Dine or Ditch: Animal Kingdom's Nomad Lounge

What words come to mind when you first think of Disney's Animal Kingdom? What feelings hit you as you approach this beautiful park from the dry parking lot? As a huge fan of Imagineering and Disney theme park design, its design is stunning. As a them park guest, as I walk to the entrance, there's this sense of relaxation and adventure at the same time. Quite the accomplishment, I'd say. That's only the  beginning.

The unique mix of high octane thrill rides in beautifully calm and peaceful environments give the fourth Disney park in Florida its unique feel. Shops are now filled with plush and merchandise available in other parks, but there are still plenty of unique items in theme to each land. (Watch for an upcoming series of articles on the creation and evolution of this incredible park. The stories behind it and the concept art are really worth your time.)

Unexpectedly, from Day One, the quality and variety of food options here is only rivaled by those high end places found in Disney Springs. (Used to be that EPCOT Center's World Showcase held that distinction years ago, but there's been a notable downgrade in dining while the festival food booths risen to prominence.) That said, of all the places in Animal Kingdom with great food, Nomad Lounge is the best of them all, unless the ultra fine (and very expensive) dining of Tiffins is more your style. 

But Nomad Lounge may not be for everyone.

Look at the menu outside in front to make sure this is your style.

Check out the Society of Explorers and Adventurers reference.

The current star attraction of Disney's Animal Kingdom is Flight of Passage in The World of Avatar / Pandora themed land. If your follow the very early morning crowds to get there, you'll walk right by the Nomad Lounge, so pay attention. You'll need to be intentional to return here and not forget it in the midst of some great attractions that are waiting for you: Kilimanjaro Safaris and Expedition Everest will soon be joined in the forthcoming Tropical Americas land with an Encanto dark ride and a new version of the Indiana Jones Adventure. 

An almost hidden view of this adult hideaway.

First come, first served walk up style seating is not my favorite, but I had a hunch this place would be worth waiting for. It took about 40 minutes to get seated, so we patiently waited nearly and enjoyed the surroundings and grabbed some photographs of what is quickly becoming my favorite Disney park in Florida.

The drinks or the appetizers- which ones are better?

Definitely the Bangkok Chicken Wings!

Sequestering inside out of the sometimes harsh Florida sun may be a treat for many people, but I cannot resist the allure of a patio. I was not disappointed! In some ways, it reminded me of favorite places in Hawaii. Not a bad comparison at all. There were no island breezes however. It was a quite hot afternoon, and the covering was a welcome one. The waterside seating was extremely comfortable, and the vibe felt a million miles away from Walt Disney World as well as the real world. Just perfect!

Leaving us just the right amount of time to settle in and look around, our server returned to take our drink order. 

Lamu Libation (left and front) and Tempting Tigress (right and rear).

The adult drinks of choice varied in flavors and success, but they did not vary in price. Each one was enough guarantee that we had one drink each. As expected, there was a rum based drink (my choice), one with vodka, one with gin (normally my choice), and another with tequila. Concurrent with the rest of our trip, we all took turns trying each other's choices. 

My wife chose the Lamu Libation, African Rum, Cruzan Banana Rum, and Guava Purée with Orange, Lime, and Pineapple Juices topped with more rum. My son's choice was obvious as he likes something much stronger and far less sweet: The Tempting Tigress- Bourbon, Allspice Dram Liqueur, Tamarind, and Lime Juice.

This is a drinks and small plates establishment. Most all of the adult beverages were priced as if they were meals! It's a trend I still can't get used to, so plan on spending in the neighborhood of $40 per person plus tax and tip for one small plate and one alcoholic drink.

The Night Monkey- dark rum, guava puree, 

coffee simple syrup, lime juice and a touch of cilantro.

Time to place an order for something to nibble on. We certainly were not rushed to do so, but I always like having something in my system when I have a drink. It's pretty rare actually that I do drink, maybe one drink every 6 to 8 weeks when we're meeting friends, and that's about it at best. I will admit, it's different on vacation, though. I still will only have one drink an evening. Your mileage may vary.

What a difference traveling without small children!

An entirely more relaxed experience.

Featuring true to life flavors of Asia, Africa, and the Americas, the menu was surprising in its variety and depth. But it was definitely not an extensive menu. Nor were the portions meal sized even if they cost the same as a full meal. 

 

The Grilled Chicken Satay skewers were very good, but they paled in comparison to the incredible Bangkok Chicken Wings. I could eat these all day long! Crunchy, sweet, and even a bit tart, these were addictive. I'd say these are every bit as good as the ribs at Morimoto Asia or the very tasty ones at the now demolished Luau Cove. (Both recipes here.) In fact, they may be the best thing I ate on the trip whether we were at Disney or at Universal Orlando. 

The Cuban Frida Sliders hit the spot, but I'd rank them below the Chicken Satay skewers, holding steady at last place of our three small plates. The meat was very good, and the Yuka fries did have a nice and very different flavor than the expected regular or sweet potatoes.

Cuban Frita Sliders

I should mention that the bread service was a solid choice. So were the vanilla dessert churros we finished with, which also came with a small container of melted chocolate. The starters and ending were secondary to the main small plates both in size and flavor. Anywhere else, these would both be considered excellent, so that is saying quite a bit.

 

Sharing the facilities.

This is a very strange thing to admit: an unexpected highlight was my restroom stop. Why? Diners have to pass through Tiffins to get there.  This gave me a chance to peek into each of the dining rooms, even if it was rather quickly.

This room is truly beautiful!

There was barely anyone in this very expensive establishment, so the wait staff was fine to let me wander a bit. Some rooms were more elaborate than others, but each was special in their own way. Filled with Imagineering art and exotic artifacts, it was quite elegant and certainly a new high bar in Disney dining. And yes, even the bathrooms were beautiful. 

Nomad Lounge is a unique entry in Walt Disney World dining and holds an interesting place in the choices, but is it a Dine or Ditch?

It's a very "Dine" if you're willing to spend a good amount of your hard earned cash for what amounts to a lengthy pit stop versus a full meal. If you hate theme parks or desire a break in touring and running from attraction to attractions this is the place for you.  I'd also say this is a go if you like the idea of Tiffins but don't want to pay the over the top prices. 

It's a definite "Ditch" this option if you have young children in your party. They will not appreciate the exotic flavors found here. Nor does the menu cater to the littlest park visitors. It's also a "Ditch" if you're wanting a hearty meal to sustain you. You will not find it here on Nomad Lounge's very limited menu.

Want more Dine or Ditch?

Check out these other reviews:

Raglan Road at Disney Springs

Sci-Fi Dine In at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Be Our Guest at Magic Kingdom

Garden Grill at Epcot

San Angel Inn Restaurante at Epcot

 

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium at Universal Orlando City Walk

Mythos at Islands of Adventure

Cafe Orleans at Disneyland

 

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Lazy Day at Disney's Animal Kingdom

You might say the last day of our Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort trip was the best one- and you'd probably be right. (I can't imagine ever visiting Central Florida again without seeing both resorts. Try it for yourself. Even as an Imagineering geek, you might be pleasantly surprised.) As you could guess by the photo above of Expedition: Everest, our last theme park day was at the stunningly beautiful Disney's Animal Kingdom. 

We began our trip with four great days at the parks, followed by one very bad day that ended well. (In order, with trip reports linked, they were: Islands of Adventure ("The Best Family park for Thrill Seekers?"), Universal Studios ("Why I May Never Go to Universal Studios Florida Again"), Magic Kingdom ("How to Beat Disney at Their Own Game"), Epcot ("Is Disney World's New Epcot an Improvement?"), and finally Disney's Hollywood Studios ("The Worst Disney Park in Florida?".)

The theme of the day was "Chill", and it is exactly what happened. No rush, no worries, no early mornings to beat the crowds. Even walking into the park, the vibe felt different, and it was. Take in a deep breath, relax. We all did, but I also prepared to say goodbye to a couple of opening day attractions: It's Tough to Be a Bug, and Dinosaur aka Countdown to Extinction.

As with Epcot, this park and its creation and evolution has fascinated me. In fact, one of the most popular series on this blog is an eight part (so far) series highlighting its history. Throw in pieces of our trips reports, tons of photos and rare concept art, and it makes for a great read. Check it out: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight. 

After many visits year after year, Disney's 4th Florida theme park is as  interesting, immersive, and lovely as ever. Not perfect, not complete, but certainly one of the very best the Imagineers ever created.

Large strange Avatar world plant.

Soaring through Pandora was a must. It's my favorite attraction in this park. However, the upkeep on the film is horrible. Truly bad and needs to be top quality if the suits are going to charge add-on prices to ride the thing without a two hour wait. When you're not using physical sets to pull off immersion, the film you do use had better not be out of focus, but it certainly was. Those of us with and without lenses noticed this.

Not a heart racing thrill, but a ride of mystery and discovery.

With that disappointment behind us, we discovered a quick 15 minute wait for Nav'i River Journey. I'm a sucker for an old school dark ride on water. Give me Pirates of the Caribbean, El Rio del Tiempo- I mean Gran Fiesta Tour- and even It's A Small World and I'm happy as can be. The lack of Audio-Animatronic people apart from the large blue woman at the end is still a disappointment but not as much as a lack of Audio-Animatronic animals. This is Animal Kingdom, after all. Screens just don't do it! The most successful animals seen are those jumping frog type creatures on the leaves found over passengers' heads. That simple effect is impressive and playful. With waterfalls setting what's to come, black light effects that are top notch, and the cool of the evening as a story backdrop, the journey may not be an "E Ticket" in the traditional sense, but it is a quite enjoyable one. 

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Gotta love the Tree of Life!

On the way to our next adventure, we found ourselves still in awe of the park's icon: The Tree of Life. From every angle, this work of art impresses. At different times of the day, it seems to evolve into a piece of the landscape that's distinctive from the one before it. Light and color and forms change and create beauty. It's my favorite Florida park icon by far.

A view I normally don't shoot.

Hot! Hot! Hot! By this point in the day, it was already a very warm one. Time for Kali River Rapids. As usual, it was a quick walk through the queue, but dang, that area is filled with wonderful detail! The ride itself is honestly not that impressive and is the biggest disappointment of all the major attractions to be found here. The fun is there, but the length of the ride sells it short. The original plans for Tiger River Run would have added the thrill element for sure.

It was time to eat, but we still wanted to get a morning excursion on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Heading out to Africa, the lushness of the park and the stunning Tree of Life never fails to amaze us. Again. (If the real Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden was this spectacular, well, what a sight!) 

Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery seemed like our best bet, and what a great little find it turned out to be! I'm not an egg guy at all- not even close- but the Breakfast Totchos were so good I couldn't believe I was eating something this tasty from a Disney snack bar. We snuck around to a secluded patio area nestled between Mombassa Marketplace and Tabu Tabu Refreshments and took it in, enjoying a leisurely breakfast.

As authentic as can be for a theme park.

The theming was subtle, remote feeling, and charming. Surely, this wasn't a theme park. You gotta give props to Imagineering's Joe Rohde and his team. They created a modern masterpiece. This placemaking (Does Disney still use that term or do they not care anymore?) is what I loved about Epcot's World Showcase. As they move firmly away from realism into an increasingly cartoon look for this once great park, I find I appreciate this aspect of Animal Kingdom more than ever. I do know transformation is coming. D23 promises Encanto and Indiana Jones coming here, but I hope they do not go full blown fantasy for the architecture and feel of the area. It's the last U.S. Disney theme park that is coherent in its execution. Please keep it that way. A guy can dream, right?

Some folks might say that creating a park that looks like the real world is not what they come to Disney for. I say, bring it on! Even though my daughter in law is from Kenya, I may never go there. So, Disney's Animal Kingdom may be as close as I ever get. My son and his family have been on a real safari. (How does it compare? Check this out. You might be surprised by their photos.) If they ever go to Disney with us, it will be very interesting to hear their thoughts.

Can't miss this one.

If you're reading this, I'm sure you how some of those trips through the beautiful Disney created savannah are just so-so? Not this one! With more animals out than we'd ever seen, it was just wonderful, making this one of the best excursions we've ever had. We'd seen the safari lands at twilight, early in the morning, and even late afternoon, but this time, the animals were plentiful and active. Perhaps they'd just been fed? I don't know, but what a ride. Although I miss the original drivers that were from the continent, this American guide knew his stuff. 

Animals in every form. Incredible artistic interpretations throughout the park.

More than any other on the Walt Disney World property, taking time for exploration and taking in the details is the way to visit this park. There's something to be discovered around every corner if you do so. 

This is the this way I love visiting the Disney theme parks- the way it used to be when you could spend a few hours in say, New Orleans Square at Disneyland, and soak in all the details instead of rushing around from attraction to attraction. With Lightning Lane / Genie+ / Virtual Queue, the suits are trying to manipulate us and take away that leisurely visiting. It's a money maker, but it degrades and defiles what should be the Disney experience that differentiates them from their competition. As it stands now, it is a less pleasant vacation than it used to be. This will only lead to decreased return visits- and lower profits long term. Moving forward, Universal Orlando would do well to learn from Disney's mistakes, and this is one of the biggest.

The world awaits- all in one day.

Wandering around Disney's Africa, I couldn't help but think about the plans that were once in place for an Equatorial Africa spot at EPCOT's World Showcase. I imagine it will never happen in any form now, but that's fine. It exists in its best presentation here in Animal Kingdom. It's so rich an experience! From the Gorilla Falls Trail to each shop, cafe, and attraction, the work of the Imagineers places you in the middle of a place that seems very real but still alluring.

I will not miss Dino-Rama.

You can argue all you want about how in-theme and how excellently done Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama is. The truth is, the little slice of Americana carnival was a blemish on a beautiful park. It never fit nor should it have been built. (For that matter, remove Pixar Pier from Disney California Adventure as well. Do it yesterday.)  

Removing Dinoland U.S.A. is a whole different story. 

Dinosaurs belong in this park. In fact, they belong in any park themed to animals of all kinds. Who doesn't love them? To see Disney lift the white flag in defeat to Jurassic Park over at Islands of Adventure sadly encourages guests to give up on Animal Kingdom and take in a day at Disney's biggest competitor instead. If dinosaurs are your thing, drop into Islands. The comparison between how each company handled them is so shockingly different. Check this article out, and then tell me who won the dino wars. Any guesses?

A taste of creatures to come.

Long live the DINO INSTITUTE!

Knowing this would be our very last ride on Countdown to Extinction aka the generically named Dinosaur, brought a bit of sadness as well as thrills. It was one of the opening day attractions, and we as a whole family of six joyfully rode it on our first park visit in 1999. Consensus was Disney had a major hit on their hands. Then they toned it down year after year as well as allowing the broken effects to remain.

One last ride in the CTX Time Rover.

Oh you beast!

But it still rocked in a good way. And over two decades later, we loved the ride for what it was: a rite of passage for the grandkids among a long list of thrilling rides to be found here in the Orlando area.

Name changes come and go, but a piece of history was still there waiting to be found.

 

The medallion. Pretty stinking cool!

Will the Imagineers leave a piece of the past as they turn this into a piece of the Indiana Jones saga? I hope so. Let's just hope it is not a clone of either ride found at Disneyland or in Tokyo Disneysea. Let it be a brand new story that rings out with It's Fast! It's a Blast! It's in the Past! 

Hey Brucie!

The diversity of feathers, fur, shells, and scales is a great thing in this park- and the shows, rides, and attractions are equally, delightfully different from each other.  In Nemo's big blue world, it's a sweet story of a father's love for his children and his willingness to put himself in danger to bring them safely home. The larger than life puppets are just incredible! The colors are stunning, the music is bright, the story charming, and air conditioning wonderful. Seriously, it's an overlooked gem for families and even those without kids. We were never able to see Festival of the Lion King this trip, so this filled the gap. But do see each if you can. They are unique and both are incredibly well done and worth your time. 

In a land far, far away...

Cooled down now, we were now ready for something different. 

An adult retreat.

This isn't a full Dine or Ditch review- I'll cover this place soon- but as of this trip Nomad Lounge is our new Animal Kingdom tradition when there's no kids in our group.  The setting just around the river bend by Pandora is a million wonderful miles from civilization. This cannot be a theme park!

Yum!

The adult beverages are delicious, and the service top notch. Well, what can I say about the Bangkok Chicken Wings? They may be the best thing I put in my mouth the entire trip. I would eat them non-stop if I could. Remember, we were at the Flower and Garden Festival with all those outdoor kitchens, so that is saying something!

Delectable dining choices.

We sat and rested, ate, drank, and shared stories for almost one and a half glorious hours. A perfect chilly afternoon while it was still hot. I never have more than one alcoholic drink unless I have a second at home. (I don't like the buzz.) But oh my gosh, they know how to serve up something uncommon and very, very tasty. More wings, though, please.

My youngest son loves the design details as much as I do.

Bonus thought- Use the restroom while you're there. Since they are shared with the ultra high end Tiffins, sneak a look at all the different rooms you can eat in. Worth the five extra minutes to do so.

Trust me, make time in your Animal Kingdom visit for this place.

Now, it was time to say goodbye to one more opening day attraction: It's Tough to Be A Bug. Whether or not the audience knew it was slated to be replaced by something Zootopia, I do not know. But the crowd response was more than polite. Perhaps even we were responding as though it was brand new because we knew it'd be our last timing watching this special effects story. Bugs Life is not a great movie, but it made for an enjoyable show.

Hopper is soon to be banished.

Everyone screamed, jumped, and laughed at just the right times. The story writers for the next show had better come up with some great ideas. I hope it's as successful as the recent revisioning of the Magic Kingdom's Country Bear (Musical) Jamboree. There's a respectful balance of honoring the old, presenting something fresh, and giving the guests something truly worthy of their time and money. 

Always a great photo opportunity!

We'd end our day in this place by riding one of the biggest thrills in a park brimming with adventure- Expedition: Everest, Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. Not once, but twice. The lines were almost non-existent by the late afternoon. We rode in the back of the train, then I rode in the very front on the single rider line. I was a bit queasier the second trip, but it has to be my increasing sensitivity to arching up while moving backwards. Disco Yeti was in full swing. As always, we got off with huge smiles on our faces and that always welcome rush of adrenaline.

Last vistas here made me a little sad.

Over drinks, we decided it was a leisurely Italian dinner at Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria that we really wanted. Planning in advance, we'd booked a place for the end of the night, knowing we could move it out to another time if we chose to do so. This meant a quick Uber ride to EPCOT. 

Lovely.

We explored a bit, visited Figment- whose ride seems to disintegrate more each visit- and dropped into Gran Fiesta Tour. Some shopping and a stop to see the beautiful Canada Far and Wide before heading to the other side of World Showcase for dinner. To summarize because this was about Animal Kingdom and not Disney's second park in Florida, the pizza was solid, more than average but not fantastic. The same couldn't be said for the tiramisu. We agreed this dessert was the highlight of our meal. We were thankful to the Lord for a great trip with our youngest son. We all work hard and serve God's people well, but we also play hard. We're blessed in the truest sense of the word.

The last night of a trip is bittersweet. Talking about the day and our trip to each place led to many expected comparisons between Disney and Universal. It was clear we'd split our time between the two resorts going forward. This meant cutting out a Disney park day once the new Epic Universe opens. Which one would it be? Not Animal Kingdom.

That is Disney's true thrill park but the most relaxing day of all. The variety and intensity of attractions plays well against the very serene surroundings, creating an experience like no other. It's also a day to chill as crowds haven't truly discovered it, still perceiving it as a partial day park. And rightly so.

We love it, but as it has often been said, it just needs more. Is anyone at Disney listening?

Guess its time to finish up my trip report on our previous (real) Italy vacation and then over to Paris now...

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Details on The Walt Disney Studios Paris Expansion

Here it is- a very detailed look at the expansion plan for Walt Disney Studios Paris. There's been lots of speculation about what would join the Frozen themed land and its clone of Epcot's popular Frozen Ever After.  As you can see for yourself, one of the largest lots is used for a Lion King themed land and one for Avatar. While I understand the need to re-use some expensive, existing Imagineering work, I'm more excited about Simba and friends coming to the second gate in Paris.

Disneyland Paris is the most beautiful castle park in the world. Will the Studios ever compete? No, they just can't with its awkward layout and scattered themes. But it can become a pretty good companion park- and right now, it is the bottom of the barrel of all the Disney parks in the world. Avengers Campus is a good beginning, but it's just not enough.

(Image from Passport Wonderland.)

Who Will Keep the Flame Burning for Disney's Animal Kingdom?

Viewing my son's beautiful photographs of his Kenyan safari provides an incredible contrast to the blues skies and snow covered landscapes of the world outside my window. These grand vistas are something that cannot be duplicated at Walt Disney World's fourth park, Disney's Animal Kingdom. They certainly have the blessing of size in Florida, but to do this would be impossible.  

As for the park itself, Kilimanjaro Safaris may be overshadowed by Pandora and its Flight of Passage attraction, but the opening day attraction remains the heart of the park. 

What will happen to the park now that creative leader Joe Rohde is gone? Is the park's future bright or under threat? Could there even be anyone left at Imagineering that can carry on and hold the torch? Moana could come and Zootopia could be around the corner, but these may not be the best direction for the park. I'd be encouraged to read some names that you think could pull it off, so do share them.

Regardless, the genesis, evolution, and revelation of Disney's Animal Kingdom continues to fascinate me. One of the blog's most popular series is a True Life Adventure named just that- and it's filled with detailed history of the park's creation and changes, rare concept art, trip reports, and more. Take a look at the past and perhaps the future of the beautiful theme park!

Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six
Part Seven

Part Eight

How Will Avatar 2 The Way of Water Impact Disney's Animal Kingdom?

Will Avatar 2: The Way of Water be any good? Will anyone even care after all this time? Has James Cameron lost his way? How will the new film impact Disney's Animal Kingdom and the lushly themed Pandora area? These are just some of the questions I have about it all. 

The land's Flight of Passage is one of the park's best attractions in a park full of thrilling E Tickets and stage shows. Could scenes be changed once the new movie is out?

On the other hand, Navi River Journey is a mixed bag with beautiful sets, amazing sounds, and one but only one incredible and very temperamental Audio-Animatronic. Additions would certainly help, but let's be honest, they'll never happen. These are not the days of Walt.

Could a brand new attraction be announced? Well, it is Animal Kingdom's 25th anniversary next year, so I suppose that's possible. Something could be announced at the next D23 coming in August. (My bet something is announced, but not for that side of the park.) 

Here's my biggest question: Where's Imagineering's Joe Rodhe when you need him? 

Disney's Low Tech Attractions Still Rock

Today blockbuster attractions are those that are the most complex in design and execution and often the ones that draw guests to wait hours for them: multi-million dollar coasters, like Universal Orlando's breathtaking Velocicoaster or the state of the art (and highly temperamental) mega experiences like Disney's incredible Star Wars themed Rise of the Resistance. 

We often forget that Walt Disney had to start with simple attractions as a basis for Disneyland while he continued to pioneer more cutting edge concepts and attractions. Audio-Animatronics and things like Pirates of the Caribbean were still a decade away when Disneyland came into being in 1955. So, Walt decided to make these simpler attractions as good as could be, elevating them to the highest standard of storytelling.

Swiss Family Treehouse, a walk through (a walk up?) and Peter Pan's Flight (a simple dark ride) still rank among guest favorites 50+ years after first being built. They bring charm, warmth, and a bit of nostalgia to parks that now have to be constantly on the bleeding edge of technology to impress a generation that must have the newest gadgets.

The Swiss Family Robinson film had guests dreaming of living in that family's island home in the treetops. And what kid hasn't wanted to fly above a moonlit London with Peter Pan?  Climbing the many flights of steps to the top this natural looking yet structurally complex attraction took explorers in Adventureland into a whole new world. Hearing the iconic Swisskapolka is the icing on the cake! 

Peter Pan's Flight is the most iconic and beloved of the simple dark rides designed by Imagineering. Winnie the Pooh, Roger Rabbit, and even Mike and Sully from Monsters Inc. have modern versions of this bus bar type ride, but the first Disney one remains the best. It's got a fascinating history. Read about it here.

Variations of these two attractions appear in Florida's Magic Kingdom, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disneyland, proving that even the hardened Communist government officials are not immune to a classic story told well in theme park form.  These Disney ride classics are classic for a reason, making each park a more rounded experience. 

Walt Disney World vs. Universal: September 2021 Trip Report, Day Three- Animal Kingdom and One Last Chance for Epcot

After a very disappointing evening at Epcot, I was pleased to enter the lush, green, organic landscapes of Disney's Animal Kingdom the next morning. Much like Rise of the Resistance, Flight of Passage was the primary target for the visit as my son had not seen Pandora. Would he think the ride or the entire land as enjoyable as I did?

There's something remarkably refreshing about this theme park! It's just so different from those that came before it. Obviously, Imagineer Joe Rohde and his team are to thank for this. Even though it opened on Earth Day in 1998 with too few attractions and an entire land axed, the good bones were certainly there. Improvements and expansion has only made it better- with a couple of exceptions. (I've got a beloved series on the creation and evolution of the park. It's up to eight segments, and it starts here. Part history, trip report and more with lots of rare concept art and tons of photographs. Don't miss it!)

Why there are no Audio-Animatronic Nav'i hunters

in the land or in river ride is something I do not understand.

Heading straight into Pandora, the World of Avatar, my curiosity was peaking as I waited for my son to share his assessment. He is not a fan of the movie at all, but clearly, the art of Imagineering impressed him. In previous visits, we had used Fast Pass, so I had never seen the full queue before. I was very impressed by it all: the slow and steady climb outdoors with magnificent views, and the gradual transition from other worldly jungle to scientific lab in the glow of night. Being inside was cool in more ways than one: It was already quite hot and humid this morning, and the blasts of air conditioning were a welcome relief at 8:30am!

Flight of Passage, uh (sorry, I couldn't help myself- I'm sure you get the joke if you've ridden it), is a ride I love. Yes, love. My son found it to be the best flying ride open the property, and I certainly agree. There's a beauty, serenity, and an exhilarating charm to it all that is not duplicated. A very wise decision to keep the attraction more in that realm than in a "something goes wrong" aspect that makes it extra special and different than anything else in this thrill ride heavy park. We started and ended our day at Animal Kingdom with this, and I could have ridden it a few more times. 

Next up: Nav'i River Journey. It could have been more much more than it is. Yet, these indoor boat rides are among my favorite attractions at Disney. Take the caverns of Pirates of the Caribbean, toss in the mystery of Epcot's El Rio del Tiempo, and throw in the atmosphere of an evening Jungle Cruise ride. Now, you have an idea what to expect. 

I find the Audio-Animatronic of the "Shaman of Songs" to be a very impressive but odd ending to the attraction. Why the huge budget and design with input from film creator James Cameron did not allow for some mechanical animals (after all this is Animal Kingdom) and a few Nav'i hunters. This just does not make sense. 

My son captured Pandora perfectly!

From an even more critical standpoint, this is where Pandora fails. If you've seen the movie, you expect a beautiful planet environment. But you also expect to see Nav'i. If you haven't, bringing them in sets some context to what's around you. It wouldn't have taken much to even place a hunter or two back in the outdoor landscape with a bit of forced perspective to bring it all together. Place a few limited motion figures on a timed turntable type track for variety. If I can figure this out, the professionals should have been able to do it. That lack of a personal encounter element is a major misstep in the land's design. (It's getting corrected at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge as they bring in more character interaction, but it has taken a season or two of guest feedback to bring this life giving element to the land. But the lack of droids and non-human characters in the area is another issue altogether.) All said, I enjoy the cruise, but I could not talk the rest of the party into another ride. That says it all.

Beware the Yeti!

By this point, we were melting or so it seemed. A cold coffee drink at Starbucks along with a very large cup of water brought us all back to life. There were few tables outside Creature Comforts, so we ended up sitting on a planter. 

Expedition Everest is the top coaster on the property for me, and we made the very wise decision to hop on it before eating. A walk on. God bless my wife! She braved a ride for my son's sake, but once we enough as she is convinced the track includes inversions. My son and I rode immediately again. 

I love this ride, but when it gets to the second half after the Yeti breaks the track, it is now of my most loved coaster experiences. Maybe it is because of this that I refer to Expedition:Everest as Big Thunder on Steroids. Very fitting I think, don't you? 

I've other referred to Animal Kingdom as "a giant Adventureland", and it certainly is so! But this trip, I began to see it as also being akin to really being the missing countries of World Showcase at Epcot. India, Nepal, Equatorial Africa- it's all here and in a more fully realized form. On my 2007 trip when I was by myself, I wandered every nook and cranny, exploring. Back then, the park was still lacking, but I could not deny the abundance of design detail to be found everywhere I looked.

There is a hidden Mickey on each of these murals.

Surprisingly, our son showed his nerdy "son of a wanna-be Imagineer" side and spent considerable time taking in details at both the Maharaja Jungle Trek and with the Tree of Life itself. With the former, it was looking for real animals, and with the latter, it was looking at the over 300 carved ones. Both impressive! Many folks overlook the trails, but they actually contain some of the most beautiful pieces of art to be found in the park. (And I have a rarely heard story about the creation of the park to share with you in my next chapter about this park...)

Short but wet!

Kali River Rapids never fails to disappoint while leaving us with a smile on our face. Way too short, but also fun. Tiger River Rapids would have been so much better. Also much more expensive, unfortunately. (Find the story and some concept art on my series. The links are above.)

Not a Mickey in sight- just the way it should be!

Lunch in Africa at the Harambe Market was just the break we needed for some shade, rest for my very sore feet, and a scenic view of the train heading out to Rafiki's Planet Watch. Very atmospheric! An excellent meal was had at a fraction of the cost of eating at Tiffins, Yak & Yeti, or Tusker House. Splurging on a strangely spiced caramel apple from the sweet shop nearby, I thought of how satisfying it is to just relax and soak it all in. Animal Kingdom is a park to slow down and savor even if its star attractions are some of the best thrill rides on the property. 

Want to increase ridership?

Replace this with a Carnotaurus!

That points to a glaring need for some greater variety in family rides with no height requirement. A classic dark ride or two, a slow moving outdoor jeep ride with some gentle dinosaurs, and even a small scale rickshaw type ride would round out the offerings, filling in the gap between animal trails and heart thumping thrills. It's a well kept secret that this is Disney's thrill ride park. Hollywood Studios may be on its way to competing, but it's got a ways to go to capture the crown.

Now an Animal Kingdom exclusive-

but it was once planned for...

...Hong Kong Disneyland? Really!

In an odd twist, I couldn't convince anyone to take a Kilimanjaro Safari in the heat of the afternoon, so It's Tough to Be a Bug almost ended up as our last attraction for the day. On a whim, we took one last ride on Flight of Passage, and then departed via Uber for Epcot. As I always do, I turned for one last view of the gorgeous Tree of Life before walking out. Even with its very clear shortcomings, Joe Rohde's baby is one great piece of Imagineering!

Going into the park from the main entryway

just feels different.

We had a 3:00pm late lunch appointment in World Showcase at an old favorite, so upon arrival in the deconstructed Future World, wandering through the maze of walls was a frustrating procedure. No matter. We arrived inside the Mexico Showcase and checked in at the San Angel Inn Restaurante. I'd be another 15 minutes before we'd be seated, but oh, where we landed was so worth the wait!

We did not ask for this table.

I saw it as a gift from God.

My wife and I hadn't eaten here in years, perhaps more than 20 to be exact. Being placed front and center and directly at the edge of the water gave me the classic EPCOT Center feels! Starting with the classic Queso Fundido (which was on the menu on our very first trip in 1983) and then the very large and tasty margaritas, this midday meal was just excellent. Really. Between the perfectly cooked rib-eye and fish tacos, classic enchiladas, stunning environment, and the excellent service, this experience was the perfect example of what Disney can accomplish when Imagineering sets its sights high, budgets aren't slashed, and then partners with the right firms. 

We could not quit looking at the view, enjoying the small boats passing by the pyramid and volcano under the moonlight. Upon request, our waiter graciously took several photos of us, including his appropriately self-proclaimed "money shot" (above). He was younger and newer but told us he loved working there and that many staff had been in their employ for twenty years or more. It really was one big familia.  

It seemed like a "full circle" experience, and I almost forgot this was restaurant sat on the edge of the Gran Fiesta Tour and not my beloved El Rio del Tiempo. A great decision, and money well spent. Our post meal ride on Donald's Mexican Adventure seemed appropriate. 

Two hour wait for the lounge? No thank you.

A meal? Not at these prices.

Our son had not seen Frozen Ever After. he was curious about it, so we did endure the 30 minute wait. The verdict? Nice for kids but nothing special. My wife loves it, but he and I find it underwhelming at best and something unbefitting for a mega buster Disney film. Trust me, Tokyo will do it better. Don't they usually? 

Slyly sliding in a little Marvel.

Inside the Norwegian Stave church, a nice little exhibit can be found that features Marvel characters- without mentioning Marvel at all. Those crafty Disney lawyers found a loophole to be sure, but what's inside is actually pretty interesting. These small museum types options bring so much to World Showcase. The suits really could throw us a bone more often and add cultural exhibits and rides every once in awhile. 

If you're a Coke fan, it's a pretty great idea for a shirt.

Wanting to avoid the crowds closer to closing, we chose to backtrack and visit the new Club Cool and the Creations Shop to pick up a souvenir or two. I found nothing of interest, unfortunately. My wife grabbed a few trinkets for the little guys.

Count me in as liking the Mickey mural.

Merchandise aside, I see no reason to enter Club Cool again. I just dislike the new soda choices, and the once festive atmosphere is no longer there. It's a nice looking loss to the park.

Surprisingly, I found Creations Shop a pretty nice addition! The name does not make sense to me, but it is bright and airy, clean and new. Hopefully, not too much of Imagineer Zach Riddley's budget was used here. 

By this time, it was getting later, just about 6:45pm or so, and we went for one more ride on Test Track. Then it was back to World Showcase via Canada.

Just beautiful!

This side of the park was a beast with all the Food and Wine Festival booths and crowds that came with it. We did not stop at a single booth. Thankfully, once we reached the area, Impressions de France was showing, so we popped in for one of my favorite films. The music is still absolutely glorious, but the film itself, as charming as it is, needs an update. 

Moving onto The American Adventure, we had a difficult choice. See the last show or the full version of Epcot Forever. We chose the latter as we had not done one single night time show. I was underwhelmed.

Were the Disney suits playing with old school EPCOT Center fans by including classic park music, knowing full well we knew they would be relics from the past in this brave new cartoon filled park? I guess there was no winning for them either way. 

Awe inspiring and patriotic.

Walking through the maze of walls (again!) eventually led us back to the entrance and Spaceship Earth plaza. Now mostly restored to its original grandeur and with some new enhancements, it is the most successful piece of the Epcot revisioning. Truly beautiful! I lingered as long as I could before heading to the bus. The park holds sweet memories- but will it hold a sweet future? Hard to say.

Tomorrow we'd visit to the Magic Kingdom. Then, our last day at the World before we would take off to Universal Orlando- where I'd be very surprised with what I'd find. Stay with me as a hard core old school Imagineering fan dissects the Universal experience.

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)