babies Nathaniel 12/12/06 and Addison 12/12/08

Re: Disney's Animal Kingdom - yes or no and ?

  • Absolutely. THat and the MK is the only two parks we did.  J was 18 mo when we went and he went on the safari ride.  Dinoland USA, the parade, the petting zoo-it is all perfect for their ages.  I would do that over epcot or Disney studios.
  • Honestly this was our least favorite park.  It's a nice zoo but the rides, aside from the safari (which is a bit lame), are all too big for your kids.  They are very adult geared.  The Lion King and Nemo shows are both very good but I know that there is NO WAY Carter (21 months) would sit though them now.  DD is SO into princesses that she was disappointed with the lack of princesses (none) there and DS could have cared less.  Your DD can go on the safari but it's short and not as impressive as it sounds.  I would go to your local zoo and go to a different park instead.
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  • Thanks.  We are only doing MK and Sea World and AK.
    Jen - Mom to two December 12 babies Nathaniel 12/12/06 and Addison 12/12/08
  • I'd skip AK and go to Epcot instead. 
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  • image*Amy*:
    Absolutely. THat and the MK is the only two parks we did.  J was 18 mo when we went and he went on the safari ride.  Dinoland USA, the parade, the petting zoo-it is all perfect for their ages.  I would do that over epcot or Disney studios.

    This except we really liked Hollywood studios too.   


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  • I like it but I'm probably partial since I worked there and rhe MK in college. Amarah enjoyed the Nemo musical, the bongo guys,Camp Minnie Mickey (went to a birthday party there). I hate they took out the Pocahontas show. She loved it. The petting zoo is ok. If I skipped AK I would choose the Studios. I think Epcot is like watching paint dry.
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  • She can ride the safari.  I couldn't, because I was pregnant at the time we went.  Animal Kingdom was ok, but I kind of wish we'd spent an extra day at Magic Kingdom instead.  Although Animal Kingdom was the only place we could find to get a picture with Mickey.  My kids really liked Epcot, too.
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  • We took the boys to AK when they were 2.5. We didn't like it at all...thought it was really boring and not much to see..esp for the price. We also took them to Sea World at that age and they (and we) LOVED it. Sea World also has an option where you can buy a pass for the same price as a one day ticket, and come back as much as you want through the end of the year. I'm not sure if it was for Florida residents or not (we are not), but they didn't check and actually a worker was the one who suggested we buy it. We went back a couple times, even.

    We went to MK this year (age 3.5) and we all loved that, too. If I could choose, I'd do MK and Sea World again for sure! I will not be returning to AK. 

  • It is interesting how different opinions are.  My kids loved it and were never bored at all.  I guess it is a crapshoot really. 
  • image*Amy*:
    It is interesting how different opinions are.  My kids loved it and were never bored at all.  I guess it is a crapshoot really. 

    ditto, my kids loved it too, they were 4 3/4 and 20 months old. They loved all of the parks. 

  • Not a fan of AK at all. Carter's favorite park is actually Epcot.  I would do MK and Epcot.
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  • We all loved AK and the BEST buffet breakfast is there called Tusker House...it is all the Mickey Characters and is huge with the characters dancing and singing and all the kids gets miracca's (sp) and instruments to play and they march around. SOO CUTE! There is no minimum age for the safari...dc can totally go on it!
  • Our kids were almost 4 and a little over 2.  AK was great.  The Lion King and Finding Nemo performances are not to be missed.  There is very little they can do at either Hollywood Studios or Epcot, and for those ages, I'd recommend skipping those two parks entirely.  We did AK 2 days (with going back to the resort for naps) and it still wasn't enough.  We were there 6 days and if I could do it over again, I'd split it 3 days in MK and 3 days in AK.

    There is no age or height limit for the safari, I don't think.

  • libra31libra31 member

    We leave for Disney in a week too!  Our trip sounds like yours.  We are planning to do MK, AK and SeaWorld.  We did get the buy one day get one day free at SeaWorld.  We are staying w/in a few minutes from there so we plan to do two 1/2 days at SeaWorld.  I have a 5yo girl, 2.5yo boy and 3mo.  I've been to AK before and we enjoyed it.  My 2.5yo loves animals and I've heard it's a great place to see the characters.  My 2 will enjoy the shows as well, they love Nemo and the Lion King is great. 

    I know its expensive but I'm thankful AK won't take all day b/c it will be nice to leave when it gets too hot.  My friend who lives in Orlando has a 3.5yo and they LOVE seaworld.

    Hope you have an awesome trip!

    DD(7), DS(4.5), DS(2.5), DS(baby)
  • We went to MK, AK, Epcot and MGM.  DS was almost 3.  Our favorite was AK.  We already went on a ton of rides at MK the day before so we loved the shady spacious feel of AK.  DS loved the music in the streets, Nemo show, Lion King show, Safari, Tuskers lunch, Bugs life, etc.   
    Fortunate to be a SAHM to my 3 musketeers (5/2006, 5/2010 & 12/2011). Soy & dairy free for the 3rd and final time. Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers Lilypie Second Birthday tickers Lilypie First Birthday tickers imageimage
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