First Day/Animal Kingdom

[kitkat4622]

We arrive at the airport around 10am, I would hope to be at Animal Kingdom by noon time????? if this was the only time you had at Animal Kingdom and not doing Everest(not sure my back can handle it, or my stomach, so convince me)...what would be your ideal plan of attack for the afternoon with only 5 hours to spend? thank you. this is our first trip

 

[cfriend416]

We arrive at the airport around 10am, I would hope to be at Animal Kingdom by noon time????? if this was the only time you had at Animal Kingdom and not doing Everest(not sure my back can handle it, or my stomach, so convince me)...what would be your ideal plan of attack for the afternoon with only 5 hours to spend? thank you. this is our first trip

Check out this post from EasyWDW:

http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorize...al-at-animal-kingdo-with-or-without-fastpass/

You may make it to AK by noon, but I wouldn't make any lunch ADR's if you planned on it. Would you be using magical express to get to the hotel and disney buses to get to the park? If so, it might be safer to plan on getting to AK by 1pm.

 

[kitkat4622]

we are using magic express...and thank you ...no ADR's for that day.....

 

[brielise]

We don't have a lot of time planned at AK because DH doesn't like it. I think about 5 hours... We have FP+ for the Safari, Dinosaur, and Kali River Rapids (right before we leave because we'll probably get wet!). In between Dinosaur and KRR we're doing a QS lunch, most likely Flame Tree. In between rides we'll walk around a bit. If you want to see shows, like Finding Nemo, it might be hard to do in that amount of time. We do have a bit of flexibility since we estimate leaving around 2 and don't have an ADR til 7 but with DH I doubt we'll need it.

As for Expedition Everest, it made both DH and I sick, especially the going backwards part. We did it once for the experience but will probably never do it again.

 

[cfriend416]

we are using magic express...and thank you ...no ADR's for that day.....

No problem! It's possible you could get there around noon, but I'd plan on 1 just to avoid disappointment!

Your must-dos could be the safari, Kali River Rapids if it's warm enough and you like water rides, and shows such as Finding Nemo and Flights of Wonder. If you're going before May 31, try to see the parade at 3:45 because it's going away!

I'd go with dinner at Flame Tree BBQ!

 

[Missymouse18]

AK is very doable in 5 hours. We always spend a whole day there, but that's because we use AK in the middle of our vacation as a slow down & take it easy day.
Some must do's for us that your might consider:
Jungle Jammin' Parade (this will no longer be an option in a couple of weeks)
ITTBAB
Dinosaur
Safari
KRR
a Mickey bar!
Pangani Trail
Finding Nemo the Musical
Hope you have a great time!

 

[Missymouse18]

No problem! It's possible you could get there around noon, but I'd plan on 1 just to avoid disappointment!

Your must-dos could be the safari, Kali River Rapids if it's warm enough and you like water rides, and shows such as Finding Nemo and Flights of Wonder. If you're going before May 31, try to see the parade at 3:45 because it's going away!

I'd go with dinner at Flame Tree BBQ!

Flame Tree BBQ for sure!

 

[Luv2Run]

I'd plan to be there later, more like around 2pm timeframe. My reasoning being that your arrival time at MCO is one of the busiest times of day. I got to MCO at 11am once, and waited almost 90 minutes in the line for Magical Express.

After you're on board ME, it's a 40 minute ride to your hotel. Then you have to check-in (which can take a while if there's a large party checking in ahead of you, so I definitely recommend checking in online if you can), finding your room, etc.

After that, head to the busses. Buesses take roughly 20-30 minutes to get from your hotel to the park. Then, if you have bags, you have to go through bag-check, which can take an additional 5-10 minutes, depending on the line.

 

[Danny K]

If you arrive at noon and skipping Everest I'd do this:

Have FP+ for Kilimanjaro Safaris (As close to park closing as possible), Kali River Rapids (2-4pm), and DINOSAUR, right when you enter.

1. Ride Primeval Whirl
2. Ride DINOSAUR with FP+
3. Have Lunch (While eating, check the times guide for when the next nemo show is and pick a time to see it)
4. Work in It's tough to be a bug around that show.
5. Ride Kali River Rapids with FP+
6. Stroll through the Maharajah Jungle Trek somewhere between 4pm-5pm
7. Choose if you want to see Flights of Wonder or not, its a good show but if time is pressing skip it
8. Stroll through Pangani Forest Exploration Trails
9. Ride Kilimanjaro Safaris with FP+


All of this depends on when the park is closing though. If closing at 5pm you probably cannot see all AK has to offer, if closing is at 7pm its probably doable though. I always spend a full day at AK from 9am until park closing. I always choose a day when the park closes at 7pm or 8pm. I never go at a 5pm closing because its not enough time.

 

[MrsDuck]

I think you've gotten some great plan ideas! I too would recommend planning on being to the park by 2 though. You never know with MCO/ME...

 

[Pamnkevin]

We had the same idea as you when we went. Our flight arrived at 10:50am however, by the time we got to POP, checked in (which took forever and we did advanced online check in), went to our room, and ate a quick lunch...we finally arrived at Animal Kingdom by 3:45pm. WAY LATER than expected.

 

[minniegirl19]

I would skip the nemo show and see lion king instead.

We always get in around 10 and have never had a problem with ME. The longest we've had to wait was 15 minutes. expecting no big delays my guess would be you would be at the park by 12 1230. It took us a total of 45 minutes between getting on ME getting to AOA and getting in our room! i guess we were lucky though.

Where are you staying? that will effect time too.

I would get Fastpasses for Kilamanjaro Dinosaur and Kali River Rapids. I wouldn't do Everest with not a good back and stomach problems.

I would have Kilamanjaro booked first not later in the day. We've always seen more animals during that time of day and your signature said your going in 4 months and 2 weeks so thats october right? there will be a chance of rain and that will be later in the day rather then around 1230 1 o clock. At least thats been my experience with florida rain.

I would do Kali River Rapids last because theres a chance you'll be really wet and not want to walk around in the heat.

What I would do then would be Kilamanjaro 1-2 (in case you don't get there till later)
Lion King 230 show ( ride Kilamanjaro towards the beginning of the fast pass time frame)
Dinosaur 3-4
Kali River Rapids 4:15-close.

If you do get there at 12 I would do Primeval Whirl first or ITTBAB (hate the show though but thats my opinion everyone else loves it) then explore while waiting for other fast passes


Happy planning!

 

[dvcHammer]

arriving at 10 and want to be in AK by noon? you'll be rushing and need luck on your side.

to make it happen - hire a town car and use carry-on luggage

 

[nat8199]

arriving at 10 and want to be in AK by noon? you'll be rushing and need luck on your side.

to make it happen - hire a town car and use carry-on luggage

Why does luggage make a difference if they are using Magical Express? Won't it just appear in their room?

 

[dvcHammer]

my experience with ME has shown me to get my own luggage. the bag has always shown up, but once it was the next day!!

 

[Day-Day]

We did this less than two weeks ago. Our flight arrived at 11:30am but we had a rental car.

We checked in at POP, dropped our luggage off in the room and ate at the food court. We drove to AK and were there around 2pm. We had a 6:45pm ADR at Yak and Yeti. Here's what we did while in the park but my order may not be exact:

Primeval Whirl (FP+ but SB was only about 5 minutes)
Dinosaur (walk-on)
Flights of Wonder
It's Tough to Be a Bug
Nemo Musical
Expedition Everest (FP+ and needed)
Safari (FP+ but no advantage over SB)
Yak and Yeti (checked in about 6:30 for 6:45 ADR)

AK really empties out in the afternoon. It seemed very crowded in some areas when we arrived.

 

[alan_renfroe]

We are driving down and will arrive on property around 11:30. We've got lunch reservations at Kona at 12:30pm, then FP+ for Kilimanjaro Safaris at 1:45, Expedition Everest at 2:45, and Primeval Whirl at 3:45.

 

[Danny K]

I would skip the nemo show and see lion king instead.

Just to clarify the Lion King is closed for renovation this time of year and it will be moving to a new theater in africa this summer. OP won't be able to do the lion king as its not running at this moment.

 

[kitkat4622]

Thank you for all the great advice.
We are not going until October so FOLK is a must for us.
We are using the ME and staying at All Star Sports.
We are also arriving on a Wednesday which may not be as busy as a Friday,Saturday or Sunday for traveling.

Again many thanks for all the tips...We are so excited for our trip as neither myself nor my 14 year old grandson have ever been.

 

[jefngeo01]

Here is our plan:
AK stays open till 7pm
Flight arrives 10:10
MDE to POP (dont go to room or eat)
1:00 Arrive AK
Eat lunch Flame Tree BBQ
Ride: Dinosaur, Tri Top Spin, Pirme Whirl
3:00 See Nemo show
4:00 Exp Everest
4:30 Kali River
5:00 Tuff To Be a Bug
5:30 Kilimanjaro Safari
Open Time - let kids choose
7:45 ADRs Rainforest Cafe
(( oh and then DROP DEAD at 9:30 ))