Does Animal Kingdom Ever Reach Capacity?

[LisaT91403]

I'm looking at a 1-day visit to Animal Kingdom on Friday, January 2nd. This is the only day we have in Orlando before leaving on our Disney Cruise. We will be flying in from Los Angeles on 1/1, and due to the time change, will not be getting an early start on 1/2. We were looking at arriving at AK sometime between 11:00 - noon, and staying until park closing (currently listed as 7:00pm).

My questions are:

*Is there a chance that, due to it being the holiday season, AK will reach capacity and we will not be allowed to enter?

*At that time of year, would we be able to accomplish much in 6-7 hours?

*We are not sure if we will have access to FP+, as we might buy tickets just a couple of days before arrival. In reviewing Easy WDW, we are considering the following plan if we do have FP+:

Oasis Exhibits
Nemo the Musical
Expedition Everest (FP+)
Lunch
Flights of Wonder
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Kiliminjaro Safari (FP+)
Pagani Forest
Wildlife Train
Fesitval of Lion King (FP+)
TriceraTop Spin
Dinosaur
Expedition Everest (repeat if time)

We are not interested in Kali River (too wet), Primeval Whirl (DS is too short), It's or Tough to Be a Bug (similar to Bug's Life here in California). I'm not sure if DS will want to ride Dinosaur or not...just not sure how scary it is. Does this plan sound possible?

Thanks.

 

[Robo]

I'm looking at a 1-day visit to Animal Kingdom on Friday, January 2nd... We were looking at arriving at AK sometime between 11:00 - noon, and staying until park closing (currently listed as 7:00pm).

My questions are:

1. Is there a chance that, due to it being the holiday season, AK will reach capacity and we will not be allowed to enter?

2. At that time of year, would we be able to accomplish much in 6-7 hours?

1. Always a "chance." But highly unlikely.

2. Sorry, but nobody can tell you exactly how much as you'll be able to do.
If you are prepared to just enjoy the atmosphere... and see and ride what you can as the crowd and time permits...
you'll have a good time.

 

[hakepb]

Animal Kingdom has reached phased closures in the week between Christmas and New Years before.

I wouldn't expect it on 1/2 based on EasyWDW:
http://www.easywdw.com/calendar/january-2015-walt-disney-world-crowd-calendar/#more-13807

 

[tinkerbee]

I would say it would be unlikely that on the 2nd it would reach capacity but no one can say 100%

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

"Capacity" and "Animal Kingdom" are almost never spoken in the same sentence.

Epcot is pretty much the same way.

 

[Dr.Mickey]

If you buy your ticket early online, this seems like the perfect scenario for the infamous FP+. Have a few rides nailed down 30 days ahead. That would greatly increase your productive touring time. Then with the rest of your time, check out the animal walks and other things that won't have a wait.

And NOW I've read the rest of your post. Sorry.

 

[LisaT91403]

Thanks, everyone! We will definitely be able to enjoy the atmosphere and see whatever we can see. I just wouldn't want to buy 1-day tickets and then get turned away, as we won't be back in FL again for a long time, I'm sure. It sounds like reaching capacity is unlikely, so we can move forward with our plan.

Thanks again!

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Thanks, everyone! We will definitely be able to enjoy the atmosphere and see whatever we can see. I just wouldn't want to buy 1-day tickets and then get turned away, as we won't be back in FL again for a long time, I'm sure. It sounds like reaching capacity is unlikely, so we can move forward with our plan.

Thanks again!

LisaT91403...great!

Yeah...Animal Kingdom doesn't reach capacity hardly ever. The same applies to Epcot.

 

[floralmouse]

I hope you really enjoy your day at Animal Kingdom. It's a lovely place.

 

[Robo]

I just wouldn't want to buy 1-day tickets and then get turned away, as we won't be back in FL again for a long time...

If (IF) DAK did happen to be closed due to capacity (and it hardly, if ever, is)
you would be allowed to go to another park that day (figure Epcot,) so
you wouldn't be just "shut out of WDW," in general, regardless.

 

[LisaT91403]

If (IF) DAK did happen to be closed due to capacity (and it hardly, if ever, is)
you would be allowed to go to another park that day (figure Epcot,) so
you wouldn't be just "shut out of WDW," in general, regardless.

Good to know! We would definitely make the best of any situation, even if things don't go as planned. They hardly ever go exactly as planned anyway ;-) We will be on vacation and at WDW, so we will be happy.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I hope you really enjoy your day at Animal Kingdom. It's a lovely place.

It definitely is.

I hope that Avatarland and the transition to a night-time park let's people finally appreciate this wonderful, beautiful park.

 

[Bullseye]

Thanks, everyone! We will definitely be able to enjoy the atmosphere and see whatever we can see. I just wouldn't want to buy 1-day tickets and then get turned away, as we won't be back in FL again for a long time, I'm sure. It sounds like reaching capacity is unlikely, so we can move forward with our plan.

Thanks again!

Lisa, onward and upward, the mighty Everest awaits you .... (yes thats a wookie playing the role of the yeti)

 

[LisaT91403]

Lisa, onward and upward, the mighty Everest awaits you .... (yes thats a wookie playing the role of the yeti)

I am really looking forward to it! It looks awesome. And DS would absolutely LOVE it if there were a wookie inside ;-)

 

[Robo]

I am really looking forward to it! It looks awesome. And DS would absolutely LOVE it if there were a wookie inside ;-)

That's the problem...
The yeti inside does not WOOKIE anymore.