Animal Kingdom with an 8am opening??

[Disneymom1126]

The hours for AK on the day we are going just changed from a 9am opening to an 8am opening. It's on a day when its' is the "most recommended" park and we're only staying until around 1 p.m. that day and then hopping over to HS. I've never been to AK on an 8am opening day...anyone have experience with what the crowds are like, etc during that 8-9 hour? We were planning on rope dropping and not using any FP at AK/saving them for HS later in the day...is it going to be necessary to rope drop the 8 am opening? Thoughts?

 

[Robo]

There will be fewer guests from 8 to 9am than at any other time that day.

 

[tobikaye]

If you can, I would definitely rope drop with the earlier hour, or at least plan to get there within the first 20 minutes of park opening. People that planned to RD for the 9 am opening, that do not know about the time change to 8 am, are still likely to show up at AK by 8:30 expecting to line up, but find they can walk on through.

 

[loves to dive]

Even with regular hours I've found if you are there either at rope drop or just after it really isn't that crowded. I've ridden Safari and EE twice in a hour during the first hour of park opening, no FP just stand by.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Early AK means quick jaunt to Everest and Dino land. Then an early Lion King and Nemo followed my the trail and safari. Top it all off with Ribs for lunch and Jamba juice.

 

[GrumpyDad1974]

We have done it at 8 am. Rode Everest 3 times in a row then the Safari and it was the best one we have ever been on. It was before 9 am and the animals were very active. It was worth the early morning.

 

[Disneymom1126]

Thanks! Sounds like an early morning is totally worth it!

 

[Farps]

Morning EMH with a hopper ALWAYS worth it

 

[chris springer]

The hours for AK on the day we are going just changed from a 9am opening to an 8am opening. It's on a day when its' is the "most recommended" park and we're only staying until around 1 p.m. that day and then hopping over to HS. I've never been to AK on an 8am opening day...anyone have experience with what the crowds are like, etc during that 8-9 hour? We were planning on rope dropping and not using any FP at AK/saving them for HS later in the day...is it going to be necessary to rope drop the 8 am opening? Thoughts?

My wife and I have done this MANY times and the crowds are not bad at all. We make a bee line to Everest and ride without waiting at least 2-3 times then make a trip to Dinosaur and eventually Safari. It will be a fun time for you, don't forget to eat the Flame Tree!!