Any Tips for Touring AK at Night?

[Stefecatzz]

So I'm planning a mid-week night at AK at the end of Sept. According to the rumors I've heard, ROL will most likely not be debuting by then. But as long as the park is still open until 8pm as listed now, I might as well keep my FPs & go to the park anyway as planned.

Since this will be a first for me being there at night, does anyone have any opinions about it, tips, etc?

TIA

 

[crazymomof4]

interested too as we will be in AK a week from tonight. Park is open til 11pm that day and I have no plans other than strolling around, having an adult beverage and doing some rides that would be cool to do after dark.

 

[Klayfish]

Tips? Sure...stroll around and walk right on to whatever attraction you want. Seriously.

Unless things have changed since we were there at the end of June/early July, AK is fairly empty after about 5pm. We were there for two nights when park hours went until 11pm. We never stayed that late, but we stayed until just about 9pm. We got there around 4:00pm or so. The first hour was kind of busy, but then it started to slow down fairly rapidly. By 7pm, the crowd was very light. We did the Safari around 9:00pm and the tour buses were lined up just waiting for people to arrive. I think there were 6 or 7 people total on our bus. EE had people on it, but no real line to speak of. The street parties are fun for a quick stop. But honestly, you don't really need a touring plan. You can get on anything. Only recommendation I'd have is the same one I'd have any other time of the day. Try to be efficient because the layout of AK would require a lot of walking if you don't do attractions strategically.

 

[dragonfly57005]

Are there any rides/shows that aren't open that late?

 

[crazymomof4]

Tips? Sure...stroll around and walk right on to whatever attraction you want. Seriously.

Unless things have changed since we were there at the end of June/early July, AK is fairly empty after about 5pm. We were there for two nights when park hours went until 11pm. We never stayed that late, but we stayed until just about 9pm. We got there around 4:00pm or so. The first hour was kind of busy, but then it started to slow down fairly rapidly. By 7pm, the crowd was very light. We did the Safari around 9:00pm and the tour buses were lined up just waiting for people to arrive. I think there were 6 or 7 people total on our bus. EE had people on it, but no real line to speak of. The street parties are fun for a quick stop. But honestly, you don't really need a touring plan. You can get on anything. Only recommendation I'd have is the same one I'd have any other time of the day. Try to be efficient because the layout of AK would require a lot of walking if you don't do attractions strategically.

Here's hoping Sept 4th is like this! Touringplans has AK as a "9" crowd level. Been to WDW many times in Sept and have never seen "9" crowds! Wondering what touringplans is thinking??? I know that Jungle Bk show will be ending (from what I've read) on Sept 5 but was the show really that popular for people to come in in droves to see it one last time?

 

[Klayfish]

Are there any rides/shows that aren't open that late?

If I recall, most of the shows stop at their regularly scheduled time. I think last showing of Nemo is around 5pm, Flights of Wonder stops in the afternoon, etc... But the street parties are shows themselves, so they're something different to see.

I don't put much stock in the crowd calendars, I haven't found them reliable.

 

[gumbypee]

Are there any rides/shows that aren't open that late?

some of the walking trails appear to close by 7:15 also

 

[gumbypee]

it was fairly busy when i was there this past saturday night. 30 min wait for EE around 8 pm - i was hoping to walk on after hearing "it is empty after five". LOTS of people for the Jungle Book show - skip it and ride EE then

 

[Stefecatzz]

Tips? Sure...stroll around and walk right on to whatever attraction you want. Seriously.

Unless things have changed since we were there at the end of June/early July, AK is fairly empty after about 5pm. We never stayed that late, but we stayed until just about 9pm.
The street parties are fun for a quick stop.
Try to be efficient because the layout of AK would require a lot of walking if you don't do attractions strategically.

That is what I was hoping to hear. I wasn't sure if things have changed at all since they started doing the night time attractions as far as crowd levels went. Good to know! Epcot will have night EMH's that night so if we feel like we're ready to leave earlier than planned, we might decide to head there. I have thought about changing our FPs around so that instead of Lion King, EE & Safari, the last two would be switched so it would require less backtracking between Africa & Asia. I remember it being a bit of a hike & I recently had surgery on my ankle so it might make a big difference for me. The only reason I haven't yet is b/c I figured maybe more animals would be out at 7:15 rather than 5ish. But that might not make too big of a difference...

... But the street parties are shows themselves, so they're something different to see.

I don't put much stock in the crowd calendars, I haven't found them reliable.

I thought I read that the street parties will be stopped as well on Sept. 5th at night? Am I wrong?

some of the walking trails appear to close by 7:15 also

Thank you, I was also wondering about this. Good to know.

it was fairly busy when i was there this past saturday night. 30 min wait for EE around 8 pm - i was hoping to walk on after hearing "it is empty after five".

Hopefully this won't be the case mid-week at the end of September. If it is, we will just hop to Epcot for EMH's instead of hanging around.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

I don't put much stock in the crowd calendars, I haven't found them reliable.

Too true!

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

I don't put much stock in the crowd calendars, I haven't found them reliable.

This.

Of course, If TP says it's gonna be a "10" during Christmas... it's gonna be a "10."

But most projections are just that... projections. As someone about to draft their fantasy football team, I can look at projections all I want. Fact is, outside things are going to occur. Inclement weather, Rivers of Light gets pushed back again and people lose interest... anything. Things happen.

I was very nervous when I went to F&W during Jersey Week and TP said it'd be a 9. It wasn't bad at all. Crowded, but not too bad.

 

[dragonfly57005]

some of the walking trails appear to close by 7:15 also

that should work - we have a FP for the night Safari at 7:30

 

[Mousefan mom]

We were there in early August, and found the park blissfully uncrowded and enjoyable. We caught the last show of the Lion King (I think it was 8pm), and hit some rides, our kids enjoyed the Boneyard and there were not a lot of people in there. We did the nighttime safari and we actually saw more animals than I've seen going in the daytime! We loved it!

 

[hammie59]

We were just there yesterday for the first time at night. Not much of a fan in the day, but at night it's really cool. We were able to ride Everest multiple times with less than 10 min waits. Do the safari at dusk, but get a FP for it. Stand-by was about an hour at 7:30. Also Yak n Yeti counter service was closed around 8 when we tried to eat there. Crowds were much lighter at night.

 

[Stefecatzz]

We were just there yesterday for the first time at night. Not much of a fan in the day, but at night it's really cool. We were able to ride Everest multiple times with less than 10 min waits. Do the safari at dusk, but get a FP for it. Stand-by was about an hour at 7:30. Also Yak n Yeti counter service was closed around 8 when we tried to eat there. Crowds were much lighter at night.

Thanks! I'll stick w/my original FP time then.