Best time to arrive at AK?

[happycat]

We will be going to AK this Friday morning. If I'm reading things right this will be an early entry day.

What would be the best time to arrive so we can hop on the safari first? Also which way do we turn or walk once we go through the gate?

We have never been to AK so any advice on the best way to do the park would be appreciated.

Going back to the world in two days!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

We try to get there for 7:30 on EE days. Then we stay to the left and to thru that way. I'm not sure it one way or the other is faster, that's just the way we've done it. The way is well marked. You shouldn't have a big problem.

 

[wannabee princess]

I would say to be at the gate about 45-60 minutes before the opening EMH time. When you walk in the gate, you actually are going to have quite a hike to the Tree of Life (which you walk right past). You can choose the path on the left or the right (try the left). You will probably find the majority of the crowd headed the same way as you!

When you get up to the hub with the Tree you need to turn left. You will walk down a path, cross a bridge and enter Africa. The safari is at the end of the street.

When we are trying to beat the rush to the safari, I usually split off from the rest of my family, and practically RUN. They meet up with me in line. Alone I can weave through the crowd much easier, passing those people who are stopping to look at the exhibited animals/birds on the beginning paths (we do this on the day we aren't "rushing"), those strollers and I enjoy the test of my ability to beat the crowd for one day!

 

[cindyfan]

AK is not a great park for EE.....
The only things they have going are the safari and "Tough to be a Bug". So EVERYONE tries to rush to get to the safari first.
That being said......if you can't hit AK another day, then make sure you are there 30 - 45 minutes before opening...so that would mean 7:30 at the latest. You need to be in the front of the "crowd" that heads to the safari.
Keep left all the way to the back...don't stop to get autographs, etc....you will regret it. You can always get pictures and autographs later in the morning.
Then you can hop right on the safari......if you can't get in the front of the "crowd", then grab a fast pass and head to "Bugs"
IF you are lucky enough to get in the first groups on the safari, then it would be worth it....but that is a chance you take. Then you can get off the safari and have a nice stroll over to Dino-land....take in the sites for a few minutes, grab a snack....then be at the rope for the rope-drop. Then you can hit all of Dino-land with little crowds. Just remember everyone else that didn't make it on the first groups of the safari will also be waiting at the rope of Dino-land.

We have attempted EE at AK a number of times and have come to the conclusion....it isn't worth it.
IMHO....if you can get there early (15 - 30 minutes) before a regular opening day.......you can head to the safari without "running" to beat the masses!
You can even grab a fast pass there, have one member of the family get the FP and the rest of you head to Dino-land first. Then by time you are done at Dino-land, you can head to the safari, then the timing should be right to be able to catch the Lion King show right after.

With the scheduled shows....you have to really plan it out to see what you want, or you may be waiting a while for the next shows.

Good luck with your stategy.

 

[happycat]

Thanks for the replies. Maybe we'll hit the safari about 9:30. I wanted to go early because I read that's the best time to see the animals. We are two adult females and we tend to take the parks at a liesurely pace. We have AP's and live very close to the world so we can be flexible.

 

[Shells9]

Good advice from everyone, just depends on your own style, I guess.

I totally agree it is not the best park for EE. I think you will see plenty of animals if you go at 9:30.

Have fun!

There is one advantage to arriving early and waiting for the park to open -- the entertainment of Wes Palm, the talking palm tree. He's a riot!

 

[xraydave]

HELP!! We're leaving soon and I had originaly planned to take advantage of the EHM at AK. Now I'm not so sure. Need more input.

 

[mic_key_mouse]

DO EMH- it is a no brainer. People that think it is not worth it do not arrive 30 minutes early and are already way behind. If you get there early and stay to the left to get to Safari you will be fine. By the time you get done you can walk right on to Kali. Go from there to Primeval Whirl then Dinosaur and you will have all the long lines out of the way with no waiting. Do Bug next, then figure out your shows and exhibits around lunch. We all have our opinions, mine is that I would rather have all of the above done by the time everyone else is finishing up their first ride.

I would not, however, split from your group and run ahead then allow the rest of your group to jump in line. If you do, you may run into someone like me not afraid to express their feelings about this- I have no problem getting your day off to a bad start if you want to be inconsiderate of others. Sorry if this sounds harsh, but I quit putting up with this type of behavior a long time ago. Just my 2 cents worth

Blessings,
mic_key_mouse

 

[happycat]

xraydave,

Just got back. Went ahead with EE on Fri at AK. It went very well. Arrived at the gate at 7:50. There were a lot of people already there and they did head to the Safari, but we just kept our pace up with rest and found ourselves heading out on the Safari at 8:10. Lucked out and saw all the animals. Even a Cheta moving along and keeping pace with our vehicle. Or maybe we were keeping pace with the Cheta. Great ride.

After Safari walked right in for Bugs Life. After that it was all over. Very crowded. Fast pass was a must for Kali. Saw Devine. She is Devine!

 

[cindyfan]

When we went in Oct...Kali didn't open until 10am! Not sure about now...probably 9. But even if you get off the safari before 9...the only thing to do is Bug.

I still don't think EMH is a good thing at AK.
You really have to chance being at the front of the crowd and getting there 30 minutes early still is not a guarantee. What if the buses are running later, etc.

You just can't experience the magic of AK if you are racing to the Safari then to all the other attractions.
I think the flow into the park on a regular day is more relaxed.
Yes, you still want to be early, but it isn't that mad dash to the safari like on EMH.

 

[Antonia]

I also don't want anyone running to hold a place in line and then allowing their whole family ahead of me - not very considerate. Stay with your family and all arrive together. Holding places in line like that is not very nice.

 

[xraydave]

Thanks for the advice. I'd love to hear more. I'm still trying to decide what to do. I don't want my vacation to be commando style but I do want to do the KS early. From there it's whatever happens.

Each day of my itinerary has a must do first thing then it's go with the flow.

Let's not make this a debate board on holding a place in line.

c-ya real soon

 

[mic_key_mouse]

AK EMH can't be 'commando style'. The only thing I do during EE is the safari, then I wait to hit Kali- then go to Dinoland while everyone else is doing the safari and Kali. Most EMH people go to Bug during EMH after the Safari, so when Kali opens we can do it 2 or 3 times without ever getting out of the raft. Once you're wet you may as well keep going It is a pretty relaxed morning becuase the crowds are elsewhere

Blessings,
mic_key_mouse

 

[mskay]

When we went in 2000, we entered AK through the Rainforest Cafe gift shop. It's open before the park. There's a turnstile there and it puts you ahead of the people waiting at the main turnstile. There were probably only 15 or 20 people ahead of us and we got there only 5 or 10 minutes before opening. I don't know if they still do that since it was four years ago, but maybe someone else knows.

 

[kramer_clan]

I have a long trip planned (17 nights), but the first week will be commando style because some of my family will be there. For several it will be their first WDW trip.

I planned on reverse psychology. I am going to the parks the day after they have early openings. The only one that I can't is MGM because my hubby loves MGM on early mornings.

I hope that this will work.

Vicki

 

[airhead]

....I decided to NOT do any early entry days at any parks. Too much stress for vacation!

 

[xraydave]

Originally posted by mskay
When we went in 2000, we entered AK through the Rainforest Cafe gift shop. It's open before the park. There's a turnstile there and it puts you ahead of the people waiting at the main turnstile. There were probably only 15 or 20 people ahead of us and we got there only 5 or 10 minutes before opening. I don't know if they still do that since it was four years ago, but maybe someone else knows.

Anybody experience this lately. Sounds like a great plan if we can still do it.
I'm going to start a new thread about this. ("Secret" entrances) Follow me.

 

[xraydave]

Bump

 

[xraydave]

bump

 

[darnold]

The best advice I was EVER given for any park at Disney was for AK. As you pass through security, look left for the Rain Forest Cafe - you cant miss it. As all the crowds are lined up in the ticket lines, go into the Rain Forest Cafe and out the back side, there is a ticket line there. NO Waiting on the day we were there while the regular ticket lines were backed up for a long wait. Good luck!