Animal Kingdom Question

[Sparkle51]

Hi All!

First time posting so hope I'm in the right place.

Going end of August with 4 adults and 3 kids (7, 5, 4).

I've heard the best time to do the safari is at dusk. So I was thinking of laying low in the AM and heading over to AK in afternoon with fastpasses in hand. two questions

1. Is this "dusk" thing true? - we are typically rope droppers so idea of an afternoon arrival is weird to me
2. How much time do I need in AK now that Pandora is open. 2/3 kids will be tall enough for all rides..

thanks!!

 

[Shellyb84]

We usually see the most animals early morning, but it's really just luck of the draw. I wouldn't plan my whole day around riding at dusk if you are typically rope droppers.

 

[sharonabe]

Hi All!

First time posting so hope I'm in the right place.

Going end of August with 4 adults and 3 kids (7, 5, 4).

I've heard the best time to do the safari is at dusk. So I was thinking of laying low in the AM and heading over to AK in afternoon with fastpasses in hand. two questions

1. Is this "dusk" thing true? - we are typically rope droppers so idea of an afternoon arrival is weird to me
2. How much time do I need in AK now that Pandora is open. 2/3 kids will be tall enough for all rides..

thanks!!

In August, it's probably a toss up for whether early morning or dusk is better for safari. For me, I'd much rather do it in the early morning when it's still relatively cool. Dusk in August will not be cool, and you risk those afternoon thunderstorms that could make a poor safari ride. Fall or winter, I'd go for the dusk strategy, but August, I'd go for early morning rope drop, and if you're onsite, I'd plan for an early EMH as well.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

We have usually always done the safari in the morning around 9-10am. Note that we usually go over Thanksgiving or Christmas, so it won't be as hot as August, but the last few years the highs have been low to mid 80s.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

We always see lots of active animals right at RD. If you're a RD family, head there first thing. If the line isn't long, we always jump right back on, but that first ride is usually the best in my experience.

 

[StraightToDumbo]

I think the timing on the Safari thing is a little overblown. I've been pretty much at every time of day and there really isn't a huge difference in how much you will see.

As far as how much time you'll need with Pandora, I'd say it depends. If you want to see and do most things, it'll take you a day.

 

[Danimal]

Didn't see much in the way of animals at 6:30 or so at the end of September. I think the longer hotter days keeps activity down a bit. Upside to doing it in the morning is you get through your FPs faster and can pick up a few more as your day goes along once you're through the 1st 3. I'd do it AM if it was me

 

[StraightToDumbo]

Didn't see much in the way of animals at 6:30 or so at the end of September. I think the longer hotter days keeps activity down a bit. Upside to doing it in the morning is you get through your FPs faster and can pick up a few more as your day goes along once you're through the 1st 3. I'd do it AM if it was me

Good point, but I'd add that the first 2 hours of the day outside Pandora are AMAZING. You don't really need a FP for anything until about 11 so I wouldn't blow my FP's during that time unless they are for FoP or NRJ.