AK and HS in one day

[finchydee]

I'm trying to figure out the best way to work a day where we have a 7:20pm dinner reservation at Hollywood Studios. We would like to go to AK in the morning and HS later that afternoon. I say we use our FP's for HS but my husband says it's better to use them at AK. I feel like there wouldn't be many FP left at HS (mostly for Toy Story Midway Mania). What would you all recommend? Thanks!

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

I agree with you and keep the fast passes for HS later in the day. I don't know what you like to ride but the with out a fast pass, toy story midway mania, TOT and RNR are always too long for me to even consider. Now the alternative is to use the fast passes for late morning/early afternoon at AK then hope there are fast passes at the kiosk for HS but I have not been to WDW since they implemented this so I have no idea the likelihood of something being available.

 

[Alesia]

Use the fastpasses at DHS. You'll need them there more than you'll need them at AK. All you need at AK is a good touring plan.

 

[finchydee]

The only things we were really interested in doing at AK are the safari and Dinosaur! I figured if we got there early we would be able to do both without a huge wait, so why waste the FP on them. Does this sound like a good plan for AK?

 

[rtbreneman]

I would definitely use the FP for DHS. At AK, I'd hit the Safari, Everest if you're interested, Dinosaur, and maybe try to catch the Lion King show (one of my favorites). Get FP for TSMM and whatever else looks good to you at DHS. You won't get to all of the shows at either park, but you should be fine.

 

[goofyintoronto]

The only things we were really interested in doing at AK are the safari and Dinosaur! I figured if we got there early we would be able to do both without a huge wait, so why waste the FP on them. Does this sound like a good plan for AK?

Yes, that sounds like a good plant to me! No way in heck would I waste FP's on AK. Youre better off using it at HS. Esp for Toy Story. You could be waiting 60-90 min otherwise!

 

[richmo]

I'd get your FP's at DHS. I'd hit the Safari as early as you can. The wait at Dinosaur usually isn't bad until late morning. I also recommend at least the Festival of the Lion King...you don't need an FP for that and Flights of Wonder is fun (check the schedule for showtimes). You should be able to do all that in the morning, plus a little more.

 

[shpooey]

I'm planning a similar split AK/HS day. About how long does it take to tour AK, assuming we'll ride the rides, but not interested in all the shows (maybe just FotLK). Just trying to figure out what time I'd probably get to HS.

 

[SplashMo]

I'm planning a similar split AK/HS day. About how long does it take to tour AK, assuming we'll ride the rides, but not interested in all the shows (maybe just FotLK). Just trying to figure out what time I'd probably get to HS.

With eating at Flame Tree BBQ we usually head out about 2PM but sometimes stay until 4....

 

[SplashMo]

I'm trying to figure out the best way to work a day where we have a 7:20pm dinner reservation at Hollywood Studios. We would like to go to AK in the morning and HS later that afternoon. I say we use our FP's for HS but my husband says it's better to use them at AK. I feel like there wouldn't be many FP left at HS (mostly for Toy Story Midway Mania). What would you all recommend? Thanks!

No need for FP+ at AK. Simply rope drop AK and then head over to DHS.

 

[Junebugwv]

Last Sept we did a split between AK and HS and used our Fps for late afternoon and evening at HS. No problems at AK getting to do all we wanted. HS was very busy with long Stand-by lines. I was so glad we had the FPs. One of our family groups was there the first week of March and did the same thing with great results. They started with Safari and Pangini Forest and still had a short line at EE.

 

[RJstanis]

We plan on doing this in Sept as well. We are just picking our favorite things from both parks since we only have one day to do them. Because of TSMM alone I can't see how you could FP AK over HS. We plan on doing AK during EMH at rope drop and out by 1230ish, and then not going to HS until 4pm (unless they close earlier than posted). Of course DS and I will miss out on the Safari and Pangini so we can sign him up for JTA at 9 in HS for afternoon session, and then hopping over to AK to meet up with the rest of the fam (hopefully by 10 for FotLK).

 

[JZCubed]

I'm trying to figure out the best way to work a day where we have a 7:20pm dinner reservation at Hollywood Studios. We would like to go to AK in the morning and HS later that afternoon. I say we use our FP's for HS but my husband says it's better to use them at AK. I feel like there wouldn't be many FP left at HS (mostly for Toy Story Midway Mania). What would you all recommend? Thanks!

We usually plan at least one Park Hop - with Animal Kingdom Rope Drop and either HS or MK, depending on where we are staying.

Makes sense to me too to utilize FP+ in second Park, otherwise, you'll wait over an hour per headliner-ride.

 

[ultimate_ed]

I agree with the consensus as it reflects our plan as well. My family doesn't find AK interesting enough for a full day. We're planning almost exactly what you are with AK at rope drop to catch the major rides and such. Mid day break back at the resort and then on to HS where I'll have our fastpasses for the day booked.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I'm planning a similar split AK/HS day. About how long does it take to tour AK, assuming we'll ride the rides, but not interested in all the shows (maybe just FotLK). Just trying to figure out what time I'd probably get to HS.

To do it right, all day

To do it the way most folks on here do, no time at all.

Seriously this is a stop and smell the roses park not "race to the next ride"

If you take the time to do the trails, watch the animals etc it's a great park, but... everyone seems to want to race off to someplace else (guess I shouldn't complain I often show up late afternoon and just walk on everything and have the park pretty empty)

 

[luvsJack]

When are you going? My only advise is to remember that in the hotter seasons AK is HOT and racing around trying to do stuff in a short amount of time makes it even hotter. And if you go straight to DHS, you can be very worn down from that heat.

We just did what you are doing and have vowed never again At least full days in each park or rope drop at AK, leave after lunch and then HS after a break.

But with that said, we got to AK just after opening went straight to EE, Kali, the Safari, walked down the trail to see the gorillas and rode Dinosaur last. We ate lunch and left at 2.

DHS is where we used FP for RnRC, Star Tours and ToT. And it worked well.

I do agree with the pp that to really do AK justice it takes all day. I missed the taking it slow and seeing all the animals.