April 7th at Animal Kingdom

[lnb1230]

I'm a bit confused. In planning all of our days at the parks, ADRs, etc using touringplans.com and past experience in wanting to avoid Early Entry days, we concluded that we should go to Animal Kingdom on April 7th. It is listed as the least crowded park to go that day.

This is also opening day for Everest. Riding Everest is a major must-do for the trip!!!

I am wondering, however, does touringplans have it messed up. Have they not taken this opening day of Everest into account when recommending AK for that day? Also, I read somewhere where the "regular" folks will probably not be able to even ride Everest that day.

Any opinions?

Thanks as always!

 

[Bob P]

EE's media event will take place on Wednesday night, April 6, after the AK closes. It is my understanding--based on the invitation to the media event--that the ride will be open for everyone on Friday morning, April 7. This is exactly what happened with Soarin' last year...it was open to the public on the day of the official opening.

I'm not sure if Touringplans took that into account, or maybe they haven't updated their site lately. It's really hard to say: lots of people will be going to the AK to ride EE on its official opening day, but there are many others who will avoid the AK on April 7!

Bob

 

[Stan Kelley]

EE was on Annual Passholder preview for a while back in Feb, and it's been on "soft opening" for several weeks. My understanding of both is that it may only operate during limited hours, and may be taken down any time for "adjustments". (How is that so different from an "officially open" attraction?)

I live in Orlando and made a special trip to AK for EE several Sundays ago, but EE had closed for the day. I went again last Saturday and got on with no real problem. 50 minute wait in standby line (sign said 80 min- typical Disney overestimate). I took some pics but can't yet post URL's until I've done enough posts so if you go to my profile and click on my web site, go to "locations" (at the bottom) then "Animal Kingdom", the EE photos are in the 8th and 9th rows.

As to whether the EE opening will affect AK crowds... I think it could go either way. I agree a lot of folks will stay away because of the opening- maybe more than will make a special trip to go to the opening. Maybe most of the folks like me who were so hot to get on EE have already ridden it. So... you pay your money and take your chances, but I think April 7 will be a fairly normal AK day.

 

[lnb1230]

Thanks so much for the responses! We are going no matter what!

 

[ajwomic]

Does this mean it will be opened or closed during the day of the 6th? I know it is open now for soft opening, but will it close prior to the grand opening?
We were planning on going on the 6th.
Alicia

 

[Bob P]

Hi Alicia,

There is no way to tell right now--and I have no specific information--but it would not surprise me if EE is closed much or all of the day on April 6. If nothing else, Disney will be prepping the area for the media party at night.

Bob

 

[FWFamily4Life]

well, the media opening is listed for april 6 and 7th and since it may not be open for the GP we have come up with an alternate plan so our opportunity to ride EE will be greater.

 

[netposer]

EE was on Annual Passholder preview for a while back in Feb, and it's been on "soft opening" for several weeks. My understanding of both is that it may only operate during limited hours, and may be taken down any time for "adjustments". (How is that so different from an "officially open" attraction?)

I live in Orlando and made a special trip to AK for EE several Sundays ago, but EE had closed for the day. I went again last Saturday and got on with no real problem. 50 minute wait in standby line (sign said 80 min- typical Disney overestimate). I took some pics but can't yet post URL's until I've done enough posts so if you go to my profile and click on my web site, go to "locations" (at the bottom) then "Animal Kingdom", the EE photos are in the 8th and 9th rows.

As to whether the EE opening will affect AK crowds... I think it could go either way. I agree a lot of folks will stay away because of the opening- maybe more than will make a special trip to go to the opening. Maybe most of the folks like me who were so hot to get on EE have already ridden it. So... you pay your money and take your chances, but I think April 7 will be a fairly normal AK day.

Your link is broke on your site. It seems something escaped the last slash and converted it to '%5c' instead of a '/'
Good Link: http://www.flmemories.com/files/locations/Location-AK.html

Here are a few of the photos:

 

[Stan Kelley]

netposer- thanks for putting my pics directly in the thread- I hope others enjoy them (and that the moderator is tolerant of my stuff ).

I followed my own links as I described in my original post:
(tried to list links but system will not let me post URL's)
and of course all worked perfectly for me.
If you (or anyone else) have the problem again, I'd appreciate you sending me (in a private email or message) some details about your op system and browser, where you clicked and what it said, etc etc. It's so hard to make a "bulletproof" website, and I'm more of a photographer than web designer.

(Moderator- if this is too off topic you could move it to a private message from me to netposer or I could reconstruct it. Thank you.)

Back on topic, I do hope weather and crowds and Disney all cooperate for Inb1230 and ajwomic to get the most out of AK and EE on April 6 and 7 !!!

 

[flynnmnstr]

I have a 4 1/2 DS who is a roller coaster junkie but I am worried the theming may be too intense for him. Any thoughts?

 

[Stan Kelley]

I'm assuming your 4.5 year old meets the height requirement.

If he likes things like Thunder Mountain I think he should be OK on EE. EE is much smoother than TMR, and doesn't (as I recall) make you think you're being tossed out like TMR does, but... the reverse direction part is lengthy and has "weird" G loads (don't know how to describe) that were neat but surprisingly intense. If anything bothers him I bet that will be it. Maybe tell him all about it ahead of time- find all the "spoilers" you can. If he knows what to expect he will relax more (you too maybe). Good luck... with kids that age you just never know.

On second read of your question I realize you asked about the theming (I guess you assume the ride mechanics should be no problem). That's an even harder question, but I still think the answer is explaining ahead of time that the ride is trying to "fool you into thinking the Yeti is tearing up the tracks", but that thousands of people see the same thing ride after ride "to have fun being scared" but nothing ever really gets messed up- it's a "show".

Still though, I'm amazed how some very young children are AOK with terrifying things (like the old Alien Encounter), but others freak out for Snow White's Adventure (over the witch). Sometimes it's even the same child... go figure. Somehow the parent is supposed to figure this out ahead of time.