AK experts please help . . .

[amjl2]

Hi,

The only time we've been to AK was 3 years ago and it was insanely busy. It took us over 2 hours to get lunch and almost an hour to get from Africa to Dinoland. I've never been to a park that was that busy - the walkways were completely full of people. Needless to say the family is reluctant to go back but I would like to give it one more try.

If we get there for the emh-am right at rope drop could we do EE, Kali River Rapids and the Safari ride all by 11am? I would like to do lunch early and avoid the noon crowds and then do Lion King and the Dinosaur ride. Could we do all that by 2pm? We are going on April 16th so I am expecting the crowds to be huge again - will this plan work? What should I expect?
many thanks!

 

[Idroveallnight]

I think that is very do-able! As long as you are there before rope drop you should be OK. Don't forget to use fastpasses! EE has a single rider line if ya'll don't mind being split up.

 

[ZebraDomeCrazy]

Absolutely! First, have one member of your party immediately take all of your passes and head to the Safari to get Fast Passes, while the rest of you head to Everest. They will have time to do that and get back to Everest in time to ride together. Everest doesn't seem to get started immediately at opening, so this should not be a problem. In April, Kali River Rapids shouldn't be too crazy from the heat to get too backed up. Check your Fast Passes after Everest - if you can get a new Fast Pass, get one for Kali River, if not - check your watches and Stand by times for Kali. You have 2 choices - try and hit Kali before the Safari, or - Fast Pass Kali and do the Safari first. If you have time to kill in between, Tusker House is right near the Safari, for breakfast, or there is actually a "very good" Fresh fruit stand, also near the Safari, if you didn't stop for any Breakfast, in your quest to get these things done by 11:00 a.m. Either way - have fun - And in my opinion (not that you asked) AK is the one park that should be taken in SLOWLY!! There is sooooo much beauty and special surprises around every corner, they are easily missed when rushed. Have Fun!!! Jane

 

[amjl2]

Thanks for your advice! I would love not to rush through AK but I'm worried it will get as crazy as it was when we went last time. My hope is that we can get our must do rides done as quickly as possible so that maybe we can just walk around and enjoy the park. Like I said though - last time we could not just "walk" around the park - it was wall to wall people.

Thanks again and hopefully we'll do things right this time and enjoy AK!

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

Oh my goodness! I've been to AK several times, even in August, and never seen it that busy! I think your plan sounds good. Getting there right away is the best thing you can do. I hope you enjoy it more this time!

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Yeah, it was mad-packed the first week in December for me. I arrived late, though, and that was my entire problem. I never have issues when arriving at rope-drop.
I second the single rider line at EE, and FP KS. Eat early, do Dinosaur! (which was a walk on, even with the streets packed entirely) later, and catch a show (I suggest FOTLK...really worthwhile!)

Even if the roadways are packed, many of the rides are still walk-ons. Most people are headed for EE. ITTBAB had no line, either.

Just remember to keep yourself dry on Kali River...it'll ruin your whole day if you get soaked that early, and have no access to dry clothes.

 

[budbeerlady]

You gotta see festival of the lion king. We missed it our first trip but saw it in Dec, it is so great!

 

[lovethattink]

During peak season eating there can be time consuming with the long lines. Most of the restaurants open at either 11 or 11:30. I find eating lunch as soon as it opens, eliminates the waiting in line for food aspect of peak season.

If you have a non-rider for EE, have that person head with everyone's passes to Kilamanjaro Safari while everyone else goes on it, that way your time to ride Kilamanjaro will be close to the time you exit EE.

 

[Karnak]

If we get there for the emh-am right at rope drop could we do EE, Kali River Rapids and the Safari ride all by 11am? I would like to do lunch early and avoid the noon crowds and then do Lion King and the Dinosaur ride. Could we do all that by 2pm?

I find the Animal Kingdom the most difficult of the four parks to plan for. What I usually do is make a list of the attractions I "must" see or do, get a list of the show times, and, looking a a park map, plan out how to attack the park, fitting in meal times that don't conflict with show starting times.

And, in my case at least, I allow plenty of extra time between most attractions just to enjoy the park.

You did not mention the new show, "Finding Nemo: The Musical." It is very well done, as the Lion King Show. Both are must sees in my book. For Expedition Everest I would use the single rider line. I'd leave the rapids for last, and I'd group things together to avoid a lot of backtracking all over the park.

Hope you have a great trip.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I would take a slightly different method. We tend to go to the NON-EMH parks in the AM. We were very careful to do that in December, and we were able to get on all the rides we wanted to in a reasonable time. Of course, that assumes you do the most popular rides first and utelize fast passes where you can. One of the issues with AK is that you really do have to criss-cross the park numerous times to do the popular attractions first. Make a plan as to which ones are most important. My plan would be to go immediately to EE and get a fast pass. Then go get in the stand-by line at KS. When you are through with that, you should be at your EE fastpass time. Ride EE, and then try to get a before noon showing of FofLK. The exploration trails, Planet Watch and Bug Life will be easier to accomplish utelizing fastpasses later on. Don't forget to see the parade here...REally cute! AK is our favorite park. I love to go and see alll the little details. We usually do one day for the big rides, and then go numerous other days on a 10 day trip just for doing the Safari again and viewing the animals.

 

[EnnEss]

I don't have much to add other than to say please give it another shot. That has to be one of the greatest theme parks ever made. It doesn't have a bunch of rides and attractions, although I hear they are adding a new restaurant, but the theming is unbelievable, and the animals are stunning.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Don't be in such a rush that you miss some of the ambience...I caught these guys doing a show, and it was probably the best 1/2 hour in the park.

 

[amjl2]

Hi,
Thanks everyone for your replies and great advice. I had first scheduled AK for the non emh day but had to rework my week because of another conflict. We did manage to catch a wonderful show in Africa on our last visit and I know I would love the details of this park. I just hope we can get the rides done early so we can enjoy the park but if the walkways get as busy as they were we will unfortunately have to leave - thats the deal I made with DH to get him to go back.

Our last trip was in mid June and we had been to MK on a Sun and then AK on Monday - we got there late which was our first mistake - it took us almost 45 minutes just to get in the park. We won't make that mistake again!

Thanks again everyone - I really want to go to AK and show DH that its okay!

 

[EnnEss]

Try and ride all your fave rides, the safari is really worth doing twice though, so if you can gobble a fast pass for that just before getting on...

 

[lovethattink]

Don't be in such a rush that you miss some of the ambience...I caught these guys doing a show, and it was probably the best 1/2 hour in the park.

Very true, there are so many things you can discover at AK if you "stop and smell the roses." There is Devine, the entertainers on a trampolene, animals you'd miss if you don't look closely, etc.

 

[Karnak]

Many good posts here; but there's one bit of advice I just don't get. I can't think of any advantage one would gain by running back and forth between Expedition Everest and the Safari. Even using fastpasses, you would loose any time gained because of the crowded walkways and the distance between those two attractions which are almost at opposite ends of the park. I think you would gain more time, and save wear and tear on your feet, by planning a route through the park that avoids all that backtracking. The Animal Kingdom has narrow walkways many places, is often crowded, and seems hotter than the other three parks to me. You can enjoy yourself more by strolling around the pathways, not rushing, and avoiding backtracking.

Enjoy.