AK Touring Strategy With Pandora Open

[LaurenT]

1. It depends what time closing is relative to RoL 2nd show time. Might be able to walk through after the show.

2. In July, sunset is after 8:30, and you need to plan at least 45 min for KS. And, if an animal blocks the road, it could take a lot longer. I would not plan on seeing RoL after sunset KS unless the showtime was after 10:00

Yeah - I looked up sunset - it's 8:15 for the end of July ... if I do a FP for 7:30 and get on the truck just before 8, it should be sunset during the safari. But that's probably still to close to the first show - just based on my experience with fantasmic ...
I'll keep obsessing about it for 5 months.

 

[elaine amj]

I think switching plans to go on an EMH morning is a brilliant idea. That way, even if you struggle with getting FPs (or their tier AK), you still have a good chance of getting on both of the new rides. I am planning at least 1-2 RD mornings for the new rides in Pandora.

 

[William Ades]

There have been no talks about tiers at Animal Kingdom that I have heard. In terms of FP+ being available for the 2 new rides, I wouldn't coung on it just yet. Disney typically has 2 week minimum on thier new rides before opening them up for FP+. They did it with 7 Dwarfs and Frozen most recently. Those rides weren't available for FP+ during the 1st couple of weeks of them being open. Pandora is opening on May 27, so the 3rd week of June will probably be the 1st chance at FP for the Pandora stuff. We are in the same boat, trip booked for June 12-17...

 

[ArielSRL]

There have been no talks about tiers at Animal Kingdom that I have heard. In terms of FP+ being available for the 2 new rides, I wouldn't coung on it just yet. Disney typically has 2 week minimum on thier new rides before opening them up for FP+. They did it with 7 Dwarfs and Frozen most recently. Those rides weren't available for FP+ during the 1st couple of weeks of them being open. Pandora is opening on May 27, so the 3rd week of June will probably be the 1st chance at FP for the Pandora stuff. We are in the same boat, trip booked for June 12-17...

I don't believe that info is correct for Frozen. The ride opened on June 21st and FP became available to book on May 21. They just did not offer it before 11am, I think, in the beginning but I'm fairly certain, it was generally available before 2 or 3 weeks of the ride opening.

 

[William Ades]

I don't believe that info is correct for Frozen. The ride opened on June 21st and FP became available to book on May 21. They just did not offer it before 11am, I think, in the beginning but I'm fairly certain, it was generally available before 2 or 3 weeks of the ride opening.

I stand corrected, and look forward to that being the case here. It wasn't for 7 Dwarfs, but since the Frozen ride was opening after our trip, I can't say I watched the FP for it with any real attention. I'll be watching closely for the Pandora stuff though!! Thanks for the information!!!

 

[brad813]

Our family has a stay booked for June 8 - June 16. My original planning has us going to AK on June 11. However, it has EMH in the morning on both the 10th and the 12th. With Pandora being open then I wonder if I should switch our AK day to one of those, get their at rope drop, and hope for lines for the Pandora rides that are as small as they are going to get during that time frame (which isn't saying much). Of course that would mean switching dining ressies, etc. What say everyone? And I've got to stop obsessing!

You will have 8AM to 11PM regular hours and 11PM to 1AM EMH for Pandora every day of your stay(these hours are end of May through July 4th), and the Morning EMH for AK, when they have it, will be 7AM until 8AM. My personal plan, if I can make it down during this time, is to go to the park from 8AM til right after lunch, head back to the room or hop for a couple hours(only doing a short trip with a day at Disney) then come back to AK and finish the regular rides about 9PM, heading to Pandora for an evening snack and to beat the crowds in, devoting roughly 10PM to 1AM to Pandora.

 

[starstruck93]

I have a question..... this weekend during AK EMH till 1am..... is only Pandora going to be open during that time? Thanks! April

 

[brad813]

I have a question..... this weekend during AK EMH till 1am..... is only Pandora going to be open during that time? Thanks! April

Yes, which will make it an ideal time(I would get in at least a half hour early though) to visit Pandora. Keep in mind it won't start til tomorrow night and is nightly through July 2nd.