Animal Kingdom Suggestions

[jerzeystar09]

I'm doing a short solo trip in October so I have a lot of leeway when making my plans. I've never been a huge fan of Animal Kingdom, (not an animal person) so in the past it's always our mission to be out of there by noon.

Now that they are open a bit later (until 7) while I'm there, I'm wondering if it would be worth it to go then.

My current plan is to hit Magic Kingdom at RD and around 2ish take a break at the Boardwalk, then Animal Kingdom from like 4-7 before heading back to MK for Wishes.

Does this sound feasible? Or is it too much? Also, if I remember correctly, are there buses directly to other parks from AK?

 

[LSUfan4444]

Sounds fine. I would make your FP+ reservations for the day at AK, then as soon as you're 3rd expires see what is left over at Magic Kingdom.

Steering shy of animals I would highly suggest the Festival of the Lion King, Everest is always a good ride, Kali River Rapids can be fun (bring a change of dry clothes). In three hours you won't have THAT much time and Festival of the Lion King would take a good bit of that time, but it's worth it IMO.

 

[jerzeystar09]

Sounds fine. I would make your FP+ reservations for the day at AK, then as soon as you're 3rd expires see what is left over at Magic Kingdom.

Steering shy of animals I would highly suggest the Festival of the Lion King, Everest is always a good ride, Kali River Rapids can be fun (bring a change of dry clothes). In three hours you won't have THAT much time and Festival of the Lion King would take a good bit of that time, but it's worth it IMO.

Thanks! My main goals there are Everest and Safari at what I hope will be dusky or dark then. Nemo only if there is time. And Everest has the single rider line which is one of my favorite things ever. So I'm actually not too worried about the FPs there

 

[Disneymom1126]

Is there anything at AK in particular that you do like/do want to see? If you don't like the park then I don't know if I'd waste the time to go there and back just for a few hours. If you have some favorites over there that you definitely want to do, then I would head over and do those/check out some of the new nighttime entertainment, but if not and it's a short trip, I'd make time for other favorites.

Having said that, AK is my second favorite park, so...I cannot relate to you not being a huge fan of AK!!!! LOL

 

[jerzeystar09]

Is there anything at AK in particular that you do like/do want to see? If you don't like the park then I don't know if I'd waste the time to go there and back just for a few hours. If you have some favorites over there that you definitely want to do, then I would head over and do those/check out some of the new nighttime entertainment, but if not and it's a short trip, I'd make time for other favorites.

Having said that, AK is my second favorite park, so...I cannot relate to you not being a huge fan of AK!!!! LOL

Yeah Everest is one of my favorites and I love the Nemo musical, but if I miss the musical, I won't be too upset. I also like the safari and am intrigued as to how it would be later in the day bc I've only ever done it early in the morning. And I'm also interested in hopefully catching the new nighttime entertainment, which I need to read up on some more.

 

[LSUfan4444]

So I'm actually not too worried about the FPs there

This could easily eat up almost half of your 3 hours without a FP.You can easily plan a morning strategy at MK without the need to for any FP+, but if that's where you want to schedule them your time at AK be leave you enough for everest, safari and maybe one more thing (likely not enough time for nemo or lion king - which is much better than Nemo IMO)

 

[LSUfan4444]

Having said that, AK is my second favorite park, so...I cannot relate to you not being a huge fan of AK!!!!

Yeah me too...there is alot of stuff to do there, a great variety, really good shows, the best theme park food without question. The "problem" with AK is that alot of what they offer is time consuming so if you're only going there for a couple of things, it isn't very efficient.

 

[MeridaAnn]

Personally, I would use your FPs in the morning at MK. Everest has a single-rider line, so you won't have trouble getting on there, and the shows don't really need passes because the theaters have such high capacity. That means you'll only have to wait for the safari. MK has so many great rides that you'll want as many of them on FP as possible. You'll likely be able to get the safari as a 4th FP once you finish in MK, too. (It's 2:45pm right now and there are tons of Safari passes still available for the whole rest of the day, including around dusk.) You still won't be able to do *everything* in MK - it just has too much for one day - but you should be able to get a lot done if you use FPs there.

 

[jerzeystar09]

that's what I was mentally thinking. Using the 4th FP option after the early ones at MK. My last day there I have a PPO BOG reservation and will be there until around 3, so I figure I've got plenty of time for MK.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Just remember your entire strategy hinges on being able to do Safari without an extreme wait. Should they not have anything available between 4-6 once you get done at MK, you're losing one of your top priorities. You won't need those FP+ early on at MK so if anything I would think 11-12, 12-1, 1-2. Dusk in October will be earlier than Dusk in July and your time window is not very big. I almost always advocate for FP+ being your absolute priorities then smart touring for the rest (rope drops, busier attractions first, etc). When the priority is after 4pm, I would never depend on standby for hardly anything, especially when it's one of the most popular attractions in the park I am heading to.

I hope it works out for you and sounds like an awesome solo trip.

 

[MHSweb79]

Just to confirm, all parks offer transportation to the other three parks. The bus locations are listed on the resort bus information boards. (Disney Springs does not offer transportation to the parks.)

 

[Wanderer72]

What day of the week are you going? If it's a day with emh you'll prob. have a longer wait. We did animal kingdom 2 Sundays ago, and there was almost no standby wait all day long.

 

[jerzeystar09]

What day of the week are you going? If it's a day with emh you'll prob. have a longer wait. We did animal kingdom 2 Sundays ago, and there was almost no standby wait all day long.

It's going to be on a Saturday with EMH in the morning, but I'll hopefully be getting there in the afternoon