AK - early morning or afternoon?

[rosey1]

We are planning our first trip May 4-12. On the day we are going to AK - should we get there when it opens - there is supposed to be a little "show" at opening or go later in the day and stay for the 4:00 parade. We have one day planned for AK, with dinner at WCC at 6:30.

 

[AlmostApril]

Last year we had breakfast at 9:40 at Breakfastosaurus, and didn't get into the park until 11:30-ish. When we went on the Safari, we hardly saw any animals at all and were very disappointed. Somebody told us that the animals are least active during the middle of the day, and that the best times to see them is first thing in the morning or at closing time. This year we will be getting there right at park opening.

 

[bettyann29]

I vote for being there when they open.. I have been there before early and later in the day and I thought it was best early in the day as far as animals being more active.. From then on I always go early..

 

[la79al]

When we went last year we got there at opening to see the animals before they were sleeping for the day. We stayed all day and felt like we saw enough of the park that we did not need to go back another day.

 

[liamandcaili]

We always go at park opening...we did see the little show at the beginning, and it is cute. My children enjoyed it, and I really enjoyed being able to just walk right on to Safari.

AK gets hotter and more crowded as the day progresses, so we try to get in, see the things we want to see, and get out before it is too packed. Plus, I have heard that you don't see many animals in the middle of the day. We saw so many our last trip...including a cheetah prowling around...we were very impressed.

 

[johnvree]

I'd get there for opening. But keep in mind, the parade goes on at 4:00 and some think it's one of the best on property (including me). So if you get there for park opening, you will have to put in a long day to see the parade.

 

[wildernessfamily]

I do agree to get to AK early as you can. We try to get a fast pass or get on the earliest Safari ride. Because like the other post say the animals are more active before it gets hot. Look at maps and plan your day, it is easy to do this park in one day. But that will depend if you do the new ride there.

 

[ericafny]

When I was there last July we got to AK at 8:30 and the park opened at 9. I didn't see a show and was curious as to why they didn't do this. Does anyone know how I can catch the 'show'?

 

[jugglinfish]

Go early AM is my vote. We always go early to AK - lots of animal action in the morning too. We usually do ITTBAG first and then book it up to Safari - get a fast pass and ride it on standby, then we do the trail walk after the Safari and usually its time to ride again using the Fast Pass (or we get a snack and then ride again). Lots of animals and we've done this in the summer months and in the winter. After Safari we move on to the restof the park.
When we go to AK on an AM EMH we have not seen a show at opening, but when we're there on a regular opening they have a show at the tree of life area it was pretty neat when we were there in January.

 

[noladave]

We usually go in the morning, but this past Friday, we went at 1:30 in the afternoon. 1st thing was to get a FP for EE, but they werw all gone (or not giving any out). Standby line posted time was 60 minutes, but only took 37 minutes. Not sure how much it will change over the next couple of months, but for this time, it worked well to go in the afternoon.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We also try to get there early in the morning. It is a lot cooler for us as well as for the animals. We have seen the lions out stretching during this time instead of just lying on the rock. The other animals also seem to be a little more active since they just woke up and aren't that tired yet.

 

[jann1033]

early for safari is definitely the best imo.

 

[ZoZo]

Definitely go when it opens. It's pretty hot in May - the animals will be seeking shady spots as it get hotter. (I volunteer at my local zoo, and our animals behave the same way -- much better to go early, when they're active.)

 

[aunt kelly]

I see you are going for eight days-have you given any thought to going early one morning to do the big attractions (EE, Safari, etc.) and then going another afternoon to see the parade and enjoy some of the less popular attractions? That's what I'm planning on doing this trip. We've always arrived at AK at opening and have left around 2pm. This year, we want to see the parade, so we're going to park hop over to AK one afternoon after spending the morning in another park. We'll see the parade, walk along the trails and see some of the lesser attractions we never seem to have time for. Then later in the week, we'll arrive at opening and head straight to EE!

 

[clonetothebone]

Dito

I see you are going for eight days-have you given any thought to going early one morning to do the big attractions (EE, Safari, etc.) and then going another afternoon to see the parade and enjoy some of the less popular attractions? That's what I'm planning on doing this trip. We've always arrived at AK at opening and have left around 2pm. This year, we want to see the parade, so we're going to park hop over to AK one afternoon after spending the morning in another park. We'll see the parade, walk along the trails and see some of the lesser attractions we never seem to have time for. Then later in the week, we'll arrive at opening and head straight to EE!

We are doing exactly what you suggest! Let's hope we know what we are doing!