Disney's Animal Kingdom - June 2011 Update (Part 1)

It has been ages since our latest Animal Kingdom update, right? Well, it is time to get back, and check out what's new and what has changed, in our least-favorite Florida theme park. Before we start, be aware that it's going to be a long update, as we're going to see a lot of pictures of the closed Primeval Whirl, which is receiving a long refurbishment (from January until June!!) and a general view of the park, that has a truly spectacular theming and nature. 

But, hold on! You're confused now, aren't you? We just said that we don't like this park, and then we praise its theming? Well, just to explain, in our opinion, this is the park that has the most potential of all theme parks. It is truly fantastic, but there are way too many things lacking, that is: good walkways, indoor places to cool off (not only stores!), more rides, dark rides, longer hours, nighttime shows (no fireworks, I know, but at least a "World of Color" show"), and more...

Anyway, the update is already long, and we don't want to make it any longer. Let's start:

As usual, not very busy:

We haven't been to the park since November 2010, so we had not seen the new "Let the Memories Begin" banners for the park:

The entrance:

Great animals surround you while you enter Discovery Island:

Who are you kidding? Early sunset?! The sun sets at 8:25 p.m. now!:

The majestic Tree of Life:

Discovery Island:

Disney Outfitters:

Featuring Judy Derench:

Wait times board:

Right this way, there should not be Camp Minnie-Mickey. We would like a new land!:

Pizzafari:

"It's tough to be a bug"... and even tougher to get rid of a never-used Fastpass queue, it seems:

Also, the general Fastpass area (that used to give Fastpasses for multiple rides) is always closed:

Going into the Dark Continent:

What do I see over there?:

Bah, it must be my imagination...

In Africa:

Let's check in for Kilimanjaro Safaris!

Really fantastic theming everywhere you turn your head! So much potential, so painful to see!:

Let's go to the safaris, shall we?:

Oh, wow!:

Maybe we should take the Fastpass:

Maybe it's better to wait in the stand-by line (by the way, it was 5:00 p.m., that's why there were no more Fastpasses  Also, the real wait time was less than 15 minutes, so don't get fooled by the signs):

In the queue, new LCD screens have been installed in the queue:

They've covered the logo of the company that made the TV's:

Remember to check back the site for a full picture-update of the Kilimanjaro Safaris!

At the exit of the ride, it looks like they've added some more theming (or, at least I don't remember seeing them):

More pictures around the area:

Great:

In Asia:

I had never noticed this stand in front of "Flight of Wonder":

Finally, some work!! Walls have gone up near the Yak and Yeti restaurant:

A monkey:

I mean, look at the absolutely awesome - spectacular theming and nature!!:

Around Anandapur:

Expedition Everest has to be in the top 5 best rides ever created, at least for theming:

Here, this is a place where I would love to see a highly-themed stadium for a nice nighttime show:

Great background, plenty of space for a medium-sized show:

The first time we visited the park (in 2006, first year for Expedition Everest!), the foliage was very short. Look now:

Going to Dinoland U.S.A.:

That's all for part 1! Make sure you go back to the main page to see PART 2 of this huge Disney's Animal Kingdom update, to see a lot of pictures of Primeval Whirl and much more!