Those are two pretty key reasons why AK is so high on my list - I love details and attention to detail, and I love animals and wildlife. ; Though I could (and do) shoot animals elsewhere, I can't get the intricate theming. ; And I love the period feel to the architecture - the Indian, Tibetan, and African towns, buildings, signs, and atmosphere. ; One thing I truly do wish is that I could get more time there in the evenings...the EMH for AK totally screws me by being on Wednesday - I am pretty much never at Disney on a Wednesday, ever. ; So I don't get to enjoy EMH...the only time I catch a glimpse of night there is in the winter with the early evening onset when I stay past park close for some last shots.
Curious - what IS your type of shooting, primarily? ; I'm guessing wide and landscape? ; Funny thing is, I actually like AK second to Epcot for wide angle photography too (though Epcot does have the lead there).
I think because the educational side of Disney is what I've always liked the most about it from the time I was a kid, I tend to favor those places that have more of an educational slant. ; MK is lots 'o fun from my kiddie days, but educational stuff is few and far between - my favorite spots there not surprisingly are Frontierland and Liberty Square, specifically because of the historical aspects. ; When Epcot was built, I was completely, entirely, and overwhelmingly in love for ever more because it was built specifically for me as if they accessed my dreams and then set to work - science, technology, history, international travel, culture, marine, agriculture, and on and on. ; When MGM opened, I went, I yawned, I left...it never really clicked with me - bits and pieces of old 1940's LA are fun, but it wasn't speaking to me. ; When AK came along, back to education - international and cultural, Africa and India foods, people, arts, crafts, scenery and architecture, etc. ; Mix in animals, conservationism, amazing flora, and superb attention to detailed theming to transport you entirely to a new place...and it quickly ascended to the top of the heap beside Epcot.
And while I'll always love MK for the original childhood links and memories, and Downtown Disney is always something to do, and I'll still go to DHS just to hit a few rides or snap some scenics, Epcot and AK are the whole and entire reason I go to Disney World.