Do I need a full day at animal kingdom?

[kdisser]

My family has always accomplished 5 rides + jungle trek and sightseeing within the "old" hours time frame.. (9am-5pm) and always got done around 2-3. You do what suites your travel style, and just have a plan of action (looks like you have a decent one set up). Heck this go round for our upcoming trip we are aiming to accomplish all things we want to do in HS (6 things: 3 shows, 2 rides, and the walk through One Man's Dream) and venture to all parks in the same day, some people call it a waste of time, I call it my vacation!

In other words for our family of 4 adults and a toddler we make AK a half day.

 

[mshanson3121]

Definitely. We could do 2 days.

 

[Delirium]

These kind of questions are so open ended and are totally dependent on what the poster is wanting to do.

So, knowing that it depends on what you want to do, to do EVERYTHING, there is no way you can do it in less than a full day (assumes 9AM-9PM, 12 hour day). Everything assumes some wait in line based on average day. Shows assume arriving a few minutes early so you actually get decent seats, and taking time to file out after the show. The trails assume your not trying to qualify for the Olympics by running through them and not actually looking at an exhibit. I did not include the Boneyard, Wilderness Explorers, or Jungle Book/Rivers of Light

Safari with FP - 50 minutes
Everest with FP - 15 minutes
Kali with FP - 20 minutes
Dinosaur - 40 minutes
Primevil Whirl - 20 minutes
Triceretop Spin - 15 minutes

Nemo Show - 60 minutes
Lion King - 45 minutes
Flights of Wonder - 35 minutes
Tough to be a Bug - 25 minutes

Oasis - 15 minutes
Pangani Trail - 45 minutes
Jungle Trek - 30 minutes
Rafiki's Planet - 90 minutes

Tree of Life Awakenings - 15 minutes
Burudika - 10 minutes
Harambe Wildlife Parti - 20 minutes
Discovery Island Carnivale - 15 minutes
Other Random Entertainment - 15 minutes

3 random characters - 45 minutes

Lunch - 45 minutes
Dinner - 75 minutes
Two snack breaks - 20 minutes

Bathroom Breaks - 20 minutes
Shopping - 30 minutes


That's 815 minutes, which equates to 13 hours and 35 minutes. And that is assuming no Rivers of Light. Families with small children could also add time with the Boneyard, Wilderness Explorers, increased Characters M&Gs, and more frequent breaks.

Animal Kingdom is not a half day park (nor is Hollywood Studios when you put the math to it).

 

[Geoff_M]

If you've never been to AK, I'd allow a full day. We often spend less than a full-day there, but that's because we mainly like to hit our favorite things to do there and skip the "been there, done that" stuff. If it's the first time there for your party, I'd give them time to check out everything to see what they like.