A few AK early morning questions

[saraheliz]

AK is the only park we have one day at, just a few questions as I know it's a big park and I'm trying to sort out an early plan if we arrive by 7:30.

How early do people start lining up over at KS? Or are they held somewhere prior to regular park opening since it isn't open yet?

Is it realistic to do Dinosaur and EE during the ETPE and then get over the KS for 8am regular park opening?

They extended the hours for our day (August 7th) and we're staying at AKV...so I'm reassessing our "show up early and go until we drop" plan to "go hard early, then back to the resort for a rest/swim and back for a few hours in the later afternoon evening."
We will have Genie+ but I'm hoping if we can get these few rides out of the way without it, we can ride them again later with it.

 

[holyrita]

I've had luck in the past doing another ride during ETPE at AK and then heading to KS. People do start lining up before it opens (definitely check hours for KS on the day you plan to go, it doesn't always open at park opening) but we didn't find the wait bad at all, 10-20 minutes. If you get there before they open the queue and see a long line through Africa/Harambe don't fret!

We also stay at AKV and definitely recommend the go hard early, rest for a few hours during the heat of the afternoon, and then get back out there!

 

[cjlong88]

We used our ETPE time at Everest before -- it was us and two other families. We got about 5-6 rides in before people started making their way over. If you love Everest like my husband, it's truly a fun and relaxing way to start the morning. No worrying about fighting the FoP crowds. Dinosaur will also have low crowds for ETPE.

If it were me, right at 7am I would book a FoP ILL$ for an early afternoon return time and book a KS LL (hoping for an early return time). Use ETPE to ride Dinosaur and Everest. Then walk over to KS and use my LL. Immediately book Navi after tapping in to KS.

 

[saraheliz]

We used our ETPE time at Everest before -- it was us and two other families. We got about 5-6 rides in before people started making their way over. If you love Everest like my husband, it's truly a fun and relaxing way to start the morning. No worrying about fighting the FoP crowds. Dinosaur will also have low crowds for ETPE.

If it were me, right at 7am I would book a FoP ILL$ for an early afternoon return time and book a KS LL (hoping for an early return time). Use ETPE to ride Dinosaur and Everest. Then walk over to KS and use my LL. Immediately book Navi after tapping in to KS.

I was thinking about doing this (booking a KS LL early) but I feel like if we can hop on with a 20 minute or under wait in the morning, then we can ride later with G+ when the line is likely longer. Thoughts? I'd love to get two rides in on Everest/KS/Dino at the very least. Then maybe two with FoP between ILL and park closing but that maybe more of a wait and see.

 

[cjlong88]

I was thinking about doing this (booking a KS LL early) but I feel like if we can hop on with a 20 minute or under wait in the morning, then we can ride later with G+ when the line is likely longer. Thoughts? I'd love to get two rides in on Everest/KS/Dino at the very least. Then maybe two with FoP between ILL and park closing but that maybe more of a wait and see.

I definitely think that could work, too. You can always skip Dinosaur and head straight to Everest in ETPE if you want to ensure that you are near the front of the line for KS. Dinosaur shouldn't run out of LL's quickly and you should be able to book a LL for it later.

 

[holyrita]

Might even be able to do it three times.. Normally after 4:30pm the wait time is posted 20 minutes but it's really a walk-on to 5 minute wait!!

 

[saraheliz]

Might even be able to do it three times.. Normally after 4:30pm the wait time is posted 20 minutes but it's really a walk-on to 5 minute wait!!

Yes, I've been keeping an eye on wait times today since it's a Saturday like the day we'll be there! Thanks!

 

[JodyK]

Dinosaur was down all morning during our ETPE so we just took advantage of a short Starbucks line and went over to KS. Got there at about 10 mins to 8 and there was a line outside the queue but it was basically a walk on once it opened. I think as long as you could make it back to KS before the crowd from regular entry you'll be in good shape.

 

[nursejackie]

Dinosaur was down all morning

We find this attraction is down more than any other at AK in the last few visits. Pre-FOP we'd go to EE then Dinosaur and it's such a waste of the precious extra magic hour (back in the day) when you go to a ride that's down. Especially in a park so spread out as AK.

 

[JodyK]

I agree that day it didn't even open before we left for the day. If I was planning Dinosaur first id deff have a backup plan in case it isnt open. Probably Navi or Everest.

 

[gharter]

Easily. Most of the crowd will be headed to Pandora. We have done Pandora, then dinosaur and gotten in line for EE, before the park officially opened.
Another trip, we rode EE 7 times because there was no line. Got out of our car, just to change seats.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Did you know that KS isn't open at ETPE? Or is it now, and I'm the one who didn't know? When I went, KS was my main concern. I got there right at 8:00, and there was virtually no wait. But when I got off, there was a very long line-40 minute wait. I think most people do other things until right about 8:00, then head to KS, so it's close to 8:15 before crowds start there. I happened to go by again around 10:30, and the wait was less than it had been around 8:30.

 

[saraheliz]

Did you know that KS isn't open at ETPE? Or is it now, and I'm the one who didn't know? When I went, KS was my main concern. I got there right at 8:00, and there was virtually no wait. But when I got off, there was a very long line-40 minute wait. I think most people do other things until right about 8:00, then head to KS, so it's close to 8:15 before crowds start there. I happened to go by again around 10:30, and the wait was less than it had been around 8:30.

Yes, that's why I'm trying to figure out what to do during ETPE and then head to KS right at 8 or very shortly after.

 

[gharter]

As o fAp[ril, SAfari didn't open until normal park opening hours. I doubt that has changed. We planned our morning to try to get to Safari just before the park officially opened. Had about a 5 minute wait.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Yes, that's why I'm trying to figure out what to do during ETPE and then head to KS right at 8 or very shortly after.

Rats! I was kind of hoping that TPTB decided it needed to open for ETPE. Note: When I did go on it right after regular opening, I got to experience something I never have in all the times I've been on the ride-a lion roaring, just like Simba on Pride Rock.

 

[Erica Ladd]

So when is a good time to arrive at AK for Early Entry?

 

[farfaraway]

You can easily ride EE and dinosaur during early morning hours. The park didn't really get crowded until 9:30-10:00. I'd check hours for Safari so you know when to head over there.

 

[RoseGold]

KS doesn't always open when the park opens. It can be an hour or so later. EE has a single rider line, which moves FAST, if that works for your party. I would imagine it is a walk on during early hours.

 

[sknnix]

I definitely think that could work, too. You can always skip Dinosaur and head straight to Everest in ETPE if you want to ensure that you are near the front of the line for KS. Dinosaur shouldn't run out of LL's quickly and you should be able to book a LL for it later.

I love Everest!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

So when is a good time to arrive at AK for Early Entry?

When I went, I got there right around 7:25. So I had to be out at the bus stop in the dark (I went in January). Navi River had a 5 minute wait, I didn't even check FoP. By the time I got to Africa KS, wandering along admiring the scenery, it was after 8:00 (this was all possible because it was a solo trip-no kids to hurry me along).