Animal Kingdom Strategies

[laudan14]

Have been to Florida 5 times but have never had a trip plan before (have just turned up and went with the flow). After visiting this site, this year is going to be different. For the first time I have an itinery of what parks what days and have even booked some P.S.s. The first park we will visit is animal kingdom and im trying to work out a ride strategy. We have picked our lists of must do's and I have tried to put them in order.

8am breakfast at Chef Mickey then to AK
Get FP for Dinosaur
Ride Kilimanjaro Safaris.
Get FP for Primeval Whirl
Ride Dinosaur.
Ride Primeval Whirl.
Get FP for River Rapids.
Watch Lion King or Tarzan
Ride River Rapids
Get FP Tough to be a bug
Watch Lion King or Tarzan
Watch Tough to be a bug.
Slow down and a bite to eat at the Flame Tree and do anything else we fancy.

We will be there on the 30th May and I'm taking it as though it will be bussy.
Have I gone over the top, any better suggestions.
Thanks

 

[golfgal]

Have been to Florida 5 times but have never had a trip plan before (have just turned up and went with the flow). After visiting this site, this year is going to be different. For the first time I have an itinery of what parks what days and have even booked some P.S.s. The first park we will visit is animal kingdom and im trying to work out a ride strategy. We have picked our lists of must do's and I have tried to put them in order.

8am breakfast at Chef Mickey then to AK
Get FP for Dinosaur
Ride Kilimanjaro Safaris.
Get FP for Primeval Whirl
Ride Dinosaur.
Ride Primeval Whirl.
Get FP for River Rapids.
Watch Lion King or Tarzan
Ride River Rapids
Get FP Tough to be a bug
Watch Lion King or Tarzan
Watch Tough to be a bug.
Slow down and a bite to eat at the Flame Tree and do anything else we fancy.

We will be there on the 30th May and I'm taking it as though it will be bussy.
Have I gone over the top, any better suggestions.
Thanks

We will be there the same day. I am thinking that AK won't be as busy as MK, but who knows. Your schedule looks good. I will probably do something similar, although we may wait to ride Kali River Rapids until right before we leave the park for the day.

 

[laudan14]

We will be there the same day. I am thinking that AK won't be as busy as MK, but who knows. Your schedule looks good. I will probably do something similar, although we may wait to ride Kali River Rapids until right before we leave the park for the day.

Have a great day, hope your right and its not too busy, we'll just have to wait and see. And theres not long to wait now.

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

The only thing that would concern me with your plan is that it is a long walk between Dinosaur and the Safari! My husband and I usually do the park (kind of) in order, although we always start with the safari. Then we wander through the two walking trails (the Africa one and then the Asia one) then we head down towards Dino Land and get a fast pass for Dinosaur and then either watch the Tarzan show or have lunch, depending on the timing. Then we do Tough to be a Bug and end with the Lion King show. (I got so soaked on the Rapids that I have never gone on again!!)


Have fun!

 

[Buzz2001]

We usually arrive at the opening, then head to Africa. Then they stop you right in front of the Tree of Life for an opening ceremony. A bus arrives with Minnie, Goofy & Pluto and they review a checklist of things you will need to have a great day at AK. Then they get on the radio to contact Mickey and he appears right in front of the Tree of Life. He is looking around at the animals on the tree and then he starts looking for the bus with huge binoculars and all of the guests. He talks on the radio to Minnie and Goofy then the final rope drops and we head to the safaris. We usually will do the safari first, then the gorilla trail, stop for a cinammon bun and/or breakfast at the Tusker House and then do the Lion King show, It's Tough to Be A Bug, then head to DinoLand for Dinosaur and Primevel Whirl (a few times) and finish up with Kali once or twice (you will get wet) and the jungle trek to see the Tigers. Grab a bite to eat at Flame Tree and head to the pool for a swim. But of course, this will all change next year with the new coaster at AK.

 

[mattr555]

I would go straight to the safari and get a fast pass. even as soon as the rope drops 90% of the croud try to ride the saffari and you will be in a line unless you are right at the front by the rope and you can walk pretty fast.

get the fast pass then head to dino usa and ride dinosaur. you will be able to walk right on and the walk will be very relaxing (go via asia) as everyone and i mean everyone will be queueing for the safari. after dinosaur, ride primevial whirl and go and watch a bugs life. check the time for the lion king festival and either see that or use your fast pass on the safaris. smile and be nice to the CM collecting FPs as he let us keep ours and whispered they were good all day. once on the safari was enought as its pretty dull and the animals a fair way from the jeep.

seriously tho, opening at AK was the most stressfull ever, all the other parks, people split up, each having different first ride choices but at AK everyone wants to do the safari and its not a pleasant experience walking from discovery island to the safari with so many people around you.

 

[laudan14]

We usually arrive at the opening, then head to Africa. Then they stop you right in front of the Tree of Life for an opening ceremony. A bus arrives with Minnie, Goofy & Pluto and they review a checklist of things you will need to have a great day at AK. Then they get on the radio to contact Mickey and he appears right in front of the Tree of Life. He is looking around at the animals on the tree and then he starts looking for the bus with huge binoculars and all of the guests. He talks on the radio to Minnie and Goofy then the final rope drops and we head to the safaris. We usually will do the safari first, then the gorilla trail, stop for a cinammon bun and/or breakfast at the Tusker House and then do the Lion King show, It's Tough to Be A Bug, then head to DinoLand for Dinosaur and Primevel Whirl (a few times) and finish up with Kali once or twice (you will get wet) and the jungle trek to see the Tigers. Grab a bite to eat at Flame Tree and head to the pool for a swim. But of course, this will all change next year with the new coaster at AK.

But if we have a PS for Chef Mickey at 8.00 don't think we will make it in time for the opening

 

[mattr555]

i would save ps for lunch and dinner. the best time for all the parks is in the morning. if you do opening, you can see all the best stuff with no lines and then kick back later and have a nice relaxed lunch. i'd rather miss a fancy breakfast for a line free morning.

 

[Pinnochio]

I have a few suggestions

you may need a FP for Kilimanjaro Safari

Ride the River rapids at mid-day you don't want to be wet on the car/bus ride back to your hotel, very uncomfortable

start in Africa and work your way around to Dinoland USA, You may want to rearange your schedual to do this. If your not sure on the park layout it shouldn't be hard o find a map online.

I have NEVER needed a FP for Its Tough to be a Bug

If you are choosing between Tarzan and Lion King choose Lion King. Tarzan rocks is good but gets so corny and old with the 2 worlds 1 family bit.

Have Fun I guarentee you will love Kilimanjaro Safaries

 

[laudan14]

Thanks for ALL your replies.

Have made a few changes after your suggestions.

Kids still want to do Chef Mickey so don't think we'll make it for opening. When we get there I'm going to go straight and get FP for Kilimanjaro as there will be a Q already. Rest of party will head for Dinoland where we will meet and do rides there before using our FP for the safari.

Will make Lion King show our priority but hope to do Tazan too if we have time.

Thanks for all your help. First park strategy sorted just got all the others to do now. Should have taken a week off work!!!

 

[GrandmaBarb]

Alladin's Princess has the right idea. If you don't ride the safari first thing the lines only build and the animals are out early. Why walk back and forth if you don't have to.

 

[dolphindan1]

Do Chef Mickeys after your day at AK....it still a character meal at dinner....And then you can hit the safari first and not need a fast pass for it....Also stay for the parade at AK it is IMO the best parade at Disney and I do not like parades but we never miss it....

 

[kutchyone]

I would have to agree with GrandmaBarb, that would be so much walking. Get Kilimanjaro Safari done as early as possible so that you don't have to wait in a long line and I have been told that the animals are much more active first thing in the morning. Happy touring.

 

[GrammieMame]

My AK strategy is to go and do Tough...Bug first thing. Come out and get a fast pass for Safari. It's about time for the first Lion King show.
After that, go to Safari and if there's time before FP runs out, do the Pangani Trail. Head to Asia and get a FP for Kali Rapids. At that point, I have covered all the "must do's" on my list (not a Dinosaur person). We play it by ear until the last minute of our Kali FP time; maybe stop for lunch; bird show, Boneyard. We hit Dinoland last, and have never had a problem with wait times for the attractions there.