Animal Kingdom input needed...

[pbnjrockette]

Here is a tentative itinerary for Animal Kingdom--would love input -- are there any glaring problems? (I have no idea of timing of these events so if you think they aren't doable let me know!) We aren't interested in Rapids, EEverest or Dinoland.

Sat. Dec. 2
7:30 breakfast at Kona
bus to AK (opens at 9:00)
walk thru Oasis--check tip board for shows/activities
go to Kilimanjara Safari (if more than 30 minute wait get Fastpass)
Pangani Forest
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Flights of Wonder
examine Tree of Life
"Tough to be Bug" (get Fastpass if necessary)
LUNCH? Tusker House---FlameTree Barbeque
see Jammin' Parade
Lion King Show
check out Oasis
shop!

catch bus to AKL---Boma res at 5:00
bus to MGM--see Osborne Lights
bus 'home' to Poly

thank ye

 

[addicted2disney]

I think you seriously need to consider adding the new coaster Expedition Everest to your list! Its a great ride!! Are you skipping dinoland or did you just forget about it? Its very skippable.. but we do like to ride Dinosaur!

 

[javaonline]

Dinosaur was my favorite ride at AK...

IF you have small kids...beware of tough to be a bug. My 5 year old wouldnt participate in any more 3D shows the rest of the week afterwards.

 

[pbnjrockette]

Just hubby and I and another couple. Hubby has a bad back/neck problem so we won't be doing any rides (he may not even do Safari, but I'm going!!)

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

Just hubby and I and another couple. Hubby has a bad back/neck problem so we won't be doing any rides (he may not even do Safari, but I'm going!!)

The Safari can be very rough and jerky, so he may want to consider skipping it, and save his back and neck for other attractions in the park.

 

[Tigger714]

You might check the Steve Soares web site for show, parade and other special event times. This will help you time your touring plans well.

 

[petermeansrock]

I was going to go on this rant about how Everest is the only reason to go to AK. Then I saw that you mentioned breakfast at Kona. I won't rant at a fellow Polynesian.

 

[pbnjrockette]

I was going to go on this rant about how Everest is the only reason to go to AK. Then I saw that you mentioned breakfast at Kona. I won't rant at a fellow Polynesian.

Thanks for not ranting!!

Hubby just really can't risk paralysis -- and I'm just a BIG chicken!!! (no Tower of Terror either!!!!)

 

[addicted2disney]

OH NO!! you have to try Everest! Its such a good ride.. and not scary either!!!
My 13 year old will ride some coasters, but she is a huge chicken. She wont ride coasters that are high.. or that go upside down. Now, we do ride Rock n Roller Coaster even though it goes upside down.. her reasoning " I cant see the track". Hmm.. but you are still going UPSIDE DOWN!! Not the same she says
Anyway.. she loves Everest! The hill going up is high and steep.. but there isnt a big drop once you get to the top.. the biggest drop you see is the one that you see while you stand there looking at the ride. ANd its not even that big!! Ride it!! Its awesome!!

 

[dixiedizfan]

You need to move the Festival of the Lion King to the first part of the day, or at least right before or after lunch. After entering the park you could go to the Safari for FPs, check out the Oasis, and then get in line for FOLK. That's just one option, anyway. You definitely won't have time to see it after the parade. The parade doesn't start until 3:45 and the park closes at 5:00, which would leave no time. The last Lion King show is probably at 4:00. And after the parade you'll need to leave and get right on the bus to AKL for Boma. Whatever you do, don't miss the Lion King show ... it's the best thing at Disney.

 

[DLR29]

Just hubby and I and another couple. Hubby has a bad back/neck problem so we won't be doing any rides (he may not even do Safari, but I'm going!!)

You could use the Single Rider line for EE if you wanted to try it.

 

[pbnjrockette]

You need to move the Festival of the Lion King to the first part of the day, or at least right before or after lunch. After entering the park you could go to the Safari for FPs, check out the Oasis, and then get in line for FOLK. That's just one option, anyway. You definitely won't have time to see it after the parade. The parade doesn't start until 3:45 and the park closes at 5:00, which would leave no time. The last Lion King show is probably at 4:00. And after the parade you'll need to leave and get right on the bus to AKL for Boma. Whatever you do, don't miss the Lion King show ... it's the best thing at Disney.

Thank you! That's the stuff I really need to know! I know we can't do everything on this first trip in a long time but want to use our time wisely and not tire ourselves out!!

 

[kaybird]

Leave yourself lots of time to appreciate the great beauty and detail in this park. I understand you don't want to ride EE, but you should walk through the que, and the "museum" in the line. It is terrefic! They won't make you ride once you go through, do this when it is not overly crowded. The Tiger trek is beautiful to, I have back and balance problems, and this is a great park to take at your leisure.

 

[Karnak]

I'd recommend being sure to be at the park at opening. I start my day at AK by getting a fastpass for the Safari first thing. The wait time for the pass is short that early in the AM, and I use that time (about 30 minutes), to walk the Pangani Forest Trail. This is a good time to do that walk because there's hardly anyone else there at the time, you can take your time, and the CMs love to answer questions on the trail.

Then I ride the safari using my fastpass. After that, it's time to walk back down to the Lion King Show. The show time always seems to work out perfect doing it this way. I would not hold that show for later in the day, as it gets very crowded in the afternoon. Next I would recommend seeing the 3-D Bug show (checking out the Tree of Life while in line for the show), following that with lunch at the Flame Tree, or at Pizzafari (depending on the weather). Then you can wrap up with the other things you wish to do, leaving the park in time for your dinner reservation.

Enjoy.

 

[dixiedizfan]

Thank you! That's the stuff I really need to know! I know we can't do everything on this first trip in a long time but want to use our time wisely and not tire ourselves out!!

You're very welcome!

 

[QueenT]

We had a very similar plan for Ak on our recent trip. A couple of recommendations:

Move Lion King (as recommended by another poster) to right after the safari.

Also, if you go to the safari first, you can get a fast pass right away, then ride in the standby line, then go on the safari again later in the day with fast pass. We did this and it worked out very well, you might think it would just be the same thing twice, but different drivers, animals in different spots, different animals in view, well worth it if you like to look at animals close up. I also agree with the poster who said your dh probably would not want to ride this, it is extremely jerky. He would be better off on Everest!

I would move the Maharaja Jungle Trek to the end of your day.

We drove to Boma from AK, it took us about 15 min to exit park, drive over, enter restaurant.

For lunch I would choose Tusker House over Flame Tree, especially if dinner is at BOMA. Eat an early lunch or you won't have much room for an early dinner. I didn't even try some very good-looking desserts because I was too full.

Enjoy, AK is a favorite of ours!

 

[pbnjrockette]

Since we won't have a car, how long might it take for a bus from AK to AKL? (just so we get there in time for our early ressie!).


(p.s.---I love how helpful everyone is...you all should be tourguides!!)

 

[Hound 109]

I'd recommend being sure to be at the park at opening. I start my day at AK by getting a fastpass for the Safari first thing. The wait time for the pass is short that early in the AM, and I use that time (about 30 minutes), to walk the Pangani Forest Trail. This is a good time to do that walk because there's hardly anyone else there at the time, you can take your time, and the CMs love to answer questions on the trail.

Then I ride the safari using my fastpass. After that, it's time to walk back down to the Lion King Show. The show time always seems to work out perfect doing it this way. I would not hold that show for later in the day, as it gets very crowded in the afternoon. Next I would recommend seeing the 3-D Bug show (checking out the Tree of Life while in line for the show), following that with lunch at the Flame Tree, or at Pizzafari (depending on the weather). Then you can wrap up with the other things you wish to do, leaving the park in time for your dinner reservation.

Enjoy.

Based on what you were wanting to skip (not ride). I would follow Karnak's itinerary exactly (for all the reasons given). Only thing I would add is keep the Bird's of Prey (worth seeing) show times in mind prior to Bug's Life /eating & shopping.

Have fun,

hound

 

[MickeyMaz]

Check out this link for disney transportation times. I cannot vouch for it, but it looks good.

http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/twiz.asp?action=rts

For AK to AKL is 15 minutes give or take by bus.

Maz

 

[MikeAidanEoinMom]

Here is a tentative itinerary for Animal Kingdom--would love input -- are there any glaring problems? (I have no idea of timing of these events so if you think they aren't doable let me know!) We aren't interested in Rapids, EEverest or Dinoland.

Sat. Dec. 2
7:30 breakfast at Kona
bus to AK (opens at 9:00)
walk thru Oasis--check tip board for shows/activities
go to Kilimanjara Safari (if more than 30 minute wait get Fastpass)
Pangani Forest
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Flights of Wonder
examine Tree of Life
"Tough to be Bug" (get Fastpass if necessary)
LUNCH? Tusker House---FlameTree Barbeque
see Jammin' Parade
Lion King Show
check out Oasis
shop!

catch bus to AKL---Boma res at 5:00
bus to MGM--see Osborne Lights
bus 'home' to Poly

thank ye

I would try to see the new Nemo Show if you can...it was a highlight of our trip.