AK/HS Day.... Ideas??

[jawa7400]

We will be traveling in June with DD5 and DS3. I'm thinking of doing an AK/HS day. Im thinking doing the safari at rope drop then Lion King. Other than that there aren't any must-sees for us. We could do some things in Dinoland but nothing just jumps out at me. Kids have to nap/break in the middle of the day so we would head to HS after that. That's where I want to use FPs for TSM, Frozen, and Fantasmic. We will meet a few characters and also see the Disney Jr. Show. No ADRs this day scheduled but open to adding one.

I feel like I'm wasting my FPs on everything but TSM in HS, but we can't rope drop everyday (I know my group ) . My original thought was AK in the morning and use FPs at MK in the afternoon one day then the same with HS another day but I just don't see us making it to TSM before that line gets out of control.

Thoughts??

 

[LaurenT]

I could spend two days at AK, so I sont want to talk you into something that doesn't strike you .... But there's a very good chance that Rivers of Light will be running by then - and there's nothing in DHS (including my favorite RnRC) that would keep me from seeing that!
They may also have the night time safari running then - which will include hyenas - not out during the day

 

[CynBeth]

We really like the Flights of Wonder show and the walking trails at AK.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Loved Flights of Wonder, another Disney hit!
Also really enjoyed Nemo... I would definitely pick this over dinoland...
We did this our last trip. AM at AK, break and then late evening at HS (it was open til 11pm and was the debut of the Star Wars Fireworks).
After Nemo we went to lunch at Flame Tree Bar B Cue, excellent food and enough to share plates! And then back to our room. We didn't need to use FP+ for anything at AK, and that was good because the only FP left at HS was for F! and Muppets. Neither was needed.
So plan your FP+ for HS and you should be good to go!

 

[mshanson3121]

AK is easily a 2 day park for us. Myself, I'd do HS first, rope drop TSMM, do your shows early, and then go to AK after the afternoon nap. The shows run often enough you should be able to see them no problem without a FP+, especially if you're rope dropping. At AK Rivers of Light should be up and running then, along with the sunset safari. The Lion King show is great, so is Flights of Wonder. Kali River Rapids was also a huge hit with my 5 year old. And while nothing may "jump" out at you - it's more about what jumps out at your kids Both of our kids LOVED doing the Wilderness Explorers program, they loved seeing all the animals, earning badges etc... I can also imagine the Boneyard being a hit with kids that age, and there are MANY character M&Gs that can be done at AK as well.

 

[jawa7400]

I could spend two days at AK, so I sont want to talk you into something that doesn't strike you .... But there's a very good chance that Rivers of Light will be running by then - and there's nothing in DHS (including my favorite RnRC) that would keep me from seeing that!
They may also have the night time safari running then - which will include hyenas - not out during the day

DH and I love AK, but there is just so much we want to do in MK with the kids that we have to make time for it. DH and I will be spending lots of time in AK on our adults only trip next year!

 

[brinkley07]

I think you're right about TSM, and it's the best use of a FP. We have had luck with getting to the safari by doing a pre park open Tusker House breakfast vs. trying to get there at rope drop. The one time we did rope drop we had an unusually long wait, but it may have been a fluke. My 2yo did love AK, and we spent much more time than expected there. We also stayed at AKL in a savannah view room which he adored. Have fun!

 

[jawa7400]

I think you're right about TSM, and it's the best use of a FP. We have had luck with getting to the safari by doing a pre park open Tusker House breakfast vs. trying to get there at rope drop. The one time we did rope drop we had an unusually long wait, but it may have been a fluke. My 2yo did love AK, and we spent much more time than expected there. We also stayed at AKL in a savannah view room which he adored. Have fun!

What kind of time difference are you talking with a pre-opening ADR vs RD?

 

[brinkley07]

We were on the ride with a 10 minute wait vs a 45 minute. It was like the world had converged there and we literally went straight over right at rope drop. When we did Tusker House we got over to the ride quickly since we were right there, and we finished breakfast by 845. Just with luck we had the best table and got through the characters fast.