Best Animal Kingdom Guide - Best Tips, tricks, Must do's, Please Contribute!!!

[burnetta696]

Thanks for posting all of these tips, I've never been to AK so I really look forward to putting all this to good use.

 

[LC30]

I'm having breakfast with Donald. Can anyone tell me how much the photo costs? We leave friday and I cant read thorugh the whole thread. Sorry if its been posted before. Thanks!

We just got back and I can't find my receipt for Tusker House photos but I think it was $29.95. You get a 5x7 and (4) 4x6. They also give you a coupon for $10 off photos on the next character dining.

 

[brerdawg]

Rope drop to Safari. Then get fast passes to EE. You may be able ride EE at this time with 10 minute or less wait. If so hope on then walk to the two jungle treks and possibly see the flights of wonder. Fast pass Kali Rapids then ride EE. Go to festival of the LK. Walk over to Dinosaur and get FP. Watch NEMO, see the bugs Life. Walk the trails around the tree and then go ride Dino. FP Safari then eat at Tusker House (Advance Reservation). Consider Rafiki or fo to Kali. Get soaked then ride Safari.

 

[brerdawg]

Rope drop to Safari. Then get fast passes to EE. You may be able ride EE at this time with 10 minute or less wait. If so hope on then walk to the two jungle treks and possibly see the flights of wonder. Fast pass Kali Rapids then ride EE. Go to festival of the LK. Walk over to Dinosaur and get FP. Watch NEMO, see the bugs Life. Walk the trails around the tree and then go ride Dino. FP Safari then eat at Tusker House (Advance Reservation). Consider Rafiki or fo to Kali. Get soaked then ride Safari.

The above is one way to do AK Commando style.

 

[ZoZo]

My favorite MK things are:

*Flights of Wonder bird show

*Rafiki's Planet Watch/Conservation Station (love to watch the medical procedures and the presentations on the small stage by the petting area. The zookeepers bring out animals and talk about them - last trip I saw an owl, a porcupine, and a hedgehog. So cool!)

* Single Rider line for EE. Went three times in less than 30 minutes - so much better than FP!

* Of course, the Safari ride

 

[ddsmommy]

Another great thread - thanks again!

 

[heatherbynum]

Great tips

 

[MommaMouse411]

hey quick question...I heard there's a talking tree? wheres it at? is it still there? and is PIPA still there..

 

[mommylovesdisneymore]

great info thanks

 

[FiveofusNL]

Thank you for all the valuable information in this thread!! It is wonderful to see this kind of information all together. It must have taken you a while to gather it so I wanted you to know it is greatly appreciated. Our family of 5 are going to DW for our first trip in June. We are only going to spend 1 day at AK so I was thrilled to luck into this. It answered a lot of the questions that I was coming up with now that I am trying to work out an action plan for each park. I am going to read your info regarding the other parks now!

 

[FiveofusNL]

Hi All, I am reading a lot about the Dinosaur ride at AK. People seem to give it mixed reviews when it comes to the scare factor for kids. I have three kids (DD8,DS10,DS12), none of them will go on big Roller Coasters so we were not going to do Exp Everest at Animal Kingdom but rather the Dinosaur ride. Now I am wondering if it will be too scary for DD. I understand that it is scary for 4-5 year olds, but what about for an 8 year old? She is not timid by any means but could scare if it is over the top. I planned on going there as the first ride of the day and did not want to have a really shaken up child the rest of the morning /day. Any thoughts..especially from those who may have kids of the same age?

 

[aurorae]

Hi All, I am reading a lot about the Dinosaur ride at AK. People seem to give it mixed reviews when it comes to the scare factor for kids. I have three kids (DD8,DS10,DS12), none of them will go on big Roller Coasters so we were not going to do Exp Everest at Animal Kingdom but rather the Dinosaur ride. Now I am wondering if it will be too scary for DD. I understand that it is scary for 4-5 year olds, but what about for an 8 year old? She is not timid by any means but could scare if it is over the top. I planned on going there as the first ride of the day and did not want to have a really shaken up child the rest of the morning /day. Any thoughts..especially from those who may have kids of the same age?

The ride is very loud, and near the end there is a huge carnisaur that appears suddenly from the dark and puts its face practically in your ride vehicle while bellowing very loudly.

This scares the bejeebers out of some adults. When we were there with a 5 yo who loves dinosaurs, we waited outside and looked at Sue and then went to the playground while the rest of the party rode. You have to judge since you know your children.

If you have a brave 8 year old, don't put her in the rightmost seat in the front row of your ride vehicle.

 

[aurorae]

- AK is supposed to be the biggest park of all. Are you really expected to walk everywhere or are there shortcuts/easier ways to get around (ie MK train, Epcot boats, etc.) I didn't see a transit or boat anywhere on the maps.

Most of AK is offlimits to guests, it is for the animals. The Safari, for example, takes up a lot of real estate. You ride through the Safari.

There is a train that takes you to Rafiki's planet watch/Conservation Station.

Otherwise, you walk everywhere.

I think we end up walking a larger total distance in a day at Epcot than a day at AK.

 

[tiggspring]

Thank you for all the valuable information in this thread!! It is wonderful to see this kind of information all together. It must have taken you a while to gather it so I wanted you to know it is greatly appreciated. Our family of 5 are going to DW for our first trip in June. We are only going to spend 1 day at AK so I was thrilled to luck into this. It answered a lot of the questions that I was coming up with now that I am trying to work out an action plan for each park. I am going to read your info regarding the other parks now!

If you want a FANSASTIC way to plan for a family of five use Ridemax. Our average wait in May 09; 2010. Was around 5min!! The biggest plus was my kids didn't fight. They new the program gave us the best time to do things. Play with it for the best schedule for you. Also look for coupon cope online. It was acurate to 2min on wait times etc.

 

[ZoZo]

One of my favorite AK activities is Flights of Wonder. It's a flighted bird show where the birds are trained to fly onto stage and from point to point around the theater, all by themselves. Fascinating!

I also like Conservation Station. The keepers there bring out animals for the crowd to touch (often a reptile!), you can watch actual veterinary procedures, and they have a small, informal "show" where keepers bring out animals that they talk about with the crowd. Last trip, they brought out some birds (including a raptor, an owl, I think), a hedgehog, and others. Very interesting, and often an overlooked attraction.

Their behind-the-scenes tour, Backstage Safari, is great. I know that have at least one more new tour, which I have not taken, but I bet it's great!

And of course, one of my favorite WDW rides, EE. I utilize the FP line, and last trip rode 3 times in less than 30 minutes. Woo hoo! So fun.

 

[FiveofusNL]

The ride is very loud, and near the end there is a huge carnisaur that appears suddenly from the dark and puts its face practically in your ride vehicle while bellowing very loudly.

This scares the bejeebers out of some adults. When we were there with a 5 yo who loves dinosaurs, we waited outside and looked at Sue and then went to the playground while the rest of the party rode. You have to judge since you know your children.

If you have a brave 8 year old, don't put her in the rightmost seat in the front row of your ride vehicle.

Sounds like I could be one of those adults that get scared! I think I am going talk to her about my concerns regarding the ride and see what she thinks. Either way, thanks for the tip on seating. That type of thing makes all the difference in the world.

 

[FiveofusNL]

If you want a FANSASTIC way to plan for a family of five use Ridemax. Our average wait in May 09; 2010. Was around 5min!! The biggest plus was my kids didn't fight. They new the program gave us the best time to do things. Play with it for the best schedule for you. Also look for coupon cope online. It was acurate to 2min on wait times etc.

Thanks for the heads up about this software. I will look into it. I love how much you learn through these threads!!!

 

[FiveofusNL]

So after much fretting, I think I have come up with our AK (am EMH) plan of attack. I would love any recommendations from all of you veterans out there. I know I might be too ambitious here and estimating my times all wrong. Anyway, have a look and let me know what you think....

1. Kilimanjaro Safaris
2. Pangani Forest Exploration
3. Maharajah Jungle Trek
4. Kali River Rapids (might get FP for this before Maharajah if open)
5. Get Its Tough to Be a Bug fast pass
6. Festival of the Lion King
7. Tusker house - 12:00 ADR
8. Its Tough to be a Bug
9. Get Dinosaur Fast Pass
10 Finding Nemo Show
11. Ride Dinosaur
12. If still in Park near parade time - see Jungle Jammin parade

* My crowd are not roller coaster riders and will not be riding EE, so I do not have to worry about that one.

 

[aurorae]

If they don't like EE, they might not like Dinosaur either.

Not going to attend the bird show? It's one of my favorites at AK.

The only thing I'd mention about your list is to try to get to Nemo plenty early to get in line. The overflow seating up high way in the back is not good.

 

[FiveofusNL]

If they don't like EE, they might not like Dinosaur either.

Not going to attend the bird show? It's one of my favorites at AK.

I was trying not to cram too much in and I thought the kids may find a show talking about birds less interesting than the other stuff, so I was giving it a pass. Sounds like I have underestimated it though. Thanks for the Nemo update - how early of an arrival would you suggest as a good time to get seats? I went with Dinosaur since it is not an actual roller coaster with all of the dips and heights, but a simulator so I thought they may enjoy it. I have been told it can be scary for younger kids, so I am still not sure about it for DD (8) though.