Animal Kingdom Advice

[Zip-a-dee-doo-Dad]

OK guys, heres the thing. Only 46 more days til our visit with the mouse. My DW and myself really dont want to go to AK. However, my DS and DD are 100% all for it. I need help with a strategy to get in and out in a little more than half a day. Does anybody have any suggestions. This will be our 4th time in AK and hoestly, I find it a waste of time, except for KRR,EE, and KS. We could do without its togh to be a bug also. The kids are still scared of it. Thanks in advance for all of the input.


P.S. I hope that I didn't offend anyone. Its just that I'd rather spend our time in the other three parks..

 

[MJMcBride]

You didn't offend. I think you're wrong but thats just me. If you've been three times, then you pretty much know whats its about. I say decide the handful of things you want to see and skeedaddle. Eat lunch at the Flame Tree though.

 

[*love*2*shop]

we went in feb and DEF only needed 1/2 day ( and we even rode the SAFARI 2x!!!) I think you'll be fine with 1/2 day.......... go early, do what you need and head out*

 

[tmt martins]

Send someone to FP EE the rest go directly to KS.
After KS on the way to EE go hit the Tiger trails really nice.
FP KRR ride EE.
FP either Dino or PW and ride the one you didn't FP
Ride KRR
Go watch Lion King worth it as well great show.

If it's a EMH then you will be gone after 1st LK show if not by the 2nd one and your done.

DD abn I did this twice during our last trip at the end of June. We did hit other things on the one day when the rest of the family met up with us.

 

[disnut8]

No offense taken - everyone has their own opinions. We go to Animal Kingdom and do the few things we enjoy as well. Now it's even less since I'm limited due to medical issues. If you haven't done Flights of Wonder, I think your kids would enjoy it. It a very different kind of bird show and your kids will actually learn something from it. Allow them to go up to the stage after the show so they can meet some of the stars of the show. Great way to spend twenty minutes at Animal Kingdom.

 

[Mecha Figment]

if you go for thrill rides you miss the point. just my two cents.

 

[Leia's Mom]

I second the post about just doing what you like and leaving. For me, the joy of AK is taking my time -- smelling the roses. I always save 2 days for it. If you don't really like it, then you don't really like it. It's definitely a YMMV kind of thing.

 

[MickeyNicki]

DH and I can do it in 3 hours or so...this time my 2 nieces are very excited about going (first timers) but we will skip the EE and Dino rides (they are too young and scared) so we will get there at 9 am and hope to be back at the resort around 2

 

[hniki234]

If you do Donald's breakfast, you can get into the park earlier. Once you're done eating, you're usually able to beat the crowds to the rides. We walked right onto Dinosaur. Of course, I'm sure we'd be trying to walk onto EE instead this year since that's a new ride. It'd be great if you could do as a previous poster suggested and get a FP for either EE or KS and then do the one you didn't get a fast pass for. We usually only spend a half day in AK, but that's because its always so hot. This December we're going to take our time and enjoy it more.

 

[FairyTaleJunkie14]

My friend and I were able to do Ak in a half day last year. We went shortly after opening and were done by around 2 pm I think. We went to the big thrill rides first then did some trails then the bug show but EE wasn't open yet. I'm going again in 3 months and I'm only planning a half day at AK too because I'm not really a huge fan of AK either so I'm finding these tips helpful too.

 

[english rose 47]

This will be my first trip to Disneyand I want to see it all.We are all BIG animal people so I know we'll love the safari and the Jungle Trek. DGD will love the Flights of Wonder. I agree It's Tough will freak them BUT they want to do it!! I know DGS will love the Boneyard.. So for us it will be an all day affair but early closing will give us a well neede early night.

 

[I Love Pluto]

Don't miss the parade at AK. It is really worth watching. We love it.

 

[princess sparkle p]

Hey we leave im 46 days too!!!! Where are you staying? We will be at ASMU family suites.

AK for is completed by lunch usually. We sty at AK for lunch then re-ride anyhting we feel like.

 

[pbnjrockette]

Hey! We leave in 46 days, too (Dec. 1st ...I think I counted right

We plan to go to AK on Dec. 2 (Sat.) Had thought we'd need a whole day there since we've never been. (Won't be doing Everest, Dinoland, or Camp Minnie...unless someone can give me a good reason to go there...Well, maybe the Lion King show!)

Dinner at 5 pm at BOMA. btw--since I just learned that Animal Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Lodge aren't exactly the same place ----how does one get from Park to Lodge?

 

[buckylarue]

btw--since I just learned that Animal Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Lodge aren't exactly the same place ----how does one get from Park to Lodge?

If you drove to the parks, drive to the AKL (the signs are pretty clearly marked as you exit the park lot). If you are taking Disney transportation, there are frequent buses between the AK and AKL. When you are done with dinner, AK will probably be closed, so you will have to catch a bus somewhere else that's open (MK, Epcot, Studios, or Downtown Disney) to transfer to a bus to your resort.

 

[KIANGA]

if you go for thrill rides you miss the point. just my two cents.

THIS PARK IS NOT JUST RIDES. WE ALWAYS DO THE PANGANI FOREST EXPLORATION TRAIL WHERE I COULD SPEND AN HOUR OR MORE JUST WATCHING THE GORILLAS. THEY'RE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TRAIL. ONE BIG MALE WE SAW LOOKED JUST LIKE A BUDDHA STATUE. THERE IS AN UNDERWATER HIPPO VIEWING AREA. SAW MEERKATS AND VERY DELICATE AFRICAN DEER OF SOME SORT ON THE MAHARAJAH JUNGLE TREK, ALSO TIGERS, AND I THOUGHT THE MOST INTERESTING EXHIBIT WAS THE GIANT FRUIT BATS. THE TREE OF LIFE IS ANOTHER VERY INTERESTING THING. GO UP CLOSE AND SEE HOW BEAUTIFUL THE CARVINGS ARE. BE SURE TO WALK ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TREE TO SEE ALL THE ANIMALS AND BIRDS. IT'S REMARKABLE. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN "DEVINE" SHE'S FABULOUS. SHE BLENDS SO WELL INTO THE FOLIAGE THAT MANY PEOPLE WALK RIGHT BY.

 

[pbnjrockette]

Ahhh...the things you don't know you don't know!!

Would it be possible to take a bus from AKL to MGM to try to see the Osborne Lights? We had planned to do MGM another day but were concerned about seeing the lights and Fantasmic--this way we might be less rushed. (MGM is open til 8:00). Then bus back to Polynesian???

 

[Plantlady]

I think you can get Animal Kingdom done in a 1/2 day, if you just figure out what it is your kids want to see, and do those things.

We made a HUGE mistake when going there, and didn't grab a fast pass for EE before hitting KS, then, all of the fastpasses were out, and the line never got below an hour. So, we had a nice day, enjoyed everything but EE. But, my nine year old HAD to ride EE (they each picked two things they had to do for each day). So, we went back the next day, and grabbed EE fastpasses first thing. We got like a 1pm return time, so, we just enjoyed another half day at the park, ended with EE. Had we not forgotten to get the fastpasses on that first day, we would of been finished in the early afternoon, no problem. But, it was good to enjoy the rides that we loved a second time.