are we crazy???

[wdwpracticalprincess]

Hello ever helpful DISers!

Are we crazy to leave AK at 4pm to go eat dinner at Sanaa and Jiko? Our ressies are for 5 and 5:30. The original thought was to get an early Sanaa for prime animal viewing and better shot at window seat.

Planning on doing RD that morning and park closes at 6pm. Wondering if it's a mistake to bail when we might have a chance to have to place to ourselves.

This will be our day 2 of 6 straight park days doing RD everyday. Day 3/4 will have mid day brakes. But the rest is total commando!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

 

[Jadyreen1282]

No I'd say hit Sanaa as planned. We always leave AK around that time for either Boma or Sanaa on our AK day.

 

[Disneylover99]

I would leave and go to dinner, especially since you'll be there first thing in the morning. I feel like the afternoon parade at AK used to help clear the park out, but since it's no longer around, it still feels crowded to me near an early closing time at AK.

 

[tomatecerise]

Se leave animal Kingdom 1 hour before our advance dining reservation and it Was too short! It's an opportunity to se animals, try the rocking chairs, visit boutique...

 

[amym2]

We love AK, but we never make it to closing because we're always so hot (and we usually go in Oct). Definitely worth it to leave early for Sanaa. Haven't eaten at Jiko.

 

[wdwpracticalprincess]

We love AK, but we never make it to closing because we're always so hot (and we usually go in Oct).

We are going in October! I thought it would be *slightly* cooler. Oh well. This makes me feel so much better about our plans. I guess it wouldn't be a WDW trip without the second-third-fouth-fifth-guessing!

Thanks everyone for your help!!!

 

[travelgirl06]

We've done Saana as a lunch break from AK. Nice to get some A/C and quiet time before heading back. Granted, we had a 2YO last trip, so a break from all the stimuli was in order (although she loved watching the animals during lunch!) it does take a chunk out of our day, but given the attractions were hitting with preschool/toddlers it works for us

 

[Riff Off Gal]

I would leave the AK a little early to get prime window seating at Sanaa. By the time you are leaving the AK you probably would have done most everything you wanted to do anyway.

 

[samsteele]

Not crazy at all. I usually leave AK at about the same time. If you get to the restaurants a bit too early, then check out the animals behind the resorts. Don't forget about the tortoise near the Sanaa check-in podium. Well, he isn't right at the podium but you can see them through the glass in the hallway outside the podium. Enjoy the restaurants & your break from the crowds at AK!

 

[Barbydoll8]

Depends on when in Oct you are coming. We don't start to "cool" down here usually until the end of Oct.
yes, leaving at 4 is probably good. The buses run pretty quick to AKL but they typically drop off to Kidani Village first and then Jambo. If you want to get off at Kidani the night you have Jinko, you can walk. It takes about 10 min. Jambo has much more to see than Kidani but checking in early at Sanaa may give you a better shot at a window seat.

 

[wdwpracticalprincess]

We'll be there Oct 3-10. Leaving just before the Columbus Day weekend. Good to know about bus stopping at Kidani first, but we'll have our car since we're staying off-site. We've heard so much about how gorgeous AKL is, so wanted to make sure we have time to really see it before we get too exhausted. Thanks everyone for the input!

 

[eva]

We'll be there Oct 3-10. Leaving just before the Columbus Day weekend. Good to know about bus stopping at Kidani first, but we'll have our car since we're staying off-site. We've heard so much about how gorgeous AKL is, so wanted to make sure we have time to really see it before we get too exhausted. Thanks everyone for the input!

The average high for the first week of October is around 87. So plan to have anywhere from mid 80's to 90 during that time period.