Fav things to do in AK?!

[lovealatte]

So as many times as i've been to the world, AK is the bottom of my list. I've been there probably like 4 times, just to ride E:E. The park has just not really appealed to myself and my family, but I'd really like to give it another shot in May 2011.

Anyways, what do yall suggest? It will just be my mom (45) and me (20). PS, we're not a fan of shows. But we do like rides, some good theming, a yummy restaurant, and we're big shoppers.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ohboyx3]

We love the Flights of Wonder Show. It's not a headliner, but we just think it's fantastic.

 

[Nadjalu]

I know you said you are not show fans, but I highly recommend the Festival of the Lion King. It is not what you think. It is thoroughly entertaining. Not to mention air conditioned for that hot weather. LOL

AK is a park to explore and just relax. Many WDW commandos who go all the time don't understand this concept. As they have to plan how, what, when and where in order to get the most of their WDW trip.

AK is not like that. There really isn't a "plan" of attack for AK IMO. The huge headliners, Safari and EE can easily be done during the morning and then just explore.

Some things I like is Dinoland, yes it is not your typical scene at WDW. But it has it's own excitement. We love Primevil Whirl. Such a cute fun ride. An over all feel of "years gone by" carnival feel...which is what they were shooting for.

Then there is the walk thru the dino garden...not sure it's exact name. But it is so quiet back there. Just a real nice easy walk to relax and enjoy a nice chat. DH and I "escape" here every trip.

As for meals, that is one area I do think AK lacks. Tusker House is the place I would choose.

Oh, one last thing. Taking the "animal" treks at the back of the park is wonderful. Take your time and really "find" all the animals.

 

[Disnsyncey]

Yeah, you don't like shows, but the Flights of Wonder show is a great thing to just relax and enjoy......as well as the Festival of the Lion King show...if you only pick one major show for ALL of WDW, that's the one to do! Its pretty much the best one at WDW

if you do the safari in the morning and grab a fastpass for later, take some time wandering around the treks, and then grab a nice meal at Tusker House, you will have a great day!

 

[PoppyGirl]

I love AK. FOLK is wonderful. I like it better than the broadway show! And our family really enjoys the Maharajah Jungle Trek and Pangani Forest trail. I recommend Maharahjah if you are only doing one since it's just amazing to watch the tigers.

Bug's life is pretty fun...not really a ride though.

And I really ejnoy the shopping the Asia and Africa sections. Lots of fun, unique things to see.

 

[kaybird]

Give Yak & Yeti a try for a great TS. Try to go around 3-4 pm, and see if you can get a window table for a parade view.

Walk the Jungle trek, Safari ride, Dinosaur, Kali River Rapids. As mentioned, the shows are great, FOTLK even if you are not "show" people.

 

[lovealatte]

Thanks for the tips everyone!
We can be the commando-type at times, but we're also happy with taking in the sites and enjoying all there is to be seen.

Although we're not show people.. we do love Broadway, and from what i'm hearing I would give FOLK a chance. I've read up on it and it does sound pretty good.

Hopefully it won't be disgustingly hot mid-May, esp if we go at rope drop.

 

[KCSherri]

I love Flights of Wonder - the birds never fail to amaze me with their tricks....

I love just watching the monkeys that are up in the swings near the Asia section....

I love Dinosaur - the Ride....

I love walking along the Maharajah Jungle Trek and seeing the animals....

I love getting some good BBQ at the Flame Tree and taking my tray WAY back near the water where its very quiet and peaceful....

I love studying the Tree of Life and finding all of the carvings....

I love finding DiVine and watching her as she mesmerizes the people around her....

I love AK.

 

[mollybeasley]

I love Flights of Wonder - the birds never fail to amaze me with their tricks....

I love just watching the monkeys that are up in the swings near the Asia section....

I love Dinosaur - the Ride....

I love walking along the Maharajah Jungle Trek and seeing the animals....

I love getting some good BBQ at the Flame Tree and taking my tray WAY back near the water where its very quiet and peaceful....

I love studying the Tree of Life and finding all of the carvings....

I love finding DiVine and watching her as she mesmerizes the people around her....

I love AK.

Sounds like a great day! I want to look for DaVine too. I hope I don't trip over one of her vines.

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

We LOVED EE and also Kali River Rapids. Dinosaur - the ride - freaked me and one DD out, the others loved it. Primevil Whirl gave me a headache. We loved just sitting on a bench near all the stores and eating popcorn, browsing pins, browsing the stores, eating ice cream, jumping over to Lilo and Stitch for photos, buying in the stores, etc. If you have the time to just "hang out", you will be very happy! We wanted to try the "affection section" and the area in the back (train ride) but just didn't have time. I think that would be fun. ENJOY! Oh yes, Tusker House for breakfast - way fun and yummy!

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

We were just there, and really enjoyed the Flights of Wonder bird show, the Festival of the Lion King which is always very good, and our favorite is the Safari ride. We usually go right to the safari upon entering the park and just love seeing the animals-on our recent trip I have never seen so many animals and so close to the vehicle. The kids with us just loved it. We also enjoy Its a Bugs Life, even though it is designed for kids it is very cute. The other rides really don't do it for us-Dinosaur is so-so for us, Kali River Rapids tends to drench you which is not our choice and I am not a huge fan of big coasters.

 

[disneychic2]

The one production we won't miss at AK is Finding Nemo. It is so well done, you'll think your seeing a broadway show. DH and I also like Lion King, but not quite as much as Nemo. THey are just so inventive with their props etc.! We also like the Safari, EE, It's Tough to be a Bug, Maharajah Jungle Trek, Flights of Wonder, Kali River Rapids and you have to eat at Flame Tree! Awesome! We usually go on the Safari twice since you see different animals at different times of the day. (also, some guides are better than others!) Give AK a fair shot and I think you'll find it has a lot to offer. Have a great trip!

 

[OB1]

As others have said, this is a park to explore, not just rush through. We plan AK after a few busy days, and it is a rest park. We have stopped and watched the monkeys play for over 20 minutes. Same with tigers, ducks, gorillas, and many of the other animals. When you stop for a while, you often experience something unusual.

Last year, after watching the tigers for a while, we stopped at the next area with cattle and a new antelope type animals. Normally a boring stop. Out of nowhere, the antelope just bolts across the landscape, hopping about 10 yards each jump. The CM reports he had never seen this before. The antelope did this about 5 more times. Just feeling good I guess.

 

[lovealatte]

Great! Thanks for all your suggestions, we will definitely be giving it another shot in May.

 

[Missytara]

I make a late dining reservation for Yak 'n Yeti, and enjoy lolly-gagging through the park around dusk, after it is closed.

I see so many things that I missed during the day, that I don't notice until the park is empty.

 

[DEA]

Thanks for the tips everyone!
We can be the commando-type at times, but we're also happy with taking in the sites and enjoying all there is to be seen.

Although we're not show people.. we do love Broadway, and from what i'm hearing I would give FOLK a chance. I've read up on it and it does sound pretty good.

Hopefully it won't be disgustingly hot mid-May, esp if we go at rope drop.

If you love Broadway, I would suggest the Finding Nemo show. It was written by Bobby Lopez, who was one of the writers of Avenue Q, and his wife.

Have lunch at the Tusker House restaurant after 1pm and get priority seating for the 3:15pm show. It's a great move, because the lines get long.

 

[Motomom06]

I didn't discover them last trip, but this trip I made a point to find them - the walking trails around the Trre of Life. That tree really is amazing when you take the time to stop and look at it. Last year we were commando touring at AK and I didn't really "get it". This year we slowed down and looked around. I enjoyed AK much more. My best tip - Make an early reservation for Tusker House breakfast (like 8:00am) and you will be done in time for rope drop, but since you are right next to the Safari, you can get on the first or second vehicle. The animals were AMAZING that early.

 

[Planogirl]

I suggest the Maharajah Jungle Trek trail since you like theming. We don't see shows either but we do enjoy strolling around AK a bit. The Jungle Trek is beautiful IMO.

 

[ChrisAlli]

If yo ugo to the trail behind the fast pass machines for Tough to be a Bug, you can get really close to the Tree of Life and see some incredible carvings and animals.

Flame Tree BBQ excellent food, take path behind to the right and sit by the water, great view of Everest

Flights of Wonder, Safari, Pangini, Jungle Trek, Rafiki's Planet Watch. Lion King and Nemo show, both great shows.

Trails on your way out are nice to explore as well. Especially when they are feeding the animals

In Harambe they have some pretty good entertainment as well.

 

[SplashMo]

I like Flame Tree BBQ

The Rvier Ride and Safari the best.

We skip the dinasour ride. For sure do not take small kisds on it. It is just not enjoyable...