AK vs HS Hopping Options

[RJstanis]

Thurs-Mon trip in September.

Would love to dedicate a day for each park but with little ones we have discovered we need down/resort time, thus for this trip in order to do both we have to do in one day (we generally only spend halfish day in these anyway).

We are park hopping AK and HS on a Sunday with DW, DS2.5, and DS5. (And another family with similar aged DDs plus a teenage boy who all will be Disney newbies)

Option 1, should we actually use EMH (ducking as I say it) for AK and take our time and then hop to HS in afternoon and take our time there with FP+. Or option 2, should we rush through HS in the morning with FP+, scurry over to AK and do whatever we can in the afternoon til 5 when it closes.

We usually are mid-day break/nappers. Either way I'm signing DS5 up for JTA.

HS to do list:
JTA
TSMM
ST
ToT
maybe Character Palooza
maybe SciFi lunch

AK to do list:
Kilimanjaro Safari
Lion King show
Nemo show
Dinoland (not Dinosaur) playing
maybe Baloo M&G
maybe DinoDance Party (DSs loved this last year)
maybe Kali Rapids

These we for sure want to do, anything else is gravy. The other family with daughters and teen prob would want to do BatB show, RnR, Frozen Sing Along, and EE in addition.

Option 1 Pros:
-no rushing as a group due to HS closing way later than AK
-gives opportunity for a break in middle
-typically better showing at KS
Option 1 Cons:
-dreaded EMHs
-DS5 and I would miss KS due to us signing him up for JTA afternoon slot at HS RD and then hopping to AK to meet up with group
-probably skipping on SciFi lunch due to break
-missing Dino Dance Party but seeing Character Palooza for first time

Option 2 Pros:
-extra hour of sleep
-no semi splitting up
-relaxing evening since AK closes so early
Option 2 Con's:
-rushing through HS to get to AK on time
-rushing through AK to get to do everything before it closes
-no opportunity for afternoon break
-other family missing out on the extra things they should be doing/seeing.

I'm leaning more towards option 1. DS5 and I have done Safari and it would suck to miss but not a deal breaker. We would also have to get up hour earlier but we will have a no park day the day before and will have opportunity to take a nap midway to counter waking up early. I wanted to try SciFi for first time for atmosphere experience but you have to give somewhere. Also with option one the other family dad and teenager can go ride EE at EMH RD while the DWs take the younger ones on safari making both sides happy. I do want DS5 to see Lion King Show since he fell asleep last year we went and missed it, so would there be enough things on that side of the park for DWs and younger ones to do after Safari while they are waiting for me? My DW refuses to go from one side to the other anymore (me too really).

Sorry that was a bit longer than I planned but I wanted to give as much info as I can about our plans to get the best opinion on what you think we should do?

 

[SplashMo]

Option one is what I would choose.

 

[sdsatl]

We hopped from AK to HS on a Sunday on our last trip and had a great day! I think EMH are awesome, as long as you can hop away to a recommended park. It was February, so YMMV, but we were able to ride KS, EE (x2), and Primeval Whirl in the first hour, and we did not notice crowds until late morning. I would definitely do it again! As long as you don't mind the back and forth of HS (sign up) > AK > HS, I'd go with option one.

I know she doesn't want to walk back and forth, but your wife and the younger ones could definitely kill some time in the boneyard. It actually might be less walking, considering she could sit and watch the kids play.

 

[amandals2007]

option one. why would you need to miss the safari? im not getting that.

 

[dreamseeker9]

AK first definitely. The only timing will be to check the earliest show times, sometimes they don't start until 10:00 AM or so.

 

[RJstanis]

option one. why would you need to miss the safari? im not getting that.

When everyone else is going to AK, I'll be going to with DS5 to HS to sign him up at RD for JTA for later in the day. I didn't think I would have time to Safari at 8ish and be back to HS by RD to sign him up. Plus I wouldnt want to risk it.

AK first definitely. The only timing will be to check the earliest show times, sometimes they don't start until 10:00 AM or so.

I haven't looked but recall 10 being the first, which would be ideal for me anyway. I'll be pushing it, but after signing up DS5 at 9 in HS we're gonna high tail it to AK to hopefully get there for 10am show.

We hopped from AK to HS on a Sunday on our last trip....

I know she doesn't want to walk back and forth, but your wife and the younger ones could definitely kill some time in the boneyard. It actually might be less walking, considering she could sit and watch the kids play.

DS5 had the most fun in Boneyard so we would prob save that for him but if not, or at worst do it twice, that's a good idea. Thanks for your experience, that's encouraging for me with option1!