AK Strategy

[MickeyWaffles]

I’m booking FP soon and I’m struggling with AK timing based on the things we want to do there on this trip. I’ve never planned out a whole route for the park before, we normally wing AK based on how we feel and schedule FP at another park later. We will use FP at AK this time. As I think about FP times and the things we want to try to do, I think we need to try out a little more structure on this day. We aren’t doing many things but a few of them are more time consuming.

We will be there for rope drop but with a group of 9 including a double stroller and 2 toddlers we won’t be super speedy. We do not want to rope drop FoP since the kids can’t do it so we will only do it if we can get FP. Even though my personal approach is that I don’t go on rides the kids can’t go on yet, we skipped FoP last time and I think my parents, DH and I should experience it if we can.

Park opens at 9. We’ll eat lunch at Y&Y local cafes or Flame Tree between 11 & noon.

Here’s our list. My issue is that FotLK and the Wildlife Train don’t start until 10. If we FP KS for some time after the first hour, what should we even do when we get there? The trails? I’m so stumped about when to book these FP!

1. Kilomanjaro Safaris (FP)
2. Wildlife Express Train/Rafiki’s Planet Watch
(Opens at 10)
3. Gorilla Falls trail
4. Maharajah Jungle Trek
5. Meet Minnie & Mickey (FP)
6. FoP (FP)
7. FotLK (first show at 10)
8. Boneyard (only if the kids need to run around)

Sorry for the novel and thanks in advance!

 

[Alpineslide]

If your not rope dropping for FOP, but plan on getting there that early anyway I’d hit the Navi River ride. Almost everyone else will be going to FOP that early in the morning. After the Navi River you should have plenty of time to get to the Safari with a minimal wait in the regular line. Save that FP for something else.

 

[ashleyann31]

There's also It's Tough to Be a Bug. That one is fairly easy to get in. Also just walking around and seeing the animals. The trails are awesome. I love to just wander at AK. My kids do too.

You could also try to get your FoP FP for earlier. Once you are in FOTLK, you can try to grab a 4th FP for Navi, which all the kids can do. Definitely try to get that FoP FP -- it's so worth the experience.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I think you also need to plan for not being able to get a FP for FoP.

 

[loves to dive]

I agree with saving the Safari FP and doing it at rope drop or right after NRJ. I've found other than Pandora, AK is easy to do without FPs.

 

[Capang]

I think you also need to plan for not being able to get a FP for FoP.

^^^this. If you have 2 toddlers I’m assuming that you will need 7 FP. That will be tough, even at 60+ days out.

 

[ChristineOH]

I agree with the suggestion to try to hit Na'vi around RD. I'd plan to arrive around 8:30 for a 9:00 open for Na'vi, since reports have been that they are letting people in early.

As far as your ability to get a FP for FoP... I assume you're onsite and going some time in May? What day of the trip is your AK day? Your issue won't be that you need seven FP. It'll be how late in your trip it is and what the demand is like for that day.

If you have a long trip, and you're book FoP for 60+4, for example, when you could probably get FoP for the morning, I'd try for Na'vi standby, FoP with FP, KS with FP, FotLK, then Rafiki's. The rest should be pretty easy to fit in after. If you can't get FoP in the morning, I'd follow that plan, but just take FoP out and put it in whenever you get the FP for it.

FWIW, I have a rolling 60 day window right now to book FP (short onsite stay this month plus an AP,) and I've been watching 60 day FoP FP availability. Some days you can get it at 60 days, and some you can't. Like right now, you can still get a FP for FoP for five people on Tuesday, May 8, which is 58 days out. But Wednesday, May 9 (an AK morning EMH day) had no availability at 7:02 am yesterday, which was 60 days out. And today, you could get FoP for five for Thursday, May 10 when I looked at 8:00 am, but now they're all gone. So you do have a chance to get a FoP FP even if it's early in your trip. It just depends.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

If your not rope dropping for FOP, but plan on getting there that early anyway I’d hit the Navi River ride. Almost everyone else will be going to FOP that early in the morning. After the Navi River you should have plenty of time to get to the Safari with a minimal wait in the regular line. Save that FP for something else.

Thank you for reminding me about Navi! I think daylight savings time has contributed to my brain fog today I like this idea!

I think you also need to plan for not being able to get a FP for FoP.

Totally. If we can’t get FP we’ll skip it again and maybe schedule 3 FP in our 2nd park instead (I’m still trying to determine what that park will be!)

I've found other than Pandora, AK is easy to do without FPs.

Agreed! We normally do AK mornings without FP.

^^^this. If you have 2 toddlers I’m assuming that you will need 7 FP. That will be tough, even at 60+ days out.

Yes, we’ll need 7 FP. I know it could be tough but we will give it a shot. If we can’t get them we’ll probably just schedule FP for our 2nd park that day once I decided where that will be!

As far as your ability to get a FP for FoP... I assume you're onsite and going some time in May? What day of the trip is your AK day? Your issue won't be that you need seven FP. It'll be how late in your trip it is and what the demand is like for that day.

If you have a long trip, and you're book FoP for 60+4, for example, when you could probably get FoP for the morning, I'd try for Na'vi standby, FoP with FP, KS with FP, FotLK, then Rafiki's. The rest should be pretty easy to fit in after. If you can't get FoP in the morning, I'd follow that plan, but just take FoP out and put it in whenever you get the FP for it.

FWIW, I have a rolling 60 day window right now to book FP (short onsite stay this month plus an AP,) and I've been watching 60 day FoP FP availability. Some days you can get it at 60 days, and some you can't. Like right now, you can still get a FP for FoP for five people on Tuesday, May 8, which is 58 days out. But Wednesday, May 9 (an AK morning EMH day) had no availability at 7:02 am yesterday, which was 60 days out. And today, you could get FoP for five for Thursday, May 10 when I looked at 8:00 am, but now they're all gone. So you do have a chance to get a FoP FP even if it's early in your trip. It just depends.

Thank you! We are onsite and our AK day will be 60+3, 9:00 open and no EMH. I am hopeful but realistic about our chances!

 

[MickeyWaffles]

There's also It's Tough to Be a Bug. That one is fairly easy to get in. Also just walking around and seeing the animals. The trails are awesome. I love to just wander at AK. My kids do too.

You could also try to get your FoP FP for earlier. Once you are in FOTLK, you can try to grab a 4th FP for Navi, which all the kids can do. Definitely try to get that FoP FP -- it's so worth the experience.

We will probably skip It’s Tough to be a Bug this time just because I think it might be too scary (except I do love it!) I’m really hoping we get that FoP FP but we shall see!

There really is so much detail and I love wandering AK as well.

 

[ChristineOH]

Thank you! We are onsite and our AK day will be 60+3, 9:00 open and no EMH. I am hopeful but realistic about our chances!

I think you'll be fine then! FoP is one that's worth doing a RS for. Have fun!

 

[85glht]

Unfortunately with all this planning, randomness is almost extinct like the dodo.... I’ll put my $.02 in.... get the fast passes that you need and plan your day around that.... CHECK OFTEN FOR THE FASTPASSES that you don’t have.... sometimes they do pop up. Be ready to make changes on the go and make sure to relax and have fun!!