Animal Kingdom

[NJlauren]

I feel like I ask a lot of questions on AK because we have never been.

How bad is the 30 minute bus ride from the Contemporary? We are 7 adults and an infant and I would really like to check it out but am worried the bus ride might not be worth it with a 10 month old... Since she is 10 months a cab is out. Anyone have opinions or thoughts?

 

[Jenny Sanders]

I don't remember the bus ride taking that long, but I could be wrong. I think AK is totally worth it. I find it to be a very relaxed park. There are shows, and animal exhibits to see, besides the rides. There are some great character meet and greets too, like Russel and the dog from UP!

 

[HM]

It's more like a 20 minute ride. If you're looking at a chart somewhere, they've probably added in some waiting for the bus time.

I've never taken an baby to the parks, but I'd imagine AK would appeal to her senses. Lots of color and things to look at...including lots of animal displays.

 

[NJlauren]

I don't remember the bus ride taking that long, but I could be wrong. I think AK is totally worth it. I find it to be a very relaxed park. There are shows, and animal exhibits to see, besides the rides. There are some great character meet and greets too, like Russel and the dog from UP!

Do you remember how long it was? I thought I read a half hour but could be wrong... I haven't been so I'm unsure if 30 minutes is correct.

 

[eyehartdisney]

This is one of the two parks that your experiences truly depend on you. Are you the stop and smell the roses type? Do you like architecture? Would seeing Tibetan ruins interest you? Do you like to talk to cast members and see animals? Just remember, it's Nahtazu.

 

[Mousemommy1]

It's definitely not 30 minutes. I'd say it's more like 15-20 minutes. I think an infant would really like Animal Kingdom as there is lots to see.

 

[NJlauren]

Ok all the comments that it's not 30 minutes are making me feel way better! My main concern was the bus ride would be to long!

 

[nilla]

30 minutes seems like an exaggeration, unless it's factoring in a stop at Blizzard Beach. It took 15-20 to get from Coronado, an "AK resort", to MK.

 

[nat8199]

We did it two days in a row when we stayed at BLT Oct 2013. The kids were 2.5, 2.5, & 4. I really don't remember the rides being that long at all. My kids LOVED AK, we hadn't planned on going the second day, but they liked it so much more than any of the other parks that we went back.

 

[NJlauren]

This is one of the two parks that your experiences truly depend on you. Are you the stop and smell the roses type? Do you like architecture? Would seeing Tibetan ruins interest you? Do you like to talk to cast members and see animals? Just remember, it's Nahtazu.

I had to google Nahtazu . But feel better I wasn't crazy with what it meant

 

[nilla]

Somewhat off topic, we took our daughter to WDW when she was 8 months old. She was a VERY difficult baby before that. Absolutely miserable. Feeding was a nightmare, and she cried A LOT. We were a bit concerned how she'd be on the trip.

Within an hour of arriving at POR, she was smiling, laughing, and having a blast. Had some trouble sleeping the first night, but slept beautifully after that. It was one of the first times she really slept through the night without issue. We credit WDW for turning her around

Personally, I think that age was easier than 1 or 2, when she wanted to walk around the parks, but really couldn't go the distances. At 8 months, she fell asleep in the Haunted Mansion and on Kilimanjaro Safaris. She wasn't yet scared of the characters. We have a photo of her being held by Cinderella's Fairy Godmother that's one of our all-time favorite vacation photos. I think this will be a great trip for you.

Finally, ignore the naysayers who will tell you, "your child won't remember it." True, but YOU will.

 

[NJlauren]

Somewhat off topic, we took our daughter to WDW when she was 8 months old. She was a VERY difficult baby before that. Absolutely miserable. Feeding was a nightmare, and she cried A LOT. We were a bit concerned how she'd be on the trip.

Within an hour of arriving at POR, she was smiling, laughing, and having a blast. Had some trouble sleeping the first night, but slept beautifully after that. It was one of the first times she really slept through the night without issue. We credit WDW for turning her around

Personally, I think that age was easier than 1 or 2, when she wanted to walk around the parks, but really couldn't go the distances. At 8 months, she fell asleep in the Haunted Mansion and on Kilimanjaro Safaris. She wasn't yet scared of the characters. We have a photo of her being held by Cinderella's Fairy Godmother that's one of our all-time favorite vacation photos. I think this will be a great trip for you.

Finally, ignore the naysayers who will tell you, "your child won't remember it." True, but YOU will.

Thank you! It's so great to hear positive reports of people taking their children as infants. I'm really looking forward to the trip even if it's a short one!

I'm so happy Disney made such a positive impact on your daughter. I could totally see how such a magical place could do that to a young child!

Your account really made me smile today!

 

[eyehartdisney]

I had to google Nahtazu . But feel better I wasn't crazy with what it meant

Too funny

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

The bus ride didn't seem that long to me. Most buses play the Disney music so it seems like less time, I guess.

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

Somewhat off topic, we took our daughter to WDW when she was 8 months old. She was a VERY difficult baby before that. Absolutely miserable. Feeding was a nightmare, and she cried A LOT. We were a bit concerned how she'd be on the trip.

Within an hour of arriving at POR, she was smiling, laughing, and having a blast. Had some trouble sleeping the first night, but slept beautifully after that. It was one of the first times she really slept through the night without issue. We credit WDW for turning her around

Personally, I think that age was easier than 1 or 2, when she wanted to walk around the parks, but really couldn't go the distances. At 8 months, she fell asleep in the Haunted Mansion and on Kilimanjaro Safaris. She wasn't yet scared of the characters. We have a photo of her being held by Cinderella's Fairy Godmother that's one of our all-time favorite vacation photos. I think this will be a great trip for you.

Finally, ignore the naysayers who will tell you, "your child won't remember it." True, but YOU will.

I love this review!! I'm so glad someone put that in prespective. I'm getting flack for taking my daughter at 2 years old! "She won't remember it" is what I keep hearing. Like this is going to be the only time we take her!! I've been 11 times since 2001, so I'm pretty sure we will go back. Already planning a trip for her 3rd birthday in July 2016! You and you alone know what's best for your child. @NJlauren I hope you all have a magic time!

 

[RustManFan]

Never taken a baby either (mine were 5 and 8 for 1st visit) but any length of bus trip to AK is worth it. My favorite park

 

[msmama]

I took my son at 10 months the first time and never had any abnormally long bus rides. You're holding the baby on the bus, so you can play peek-a-boo or whatever keeps her interested. It's not like everyone has to face forward and stay silent the whole time! Heck, I think the bus rides were my sons favorite "rides" on that trip (and still at 7 actually)!!

That said, I do think it'd be worth your while to NOT get on a super crowded bus and make sure you have a seat, especially if you're worried. I've always had success with uncrowded busses that will get me to parks about 5-10 minutes AFTER rope drop (though your milage may vary).

 

[nilla]

Thank you! It's so great to hear positive reports of people taking their children as infants. I'm really looking forward to the trip even if it's a short one!

I'm so happy Disney made such a positive impact on your daughter. I could totally see how such a magical place could do that to a young child!

Your account really made me smile today!

Happy to help!

Another story of Disney magic: When she was 1 (19 months, to be specific), she would fall asleep in the stroller, then awaken not as happy as we would like. One day, in MK, she started to wake up as we walked through Fantasyland. The first signs of crying started, then I looked up - we were directly in front of It's a Small World. Into the queue we went, and the problem was solved

 

[nilla]

I love this review!! I'm so glad someone put that in prespective. I'm getting flack for taking my daughter at 2 years old! "She won't remember it" is what I keep hearing. Like this is going to be the only time we take her!! I've been 11 times since 2001, so I'm pretty sure we will go back. Already planning a trip for her 3rd birthday in July 2016! You and you alone know what's best for your child.

Exactly!

"We're waiting to take her until she's old enough to remember it."

Cool! By then, we'll have taken our daughter 5 times

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

Exactly!

"We're waiting to take her until she's old enough to remember it."

Cool! By then, we'll have taken our daughter 5 times

I know that's right! I was a little concerned about intoducing her to characters after Christmas when she had a meltdown meeting Santa. But she did fine with the Easter Bunny so I'm feeling a little easier. (By "fine", I mean she walked up to him & smiled but didn't get too close, BUT she didn't scream and cry)