First, there are plenty of places in Africa where palms grow.
Second, SDWAP has never been a very convincing replica of Africa. Too many obvious fencelines, food troughs, service roads and cross views of other people and vehicles to look like anything other than what is started out as--giant cattle paddocks filled with exotics; and what it has become--a giant theme park with hot air balloons, water play areas, food stands and trams now sneaking into the original paddocks.
Disney is unsatisfying because of the hokey short trip (ride") and general "Disneyness" of it all, but it is much more sophisticated and better designed that the SDWAP which just keeps trying different, uncoordinated things to make money. Plus you can't even see the Asian areas anymore--where the best stuff (from a collection standpoint) used to be.
I really disagree with you here. I love SDWAP and it is my #1 zoo in the U.S. I think it is breathtaking looking out from a high viewpoint looking down at all the animals as they basically roam free. To me it feels as if you are on Mt. Kilimanjaro looking down into the vast African Savanna. Most of the exhibits can be seen at your own pace and if you want to see the Asian Area you could go on a Photo Caravan, a Savanna Safari, or a rolling-safari. They also just had a baby Black Rhino over the summer another reason why I love the place so much. A nice young trio of Black Rhinos in a great open paddock off to the side. Sorry now I'm rambling on, but anyways I really am not a huge Disney fan at all. I even like my home Cleveland Zoo better than DAK and Cleveland Zoo is nothing special at all.
