early entry at AK - why or why not?

[sandar]

hi everyone,

We've not been to Disney World since they brought back early entry (emh) and we've not had the opportunity to try it at the Animal Kingdom.

Would you recommend trying early entry at AK next month? If not, please explain why not! The idea of being able to start touring there while it's a bit cooler, then get back to the hotel for lunch seems very appealing.

Thanks in advance for your guidance,

Sandi

 

[BCKatie02]

We did early entry at the AK when we were there a week and a half ago. I know many people here will say there aren't enough rides available to make it worth it, but I totally disagree. Going on the Safari alone that early totally makes it worth it. There were so many animals up and about--it was just amazing. I will say that you should try to arrive at the park no later than 7:40 am. After that the crowds waiting to get in start to pick up. We got there right around 7:40 and were able to make it over to the Safari pretty quickly and were on the 3rd or 4th tour that went out and had no wait. After that we were able to do everything else we wanted to do with very small waits (Dinosaur, Pangani Trail, Tough to be a Bug, Kali River, Flights of Wonder and a snack stop) and were out of the park by noon when the heat really started to rise!

 

[ugadog99]

We really like EMH at AK when it is not a crowded season. However, for our June trip we found that the EMH parks were MUCH too crowded. I think from now on that if we go during more crowded times we will skip EMH. If we go during less crowded times we will do EMH for AK and MK.

 

[cortegro]

I am going to follow pretty much what BCKatie did on Monday next week. 7/26

We will catch a taxi from Poly to AK to be there by 7:20 or so.
Ride the safari 1st, skip Pangani , over to Dinosaur, ITTBAB, FP for Kali after Lion King?, FOTLK, Kali, eat and head back to Poly via bus. I would like to get into Maharajah Trek if possible in there.

We'll see if it works and what time we finish.

I would like some good Pool/Nap time to hit E-Ride night at MK that night.

Only a few more days!!! And the family has NO CLUE this is coming!!!!!!

-cortegro

 

[JMD]

I agree with BCKatie. I'm not a fan of EMH at all. In fact I avoid the park on those days, but AK is the exception. Riding the Safari first thing in the morning in by far the best time to go. If you wait until late morning or mid-afternoon you may not see many animals.

 

[wannabebelle]

I third the comment that the Safari makes EMH worth it at AK. We saw tons of animals in Jan. and actually heard the male lion roar. Incredible to hear that in real life--you could feel the vibration in your chest!!

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by wannabebelle
I third the comment that the Safari makes EMH worth it at AK. We saw tons of animals in Jan. and actually heard the male lion roar. Incredible to hear that in real life--you could feel the vibration in your chest!!

After riding the Safari Ride numerous times throughout our trips...seeing the male lion
1. Standing
and
2. Roaring

amazing.

usually he's just snoozing in the shade! heheh

 

[crazywig]

be aware if you DRIVE to ak for ee, you will more than likely be held up at the tollbooths until nearly 8am!

this has happened to us twice and i was pretty angry as we went during a busy time.

 

[cortegro]

Kim,

Are taxi's held up as well?

If so, I guess I will just MAKE SURE we're on the 1st bus that leaves the Poly or walk to the TTC and catch THAT 1st bus!

-cortegro

 

[Junebugwv]

Crazywig- when you said you were held up at the tollbooth when you drove to AK for EMH, did you mean you were delayed at the tollbooth because of lines, or did the workers delay your entry until 8AM?

 

[zcomic]

The safari is worth EE. We did it the first time around 10 or so and saw nothing. On our last trip we hit it first thing on EE and it was one of the highlights of the trip. We were not held up at the entry booths in our rental car. They saw our Disney Resort guest sign on the Dashboard and waved us right through