AK Opening

[lizcro326]

We will be at AK Thursday. I've heard there is a busload of characters that open the park. Can anyone tell me the best time to get there for this and if it is true?

Thanks in advance.

 

[lizcro326]

Just a wuick bump to try to get an answer

 

[Slacking]

Just Goofy and Minnie (and Pluto maybe?) coming out on a vehicle with Mickey in the background near the Tree of Life.

 

[lizcro326]

Thanks Slacking. Now I know if it's worth losing a few hours sleep over. LOL

 

[Robo]

Just Goofy and Minnie (and Pluto maybe?) coming out on a vehicle with Mickey in the background near the Tree of Life.

Its not the characters that are worth getting up over.

Its the fact that they open the gates 10-15 minutes earlier than posted and allow guests in to walk in past the Oasis, over the bridge, and to the area where the opening ceremony takes place (in front of the Tree of Life.)

This is actually about half-way between the front gate and Harambe Village (and the Safari).

The ceremony is cute, but VERY short, and then they "lead you" back to the Safari at precicely "opening time".

The early morning safari runs offer some of the best animal action seen during the day.

If you sleep in, you don't get the early "edge" that the early-risers experience.

But this is true for all the parks.

Thank goodness most guests would rather sleep late than take advantage of the early bonus of a mostly-empty park.

I can SLEEP at home... this is DISNEY... if the park's OPEN, I'm going in!

 

[Beetle]

Go when the park opens. We were there this past Dec and were WAAAAYYY behind the pack when AK opened (so far behind that we only heard Mickey open the park, but never saw him). Still only had about a 5 minute wait to board the ride and it was SO WORTH getting there. Animals are up early, moving around and eating the food which is strategically placed in good viewing areas. We came back later in afternoon to ride it again - didn't see 1/2 of the animals we saw the first time.