AK Help

[Sydnoahmom]

I have a # of AK ???'s for all of you experts. We have been there 2x, but only for 1/2 day each time. We will be there on Monday Nov. 29 for the EMH and want to leave in time to get a good seat at MK for Spectromagic and WISHES (these were offered last year the Monday after Thanksgiving & I am assuming they will be again this year.) I am thinking 4:00, 4:30 at the latest.
Here goes:

1. Does Asia open the same time as the rest of the park?

2. What is the time frame on the Fastpass? eg. get FP for Bug, go to Safari, then ride train to Conservation Station stay for a short while, ride the train back then go to Bug? This will only work if Asia opens the same time at the park as we will go to Safari 1st thing.

3. The 1st showing of Lion King is 9:45. Characters at Camp Minnie Mickey start at 10:00, will most people go to see characters when LK gets out,in your opinion.

4. What time is the parade and is it any good?

5. How are the Pocahontas and Tarzan shows? Kids are ds5 &dd8.

6. Will we need FP for Dinosaur and Primeval Whirl? Planning on going after lunch.

I think this is all for now. This park confuses me (logistically) the most of any of the parks, so I don't want to be backtracking more than necessary.

TIA,
Laurie

 

[RyMickey]

I've never done early entry (and I've never gone the week after Thanksgiving - the parks should be empty for you from what I've read), but this is our typical plan of attack.

*Arrive at park open and send one member of the party straight to Safari to get a fastpass.
*The rest of the group heads over to Dinoland and we ride Dinosaur and Primevil Whirl.
*By that time, your Fastpass window for the Safari should be good (and Asia might be open - I believe it still opens later then the rest of the park). If not, perhaps walk the Gorilla Trail or see It's Tough to Be a Bug.
*After the Safari, we usually venture into Asia or maybe catch the first show of Flights of Wonder. Often, we'll send someone to get Fastpasses for Kali River Rapids and then watch the Flights of Wonder show, see Tough to Be a Bug, or walk another trail.
*Around this time (probably 11:00ish) we break for lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. True, this is at the front of the park, but we've already seen many of the major attractions. After lunch, we head back in and catch the Lion King show and perhaps (if not done yet) see It's Tough to Be a Bug.
*After, if desired we'll catch the Tarzan show.

The advantage you have is that you are going two times in the morning. Everything I described above we manage to get done before two during the busy summer months, so I imagine you'll be able to do it all in November.

Answers to a couple of your questions:

1) As far as I know, Asia does open later (10:00am maybe?)

2) While they had Fastpass for It's Tough to Be a Bug the last time we were there, there is absolutely no need to utilize it. The theater holds a large amount of people and even if you have to wait in line, you get great views of the Tree of Life.

3) Our crew has outgrown the character meet-and-greet areas (although we still go to a character breakfast or two), so I can't help you there.

4) While I enjoy the music of the parade on the CD I have, I don't really like the parade. It runs late in the day (like 4:00ish) and it completely blocks off walkways. It's so tough to move around from area to area while the parade is on.

5) Your daughter might like Pocahontas, but my 6-year old male cousin was bored with it. Our family really dislikes Tarzan (although many on this board love it). We think it's loud, noisy, and obnoxious. We hate the skateboards/roller blades and all that stuff.

6) If you do plan to do these after lunch, I would think you will definitely need a Fastpass.

Sorry, I seem to have written a novel.

Have a great time!

RyMickey

 

[meeko_33785]

I'll see what I can help answer for you.

3. The characters usually get mobbed when the Lion King show ends. This is especially true latter in the day moreso than the early morning. If you're interetsed in Camp Minnie-Mickey, I've noticed the lines for characters are shortest when the Lion King and Pocahontas shows are playing. Because everyone is in the shows, the characters usually don't have too long of lines.

4. The parade I believe usually runs at 4:30pm. I like the parade- it's a lot of fun. Kids will definatly love it. Nice interaction with the characters and CMs and the floats are fun and fanciful

5. Pocahontas is pretty good for kids. Tarzan is a really nice show, but very loud. If they don't like loud noices, you might want to skip the show.

6. I usually go to AK in the Summer and the lines at DINOSAUR and Primevial Whirl don't seem too bad in the afternoon unless it's raining. If it is, Primevial Whirl is closed which makes the waits for DINOSAUR longer. Also, I wouldn't sugest going on these rides right after lunch if you know what I mean.

 

[dolphindan1]

1. Yes to Asia in my experience
2.I have been the same week last 2 years and have never needed fast pass at AK....crowds will be low. I would head to Africa and hit the safari first....Dinosaur loads fast and ITTBAB takes a large number of people at once but it was never filled when we saw it.
3. Yes you can see the characters.....we usually wait around till right before the shows start and see the characters....then catch the ones you miss afterwards.....Lion King will be packed its a great show but it was never capacity when we saw it...
4. Parade is at 3 and in my opinion is the best parade at Disney. I am not big on parades and usually ride rides while the wife and kids do the parade but I love this parade and never miss it....and you will more than likely be done with everything by the time it starts....find a bench around the walkway on the Oasis and sit.....
5. Tarzan is very good and exciting.....Pocohotas is well ummmm ok...kids will like it especially the special seating for them only
6. Like I said earlier we have never really used FP this time of year at Disney....if the line says 10 minutes or less no need for fastpass as its probably closer to a 5 minute wait....

We usually hit Africa soon as park opens nice brisk morning walk to the safari then do everything else then we hit Dino land then Asia then The bug and save camp Mickey Minnie for last....then the parade.....Now with kids you might want to hit camp Minnie mickey 1st but at that time of year it will not be a big crowd issue....Also seeing the characters dressed up for christmas is great...is the best time to go.....

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by dolphindan1
2.I have been the same week last 2 years and have never needed fast pass at AK....crowds will be low.

I agree with dolphindan1 on this one. Conventional wisdom is to get FP for the Safari and then go hit DinoLand or some other part of the park until your return time arrives.

The only problem is that you're visiting during one of the slowest periods of the year. Last time we did that, FP wasn't even being offered for the Safari. Our group had split up and it took us about 15 minutes to regroup before we even accomplished anything.

I'd just head back to Asia, get through the safari early, and take it from there. Chances are you'll have no problem filling up your day at AK, and will spend little time waiting for any of the attractions.

 

[Sydnoahmom]

Thanks for all of your help, it sounds like I don't have to do as much planning for our AK day. 4 months from Sunday and we arrive at the World!