Animal kingdom strategy

[king&queen53]

I frequent WDW but honestly avoid AK like the plague. However, my husband wants to go on out upcoming trip. I know the other parks like the back of my hand, but not AK. I am looking for thoughts/suggestions/strategies for navigating 1 day at AK. BTW with kids....
TIA!

 

[sponica]

I guess the first question is: are you going to Pandora, or just him?

Second question: How old are the kids?

 

[CAS239]

If you're doing Pandora you'll want a FP for FoP..If not you'll want to either get to the park about an hour prior to rope drop, or do Pandora at night close to park closing.

Other than that I'd recommend looking at the AK map and pick out your plan of action by making a circle of the park and planning that way. You don't want to have to keep backtracking.

 

[king&queen53]

Pardora only if we get FP otherwise I am just walking through. Kids range from 1-6. I really want to know what not to miss...what areas are really cool to visit.

 

[vicb]

OP, I get where you are coming from. Some of our last trips we either skipped AK or one trip we park hopped just for Everest. Your kids would probably enjoy the Safari and the bird show with Up characters. Also I noticed little ones enjoyed the Tree of Life Awakenings at night. Pandora is worth walking through, both during the day and at night. FoP was a WOW ride for me, so scarred to go on but soooo glad I did (I get motion sickness but took a dramamine and did fine). Navi River was just ok, we didn't have a FP and waited too long (40 min) but young kids might enjoy it. My family enjoyed RoL show. But we were never big on DinoLand even when our kids were little.

 

[DisDreaming4116]

In the Africa village area, if the drummers/dancers are out, spend a few minutes and watch. We find it to be some of the most entertaining "pop up" acts in the parks.

 

[Oneanne]

Thoughts on what not to miss with kids that age... the Safari, the Lion King show, the nature trails and discovery walks, Rafiki's Planet Watch, Wilderness Explorers.

Haven't seen the new bird show but heard its getting mixed reviews, but if you've never seen the old one you don't have a point of reference, so I'd say try it. And there's the Boneyard to play in.

Would skip A Bug Life (it's cute but loud and freaks some kids out) and Dinosaur (loud, bumpy and screechy). The Finding Nemo show might be good for the little ones, but the Lion King show is far superior.

 

[CAS239]

Pardora only if we get FP otherwise I am just walking through. Kids range from 1-6. I really want to know what not to miss...what areas are really cool to visit.

Dinoland, festival of Lion King, rafikis planet watch (animals and petting area), a bugs life (scare them a little ), Up bird show if they like birds, 2 walking trails with animals, safari, Donald's dinobash party and meet and greet

Finding Nemo if they are Nemo fans and can sit through a 45 min Broadway like musical

 

[winnieofpooh]

Other than that I'd recommend looking at the AK map and pick out your plan of action by making a circle of the park and planning that way. You don't want to have to keep backtracking.

I'd highly highly recommend doing this. Our AK days are always the days we walk the most, because we never plan what we want to do, so we spend a lot of time going from one end of the park to the other. Everything is pretty spread out, so I'd make sure to hit everything in one location before moving on to avoid unnecessary walking.

 

[king&queen53]

Thank you so much. I appreciate the suggestions.

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

At that age, my kids loved the Boneyard. They would have stayed there all day if I had let them!

 

[bashuck]

Yes to the Boneyard suggestion for little kids. We were disappointed in UP!, much preferred the Flights of Wonder story. Flight of Passage is an amazing ride and should be the first fastpass you go after even though you will not be able to ride together. We love AK and on every trip do the Safari (FoP since it has opened), Everest is about as intense a coaster I want these days. Kali River rapids is good but not great, same with Rivers of Light.

 

[Delirium]

Another vote for the boneyard with kids that age. They will remember that more than anything else.

 

[ClapYourHands]

Safari is the best ride for the whole family. Last trip we did it at rope drop and again with a FP in the afternoon, just to see what differences there might be in which animals were out and active.

As PPs have said, the boneyard is great for little kids. I loved Dinosaur, and your 6-year-old might enjoy it, too. Maybe have one adult take the oldest kid/kids while the other parent does boneyard with the little ones.

Everest is a great coaster, but may be too intense for littles. This might be a rider swap situation.

Festival of the Lion King is a great show, and we loved Nemo, too. Nemo feels more like a broadway type show with storyline and puppets, while Lion King is more spectacle based.

While FOP might be too much for your kids, they'd probably like Navi, if you go at rope drop or have FPs. Many people are reporting the rope drop crowds are going to FOP, leaving Navi an easy walk on at opening.

 

[tbholc81]

Don't miss Festival of the Lion King, and if you see a cast member outside make sure you are polite and say hello! You never know what can happen!

 

[epcotobsessed]

Agree with Safari, Navi, and the Lion King and Nemo shows being best for your crew. All are really excellent and special. I also would grab a schedule at the entrance and find out when the drummers and acrobats come out and watch at least one show. I love just walking around Animal Kingdom - I hope you have a great time.

 

[king&queen53]

It sounds like the Boneyard is a definite, along with Lion King. FOP if we get FP. We are going back again in February for an adult trip so maybe hold off for FOP until then but waiting with LOs is out of the question. I saw the original bird show but my oldest was only 1, so it has been awhile.

I am very interested in the dancers in Africa and would like to wonder down some of the paths. Thanks so much

 

[gharter]

Since you have another trip coming up, I would do FoP then.
I agree with boneyard, safari, Rafiki planet watch, Lion King, Nemo, the African Dancers, the walking trails are fun.
I would try and get FPs for Navi. Its a slow boat ride, nothing scary and so much for the kids to look at. This FP is easier to get then FoP.
If the kids like birds, you might do it, but reviews have not been good.
You might have one adult take the older kids to dinosaur and everest and the younger ones play in the boneyard or see the bird show.