Animal Kingdom before cruise?

[snowiit]

Has anyone taken the opportunity that they offer with the land/sea package of going to the Animal Kingdom the day of cruise in the morning? I would love to hear pros and cons. We didn't take advantage of this our last land/sea but this time we will be getting in late the first day (I know, I know, I would have booked separately! But mom is treating!<G>) and will only have 2 full days to hit the parks. Normally for us it wouldn't be a huge deal, but my brother, his wife and son, will be with us from Reno, Nevada. On their last trip with us (just to the parks) my SIL LOVED the safari etc. So I'm considering doing the breafastasouris.. or however it's spelled! And do a safari ride and possibly something else before we would jump on the bus for the cruise. Does anyone know what time the bus departs from the park? Otherwise we would be leaving from the Poly. I have heard that they have changed some of the resort departure times. Does anyone have any recent experiece with leaving from the Poly or AK? Thanks a bunch!
Nancy

 

[Susie51]

We are doing the same thing in June. Are there lockers to put our carryons in near the entrance of AK?

What time do the buses start running from CBR to AK on Sundays in June?

We were told the bus from AK to the ship will leave between 11:30 and 1:30 and we would be told at CBR when the definite time will be.

Is this what you have experienced?

 

[jeannief]

I can't answer the bus question (we rented a car- transfers were too much money) but AK in the morning even if you leave there at 11:30 is doable, even more so if you are lucky and this is the early morning opening. I'd personally skip the character breakfast, I found ours at Chef Mickey's overpriced and my boys did not really enjoy it as much as I had hoped. And our breakfast at Tuskers in AK was great. We did Epcot the last morning and got to the cruise at 3. Too late though, I missed the sail away party as someone had to unpack!
My vote is to plan to to AK and try and get as much done as you can, you've paid for that day too, you might as well go. If you are set on the breakfast try to get an EARLY seating so you can time it to be out in the park as soon as it is open.
Have fun!!!!!

 

[weluv M&M]

I would LOVE to know the answer to this question also We will be at the POLY in June before our cruise. We also did NOT do this on our last land/sea. I want to do it this time. Who knows what time the bus leaves Poly to AK? I have also heard that you can get early priority seating at the AK breakfast. When do you make these priority seating reservations? Wiht DCL rep upon arrival or by calling the WDW DINE #?

 

[diznefan76]

On our first cruise in 2001 we did the Land/Sea package & not really knowing what to expect we went ahead and did the morning in AK. Of course we had fun in Ak but we didn't get to the port until after 2pm....that is the only thing that I didn't like about it.

 

[nluvwithmickey]

It went just fine, confirmed with the Cruise rep at the CBR, and headed to Ak for park opening ( dec 2004 ).

Once you get there,there's a sign that directs you to a counter to check in with he DCL reps....they take your carry-ons and give you a time to come back and wait for the DCL bus. They also give you a FP for either LIOn King, or Tarzan rocks...or PS for the character bfast is also a possibility...

The DCL bus leaves at noon, and get at the port around 1:30 -1:45. Plenty of time for lunch and Palo ressies.<<

Had we decided not to go to AK, the DCL bus would have picked us up at around the same time at the resort.

I also made itt in late, my flight being delayed...so I enjoyed being able to do a couple of attractions...

It is very well organised, and very much worth it.

 

[ImMarcik]

We are going in November and we are also thinking of doing AK before we take the bus to the ship.

 

[emtowle]

Has anyone taken the opportunity that they offer with the land/sea package of going to the Animal Kingdom the day of cruise in the morning? I would love to hear pros and cons.

Does anyone know what time the bus departs from the park? Otherwise we would be leaving from the Poly. I have heard that they have changed some of the resort departure times. Does anyone have any recent experiece with leaving from the Poly or AK? Thanks a bunch!
Nancy

We did go to AK before the cruise. We just took the regular resort transportation to AK so it really depends on whether you get to the bus stop ahead of the first bus or not.

DCL has a checkin desk at AK (just beyond the gates I think) where you can check your bags while you are touring.

We were told to return for the bus around 12:15-12:30 I think (it's already a foggy memory...) We didn't onboard until 2:30 or so.

For our visit it was not worth it because it was pouring out and we got a late start. We were dragging our bags, needed to checkout of resort (needed to adjust the credit card info), needed? to go to the gift shop (dh 'had' to get something) and we were at Caribbean Beach so checkout and gift shop involved waiting for 2 separate busses and then finally waiting for an AK bus.

Had the weather been better we would have enjoyed it more I'm sure.

 

[ElenitaB]

Okay, I'm a first-time cruiser, but I have seen the bus leave AK for port (and wished I was on it). It was around 1:00 when it left.

Personally, I think that Breakfastosaurus is a great idea. That way you can get in a character meal that's quick, do some rides/shows and get on the bus. We prefer Donald's over Chef Mickey... the food at both places is nothing to really write home about, but you do have the opportunity to spend more time with the characters. Of course, if you're staying at the Poly, you could always make an early PS for the character breakfast at 'Ohana.

We should only be faced with difficult choices of this ilk, no?

 

[gouodux]

We didn't decide to do AK until the day before we were to get on the ship in September. It was a great choice. The kids loved the breakfast. We stayed at the Beach Club and they took care of our bags and we didn't have to touch them until they were in front of our cabin door. Being that it was during the hurricanes of September, WDW was empty. We hit everything the girls wanted to do at AK before bording the bus. The Safari was the highlight for the girls. It was painless, stress free, we would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[cristit14]

We also did AK and take the transfers from there when we cruised in July 04. We didn't do the breakfast, but we got there right around opening. We dropped off our carryons right after the security check I think. We had time to do the Safari, Lion King (excellent) and Bug's Life. I didn't think we were going to get back to the bus in time though because it took us longer at Bug's Life that I anticipated. It was a pretty good time though.

 

[snowiit]

thanks for all the replys. I hope to hear of more experiences. It sounds like it might be a great idea. Someone mentioned that they were going in June.. we're going in June also. Doing land/sea starting with the 23rd. I can hardly wait!

Nancy

 

[weluv M&M]

SNOWIIT...yes we are going in June. We will be leaving when you are arriving. Our trip starts on the 16th ending on the 23rd.

Thanks to everyone shared their experience....from reading them, I think that we will do the AK before boarding the ship. Just one more clarification needed...Does DCL provide a bus from the resort to the AK or should we count on taking Disney transportation?

 

[cristit14]

Does DCL provide a bus from the resort to the AK or should we count on taking Disney transportation?

You will need to take the Disney transport from your resort, not DCL. Also, make sure you tell them at your resort that you want to leave from AK so they have enough room on the bus for you.

 

[firsttimemom]

I just wanted to add that you can make a PS for breakfast before the park opens. It was a great way to get into the park before the crowds. We were done with breakfast about 5-10 min before the park opened and had several of Pooh's friends all to ourselves for a while.

If you're not one of those Type-A's that need to be first on the boat, this is a much better way of spending your morning rather than waiting in line at the port.

Enjoy your trip!

Liz

 

[msbinky]

Can you visit Animal Kingdom without using the transfers on the day of the cruise?

 

[NCRedding]

If you are doing the land/sea package, you ticket will be good including the embarkation day, so you can go to any of the parks. We went to MK because that day was early entry. We rode every thing we wanted to, had a character breakfast at CP, left at 11 and arrived in time to get the Palo ressie we wanted, and ate lunch.

 

[kkana]

we are thinking of doing AK before we leave for the cruise too, would like more current info if anyone has it.

 

[Asil65]

I didn't think there were any early entry dates on Thursday mornings. Is this when your cruises start? We are on the Wonder for a 3 night and I was hoping to do a quick morning at one of the parks. Didn't think I had any options.

 

[Susie51]

Thanks for all of the help. We are doing land/sea and the ship sails on Sun., June 12 for us.

What time does the first Disney transport bus leave CBR for AK?

Is there a separate bus at each CBR bus stop that goes to AK or does one bus stop at each bus stop in CBR and then it goes to AK?