Animal Kingdom help

[NJlauren]

I have been to WDW many times but for whatever reason only visited AK once. I would love to spend a bit more time there this trip.

While doing FoP would be nice, it is not a must for anyone in my family. (A sin I know). We are going to use the FP for Epcot later in the day, so planning on skipping it.

Last time we went we did the safari, Everest, walked around a bit. I think because I don't know the park well I feel really overwhelmed, and since I am the group planner I think it throws me for a loop.

I would like to come up with a bit of a better plan this trip.

6 adults and DD age 3, I'm thinking we will do a morning here 9-1 or 2? Festival of Lion King? Finding Nemo Musical? Safari again? Any good walks to do? What should I plan?

If we wanted we could spend a 2nd half day there later in the week (and use FP for FoP if we could get it?)

This seems to ramble a bit, anyone want to help with a touring plan?

 

[pitpat]

yes to FOTLK, Nemo, Safari and trails. Your daughter would probably enjoy The Boneyard and Triceratop Spin as well.

 

[RangerPooh]

Here are my thoughts, long winded too.

Upon park arrival: Kilimanjaro Safari's or Expedition Everest first thing as you are planning to use your FP+ at EPCOT.

• While your party waits in line get a baby swap for your DD and while everyone else waits in line you head to Dinoland with her and go on Triceratops Spin and the Boneyard [that's if the line is longer than 15 minutes...depending on when you arrive].
• Then have them text you when they are about to board so that you can either meet up to go on EE then (using baby swap aka rider switch pass) OR save it for later in the day.

Next, head to Kilamanjaro Safari's. Wait as a group.

Next, watch FOTLK.

Following FOTLK,

• Return to EE and use the ride switch pass (if not already used) and the others can return to Dinoland or explore the wildlife trails.
• If already used your ride switch pass you can see Nemo.

If your party plans to ride Dinosaur, get another baby swap and take DD to see more wildlife/Dinoland/characters. Then switch.

 

[JenniferinFL]

FOP and Avatar in general pulls so much of the traffic that you really shouldn't have too much trouble. If you are heading there early at park opening, I would go straight to the safari. Right next to the safari is a neat walkthrough with animals, Gorilla Falls, that young children seem to really like. I wouldn't walk through this now though, I would head right over to Everest and wait in the line. If you are using rider swap and no one else wants to go on the Asia walking trail, it's a good time to take the 3 year old on Maharajah Jungle Trek. My daughter is 6 and still loves that trail. Then the Kali River Rapids are right in the same area. Not a very long ride, you will get wet and two people per ride get thoroughly soaked. Just depends on which way it's facing in a couple crucial areas. We usually skip Kali. Now, this is probably a good time to double back to Festival of the Lion King. Depending on what time it is, you could either do Gorilla Falls now, or right after Festival of the Lion King. Depending on how long you plan to stay at AK, you could ride the train out to the Conservation Station. There's a bunch in there that littles tend to like to look at. Doc McStuffins meets in there as well and there's a petting zoo. We don't do this too often as taking the train there and back is a little time consuming, but, little kids often find trains fascinating too and to them it's just another part of the adventure.

At this point you've done a lot of Africa and Asia and can probably safely move on to the Dinosaur area. Triceratops Spin is usually a short line. We sometimes play the carnival games with kiddo. The minimum height for Dinosaur is 40". I believe my daughter was tall enough to ride it right around age 4. She liked it then, but, was terrified of it later and only recently likes it again at age 6. There's that Boneyard play area, when you climb up the stairs to the left and go over the bridge you are in a big sand box where kids can dig up a mammoth. I would do the Boneyard after the Nemo show as kid will probably get a bit sandy. If you are thinking of doing lunch here but just want to do a quick service, Restaurantosaurus has your basic burgers and chicken nuggets, but, kid meal comes in this green bucket with a plastic shovel to use in the play area. At this point, it will probably be afternoon.

If you finish up earlier, you can always wander through the Avatar area and see the theming.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I would focus on the Safari, Lion King and Nemo. That's a pretty great day right there and plenty to do for the time allotted

If you have time, go see Minnie and Mickey in their safari outfits, so cute.

 

[loves to dive]

I wouldn't skip either of the trails, both have different animals and can take as little or as much time as you want to walk through them. There is also a walking trail around the tree of life if you aren't going to do bug's life. It's always fun to notice the detail on the tree. There are animals all through the park, we've been going since it opened and just this last visit in early August did we see the anteaters at the beginning of the walk to Africa. It's a park that you really need to take your time and enjoy. I would also think the little one might enjoy the bird show in Asia, I love it.