AK day; look okay, too ambitious?

[rentayenta]

I think I have our AK day pretty well planned out but still missing a few details. This is DH's favorite park and we'll be celebrating our anniversary so thats why I am such a spazz over this day in particular.

Park hours 9a-9p; EMH 8a-9a, It's a Monday.

Arrive at AK by about 9:30
EE FP 9:15-10:15
Tusker House 10:35
Kilimanjaro Safaris FP 11:20-12:20
FOP FP 12:20-1:20

Try to get a 4th FP for Na'vi. If not Kali River? Basically we will ride anything but Primeval Whirl and we have no interest in the boneyard.

Drinks, walk around, treks, etc...ideas? I am not sure what all the options are.

Nomad Lounge for sure at some point.

5th FP? Is that even feasible?

We would like to see Festival of the Lion King at some point during the day. Should we use our 4th or 5th FP for this?

Yak & Yeti at 6:15. Most of the menu looks just okay but the ahi tuna nachos sound outstanding! Suggestions on other great menu items?

We also want to see the Tree of Life lit up, Pandora at night, and ROL. From what I am reading it is not necessary to have a FP for ROL.

This seems doable but I really don't know. It'll be our only full park day; our other days are mostly 1/2-3/4 days.

Too ambitious?

 

[kenthanson]

You definately do not a fp for rol but honestly I would skip it. It was the most boring Disney show I've ever seen.

 

[g-dad66]

We would like to see Festival of the Lion King at some point during the day. Should we use our 4th or 5th FP for this?

I highly recommend the Lion King show, but I don't think you need a FP for it (unless there is nothing else available).

FP would be more useful for Rivers of Light.

 

[Kim Gillihan]

you will not be able to get a fp for pandora river ride.... at least that was our experience in march and last week. We did wait in line for it.. waited about 45 min which was pretty short! this was right as it was getting dark and at night its awesome! Must see!

 

[rentayenta]

You definately do not a fp for rol but honestly I would skip it. It was the most boring Disney show I've ever seen.

Really? Isn’t it about conservation? I have read mixed reviews. What’s so bad about it?

I highly recommend the Lion King show, but I don't think you need a FP for it (unless there is nothing else available).

FP would be more useful for Rivers of Light.

That’s good to know. I was thinking I’d need a FP for Lion King as it seems like a great way to bet the midday heat. I’ll FP River of Light instead.


Festival of the Lion King looks really neat.

 

[rentayenta]

you will not be able to get a fp for pandora river ride.... at least that was our experience in march and last week. We did wait in line for it.. waited about 45 min which was pretty short! this was right as it was getting dark and at night its awesome! Must see!

I am guessing most people go for Na’vi as their 4th FP? It looks so cool and while I know some people say it’s broing/skipable, we have to ride it at least once.

If it’s not available for my 4th after FOP, EE, and Safari, what would you suggest getting? My fear is if we get it for Rivers of Light which won’t happen until night, we wont be able to get anymore FPs but at 2 pm, that might be the case anyway? I just don’t know....

 

[WishICouldSpeakWhale]

Any chance you can move your safari FP to after your FOP one? We had a 10:35 reservation at Tusker and weren't seated until 11:20. We got out of the restaurant around 12:15. You'll still make your safari FP at that point, but if the safari is slow, I think there's a slight risk of barely making your FOP FP.

Honestly, I do think you'll make it. But the safari may become stressful if you are cutting it close and FOP is a priority.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We were able to get Na'vi as a 4th/5th/I don't remember FP during the second week of June, but it was later in the evening. We ended up getting in line one night right after it had been down for awhile and waited about 2 minutes. If it isn't available when you look, just keep checking. I wouldn't tie up a FP all day for RoL unless you have done everything else that you want to do with FP already.

 

[AngieInOH]

If you're going there on an EMH day I would take advantage of it and go at 8:00.

 

[tarak]

I think I have our AK day pretty well planned out but still missing a few details. This is DH's favorite park and we'll be celebrating our anniversary so thats why I am such a spazz over this day in particular.

Park hours 9a-9p; EMH 8a-9a, It's a Monday.

Arrive at AK by about 9:30
EE FP 9:15-10:15
Tusker House 10:35
Kilimanjaro Safaris FP 11:20-12:20
FOP FP 12:20-1:20

Try to get a 4th FP for Na'vi. If not Kali River? Basically we will ride anything but Primeval Whirl and we have no interest in the boneyard.

Drinks, walk around, treks, etc...ideas? I am not sure what all the options are.

Nomad Lounge for sure at some point.

5th FP? Is that even feasible?

We would like to see Festival of the Lion King at some point during the day. Should we use our 4th or 5th FP for this?

Yak & Yeti at 6:15. Most of the menu looks just okay but the ahi tuna nachos sound outstanding! Suggestions on other great menu items?

We also want to see the Tree of Life lit up, Pandora at night, and ROL. From what I am reading it is not necessary to have a FP for ROL.

This seems doable but I really don't know. It'll be our only full park day; our other days are mostly 1/2-3/4 days.

Too ambitious?

Are you staying onsite? When is your trip? I would take advantage of EMH, if you’re onsite. We did this the second week of June. We rode FOP first thing, rode Navi, then rode everything in Dinoland, rode EE, and Kali Rover rapids all before our first FP for the Safari ride, which was around 11.

If you're going there on an EMH day I would take advantage of it and go at 8:00.

You really can get a lot done if you take advantage of the early hours.

 

[rentayenta]

Any chance you can move your safari FP to after your FOP one? We had a 10:35 reservation at Tusker and weren't seated until 11:20. We got out of the restaurant around 12:15. You'll still make your safari FP at that point, but if the safari is slow, I think there's a slight risk of barely making your FOP FP.

Honestly, I do think you'll make it. But the safari may become stressful if you are cutting it close and FOP is a priority.

Good idea, I can try to move it! If all else fails, Tusker is not a must do, we'd be just as happy with Starbucks for breakfast.

We were able to get Na'vi as a 4th/5th/I don't remember FP during the second week of June, but it was later in the evening. We ended up getting in line one night right after it had been down for awhile and waited about 2 minutes. If it isn't available when you look, just keep checking. I wouldn't tie up a FP all day for RoL unless you have done everything else that you want to do with FP already.

Thanks, thats what I was thinking as far as not tying up a FP on ROL. I am okay with Na'vi later in the evening.

If you're going there on an EMH day I would take advantage of it and go at 8:00.

I thought about it but this trip is just DH and myself; we fly in the day before on the red-eye and think after dinner that night, we will need some sleep especially coming from the west coast. Rope drop/EMH looks intense at AK.

 

[rentayenta]

Are you staying onsite? When is your trip? I would take advantage of EMH, if you’re onsite. We did this the second week of June. We rode FOP first thing, rode Navi, then rode everything in Dinoland, rode EE, and Kali Rover rapids all before our first FP for the Safari ride, which was around 11.


You really can get a lot done if you take advantage of the early hours.

We are staying at AKV for 5 nights. If we decide to still skip EMH/rope drop, does our plan look feasible? You got a TON done by 11 am and while EMH/rope drop is tempting, I just don't think it'll happen.

 

[WishICouldSpeakWhale]

We aren't rope drop people either. I think you can do the attractions you are trying to.

On possibly cancelling Tusker: that is one of our favorites, especially at 10:35 like you have. At that time, you get the breakfast food and the change over to lunch. Starbucks or grabbing something at your resort works too, but I just wanted to make sure you knew that Tusker is a great meal.

 

[tarak]

We are staying at AKV for 5 nights. If we decide to still skip EMH/rope drop, does our plan look feasible? You got a TON done by 11 am and while EMH/rope drop is tempting, I just don't think it'll happen.

I think it’s very doable. I completely understand not wanting to get up early for the EMH. We generally don’t bother with EMH because we go to WDW pretty frequently. We did this trip because we wanted to try out FOP even though we had a FP for later in the day. It really is an amazing ride. That said, I’m not waiting in line for 2-3 hours for anything. I figured if we really liked it, it would be great to know we could ride it a second time without a wait. I think that was the only park we made it in time for rope drop. I love AK.

 

[Beer Me]

To me this looks good and not too ambitious.

You may be able to get preferred seating for RoL with your Tusker House meal if a package is being offered (not sure about that). It would be nice but not necessary.

Our last trip we had a late breakfast at Tusker and for dinner a few small plates and drinks at Nomad lounge which worked out nice.

You should be able to get additional FPs for everything but the Pandora rides. Depending on how close to open you arrive Navi River may be possible to do first.

 

[maryj11]

you will not be able to get a fp for pandora river ride.... at least that was our experience in march and last week. We did wait in line for it.. waited about 45 min which was pretty short! this was right as it was getting dark and at night its awesome! Must see!

I have been reading that people are getting a 4th FP for the river ride now. Just keep refreshing for one to show up.

 

[maryj11]

To me this looks good and not too ambitious.

You may be able to get preferred seating for RoL with your Tusker House meal if a package is being offered (not sure about that). It would be nice but not necessary.

Our last trip we had a late breakfast at Tusker and for dinner a few small plates and drinks at Nomad lounge which worked out nice.

You should be able to get additional FPs for everything but the Pandora rides. Depending on how close to open you arrive Navi River may be possible to do first.

I agree about trying to get the dining package at Tuskers House for preferred seating for ROL since you will be eating there anyway. That way you will be able to have that extra FP for other rides.

 

[PPFlight75]

I think I have our AK day pretty well planned out but still missing a few details. This is DH's favorite park and we'll be celebrating our anniversary so thats why I am such a spazz over this day in particular.

Park hours 9a-9p; EMH 8a-9a, It's a Monday.

Arrive at AK by about 9:30
EE FP 9:15-10:15
Tusker House 10:35
Kilimanjaro Safaris FP 11:20-12:20
FOP FP 12:20-1:20

Try to get a 4th FP for Na'vi. If not Kali River? Basically we will ride anything but Primeval Whirl and we have no interest in the boneyard.

Drinks, walk around, treks, etc...ideas? I am not sure what all the options are.

Nomad Lounge for sure at some point.

5th FP? Is that even feasible?

We would like to see Festival of the Lion King at some point during the day. Should we use our 4th or 5th FP for this?

Yak & Yeti at 6:15. Most of the menu looks just okay but the ahi tuna nachos sound outstanding! Suggestions on other great menu items?

We also want to see the Tree of Life lit up, Pandora at night, and ROL. From what I am reading it is not necessary to have a FP for ROL.

This seems doable but I really don't know. It'll be our only full park day; our other days are mostly 1/2-3/4 days.

Too ambitious?

I think your plan looks really good!

Some things we are trying this trip that you may want to are Rafiki Planet Watch and the Maharajah Jungle Trek(if you are looking for casual things to do). The last train for Rafiki is at 4 I think.

Since it's just the 2 of you, you have a good chance for 4th FPs.

I don't think you need one for FoLK.

We love Yak and Yeti. My husband likes the seared tuna salad and I like the chicken tikka masala. Those are our 2 favorites.

Tree of Life is beautiful lit up!

Happy anniversary and have a great trip!!

 

[bethbuchall]

Any chance you can move your safari FP to after your FOP one? We had a 10:35 reservation at Tusker and weren't seated until 11:20. We got out of the restaurant around 12:15. You'll still make your safari FP at that point, but if the safari is slow, I think there's a slight risk of barely making your FOP FP.

Honestly, I do think you'll make it. But the safari may become stressful if you are cutting it close and FOP is a priority.

This has me a little concerned. We have Tusker House at 10:40, Kilimanjaro Safari 12:25-12:25, and need to check-in at Caring for Giants at 12:45 for a 1:00 tour. Is Tusker House usually running that far behind? I was hoping to be out around 11:45 which I thought would give us time for Safari even if something happened to make it slow. Should I change the KS FP+?

 

[WishICouldSpeakWhale]

This has me a little concerned. We have Tusker House at 10:40, Kilimanjaro Safari 12:25-12:25, and need to check-in at Caring for Giants at 12:45 for a 1:00 tour. Is Tusker House usually running that far behind? I was hoping to be out around 11:45 which I thought would give us time for Safari even if something happened to make it slow. Should I change the KS FP+?

We showed up on time, maybe 3 minutes early, and waited in line for more than 15 minutes to check in. This was the day before Thanksgiving, so it's hard to say if this is usual. But I know we've waited past our reservation time on other trips as well.

The other issue is the safari. I don't know how long it normally takes, but vehicles can get backed up, or an animal can just plant himself in the middle of the road and hang out for awhile.

I think you'd be fine, if you got on the safari at 11:45 or noon. But there's a chance you won't make it. If it were me, I'd relax and enjoy the meal at tusker then head to Caring for Giants and do the safari at a different time.