AK afternoon only - input appreciated!

[jenninaustin]

I almost titled this "And Now For Something Completely Different" (i.e. - no FP+ pro/con discussion and no Anna/Elsa discussion)

Posted this on a smaller board, but realized I might get more advice here!

We'll be hitting AK at the end of our arrival day. For that reason, I don't know for sure what time we'll get there - it might be later than I'm hoping. DD and DH will ride EE but my son won't want to do that so we will do something else (I'm thinking the train?) then we'll do everything else together as a family. Critique away! (Oh - I can't get FP+ until early April but since I can get them in advance, please let me know which ones would be the best and what times would be best. Originally, I was thinking I'd get FP+ for Kali for SURE but once I realized how wet you get, I realized that we might not end up doing that - especially if we want to hang out at Yak and Yeti at the end of the day)

arrive at MCO 10:50
hopefully at hotel by 12:30
get to AK by 2?

AK plan:
1:45 - 2:30 quick lunch at Flame Tree BBQ if no food yet or need snack
2:30 - 3:30 - Dad and K to EE; Mom and D to Wildlife Express Train/Rafiki
3:30 - meet at Safari for all 4 (FP+)
4 - Pangani Trail and Maharajah Jungle Trek (enough time for both? Should I move to after Dinosaur?)
4:45 - head to Nemo for last show at 5
5:30 - Dinosaur (get FP+)
At end of day - wander around, if we are ok getting wet - do Kali, go to Yak & Yeti right before closing for desert/drinks, then leave park after closing.

 

[sharonabe]

I almost titled this "And Now For Something Completely Different" (i.e. - no FP+ pro/con discussion and no Anna/Elsa discussion)

Posted this on a smaller board, but realized I might get more advice here!

We'll be hitting AK at the end of our arrival day. For that reason, I don't know for sure what time we'll get there - it might be later than I'm hoping. DD and DH will ride EE but my son won't want to do that so we will do something else (I'm thinking the train?) then we'll do everything else together as a family. Critique away! (Oh - I can't get FP+ until early April but since I can get them in advance, please let me know which ones would be the best and what times would be best. Originally, I was thinking I'd get FP+ for Kali for SURE but once I realized how wet you get, I realized that we might not end up doing that - especially if we want to hang out at Yak and Yeti at the end of the day)

arrive at MCO 10:50
hopefully at hotel by 12:30
get to AK by 2?

AK plan:
1:45 - 2:30 quick lunch at Flame Tree BBQ if no food yet or need snack
2:30 - 3:30 - Dad and K to EE; Mom and D to Wildlife Express Train/Rafiki
3:30 - meet at Safari for all 4 (FP+)
4 - Pangani Trail and Maharajah Jungle Trek (enough time for both? Should I move to after Dinosaur?)
4:45 - head to Nemo for last show at 5
5:30 - Dinosaur (get FP+)
At end of day - wander around, if we are ok getting wet - do Kali, go to Yak & Yeti right before closing for desert/drinks, then leave park after closing.

There are some holes in your plan. Even with FP+, I think it will be 4:15 or later before you get off the Safari. That won't give you time to do both trails before Nemo. However, I'm not sure how late the trails are open either. Hopefully, someone else will know this one.

Will DD and DH ride EE with single rider or are you planning a FP+ for them? It looks like you'll be there late May or early June, so crowd levels will be starting to get high. Kali will probably be a 45 min - 1 hour wait without FP+ in the afternoon.

How late is AK open? Are you going to watch the parade (or will it be gone by then)? I do know the park tends to empty out after the parade, so you might be able to rearrange things a bit.

Do the first Nemo show you can upon arrival. Schedule Safari FP+ for after Nemo. Do the trails. At this point, crowds should be leaving. BUT, the train does close early, so you may have to get that in OR go play around at the Dino play yard while DH and DD ride EE.

 

[jenninaustin]

Thanks - yes I definitely figured I had a few holes.

A big problem was i wasn't sure how long stuff took....so thanks! (By the way - is there a good resource for actual time of events?)

I was going to do a FP+ for them for EE

But I want us to do most stuff together - and Kali might not happen at all....

Park closes at 8 - but I know some things might close earlier....

Does that help with advice ideas?

 

[anelson81993]

I almost titled this "And Now For Something Completely Different" (i.e. - no FP+ pro/con discussion and no Anna/Elsa discussion)

Posted this on a smaller board, but realized I might get more advice here!

We'll be hitting AK at the end of our arrival day. For that reason, I don't know for sure what time we'll get there - it might be later than I'm hoping. DD and DH will ride EE but my son won't want to do that so we will do something else (I'm thinking the train?) then we'll do everything else together as a family. Critique away! (Oh - I can't get FP+ until early April but since I can get them in advance, please let me know which ones would be the best and what times would be best. Originally, I was thinking I'd get FP+ for Kali for SURE but once I realized how wet you get, I realized that we might not end up doing that - especially if we want to hang out at Yak and Yeti at the end of the day)

arrive at MCO 10:50
hopefully at hotel by 12:30
get to AK by 2?

AK plan:
1:45 - 2:30 quick lunch at Flame Tree BBQ if no food yet or need snack
2:30 - 3:30 - Dad and K to EE; Mom and D to Wildlife Express Train/Rafiki
3:30 - meet at Safari for all 4 (FP+)
4 - Pangani Trail and Maharajah Jungle Trek (enough time for both? Should I move to after Dinosaur?)
4:45 - head to Nemo for last show at 5
5:30 - Dinosaur (get FP+)
At end of day - wander around, if we are ok getting wet - do Kali, go to Yak & Yeti right before closing for desert/drinks, then leave park after closing.

As you've determined, there are a few major holes in your plan. I actually think getting to AK by or around 2 is possible, though, but if you don't, it'll do a lot of damage to your plan.

I do not think that only an hour for Rafiki's is doable. You'll probably need some more time, especially since it's about 7 minutes in train rides each way, not including any potential wait times. I'd plan an hour and a half or so.

Safari at 3:30 is a great time to go! However, you probably won't be off by 4, even if you have FP+ scheduled. Regardless, 4-5 will not be enough time to do both Pangani and Maharajah. Pangani is just past the exit to the safari, so you could do that trail just after exiting the safari, or Maharajah is on the way to Nemo. However, you probably won't have time to see both trails and Nemo. You also won't be able to FP+ Dinosaur at 5:30, as Nemo is a 40-minute show. No matter what, there will be no time to do either trail after Nemo/Dinosaur.

The biggest question to ask yourself when planning an afternoon at AK is whether or not your priority is seeing animals. Even in the summer, all animal attractions operate on reduced hours. For example, this week the park is open till 8 all week. All animal attractions (which includes Rafiki's, the Safari, Pangani, and Maharajah) will close their entrance no later than 5:45, with the exception of Rafiki's, which runs trains till 5:50. It's also worthwhile to note that some animals go in before the posted attraction closing time; for example, on Pangani, some of the gorillas go in for the night before 5 every night, so if your priority is specifically any of these animals, make sure you get to them earlier. With Daylight Savings Time expanding our daylight hours this week, the animal attraction closing time moves back to 6 on 8 pm park close nights (animals with earlier go-in times do not stay out later in this case, though), but even with that time adjustment, your plan will not allow you to see all the animal attractions. If your priority is to see animals, cut Nemo, because you won't have time to see all the animals and Nemo. If your priority is to see a wide range of things, cut one of the animal attractions (whatever appeals to you the least). Either way, afternoon and evening is probably the worst time to visit AK, because so much is closed or closes early. You might want to reconsider your plan for park days, especially if this is your only day at AK, and think about moving a different park to your arrival evening.

 

[radev104]

I almost titled this "And Now For Something Completely Different" (i.e. - no FP+ pro/con discussion and no Anna/Elsa discussion)

Posted this on a smaller board, but realized I might get more advice here!

We'll be hitting AK at the end of our arrival day. For that reason, I don't know for sure what time we'll get there - it might be later than I'm hoping. DD and DH will ride EE but my son won't want to do that so we will do something else (I'm thinking the train?) then we'll do everything else together as a family. Critique away! (Oh - I can't get FP+ until early April but since I can get them in advance, please let me know which ones would be the best and what times would be best. Originally, I was thinking I'd get FP+ for Kali for SURE but once I realized how wet you get, I realized that we might not end up doing that - especially if we want to hang out at Yak and Yeti at the end of the day)

arrive at MCO 10:50
hopefully at hotel by 12:30
get to AK by 2?

AK plan:
1:45 - 2:30 quick lunch at Flame Tree BBQ if no food yet or need snack
2:30 - 3:30 - Dad and K to EE; Mom and D to Wildlife Express Train/Rafiki
3:30 - meet at Safari for all 4 (FP+)
4 - Pangani Trail and Maharajah Jungle Trek (enough time for both? Should I move to after Dinosaur?)
4:45 - head to Nemo for last show at 5
5:30 - Dinosaur (get FP+)
At end of day - wander around, if we are ok getting wet - do Kali, go to Yak & Yeti right before closing for desert/drinks, then leave park after closing.

I would get FP+ for the Safari and Dinosuar. Are you going to do Triceratop spin and Primeval Whirl? If you decide to and standing in line for those attractions will be okay then I would get FP+ for EE. Personally if you have already done Rafiki I would skip it and see the animals along the Discovery Trails around the Tree of Life and Oasis which is on the way in. There is also the Wilderness Explorers the kids can participant in.

For the Safari I know that the last departure is usually around dusk and the trails usually close around that time too. I would do the trails first and then the Safari as late as you can because the animals know that they are going to get fed and/or go in and are more active. I have actually seen the lion and lioness chase each other when I was on one of the last trams to leave. It does take awhile to go through the trails especially if the animals are out and moving which could be happening if you get one of those Florida storms.

When are you going? I looked up times for Nemo and the last show in June (which I assume is when you are going because you can get FP+ in April) is at 6 which should give you enough time to do the trails and the Safari before the show.

If you have time you can do Bugs Life or even do that while they are on EE. I would not do Kali just my personal opinion. It gets you just too wet. And then sitting on the bus to go back to the resort you are freezing.

I love closing Animal. You can take your time walking out. Taking pictures and maybe see some more animals on the way out. It is a great park to close and you will have fun and make memories no matter how you decide to plan your day.

 

[Atrain13]

By no means am I the best person to talk to (or listen to as the case would be for this) but when my wife and I went there over a year ago we decided to just do AK in our first afternoon. We landed, checked in, and were at AK by probably 2. I don't know if you have kids or if you have specifics attractions that you want to do, but we were able to hit everything that we wanted in our amount of time. It was nice honestly. There was just enough to keep us entertained and we didn't get bored. I'm sure there was more we would have enjoyed, but we rode Everest twice and dinosaurs twice as well as some other rides and ate.

One afternoon is a good amount of time.

 

[jenninaustin]

This is all very helpful. It was the timing of things that was an issue for me especially. I'll definitely try to make some choices here....

 

[ConvenientTruth]

Timing may be a little off....

We spent more time on the trails.

The Safari may take a little longer then you have set aside.

I think everything is doable (you can get lucky in the afternoon and have a smaller crowd.), but you may want to give yourself a little more time between attractions.

 

[cavepig]

One thing you don't have listed and depending on your kids ages is doing the Wilderness Explorers guide/activity. It makes the trails and Rafiki's more fun but can add more time on.

We get to AK many times at 2 or later in the summer and are able to do plenty. If the parade is still going though be prepared for the streets to get compact and hard to move thru.

 

[cleophus12]

I'm inclined to agree with the PP who suggested you move your arrival afternoon to another park if this is your only trip to AK. Since it closes the earliest, you leave yourself little time for seeing everything. Also, if you are delayed all your plans could be ruined. I think I'd plan a park that has an evening parade/show so you can do that at the end of a long day instead of pushing yourselves so hard. You might also want to plan a park you will be going back to so that you don't feel like you absolutely have to get everything done in one afternoon.

 

[MrInfinity]

I think it sounds like a good plan... I just think you won't fit in both trails and the Rafiki. If you actually want to see & do anything at the conservation center, you'll need some time. And based on your desire to do both trails, you seem like you'd enjoy a pace of being able to just hang out there and not get there, see it and leave. I'd give that an hour and a half, cut out one of the two trails, and then your day will be more leisurely. If you happen to be running ahead of schedule you can always add them back in.

Also I'd agree if you want to do both trails, Rafiki, Dinoland, and both headliners, this is a full-day AK plan. Give it a full day and pick a different park to do on your arrival.

 

[CarrieR]

A different take, I would scrap the 2:30 EE. Do the Safari at 3, then you'll have time for trails. If lunch is quick, do trail/Safari/trail; if it is leisurely do the Safari and then see if you have time for both trails.

Is Rafiki a priority for you, or a time filler?

If you move EE to the end of the night, they will not need FPs. So if they hit EE, say, 30 mins before closing, they will finish with 10-15 minutes to head over to Y&Y.

So I would do...
2PM arrival
2-3PM, FT BBQ lunch
2:45-4:30PM, trails & Safari (remember your 3PM FP is good for entry anytime between 3&4.)
4:30PM, head to Nemo for 5PM show; finish 5:45
5:30PM FP for Dino, planning 5:45/6PM arrival

If 7PM close, 6:30PM, Everest, then Y&Y
If 8PM close, ??? 6:30-7:30, 7:30 Everest, Y&Y

Everest at the end of the night or through the FP line is quite quick. You can hang out in front of the ride or in the gift shop, no need to plan an alternate activity. Or you & DS could head to Y&Y and scope out the ordering?

We are huge, huge fans of AK in the afternoon. We can arrive two hours before park close and do all that we need to... maybe 2.5 (or 3) if we want the Safari (or a show.) But we have seen the shows so we don't catch them every visit.

ETA: You could get FP+ for Nemo with the above plan, though I am not sure if it is "worth it" or not.

 

[jenninaustin]

rafiki isn't a priority - thanks! that could sure work...

yea for help from DISers!

 

[anelson81993]

A different take, I would scrap the 2:30 EE. Do the Safari at 3, then you'll have time for trails. If lunch is quick, do trail/Safari/trail; if it is leisurely do the Safari and then see if you have time for both trails.

Is Rafiki a priority for you, or a time filler?

If you move EE to the end of the night, they will not need FPs. So if they hit EE, say, 30 mins before closing, they will finish with 10-15 minutes to head over to Y&Y.

So I would do...
2PM arrival
2-3PM, FT BBQ lunch
2:45-4:30PM, trails & Safari (remember your 3PM FP is good for entry anytime between 3&4.)
4:30PM, head to Nemo for 5PM show; finish 5:45
5:30PM FP for Dino, planning 5:45/6PM arrival

If 7PM close, 6:30PM, Everest, then Y&Y
If 8PM close, ??? 6:30-7:30, 7:30 Everest, Y&Y

Everest at the end of the night or through the FP line is quite quick. You can hang out in front of the ride or in the gift shop, no need to plan an alternate activity. Or you & DS could head to Y&Y and scope out the ordering?

We are huge, huge fans of AK in the afternoon. We can arrive two hours before park close and do all that we need to... maybe 2.5 (or 3) if we want the Safari (or a show.) But we have seen the shows so we don't catch them every visit.

ETA: You could get FP+ for Nemo with the above plan, though I am not sure if it is "worth it" or not.

I would agree that this plan is doable, and if Rafiki's ins't a priority for you, a great one for your afternoon!

A couple of PPs have suggested the Wilderness Explorers game for your afternoon, which is a lot of fun. However, as of now all Wilderness Explorers stop running when the animal attractions close. Therefore, at the most you'd only be able to participate for the first half of your afternoon. You definitely wouldn't get a lot of the badges (it's really hard to get them all even in one whole day of touring), and you could end up spending a lot of time running around to get the badges depending on how interested your kids are. Since you only have a short time, I'd recommend skipping Wilderness Explorers, saving it for a full day at Animal Kingdom, and just concentrating on the attractions that you really want to do.