Live from Orlando 2006 - Part 17

[Tannerman]

Given that Karl and Sara had never explored Disney's Animal Kingdom, that was our first stop on Monday, January 23. The park opened in 1998 as the fourth theme park on the Walt Disney World resort property.

As I've written elsewhere, Animal Kingdom (AK for short) is a very beautiful park... with not much to do. It's packed with lush foliage, exotic animals, trees and water areas, and some interesting attractions.

Welcome to Animal Kingdom!

Since it opened, it's been pretty much written off as a "half-day park", meaning that you really couldn't spend much time there once you got the main rides out of the way.

Expedition Everest in the distance

Thankfully, that appears to be changing with the addition of Expedition Everest, slated to officially open in the spring. (Read our detailed conversation about this new ride here in the TannerWorld Junction discussion forums). The new ride is located in the Asia section of the park. If you look at the map, it will be located right near the mouth of the river on the eastern portion of the park. Disney has built a bridge that spans the Discovery River to connect DinoLand U.S.A. with Asia. During our time at the park, the ride was actually open to Disney Cast Members and Annual Passholders for testing. Since we were neither, we couldn't get very close, but it looked like a blast!

Animal Kingdom Map

Click to view larger map

Like most Disney theme parks, Animal Kingdom separated into 7 "lands", though the distinctions at AK revolve not only around geography, but also around animal-type and subject matter, making for somewhat of a hodge-podge of areas. For example, the Africa and Asia areas depict foreign areas with typical Disney tradition to detail. But then you jump to DinoLand U.S.A. and you find yourself not only transported to a different location, but also to a different time, as the area is entirely focused on the extinct creatures (and is sponsored by McDonald's in a rather shameless way).

The Tree of Life

Animal Kingdom's "Main Street" is known as the Oasis, which leads to the primary "hub" located at the center of the park, Discovery Island. The island features AK's "wienie" (large structure to draw your eye) in the Tree of Life, a fake tree that has carvings of hundreds of animals on the outside.

Steve, Amy, Sara, & Karl
(Via Disney's PhotoPass)

On the inside is a 3D film attraction based on Pixar's A Bug's Life called "It's Tough To Be A Bug". Incidentally, when the park opened, this central island was actually labeled "Safari Village", as Disney had another zoological park on its property, the now-closed 11.5 acre Discovery Island located near the Magic Kingdom. Upon the opening of Animal Kingdom, Discovery Island was closed in 1999 and the central hub at AK adopted its name.

Simba has been added to the picture!
(Via Disney's PhotoPass)

The remaining lands include Camp Minnie-Mickey, sort of the younger-skewing kids area that frankly is nothing more than a placeholder for future attractions. Finally, you have Rafiki's Planet Watch, a completely dumb name for an area that is pretty much a zoo area pounding home the message "Earth good, conservation good, killing animals bad". The messaging in Animal Kingdom is pretty preachy at times and a bit over the top for my tastes. I'm all about being good stewards of land and creatures, but it gets to be too much in some areas of this park. (For a while, Disney wouldn't allow Jungle Cruise skippers in the Magic Kingdom or at Disneyland to shoot at the hippos on the ride as they had done since that attraction was first opened... all because they didn't want to send a mixed message due to the opening of Animal Kingdom).

A PhotoPass card

Before I get into explaining more about AK, I might as well explain Disney's PhotoPass, which I've referenced in a couple of previous posts. Basically, it's a new way to capture photos while you are on vacation at Walt Disney World. Frankly, it's a great idea from Disney... and it doesn't rip you off! (What, Steve likes a new idea from Disney?)

PhotoPass picture taken at Epcot
(Via Disney's PhotoPass)

The concept is simple. Think about your experiences at other theme parks, like Six Flags. There are typically photographers at the gates trying to take your photo and sell you those pictures. They give you a little card or something so you can go buy your photo later. Frankly, I always avoided these guys like the plague. Disney's PhotoPass flips that entire dynamic on its head.

The back of the PhotoPass card

Now, Disney photographers are at park entrances and other great photo spots throughout a given park. They take your photo digitally and give you a free plastic credit card-like thingy that is tied to the photos he just shot. You continue on your way and find another photographer. Give him your card and he shoots more photos... and so on. Later, you go online to DisneyPhotoPass.com and enter the code number on the back of your card. Instantly you can see all the photos tied to that card (you can also view these at stations in the park... they are uploaded within 90 minutes of being taken).

PhotoPass picture taken at Magic Kingdom
(Via Disney's PhotoPass)

Here's the beautiful part... you don't have to buy them! You can send low-resolution versions of these via e-mail to friends and family to share your vacation (or in my case, upload them to a blog). If there is a shot you particularly like, you can purchase that online. There are even situations where the photographers have you do something special so that Disney can add a character or other aspect into the photo with you. Disney is also working to bring ride photos into the system down the road (and looking at expanding the service to Disneyland and beyond).

PhotoPass picture taken at Disney MGM-Studios
(Via Disney's PhotoPass)

I really love the idea. First, you now welcome folks to take your photo. Second, you get your entire group into a shot. Third, you can view them on your own timeframe (photos stay online for 30 days). Finally, you have the option to purchase or not. It's a rather unique innovation from a company known for pretty much ripping you off. (And just wait till you hear about Disney's PhotoMovie, another concept that is coming down the pipeline soon!)

Anyway, let's move on... shortly after getting into the park, we all headed to the Africa section, which contained one of the few E-ticket attractions found in Animal Kingdom.

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