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

[tobin04]

I am such an AK novice. We never spend more than a couple hours in that park. This trip I *REALLY* want to explore it more. We'll be traveling with my dh and 2 little girls (7 and 16 months). What do you suggest? I always go straight in and ride the safari. But other than that, I don't have any idea of anything else to do there! Help me out! I'd like to do it on a morning EMH day, I think...still figuring that out. We wouldn't do EE, but probably the rapids. And we'll have to utilize ride swap, b/c of my little one...so some rides we will have to wait for 2 trips on (once for me and once for dh). Suggestions?

 

[fairytale]

Couple more tips...
- Animals are active very early in the morning and near park closing. If you want to see the tigers, I've heard they are most active during the last hour.
- Most people leave AK early. The last hour the park is open is great.
- Many people avoid flight of wonder for years. Then, when they see it, they wonder why they skipped it.

I couldnt agree more with your tips Especially the one regarding Flights of Wonder. We saw this for the first time during our last visit having skipped it every year previous. Its now on our list to do again this year as we had so much fun during the show

 

[aurorae]

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?

Yes, Flights of Wonder is more than just people talking about birds. The birds do all kinds of interesting behaviour, and they have a little story that (depending on the CMers doing it) can be funny. I think it will hold the kids interest.

Nemo, I'd say probably 45 minutes. Maybe less if you are there on a slow day, maybe even more if you are there on a busy day and you are going to one of the mid day shows.

We saw the show once from way in the back and it was not nearly as good as when we were seated in the main section. One reason is the walkway goes above the main section but right in front of the back section. The Nemo show is very well done, but it is pretty long and many toddlers get bored, so throughout the show there is a stream of parents taking toddlers out, and to do that they walk in front of the people seated up top.

 

[stargazertechie]

I am such an AK novice. We never spend more than a couple hours in that park. This trip I *REALLY* want to explore it more. We'll be traveling with my dh and 2 little girls (7 and 16 months). What do you suggest? I always go straight in and ride the safari. But other than that, I don't have any idea of anything else to do there! Help me out! I'd like to do it on a morning EMH day, I think...still figuring that out. We wouldn't do EE, but probably the rapids. And we'll have to utilize ride swap, b/c of my little one...so some rides we will have to wait for 2 trips on (once for me and once for dh). Suggestions?

1) Grab fastpass for the Safari
2) Walk Pangani forest (there are almost NO crowds... I'm giving away my best-kept secret right here). You get time with the CMs all to yourself, you can ask them about the animals, have them take pictures of you with NOBODY else around... it's awesome
3) Catch the train out to Rafiki's Planet watch. If you catch the first train, you may get to watch a vet procedure.
4) Use your FP for the Safari
5) Kali River Rapids (Grab FP if there's a line).
6) Maharajah Jungle Trek
7) Finding Nemo or Flights of Wonder
8) Walk the trails around the Tree of Life
9) Do Dinoland
10) Festival of the Lion King

 

[FiveofusNL]

Yes, Flights of Wonder is more than just people talking about birds. The birds do all kinds of interesting behaviour, and they have a little story that (depending on the CMers doing it) can be funny. I think it will hold the kids interest..

Looks like I should redo the plan of attack to work in Flights of Wonder!: I am worried about timing though...if you had to pick between nemo and flight, which would you pick? (My kids are 8,10, and 12)

 

[stargazertechie]

Looks like I should redo the plan of attack to work in Flights of Wonder!: I am worried about timing though...if you had to pick between nemo and flight, which would you pick? (My kids are 8,10, and 12)

I'd pick Nemo, honestly. The puppetry is amazing, the building is climate controlled, and it's almost as good as The Lion King on Broadway

 

[FiveofusNL]

I'd pick Nemo, honestly. The puppetry is amazing, the building is climate controlled, and it's almost as good as The Lion King on Broadway

Thanks. If I had to pick, I think the kids would enjoy Nemo more too. Hopefully, I am worried about the schedule being too crammed for nothing. I am hoping to leave the park around 3 or so, but I would rather get everything done, so I may have to rethink our exit time.

 

[scheddj]

We saw Jiminy Cricket at Rafiki's Planet Watch.

 

[Karpkg]

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.

I would tweak your plan this way:

1. KS
2. Pangani Trails
3. FoLK (first showing's 10A)
4. FP Rapids
5. TTBAB ( I've never needed a FP, was there one?)
6. ADR's at Tusker (12P)
7. Kali Rapids
8. Maharajah Jungle Trek(dry out after Kali)
9. FP Dinosaur
10. Jammin' Parade (3-ish)(see at intersection to Nemo, then walk very fast)
11. Nemo (4:45)
12. Dinosaur

If you want Flights of Wonder that can be squeezed in before or after lunch; it's closest to TTBAB and between TH and Maharajah Trek. I thought going from the Northern part of the park (Pangani Trail) to extreme East(Maharaja Trek) then heading South for FoLK (whew!) and missing the attractions in between was too much cris-crossing.

When you're soaked after Rapids, you'd be shivering in FoLK. Although you could've dried off by the time you got all the way to FoLK.

 

[asdfghjkl13]

Great AK guide!

I want to add to the Kali River Rapids tips that there is a drop (not too big though) but it is not bad at all. If you backwards down it, be prepared to get absolutely drenched, as the wave goes right over you.

 

[aurorae]

It's kind of funny that so many people think that AK is only a half day park, and yet here we are discussing how to squeeze everything in to a full day (and that is without EE, which coaster lovers have to do more than once).

 

[FiveofusNL]

I would tweak your plan this way:

1. KS
2. Pangani Trails
3. FoLK (first showing's 10A)
4. FP Rapids
5. TTBAB ( I've never needed a FP, was there one?)
6. ADR's at Tusker (12P)
7. Kali Rapids
8. Maharajah Jungle Trek(dry out after Kali)
9. FP Dinosaur
10. Jammin' Parade (3-ish)(see at intersection to Nemo, then walk very fast)
11. Nemo (4:45)
12. Dinosaur

This sounds wonderful - thanks so much! I like your plan much better! I was told by a lot of people that this park would only take 1/2 the day and that it seems hotter than the others (esp. in late June) so I should clear out by 2:00ish. I can see now we will need the whole day there.

 

[SRUAlmn]

This sounds wonderful - thanks so much! I like your plan much better! I was told by a lot of people that this park would only take 1/2 the day and that it seems hotter than the others (esp. in late June) so I should clear out by 2:00ish. I can see now we will need the whole day there.

We have gone in June/July every summer for the past 4 years and I can tell you that it won't clear out by 2:00. The parade is normally at 4:00 and then it clears out a lot after that.

 

[FiveofusNL]

We have gone in June/July every summer for the past 4 years and I can tell you that it won't clear out by 2:00. The parade is normally at 4:00 and then it clears out a lot after that.

Thanks for the heads up. I would have been way off on my expectations when I got there.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Thanks for the heads up. I would have been way off on my expectations when I got there.

That's why I wanted to share. I didn't want you to plan your day around there being a lot less people at 2:00 Let me know if you need any more info.

 

[FiveofusNL]

That's why I wanted to share. I didn't want you to plan your day around there being a lot less people at 2:00 Let me know if you need any more info.

Thanks. I really appreciate that. I am so amazed at how much prep work is involved with your first trip to DW! Sooooo glad I found this site and thread...input from people like you makes a huge difference.

 

[Karpkg]

Most people who claim that AK is a 1/2 day park are there strictly for the rides. They tend to leave out the shows and the walking trails. They're not exploring the Tree of Life, they're not there to see the characters or the animals(unless they're on the Safari). There's Dinoland, where my kids could spend hours climbing the apparatus' and digging up the sand, or the side trails that have CM's talking about the animals/birds or those that are holding the insects/reptiles(front of entrance, Kidcot for the kids) Letting your kids beat out the drums in Africa, stopping to admire the scenery, watching in fascination at DeVine as she disappears into the foliage...so much to see and do.

As it is, with that schedule I wrote out you'll still be missing out on Rafiki Watch and the kids playing in Dinoland. Maybe with it being EMH AM, you'll be able to squeeze a bit more playtime, but really, Animal Kingdom deserves being called more than a "half-day park".

 

[FiveofusNL]

As it is, with that schedule I wrote out you'll still be missing out on Rafiki Watch and the kids playing in Dinoland. Maybe with it being EMH AM, you'll be able to squeeze a bit more playtime, but really, Animal Kingdom deserves being called more than a "half-day park".

It certainly does!! I am hoping to fit in a little more once we get there, but I don't want to rush everyone too much either. I can see now that we will not get it all in this trip so I am trying to prioritize the attractions/rides - finding that very hard though!

 

[Disneymommy2006]

I have a touring plans AK question??? We are going in June and it appears that the crowd level at AK is 1-2 levels higher than any other park during our stay. Is that b/c of the size of the park and the attractions that are there? The lowest number we have is like 6.9 for AK. We are thinking of going on a 7.0 day b/c it is recommended but that sounds so much more crowded than other parks. I think for that same day another park is like 2.0 or so. Anyone know???

 

[Karpkg]

I have a touring plans AK question??? We are going in June and it appears that the crowd level at AK is 1-2 levels higher than any other park during our stay. Is that b/c of the size of the park and the attractions that are there? The lowest number we have is like 6.9 for AK. We are thinking of going on a 7.0 day b/c it is recommended but that sounds so much more crowded than other parks. I think for that same day another park is like 2.0 or so. Anyone know???

Hard to answer since I don't know what day you'll be going. One determining factor will be if it is an EMH day or not. Other than that, shows/attractions are the same. If it is not an EMH day the next determining factor would be if that day has a longer park hour than other days that week, say 7 hrs vs. 6 hrs span. People try and pick the most hours in that park to be there to "get their money's worth" irregardless what time they actually get there and when they leave.

The difference really pales to having a good touring strategy. Then all it really boils down to is just dodging people as you go from point A to point B.

Now, when you start comparing it to other parks, park size is a consideration.