Animal Kingdom

[tikistitch]

We'd have to call Dizzney's Animal Kingdom a narrow winner in the "Most-est Boring-est Park" contest (just ahead of the snorefest that is Epcot) but there was some goodness to be had. According to our living guidebook, Tommy, there was some disagreement over the initial concept of the park, and it seems to have ended up as a tarted up, monkey-less zoo. We know opinions differ, but if you have time to see only one of the Florida parks, we'd say, don't make it this one, ya know?

Herewith, though, our highlights....



Like this.





The rolly-coaster in AK, Expedition Everest, basically hurtles you forward until you see some tracks the Bumble has ripped up, and THEN it shoots you backwards at like three times the speed, and then you whirl around some more, 'til you look like this. (Yep, we finally sprung for a frickin' $30 picture, so sue us.) It was super fun, though, like a lot of the rides this year, about 50% too short.



The other fun bit: DINOSAURS!!!



Big jolly green dinosaurs. Green should be the color for all dinosaurs! This section of the park is done up like an ultra-cheesy carnival, and they've done an excellent job.



We didn't go on this ride, because just looking at it made us want to heave.



(Which is similar to our reaction to most cheesy carnival rides.)



And this was the super excellent gift shop, which was bedecked in plastic dinos from every toy line in existence.



Mr. Tiki found some Potato Heads too, yay!

Comments

[sarahpolk.livejournal.com]

(just ahead of the snorefest that is Epcot)

Wot? That's my favorite park! Why was it boring for you?

[typicalfemale.livejournal.com]

I am thoroughly enjoying these DW posts!! We're going to Florida in May, I can't wait.

[starshipangels.livejournal.com]

waaa you make wanna go to Disney world!!! ^__^ I've only been to Disneyland~

[jeepersjournal.livejournal.com]

Did ya go on the Animatronic Dinosaur mildly coaster-y dark ride at the back of the park? That's pretty keen too. Though the Dinosaur mini-theme park is a highlight. Also, there are monkeys, they just like to hide on you. It's been fun following your park tours :)

[tikistitch.livejournal.com]

Yes! That was the other fun thing that I forgot to mention. Tommy got another group shot of us weirding out over the animatronic dinos, so I'll get that up once he sends me a digital image. According to our living guidebook, they were gonna make it funnier, where the CSI guy wants to kind of leave everybody in Dino-land, but thought it was too mean for Dizzney. Actually kinda reminded me more of a Jurassic Park dealie than Dizzney.

[avalonjones.livejournal.com]

And here I thought Animal Adventure was one of those things that you drive through and the animals are all "in their natural habitat" and can come over and maul your car.

[jeepersjournal.livejournal.com]

The time travel thing and the really high quality animatronic dinos make it real fun. Though now that you mention it, the Jurassic Park ride at Universal is fun too [especially with the Amusement Park element], and very un-Disney in that you get attacked by Raptors 0_o I swear, Universal does their best to have as much PG-13 blood/violence in their park as possible. [both parks are great. Disney has better Merchandising+Food though.....]

[jeepersjournal.livejournal.com]

I'm curious too. Is it the lack of Stitch? Or does being a real scientist make it less sciency? I loved World Showcase [it has a Mitsukoshi! And Roots!]

[tikistitch.livejournal.com]

We didn't make it to Universal, which was kinda dumb as our hotel was basically across the street. Maybe next time!!

[tikistitch.livejournal.com]

We're going to see the gators tomorrow, so maybe they'll maul the car? Which will be ok, as it's a rental.

[tikistitch.livejournal.com]

I had only ever been to Disneyland before, and now I'm not sure I could go back. All my favorite rides at Dizzyland, like Pirates and Haunted Mansion, are better at WDW!!!