Animal Kingdom must-do's

[smnornes]

I just got done readying the "Animal Kingdom Appreciation" thread and am now looking for a list of must-do's while at AK. It seems that I spend most of my planning time on MK and EPCOT and forget to really dive into AK. I have at least one whole day planned for AK in October. So...what are the favorites at AK?

 

[tmt martins]

We go in this order

FP=everest
ride=Safarie
ride=train outpost
FP= Kali
ride=everest >FP
walk=tiger trail
watch=birds of flight
Ride =Kali
FP=Dino sometimes just ride
Ride=crazy mouse ride
watch=TTBAB
Ride =Dino
Watch=FOTLK
parade where ever we are in the day.

During EMH most of this is done before the parade starts .

 

[The Mick]

I just got done readying the "Animal Kingdom Appreciation" thread and am now looking for a list of must-do's while at AK. It seems that I spend most of my planning time on MK and EPCOT and forget to really dive into AK. I have at least one whole day planned for AK in October. So...what are the favorites at AK?

Everest (take advantage of FP or single-rider lines!)
Kilimanjaro Safari (try to do this in the AM - animals are up and around more)
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Primeval Whirl
Flights of Wonder (covered roof - save for hot afternoon hourse)
It's Tough To Be Bug (indoor show - save for hot afternoon hours)
Kali River Rapids (prepare to get wet - save for hot afternoon hours)

Those are my absolute favorites.

 

[TiggerificTigger]

Personally, I am looking forward to EE. Riding it and seeing the project actually completed.

DH and I usually do the early EMH and leave the park during the early afternoon. We always miss the parade. So, this year - we are going to plan to be at AK in the evening and see the parade.

Must do's for us . . . KS (first thing in the morning), Dinosaur, and enjoy the surroundings.

 

[EjandMD]

It's funny because as much as i go to WDW if we skip a park it's always been AK, of course until EE. The last time I was there, I realized what a great park it is! so now on my next trip we are going to spend a whole day there. We are going to take the time to look at the animals along the paths and watch the acrobats at the African outpost. It's neat and in my insane running around I forgot about appreciating the simple things!

 

[antmaril]

In all our trips to WDW, we've NEVER been to the Animal Kingdom. We are going to WDW again in January and because of EE, we're going to give it a try. I think it will be fun, especially since the whole park will be new to us.

 

[haleofafamily]

An absolute must at AK is The Festival of the Lion King Show!!!!!!! I have said it before and will keep saying it - this is one of Disney's best productions (if not the best). We have people of all ages and perferences in our group and everyone of them loves this show.
EE, It's Tough to be a Bug, the Rapids, Kilimanjaro Safari and Dinosaur are also great. If you take the safari first thing in the morning, you will see lots of animals. The Safari ride is also one of our favorites in all of Disney.
The trails and walking paths are peaceful and fun, but not a must IMO. Definitely do the others first if time becomes an issue. Oh, my husband and sons (8,6) loved Primeval Whirl.
The other good thing about AK is that the counter service meals are very good. I really like the Italian sandwich at Pizzafari.

 

[Simba22]

If you like to scrapbook (as I do), walking the trails and stopping at each of the animal viewing sites is a must. Plus it's cool (in the shade) and peaceful and if you have the time to really take in the surroundings, you will appreciate it even more. Walk around the tree of life...there are some really nice waterfalls around too. If you enjoy character meets, definitely do Camp Minnie Mickey and don't worry if the lines look long, they mover fast

 

[DisneyFan06]

Upon my two recent trips this is the order I completed the tasks:

1. Pictures of Tree of Life
2. Fast Pass - Expedition Everest
3. It's Tough to Be a Bug
4. Dinosaur
5. Primeval Whirl
6. Safari - Around 11:00, lots of Animals.
7. Ride Expedition Everest
8. Kali River Rapids

After we completed the above tasks it was about 11:45, we decided to spend the rest of the day at the Magic Kingdom so we would either eat lunch at Flame Tree BBQ or just save lunch for the Magic Kingdom. We would then be at the Magic Kingdom until closing!

ETA: Sometimes the trails are not worth it in my opinion. Once I was walking a trail [not to be rude] but some parents were getting angry at other guests, they began pushing their kids to the viewing area where others were trying to look as well. I dont know, it is just not my thing.

ETAA: I did the shows before, so I didn't see in necessary that I see them again.

 

[mamaprincess]

For us must-do's are Breakfast at Boma then in no particular order:

ITTBAB
EE
Safari (early)
Dinosaur
Kali River Rapids
FOTLK

Dinner at Boma. We love AK. Just wandering around is so beautiful.

 

[JerseyGirl114]

We are planning to do each of the parks 2x this trip - last time we were only at AK 1/2 day b/c of the heat. We can't wait to go back & I'm looking forward to reading all the responses from the pros!

 

[familyfirsttimer]

I have to second the Festival of the Lion King! It is AMAZING and is great for all ages. It is not like a regular theater show, it is like a theater in the round and have lots of audience participation and lots of activity!

Also, not usually a must-see for a lot of people but the Pocahontas show is in the same area and is really cute for the kids. It is Pocahontas and real animals and there are small benches in the front that the kids can sit on (adults have to be on the sides or on the regular benches in the back.) Last year my DD6 and DD3 thought that was so cool, a little extra magic for them!

We also loved the Safari and Kali River Rapids and the shows in Harambe(Africa)-you can't believe how low they can limbo! We decided to skip the trails and "petting-zoo" areas, we may fit them in this time but they will be a secondary attraction.

Have fun planning!

 

[TinkerTracy]

Everest
Kilmanjaro Safari
Dinosaur
Primevil Whirl
Any of the walking animal paths!
Festival of the Lion King DON'T MISS IT
Kali River Rapids

Those are just some of my favorite things to do in no real order

 

[aztecgoods]

I"m new here and I would appreciate it if someone that likes this park put a little more detail in their posts. For instance, would love to hear details on the Dinosaur ride. How long is it? Is it similar to Jurassic park at Universal? How many dinos do you encounter etc., Same amount of detail for EE, the Safari and any other rides you may want to throw in. How is the Asian area? And what is it like? AK is the only park I have not been too yet and plan on hitting it extensively when I go back to Orlando in a few weeks.

Also, by looking at the map, the landscaping looks awesome. Is there a huge waterfall at the entrance? That's what it looks like on the map. And what are some other good landscaping areas?

One more thing, what are the best restaurants at this park? Thanks

 

[MJMcBride]

Everest (i guess), primeval whirl, dinosaur, the animal exhibits, flights of wonder, the bug movie, kilimanjaroo safari, flame tree BBQ, lion king show.

 

[ssleblanc]

If you like to scrapbook (as I do), walking the trails and stopping at each of the animal viewing sites is a must. Plus it's cool (in the shade) and peaceful and if you have the time to really take in the surroundings, you will appreciate it even more. ...

Thanks for the tip. I'm really into scrapbooking and since this is my kid's first WDW trip, I'll probably end up with three stuffed to the rim books from this one trip.

Because our upcoming trip is so short (4-1/2 park days, the 1/2 day being just MNSSHP), and because I have to work a convention 2 of the park days, I had to really plan to a hilt this trip.

This will be my first time at AK and I'm really looking forward to it. That day I have to work from 3-8 pm at CSR's convention center. Luckily it is a morning EMH at AK. We are going to pack the true "must have's" for me into the morning, and my sister will take the kids around to the "exploring" stuff after I've gone (I'll head back to the resort after lunch to give myself enough time to quickly shower and freshen up in time to be in the convention hall just before 3).

In the morning we'll TRY to do the following before I leave the park about 1:15 or 1:30 (depends on line, hoping with morning EMH, short lines because of the off-season mid-September week, and use of FP's)

- Grab a FP for Kali
- Safari
- Hit EE (probably singles line, swapping with my sister since my 7 yo DS said he isn't sure he wants to do it - instead of doing child swap with my youngest who isn't tall enough).
- Kali using fast passes
- Maharaja jungle trek
- TTBAB
- Dinosaur
- Lion King

After I leave, my sister will take the kids to do the more leisurely things:
- The Boneyard
- Camp Minnie / character meets
- Tree of Life
- Conservation Station
- Affection Section
- etc etc etc.

Of course, though I have certain things I REALLY want to see, I'm not going to go total commando on my kids. If they see a station or animal they want to stop and see on the way to something on "my-must-do" list, I will let them stop. I really want to be there for all of it, I LOVE animals/conservation things (I worked at our zoo for over seven years and we still go quite often). I love watching my kids "discover" the animal world. I also love thrills and just CAN'T miss EE, Dino, or Kali. I also have to remember that this trip is possible because of this convention thing, so I have to take that into account and not be upset that I'll miss part of it. My sis will take pictures of the kids - and I'll get more than 1/2 a day with them at this really cool park.

We're eating counter service which will save some time at lunch (and if I didn't have to work from 3-8 pm, I'd skip lunch too, but I've got to eat something before I go stand on my feet all day).

 

[Simba's Mom]

My favorite place is the Tree of Life Trail. It's an up close look at the Tree of Life, all the carvings, and it's very peaceful. I don't think a lot of people even know about it. You enter right behind the FP machines for ITTBAB. The other end is shortly past Pizzafari restuarant as you're headed to Africa, and it's on the right. Often there's either an ice cream cart or a "Meet and Greet" there too. You walk under a waterfall, hear the music of AK, there are benches. But it's so empty, first time I took DH there he kept asking "Are you sure we're allowed to be here?"