Animal Kingdom Afternoons/Evenings --Still Recommended?

[wed100105]

In the past, we've always heard that AK is often a 1/2 day park for many people and touring around 4, is a good time to go. Is that still the case with FP+? I'm thinking of using our FPs at Hollywood Studios that day, and then heading over to AK for the afternoon (possibly go over to MK or Epcot after AK).

At AK my kids love the Safari, Kali River Rapids, and the playground.

We would only need FP+ for Toy Story Mania at HS.

 

[mesaboy2]

I think that's still a sound strategy.

 

[3 Disney Kids]

We've done AK after 3pm and its usually empty. So, I think your plan is great.

 

[shocker]

We had great luck touring AK at night but keep in mind, the reason so many people leave earlier in the day is because so many things shut down earlier in the day. So, although there are fewer people left in the park, there are fewer things for them to be spread out doing. That said, next trip in 10 days, we are still planning for another evening tour. Our trip in Feb had the Safari closing around 5 or 6pm. Rafiki Planet Watch closed about 4. The shows were done for the day with the last Nemo around 4 and the last bird show was probably 3-ish. But, we rode EE and Dinosaur over and over again and on our particular evening had no waiting. Good Luck!!

 

[mmmixon]

Having same dilemma re: AK in am/Epcot in Pm or vice versa, can anyone tell me their experience with seeing animals on KS in evening especially in summer mos when it is hot and park does not close till 8? This is the main attraction for my DD so I would hate to wait till evening and then most animals still in hiding!
However, also concerned if we do Epcot in evening and our we have a FPP for either Soarin or TT we won't be able to do the other w/o very long wait!

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Having same dilemma re: AK in am/Epcot in Pm or vice versa, can anyone tell me their experience with seeing animals on KS in evening especially in summer mos when it is hot and park does not close till 8? This is the main attraction for my DD so I would hate to wait till evening and then most animals still in hiding!
However, also concerned if we do Epcot in evening and our we have a FPP for either Soarin or TT we won't be able to do the other w/o very long wait!

The safari is a real hoot late in the day. We were on the final truck of the night at 7 pm a couple of weeks ago. Those animals know that eating time is approaching and they are all heading to the gate to be put up for the evening.

I never knew there were so many hippos in the river until we saw them all climbing out and heading to the enclosure exit. Of course we only saw the backside of most of them so I may not recommend a late safari to those who will only do it once.

That being said, I prefer the last half of the day at AK over the first half. Everest, Dino and Safari are all walk ons and Kali has shorter waits as well. Also, plenty of seating is available for Lion King after 3 pm with no waiting.