Birt Family Focus

Disney's Animal Kingdom - An Introduction -- 05/20/03

JAMBO!!! I am back and it is time to start exploring Disney's Animal Kingdom!

This is the newest of Disney's Theme Parks, having opened April, 1998. It doesn't have as much razzle dazzle as the others, but for a zoological park, it is fantastic. The animal enclosures are beautiful and the critters therein appear healthy and happy. I have seen an Okapi up close, and that is something that the average Joe didn't get to do before this park opened, as the Okapi is extremely rare and extremely shy. I was mesmerized.

The Icon for this park is the Tree of Life. Located right in the dead center of the park, it can be seen from most every vantage point. It is an incredible work of art. My family and I regularly make a game of picking out the animals carved on the trunk and branches of the magnificent tree. We always find new ones. The tree of life is surrounded by gardens and small animal enclosures called Discovery Island, and houses the attraction, It's Tough to be a Bug. It is the hub of the park, with the different areas emerging from it like the spokes of a wheel, and can get a bit congested. The park itself has been said to be a half day park (indeed it closes at about 5pm most days) but those who don't take their time and explore this park miss what it is all about. It probably takes me a hour or so to explore just Discovery Island, and that does not include seeing ITTBAB. Bring your camera, this park is all about pictures!!

The landscaping here in this park puts the other parks to shame. It is lucious, tropical, Asian, African, middle Eastern, and Cretaceaous all at the same time. The buildings are perfectly designed to fit into the landscape. None is more than 30 feet high and many of the trees soar over them. The buildings look like they have been around forever, with plants and vines overgrowing them, and roots coming up through walls and entwining posts. The atmosphere everywhere except Chester and Hesters area is very laid back. Take your time here- there is a LOT to see, if you just take the time to look.

There are a number of rides and attractions as well as shows and a parade, street performers, and great shopping in addition to the animal displays. Over the next few weeks, we will explore these in detail. I hope you will end up loving the AK as well as the Birt Family does.

See you next week at The Oasis, Discovery Island, and Camp Minnie Mickey-

Sla`inte~