AK half day strategy

[CyndiLooWho]

AK is the one WDW park we have never done, mainly bc we end up doing another park more than once on our trip. We are going in June, Sat-Sat stay, offsite at WBC.

Can we do a good job with the highlights if we arrive around 2pm on our arrival day? We don't care to ride FOP (probably not available at 30 days anyway), but would like to do a safari, NRJ, Dinosaur, and most of our party would ride EE if available. I've heard twilight is a great time for the safari anyway, and Pandora would be glowy (or close to it) later in the day.

We really need this to be a 10 day trip to do everything that we want to do, but that is not going to happen with the work and school schedules.

 

[marx]

If you don't do the shows (Lion King, Finding Nemo), skip Conservation Station and don't walk the trails then half a day is certainly enough. But you should be able to to add some of these things in too and still get everything in with FPs for some other attractions. (I enjoy the trails - Gorilla Falls and Maharajah Trek - which you should be able to fit in - maybe between FPs - as well).

 

[BriLovesDisney]

We've always done a half day at AK.

I wouldn't do AK in the afternoon, but instead go in the early AM. The safari has many more animals in the early AM compared to afternoon. Also, if you RD NRJ it's going to be a short wait (if you don't have a FP).

 

[CyndiLooWho]

Thanks for the suggestions. I know that morning is usually better at this park, but it is not on the table this trip. The only way we can do AK is to do a half day the day we get to Orlando. And only if we leave KY by 2pm on Friday so we make Valdosta before midnight and be back on the road by 8am.

 

[Shanti]

If you're staying for a week, I don't see why you can't devote one day to AK. You aren't going to get the most out of it by rushing through it. It's a big park with a lot to offer. You likely have other priorities since you mentioned doing other parks multiple times, but if you rush through a few highlights of AK rather than getting immersed in it, your lack of interest will likely serve up a self-fulfilling prophecy of "well, that wasn't much of an experience, just like I thought".

 

[ShadeDK]

As to your specific question: yes, you should be able to do all of the highlights on your list (and more) in the time you have. The lines for Dinosaur and EE usually aren't bad (and EE has a single rider option that moves quickly), the safari wait isn't as bad as it used to be, and NRJ is manageable (the complaint there is usually length of wait vs. actual enjoyment of the ride). You may miss the shows, animal trails, dining and ambiance that make AK what it is, but if those aren't a priority you'll have plenty of time for the rest.

One cautionary note (that's only mentioned sometimes): AK is a "hot" park. Not "hot" as in popular or innovative, but "hot" as in actually hot. Noticeably worse than the others in my opinion. There's a lot of vegetation and much of it encloses the walkways (except for Dinoland - which is wide open space covered in simulated black asphalt that radiates baking heat - one of many brilliant design choices in that section). In other words, it's more humid thanks to the set-up and you feel the heat more. Combine that with the fact that most of the rides and attractions are outside, and it can take a toll on a warm afternoon - say one in June when you're going. Obviously many people do it, it's just not the most pleasant experience. AK is usually a half day park for me now, but even if I do a full day it's split between a morning and evening. Just my $0.02.

 

[CyndiLooWho]

If you're staying for a week, I don't see why you can't devote one day to AK. You aren't going to get the most out of it by rushing through it. It's a big park with a lot to offer. You likely have other priorities since you mentioned doing other parks multiple times, but if you rush through a few highlights of AK rather than getting immersed in it, your lack of interest will likely serve up a self-fulfilling prophecy of "well, that wasn't much of an experience, just like I thought".

BC my boys have requested Kennedy Space Center, and my dh is requesting Sea World. That takes the week down to 3 full days, arrival day, and departure day. Since my dh generally despises coming to Orlando, and is only doing so bc it's been so long since I've been to Disney, he and the kids get a lot of say in our plans.

Having never seen AK, and with one of the boys really wanting to do Pandora and EE, I'm trying to make it work. Esp bc I know people who say it's their favorite park. But TBH, with what the rest of the family wants, that means we'll likely skip MK as well, to do 2 days at EPCOT and 1 at HS, but I'm going to take what I can get and run fast with it.

And thanks for the advice on the heat at AK. I was under the impression it closes early, which was why I was thinking arriving at 2-3, rather than dinner time.

 

[tinkerjo]

I'm sorry your time will be limited because AK has always been our favorite park ( mine is MK but the rest love AK best) you are correct that they typically close early but there is so much to do. Good luck with your plans and hope you get to go