First Time to AK - how to proceed?

[mxylplik2]

My son is 2 1/2 years old and LOVES animals - we went to the circus yesterday and he enjoyed that very much. Thus, we are going to AK this Sunday.

I haven't seen any guides to navigating AK (e.g., which rides are the most popular so go to those first, fastpass tips at AK, etc.). Can anyone direct me or give me a quick rundown on some tactics for the day?

I have a 2 1/2 year old and a 13 month old. Also, the 2 1/2 year old sleeps around 2pm for three hours each day but he might skip it if he is really excited. If we get there at opening, will we have done most things at 2pm and can we return after his nap?

Thanks.

 

[G's mommy]

AK normally closes around 6:00 p.m., just depends on season, so be sure to check park hours before heading back late in the afternoon. Since your children are so young, definite must do's for you are the Safari, Camp Minnie Mickey (The Lion King Show and characters), the dumbo-style ride in Dinoland, and the train ride to Conservation Station, there is a petting zoo and lots of kid-friendly animal exhibits. Some possibles if time remains are Tarzan Rocks and Pochahontas (this one is so-so). The parade is normally at 4:00 p.m. each day. I would think that if you get there at opening, you will have plenty of time to do the must do's by naptime. The other attractions in AK are not really for young children, they are either too intense or have height requirements. The Boneyard playground is very big and chaotic, very easy to lose your child in there. It might be doable if one of you are very energetic and can keep up with your 2 year old every second. Otherwise, I would skip it.

We always enjoy AK, we've been taking our son since he was 2 and he is 8 now.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

I'd recommend doing the Safari right away, as that tends to get crowded.

I agree with the previous poster on the activities and ages of your kids.

When my DD was 8 she was terrified of Its Tough to be a Bug, I'd think yours are way too little for that.

Have fun!

 

[eeyore45]

We went in crowded hot August! DD loves animals! We did the Safari as a Fast Pass, and still ended up waitiing 20 -30 min in FP! ITS AWESOME! We did it twice, wonderful! Well worth it! As you exit there is a trial to see more animals, when you come out of there you see Rafiki's train, you take that to another area, we saw Pocohantas there, and a mild (mostle goats I remember!) petting zoo. Down the trial from the Safari to Kali River Rapids is a "Flights of Wonder" show - AWESOME birds, and owls, very relaxed, we got frozend lemonade and enjoyed the show! Also we did Lion King, and Pocohantas (pocohantas has live animals on stage, great show, they also invite the children to sit in the front rows! I liked that!)

I also echo the comments on Its Tough to be a bug. DD felt sorry for the kids that were screaming and crying, its such an intense show - dark, bugs get revenge, foggy, fly swatters coming at you - for older kids (and adults) its clever! It catches us off guard several times, and its no wonder those little kids scream!!

A lot of people comment on not getting this park, it just depends on your kids! Mine loves animals, conservation,, shows... so much so we never made it to Dinoland! We're going back in Oct, and we'll make sure to hit dinoland this time!

 

[HollyJoy]

We went to AK on an Early Entry Day, and headed straight for the SAfari and WALKED RIGHT ON! I'd highly suggest doing that first thing!

 

[Bracho]

I agree with heading to the Kilimanjaro Safari first thing...

 

[liveforthemagic]

We've never been either--our plan of attack is the Safari first thing. Everything I have read says that the earlier and cooler it is, the more animals are out.

Does anybody have a feel for how long of a walk it is from the Safari to KRR? I assume that by the time we are done with the Safari there will be a wait at Kali--so we should get FP's and then we'll have to go back?

Any experience anybody with this?

Also--with little ones your kids' ages I am pretty sure Camp Minnie Mickey would be perfect for them! I've also read a thread somewhere that says if you are there first thing when the park opens, sometimes little ones are asked to participate in the park opening. That would be awesome for you guys.

 

[2tinkersmom]

We just did DW in Jan. for our first time. The day we went to AK, we just happened to decide to go left toward Camp Minnie-Mickey when we got there just a little after the park opened. It was the best choice we could have made that day. We saw a few characters and got autographs, got into the line for the Pocohontas show (which has live animals and some other fun things to watch, and the kids sit right in front on special benches) then at the end of that walked right into the line for Lion King and right on into the theater. It was our favorite show of our trip!!

Then we ended up fast passing for the safari and that worked fine. We went out to Rafiki's Planet Watch too, which while it wasn't thrilling, ends up at a little petting zoo area which my girls liked too.

Neither one was crazy about Its Tough to be a Bug.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

My only advice about AK is to do the Safari 1st thing in the morning or late in the afternoon. It's when you'll have the best chance at seeing all the animals awake. They tend to nap in the heat!

 

[Got Quattro?]

we always get fast pass for the safari first, the go see lioon king show. Afte lk show, we ride safari.


Then we usually leave the park. there is not much more that excites us at AK.

 

[marriedmarylander]

I have asked people on the boards and who we know personally who have been.

A few friends of ours went recently (this year). They said do the safari as soon as the park opens. They also said they stayed from when the park opened to when it closed. Although many people on the boards seem to say it's only takes 2-3 hours to do. I figured who knows what we will like or how long we want to be there. We figured we'll plan a whole day, then do DTD, DQ and relax at the hotel pool afterwards. If we get done AK early then more time for relaxing, resort hopping, DTD or whatever.

 

[mxylplik2]

Somewhat of a "stupid question" but can you leave AK and come back without having to pay again (for both parking and admission)?

We plan to get to AK when it opens, leave around 1pm for their naps and come back at 4pm for the parade.

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

I think your fine with the naps thing so long as you get your hands stamped on the way out.

 

[alecam]

Good plan mxylplik2,
No, you do not need to pay for admission or parking again.Parking is $8.00/day and thats good for all of the parks for the entire day. For admission back into AK, you will need a hand stamp and your ticket again, unless you have the park hopper option on your tickets, which will allow you into any park at any time.
Have fun!!

 

[erinch]

the only thing about rushing back to the safari for a fast pass is that you miss so much of what makes the AK magical--
right when you go into the park there will be CMs holding out various animals to look at, and there are tiny little meandering paths with briliant flamingos and fish and little caves to explore. While it's uncrowded, this is the best part of the day in the best part of the park.

Having been there a number of times, and never taking the time to stop and smell the fishies, I would explore the front area and wander the little paths. If you have another adult, maybe send them WAY to the back for the safari FP, then have them meet you by the Tree of LIfe; you'll get that far by the time they make it to the safari and back.

One warning--the safari ride is very jerky. Depending upon how robust your little one is, you might need to do baby swap.

There are 2 jungle trails no one has mentioned. One has birds and primates and the other has bats and tigers (among other things.). These are much better in the morning, and worth lingering through.

The bird show is our favorite part of the park.

When my DD was 2.5 she LOVED the boneyard. Again, you'd need one adult to sit with the little one, and one to escort her through it. Be sure to "talk" about what to do if someone gets lost.

If they want to see characters, you might see if there is a PS available at restaurantasaurus right at the close of breakfast (around 10:30). Otherwise, if you decide to skip nap, make a late lunch PS at the rainforest cafe. You exit the park, get a stamp and go back in.

 

[caribear]

Lots of good suggestions already! Here is what we usually do.....we try to go early and head back towards Kilimanjaro Safaris. If there is a 15 minutes wait or less then we get in line, but we also grab a fastpass for later. My dd is also 2 1/2 and the safaris is the highlight of the day for her. We try to ride once in the morning and again before we leave the park. We then do the other attractions near the safaris, Rafiki's Planet Watch and the Pangani Forest Exploration Trails. Rafiki's Planet Watch does take some time, as you first board the train to head for the petting zoo and conservation area...and then waiting for the train on the way back. It usually takes us at least an hour to do this attraction. The Pangani Trail is were the gorillas are and dd can spend hours watching them.

The other exploration trail is over by Kali River Rapids, Maharajah Jungle Trek. This is were you will see the tigers/bats/birds/gibbons.

My dd really loves this park! The heat wears her out though, so a nice nap in a shady area is always nice.

Have a great time!

 

[mxylplik2]

the only thing about rushing back to the safari for a fast pass is that you miss so much of what makes the AK magical--
right when you go into the park there will be CMs holding out various animals to look at, and there are tiny little meandering paths with briliant flamingos and fish and little caves to explore. While it's uncrowded, this is the best part of the day in the best part of the park.

Having been there a number of times, and never taking the time to stop and smell the fishies, I would explore the front area and wander the little paths. If you have another adult, maybe send them WAY to the back for the safari FP, then have them meet you by the Tree of LIfe; you'll get that far by the time they make it to the safari and back.

One warning--the safari ride is very jerky. Depending upon how robust your little one is, you might need to do baby swap.

There are 2 jungle trails no one has mentioned. One has birds and primates and the other has bats and tigers (among other things.). These are much better in the morning, and worth lingering through.

The bird show is our favorite part of the park.

When my DD was 2.5 she LOVED the boneyard. Again, you'd need one adult to sit with the little one, and one to escort her through it. Be sure to "talk" about what to do if someone gets lost.

If they want to see characters, you might see if there is a PS available at restaurantasaurus right at the close of breakfast (around 10:30). Otherwise, if you decide to skip nap, make a late lunch PS at the rainforest cafe. You exit the park, get a stamp and go back in.

Thanks for the great tips.

Birds and primates - I think is the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail (next to the Safari).

Bats and tigers - I think it is the Maharajah Jungle Trek in Asia.

Bird Show - I think is Flights of Wonder in Asia also.

 

[erinch]

Thanks for the great tips.

Birds and primates - I think is the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail (next to the Safari).

Bats and tigers - I think it is the Maharajah Jungle Trek in Asia.

Bird Show - I think is Flights of Wonder in Asia also.

yes--I was typing in a hurry!

A stroller is a must have for any age 5 and under