Animal Kingdom in a day?

[I'mfarfaraway]

We never made it to Animal Kingdom the first time we were in WDW. We are wondering if we would be able to do AK and still make it to Downtown Disney to see La Nouba at six.

 

[dprincessmom]

I believe that you can do justice to AK if you are there at rope drop, tour efficient and still make it to DTD for La Nouba. Open to 3 would still give you time.

 

[Jennytoon]

I think so. If you want to see every last absolute thing, maybe not, but you can see a lot of AK in a day.

 

[memakwed]

I would leave the latest at 430. Take the bus directly there.

 

[vicb]

FYI there is a taxi stand right outside the front gate at AK... I know because we squeezed in a late afternoon "hop" from Epcot to AK to ride EE last trip and we needed to hustle to get to our dinner ADR so we took a cab back to our hotel. If you are running late it's an option.

That said, my family rarely spends more than a half day at AK. It has never been our fav park, we don't like or do Dinoland, Dinosaur ride, Kali Rapids or Conservation Station. We do like the Safari and Everest. There are good shows like Lion King and the bird show.

If you have never been there I would go. Enjoy La Nouba we really liked that show when we saw it years ago... we did the 6pm show as well and made the mistake of not eating something before. We had a late ADR at Wolfgang Puck Cafe but that night was the scene of a (now famous in our family) family meltdown of over hungry kids and adults!

 

[Alesia]

I would leave the latest at 430. Take the bus directly there.

There isn't a direct bus. You will need to transfer at a resort. Pop Century or Art of Animation are the fastest and most direct.

Or just take a cab.

Don't forget, you're supposed to be at the theater 30 minutes before the show starts. If you're going to take a bus, you need to leave the park about 4:00. You can wait until 5:00 if you take a cab.

 

[I'mfarfaraway]

Thank you for all the good information. I hadn't thought about there not being a direct bus from AK to DTD, of course this will be something to ponder on. Are there generally cabs waiting in queue or will we have to call one?

 

[Dano13]

I have never spent more than 4 hours at AK and never felt I missed anything. There are really only a few rides we like there, particularly Kilamanjaro Safari, so that limits the time we need to be there too.

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

We do rope drop when we go and we leave by two at the latest. We do EE, KS, Kali, dinosaur, dinoland, nemo show and sometimes flights of wonder. The only thing I would add is if you are going when it's hot, you may want to get cleaned up before your show. It's Africa hot at AK!

 

[Alesia]

Thank you for all the good information. I hadn't thought about there not being a direct bus from AK to DTD, of course this will be something to ponder on. Are there generally cabs waiting in queue or will we have to call one?

There will be cabs waiting at the taxi stand. You can look up fares at taxifarefinder.com

 

[North of Mouse]

We never made it to Animal Kingdom the first time we were in WDW. We are wondering if we would be able to do AK and still make it to Downtown Disney to see La Nouba at six.

AK has never been more than a half day park for us, so I would think you'd have plenty time if you go early.

 

[MsMagical]

I agree, you can do AK and get to your DTD show at 6pm. Eat something before you leave the park or leave early and eat at DTD. I would think Saratoga Springs would be a more direct route to DTD. If you get off at the Congress Park section, you can walk across the bridge. I'm not certain how close that would be but it seems easier than transferring buses.

 

[Alesia]

I agree, you can do AK and get to your DTD show at 6pm. Eat something before you leave the park or leave early and eat at DTD. I would think Saratoga Springs would be a more direct route to DTD. If you get off at the Congress Park section, you can walk across the bridge. I'm not certain how close that would be but it seems easier than transferring buses.

It can be a little bit faster, but some people have difficulty navigating their way through SSR - it a big resort. I always recommend transferring at Pop or AOA because it's more straightforward and they tend to have really good bus service to DTD.

Also, sometimes people who own DVC at SSR get weird about other people using "their" buses.

 

[North of Mouse]

It can be a little bit faster, but some people have difficulty navigating their way through SSR - it a big resort. I always recommend transferring at Pop or AOA because it's more straightforward and they tend to have really good bus service to DTD.

Also, sometimes people who own DVC at SSR get weird about other people using "their" buses.

Really?? People get weird about 'other' people using 'their' buses??

I have always gone this route when wanting to go to DTD from a park, always gotten off at Congress Park, never had any problem 'navigating' to the DTD path, and never felt like others thought I was 'intruding' on 'their' buses/turf!!! Much quicker and enjoyable than the route you suggest - on nice days, that is. (actually this was the suggested route the first time I asked about the quickest way to DTD from a park)

 

[RustManFan]

We could spend a half day just SLOWLY walking the trails and observing the animals..... add to that time looking at all the carvings on the Tree of Life and going to a couple shows! Throw in a can't miss meal at Flametree BBQ and we have done a full day with activities to remain for another day.

For us AK is not about rides.... just pay attention to the time and head out for DTD as others have indicated.

 

[River Country]

I am a DVC owner and I never got "weird" about someone using a bus. That's funny though.
anyway
AK in 1 day more than enough, here is a plan for you depending on what your likes are you can change them
1. 8:00AM Tusker House Reservation for breakfast
2. 9:00 FP for Safari
3. If traveling with kids take the train to Rafiki's planet Watch, there is a petting zoo there and some animal interaction, if no kids you can skip this IMHO You can also meet Chip and Dale and Rafiki Here
4.10:50 FP for Kali River Rapids if kids are tall enough and weather is warm/nice alt. is DINOSAUR
4a. the above can be skipped if no interest and go tot eh 11:00 Finding Nemo Musical kids or no kids its really cool and FP+ is avail
5. 12:00 Everest FP again if kids are tall enough and want to go on/alt. Primeval Whirl
6. If no kids I would stop for lunch at Flame Tree BBQ or Yak and Yeti CS then go to the 2:45 Flights of Wonder bird show
6a. If there are kids then I would go to Discovery Island to meet some characters.
7. After that show/M&G I would start towards the exit and take the bus to SSR and exit the carousel station and walk to DTD

That's a pretty full day IMHO but it all depends on what you and your party like to do. Rides/Shows/Food/Shopping

A day in WDW is better than a day at Work!!!!

 

[SJSloan]

I just want to add/recommend not missing the Festival of the Lion King. We could really go without a trip to AK some trips if it weren't for this show. It is a must for us.

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

Yes. I have done it before. I was even able to do KS twice. You just have to be efficient in your planning and using your FP+. Good luck!

 

[Maddysdaddy]

I was there with my wife and daughter last week (Easter/spring break), and we were thru the entrance by about 8:10 (8 am opening).

Within the first two hours, we had gone on Everest twice, Safari once and watched the FOTLK show (all standby).

We then rode Everest again (FP), went to Dinoland and rode Primevial Whirl (standby) and Dinosaur (FP) and then went over to Kali (FP), before leaving the park by 12:30 (by which time the crowds were insane).

All of which to say that you should be just fine.

 

[Shmily01]

It's definitely "do"able. We always get there at rope drop and can get usually most everything done by 2:00 or 3:00. We then head to DTD for dinner. We usually go in September so crowd are low but I still think if you get there early and follow a good plan, you will be okie dokie!