Early Magic Hour and Animal Kingdom

[ttfn3]

We're going the 3rd week of October and I'm trying to figure out if we'll hit Animal Kingdom on the EE day or a nonEE day. Is is worth it at AK? How are the crowds by noon that day? Thanks!

 

[mom2rb]

Non EE day!!! We went last Sept. on an EE day and it was so packed. It was the only park that we had large crowds in.

 

[CamColt]

We did EE at AK in July and we had very low crowds. Everything was a walk on. It was rainy so that may have helped, but since we only plan 1/2 day AK anyway that extra hour helps. Between 8:00 and about 12:30 we did everything we wanted, Safari, Triceratops Spin(the kids played games), Dinosaur, Lion King, Tarzan Rocks, Maharajah Jungle Trek, and Kali River Rapids. It worked well to knock out the Safari get to Dinoland right at opnening.

 

[dischick4778]

Most of the time we only spend half a day at AK, so the extra hour is always a good start. This way you can be leaving the park just when it is getting real crowded.

 

[jiminyml]

Since park hours are so short already, I think an extra hour is a good thing.......

 

[inmyis]

AK is THE park to get an early start. I am truely an animal lover and the mornings are best for animals. The later in the day the more sluggish and hidden the animals are. The extra hour will help, especially on the safari!!

 

[bjakmom]

Just be sure you get there 'on time' (before the gates open)!! Last month we set out to do AK on EE day (mon 8/23) - nephews were a little slow getting up and dressed and then we waited (and waited) for a bus. By the time we entered the park at 8:40 instead of 8:00 standby at the safari was already 20 minutes - at 9:30 standby for Dino was 25 minutes - FP return was already almost mid day - and we were that important step behind all morning - by 12:30 standby for Kali was over one hour and FPs were for late afternoon! - we left and went to BB for an awesome afternoon.

I love EE when I get there before the gate opens - I just can't stress enough how important that first hour 'advantage' is - I think the majority of people are like we were this trip, they 'intend' to get there early, but run into little road blocks and arrive a bit late- by late morning the EE parks are usually packed (that's when we hop to a non EE park)!