Animal Kingdom advice

[Calee]

Could you help me with a touring plan for AK? Timing in particular? I have never been to AK so it's hard to get a grasp on how spread out things are.

A little about us: Family of 5, kids are 8, 6 and 4. We are very excited about the animals and shows at AK. No one but me likes thrill rides, so we have no need for Kali, Everest, or Dino. (Though I would love to ride Everest alone if the opportunity arises!) I want to be able to see as much of the other stuff as possible though-we have one day at AK. Not planning on doing the late night show. Going in mid September so crowds will hopefully be manageable.

I had originally hoped for a late morning breakfast at Tusker House, but could not get it originally, so I have a reservation for 9:40. I had been making my plans surrounding this. My plan was to Rope Drop to Safari, eat at Tusker, do the Lion King at 11, then Rafiki, then make our way around clockwise to Asia, then Dinoland, etc.

This morning I was able to make a 10:20 reservation. (I currently have both but YES I will drop the one I don't want later today!) So now I'm wondering if we Rope Drop Safari, what I will have time to do between getting off safari and going to Tusker. I can't fit in the other stuff in Africa (Rafiki or Lion King) so is there anything else close enough to do between 9:30 and 10:20? I don't want to be standing around since we only have one day! Then after Tusker at 10:20 I thought we would continue on as planned-Lion King at 12:00 and then Rafiki and then around clockwise.

Any thoughts? Should I keep the original plan or do the 10:20 Tusker? The late one appeals bc I'm hoping to hold off and eat an early dinner. But I also don't want to waste an hour of park time if there isn't anything I can fit in between Safari and Tusker.

 

[Lucius Best]

A little about us: Family of 5, kids are 8, 6 and 4. We are very excited about the animals and shows at AK. No one but me likes thrill rides, so we have no need for Kali, Everest, or Dino. (Though I would love to ride Everest alone if the opportunity arises!)

If you don't Fastpass it, Everest has a single rider line which moves pretty quick.

Any thoughts? Should I keep the original plan or do the 10:20 Tusker? The late one appeals bc I'm hoping to hold off and eat an early dinner. But I also don't want to waste an hour of park time if there isn't anything I can fit in between Safari and Tusker.

The Safari is a pretty long ride, it could easily take you 30+ minutes to get through there at rope drop. Next to the Safari exit is an overlook where you can sometimes see gorillas. And close to the Safari exit there is the Pangani Forest Trail (which Disney might have renamed the "Gorilla Falls Trail"?) It is a very nice little walking trail where you can see a variety of animals, including gorillas. You could easily spend 20-30 minutes sauntering through there watching the animals, then get to Tusker House early for your 10:20am ADR (good to be early because Tusker House is notorious for not seating you on time.)

 

[Alice777]

Just want to share my experience from this past April. I had great plan to do safari at rope drop like you so I did not make FP for safari. When we got there, we were told Safari was down and they didn't know when it'll go back up. So we tired ourselves out by doing one ride/one attraction, go back to check on safari...not working, then back to another ride...check back again. After doing that few times, safari finally opened. By the time we got in line, since there was no more FP left, we waited in line for over 90 minutes because they were letting all the backed up FP people in first. Because it was our first time at AK, we were determined to ride the safari. It was killer on my feet and my back.

If you are not going to use all your FP (since you are not riding all the thrill rides), JUST in case, I would book FP for safari as a backup.

 

[Klayfish]

Another option would be to do something like It's Tough to Be a Bug or the character greetings at rope drop, then FP+ the safari for later in the morning, after Tusker. If you aren't doing thrill rides, no need to rope drop them

 

[John Paul]

Safari with no FP at rope drop before the 1020 Tusker house. If you have time to kill there are character meets after also and maybe look for Devine on the trail between Africa and Asia. You could see if Flights of wonder have a show then. Walking on the Gorilla trail is the closest. There are many photo ops Drums for kids,Trails, Devine etc. After brunch Lion King then moving toward Asia again is best bet Kali is a water ride but I don't know level of kids thrill level. Tiger Trail yes. We think Nemo is a must so maybe FP it and a later Safari as a backup. THen there are some kid rides in dinoland and don't forget Bugs Life if they don't scare easily as its a theater show. Just as long as they know its all animatronics! Have fun!

 

[mshanson3121]

Could you help me with a touring plan for AK? Timing in particular? I have never been to AK so it's hard to get a grasp on how spread out things are.

A little about us: Family of 5, kids are 8, 6 and 4. We are very excited about the animals and shows at AK. No one but me likes thrill rides, so we have no need for Kali, Everest, or Dino. (Though I would love to ride Everest alone if the opportunity arises!) I want to be able to see as much of the other stuff as possible though-we have one day at AK. Not planning on doing the late night show. Going in mid September so crowds will hopefully be manageable.

I had originally hoped for a late morning breakfast at Tusker House, but could not get it originally, so I have a reservation for 9:40. I had been making my plans surrounding this. My plan was to Rope Drop to Safari, eat at Tusker, do the Lion King at 11, then Rafiki, then make our way around clockwise to Asia, then Dinoland, etc.

This morning I was able to make a 10:20 reservation. (I currently have both but YES I will drop the one I don't want later today!) So now I'm wondering if we Rope Drop Safari, what I will have time to do between getting off safari and going to Tusker. I can't fit in the other stuff in Africa (Rafiki or Lion King) so is there anything else close enough to do between 9:30 and 10:20? I don't want to be standing around since we only have one day! Then after Tusker at 10:20 I thought we would continue on as planned-Lion King at 12:00 and then Rafiki and then around clockwise.

Any thoughts? Should I keep the original plan or do the 10:20 Tusker? The late one appeals bc I'm hoping to hold off and eat an early dinner. But I also don't want to waste an hour of park time if there isn't anything I can fit in between Safari and Tusker.

I will say this up front: Kali isn't really a thrill ride. The "drop" is very mild. Neither of my children (8 and 5 when we went) like thrill rides, but my daughter LOVED Kali and wanted to ride it multiple times, so I would give it a try.

If I were you, I'd change your TH to supper or lunch, or scrap it altogether, because even a 10:20 breakfast is really going to cut into your touring time. You'll lose a good 60-75 minutes of your morning - which is the prime touring time. That said, if you're really set on keeping it, then I would do the 9:40, because there's not much you can do between 9:30 and 10:20 that won't require you doing walking to get there, which you don't want to do. You can tour the Gorilla trail, but I doubt you'll want a full hour for that.

If you keep the 9:40, I'd do something along the lines of this:

Rope Drop Kali
Maharahjah Jungle Trek (good place to dry off)
Tusker House 9:40
Safari FP+ (try for a 10:00-10:30 FP+, and plan on heading to Safari as soon as you're done eating)
Gorilla Falls Trail
Festival of the Lion King 12:00 FP+
Finding Nemo 1:00 FP+
Have lunch in DinoLand
Explore DinoLand (can meet Goofy and Pluto here)
Flights of Wonder 2:30, 3:30 or 4:30 show (whatever works for you time-wise after DinoLand)
Explore Oasis Gardens on your way out

 

[MelissaBee]

I agree with the PPs. I'll reiterate a few things and maybe offer a couple of new suggestions:
1. Kali isn't a thrill ride. My thrill hating DD loved it at age 3. Thrill hating DH also rides it. He thinks it's too short, but it isn't thrilling at all.

2. Single rider the heck out of Everest. The queue line is amazing, but we can usually manage tons of rides on EE using single rider.

3. Your younger kids will love the play area in Dinosaur. Make time for that. It's a good place for them to play with DH while you go ride EE or Dino or Primevil Whirl.

4. If your youngest get spooked easily, ITTBAB can be scary. Spiders and fog and dark and all that. You aren't planning Dinosaur (not really "thrilling" either, more jerky and scary), but same advice would apply.

5. There can be some cool unique to AK (not counting MK parties) M&Gs e.g. Tarzan, King Louise & Baloo, Pocahontas. If the kids like that kind of thing, you might need to work those into the plan.

6. We've never had trouble with RD Safari, but rides being down and throwing off a RD plan is always a possibility no matter the ride. For that reason, since the safari is a must, I'd FP it. Earlier in the day the animals are most active, so consider an early FP. Actually, I'd still RD it and then if all goes to plan either keep the FP for a second ride or swap it for a different FP via the MDE app.

7. We love Tusker, but tend to do PPO since AK has such short hours, we don't want to spend our park time eating. Also gives good position to RD Safari. May not be an option now, but something to consider for the future. With your current TH ADRs I'd do the later one so as to RD Safari. Small amounts of time are well killed on the trails, so with a 9am open, that would work out nicely.

8. AK is hot and huge. The shows offer nice breaks. Plus they are wonderful. I've never needed a FP for them, but if this year's visitors are saying you need them, things may have changed. And if you aren't FPing the rides, may as well use them there.

Have fun!!

 

[Calee]

I actually could ppo Tusker and am considering that. But we have ppo breakfasts on Sunday and Tuesday at mk and this will be wed so I was afraid of over doing it and killing my kids with exhaustion!

I appreciate everyone's thoughts! I'm still conflicted and when I rea conflicting advice I think, "oh-that's a good point too"

 

[Calee]

Oh and I did get a FP for kali. It sounds a little of a nightmare bc of needing new clothes for everyone! But we will have the option to do it if we want.

Dino is closed when we go so no need to even consider that.

I got a fp for a nighttime safari in case we wanted to go again, but you all make a good point about missing the morning safari for unforeseen reasons. Maybe I should try to change that.

Do the characters (not Minnie and Mickey but the others) have set visiting times? My kids are shy so I'm unsure if they are going to want to meet or just look at them from afar

 

[TravelingTotMom]

I would try to rope drop Safari before the 10:20 TK, as well as get a backup Safari FastPass (worse case, you get to ride it twice!). We've had times our attempted rope drop messed up a few times, so that takes some stress off.

Since your kids are younger and excited about animals, you might want to take the Wildlife Express train to Rafiki's Planet Watch, where there is a petting zoo with goats (which I swear is the cleanest petting zoo in the world!). They have brushes so the kids can brush the goats, and the train ride out is maybe 7-8 minutes?

And make sure you don't miss meeting Mickey and Minnie at Adventurers Outpost! It is the one place in the parks where they meet together, so you get pictures of your kids with both.

The Boneyard playground is also great and will have things for all of your kids to do, and as most people mentioned, use the single rider line at Expedition Everest. You will be on and off in a flash!

 

[mshanson3121]

I agree with the PPs. I'll reiterate a few things and maybe offer a couple of new suggestions:
1. Kali isn't a thrill ride. My thrill hating DD loved it at age 3. Thrill hating DH also rides it. He thinks it's too short, but it isn't thrilling at all.

2. Single rider the heck out of Everest. The queue line is amazing, but we can usually manage tons of rides on EE using single rider.

3. Your younger kids will love the play area in Dinosaur. Make time for that. It's a good place for them to play with DH while you go ride EE or Dino or Primevil Whirl.

4. If your youngest get spooked easily, ITTBAB can be scary. Spiders and fog and dark and all that. You aren't planning Dinosaur (not really "thrilling" either, more jerky and scary), but same advice would apply.

5. There can be some cool unique to AK (not counting MK parties) M&Gs e.g. Tarzan, King Louise & Baloo, Pocahontas. If the kids like that kind of thing, you might need to work those into the plan.

6. We've never had trouble with RD Safari, but rides being down and throwing off a RD plan is always a possibility no matter the ride. For that reason, since the safari is a must, I'd FP it. Earlier in the day the animals are most active, so consider an early FP. Actually, I'd still RD it and then if all goes to plan either keep the FP for a second ride or swap it for a different FP via the MDE app.

7. We love Tusker, but tend to do PPO since AK has such short hours, we don't want to spend our park time eating. Also gives good position to RD Safari. May not be an option now, but something to consider for the future. With your current TH ADRs I'd do the later one so as to RD Safari. Small amounts of time are well killed on the trails, so with a 9am open, that would work out nicely.

8. AK is hot and huge. The shows offer nice breaks. Plus they are wonderful. I've never needed a FP for them, but if this year's visitors are saying you need them, things may have changed. And if you aren't FPing the rides, may as well use them there.

Have fun!!

How long of a wait can you expect using single rider on EE? I really want to do this ride next summer when we go, but I'll be the only one, so I can use single rider.

 

[mshanson3121]

I actually could ppo Tusker and am considering that. But we have ppo breakfasts on Sunday and Tuesday at mk and this will be wed so I was afraid of over doing it and killing my kids with exhaustion!

I appreciate everyone's thoughts! I'm still conflicted and when I rea conflicting advice I think, "oh-that's a good point too"

If you can get a ppo for Tusker House, I would do it. The thing about PPO, especially at AK, means you can leave a bit earlier. So, they can still get the rest, just after, instead of before hand.

 

[mshanson3121]

Oh and I did get a FP for kali. It sounds a little of a nightmare bc of needing new clothes for everyone! But we will have the option to do it if we want.

Dino is closed when we go so no need to even consider that.

I got a fp for a nighttime safari in case we wanted to go again, but you all make a good point about missing the morning safari for unforeseen reasons. Maybe I should try to change that.

Do the characters (not Minnie and Mickey but the others) have set visiting times? My kids are shy so I'm unsure if they are going to want to meet or just look at them from afar

Honestly.. it's not that bad. You're going in September when it's hot. You will dry out in no time, lol. The biggest thing is wearing shoes that aren't a big deal if they get wet (flip flops etc). Just stash them in your stroller (and having a stroller is a must for your ages, trust me).

I wouldn't bother with a night time safari FP. It has gotten really mixed reviews. I think your children will enjoy the day time one more.

The characters have set times as in one might be out from 9-12 then from 3-6 that sort of thing. The schedule is available online.

 

[TravelingTotMom]

How long of a wait can you expect using single rider on EE? I really want to do this ride next summer when we go, but I'll be the only one, so I can use single rider.

For our family, the wait for single rider has usually been 10 minutes or less to get on the ride.

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Just wanted to also let you know about Wilderness Explorers at AK- it's this neat interactive game you can do throughout the park- it's a fun way to do the animal trails. There is a little hut on your way in where you can pick up a booklet and a CM can explain it to you. They adapt it for kids of all ages. We loved it.

 

[ParrotBill]

Additional comments:

We sometimes FP the Safari early and then see if we get on without using it.. Then reschedule it to Lion King so we don't have to wait as long there.

We DO consider Kali River Rapids to be a thrill ride. It bumps around quite a lot and the chance of getting soaked makes it so for us.
The animal trails are all flexible of course.
We really enjoy Flights of Wonder.
If the single rider line is open go do Everest for yourself... or send everyone else to Flights of Wonder and FP it for yourself

 

[MelissaBee]

My experience with EE single rider is that you pretty much always get on within 10 minutes, sometimes less. They really make it work at EE, unlike a few other single rider lines I could mention (looking at you, RnRC).

 

[Lucius Best]

Oh and I did get a FP for kali. It sounds a little of a nightmare bc of needing new clothes for everyone! But we will have the option to do it if we want.

Dino is closed when we go so no need to even consider that.

I got a fp for a nighttime safari in case we wanted to go again, but you all make a good point about missing the morning safari for unforeseen reasons. Maybe I should try to change that.

Some random thoughts based on some of the responses I've seen here:

If your family's focus is on seeing animals and shows, you should absolutely positively do the Safari standby at rope drop, and have a FP to do it again later in the day. The early morning and late afternoon are when the animals are most active, especially in the heat of September.

I wouldn't worry too much about the Safari being "down". The Safari is a pretty reliable ride, it will even run during severe downpours. I've never seen or heard of Safari down all day like previous poster mentioned. It's definitely possible, but unlikely.

I would consider Kali River Rapids an intense ride. There's a steep hill, and the rafts rock and bounce around a lot. And there is a good chance you will get completely totally soaked, as if you jumped in a lake. On our AK days, we planned our Kali FP for midday so that we could cool off, and then dry off in the afternoon sun.

 

[MelissaBee]

While we find Kali quite mild, there is definitely the risk of utter soakage, lol! That was DD3's favorite part--laughing at Mom and Grandma getting drenched!

There are free lockers outside of the ride where you can stash valuables. We brought bags to tie over our shoes. I had crocs on, so I didn't worry about it. Some people try ponchos to stay dry. Might work with a tight tuck around the legs. We didn't bring an outfit change and since the day was sunny and I'd planned to wear quick-dry clothes anyway, we dried off quickly with a walk through the Majaraja Jungle Trek.

 

[Calee]

What is RD like at AK? Do you get in a little before 9? Is there usually a big run for Safari, or are most folks heading to Everest?

THanks everyone for the thoughts. I'm still not sure how to fit everything in but talking it through helps!

I'm not sure I want to do another PPO breakfast. I'm just nervous my kids are going to be a wreck. This is our second to last day and it's going to be a long one I know.