Flying into Tampa 10 a.m. - afternoon in AK?

[sg4Disney]

My flight will arrive in Tampa at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 14. I will be renting a car and driving directly to SSR. After checking into the resort, I was thinking of going to Animal Kingdom for the afternoon. It closes at 5 p.m. What time do you think I would arrive at the park? I would like to do the Safari ride, Festival of the Lion King, It's Tough to be a Bug, and Dinasaur. Would it be worth it?

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

If you've got a multi-day pass and it doesn't matter that you're burning a day, then go for it. The soonest you'll get there is likely 2pm. And if it's a park hopper pass, you can always head to one of the other parks that remains open later.

BobK/Orlando

 

[helenk]

As long as you have a park hopper ticket I would say go for it.
I've gotten to the AK at 3:00 when it closed at 5:00 and was amazed at what I was able to get done. I would check to see what the show times are for the Festival of the Lion King. You may want to get in your rides and then plan to see the last showing.

 

[PrincessAlways]

That's a lot of walking from Lion King, Safari, Bug & to Dinosaur. I don't know if you could do it all in that time span. If you have a park hopper, multiday pass it really wouldn't matter. You didn't mention if you're staying at a Disney resort. If so, check to see if your arrival day is EMH at AK. It might be open until 7PM. Have great vacation!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I agree with King Bob, plenty of people don't mind entering the parks (burning a day) late. Personally my dh would have a stroke to arrive at any park after 10 am and would say we might as well relax at the pool for free but that's just us. If we're going to use a ticket, we're pretty much going to open and close the park.

 

[OKW Lover]

If you land at TPA at 10:00 am, figure 30-45 minutes to get your bags and the rental car. Add to that 75-90 minutes to drive to SSR, putting you there about noon to 12:30. Figure an additional 30 minutes to check in (but probably not actually into your room), then a 15 minute drive down to AK. So I'd think you could get to the park somewhere between 1:00 and 2:00.

Only you can decide if that's worth it.

 

[sg4Disney]

Thanks for the replies! My family purchased the 10-day non-expiring park hopper pass last year. The problem is we have extended family going with us that have never been before. They really want to see Animal Kingdom, but they probably won't have a park hopper due to the expense. We are staying at Saratoga Springs and leaving for the Disney Cruise the next day. My family has been to AK several times and usually only do a half day there hitting what we wanted to see. However, we have never seen the parade and would like to see it. I am just trying to figure out if it is worth it and what we could get done in the limited amount of time we would have. Does the crowds thin out in the afternoons at AK, and does anyone know what time the last show of Festival of the Lion King is?

 

[sg4Disney]

I just had another thought. Since I will have a rental car, should I just go to AK instead of SSR to check in from the airport? The room might not be ready until 4 p.m. anyway. When AK closes at 5 p.m., we could go check in at that time. Has anyone ever gone straight to a park from the airport before checking in? I would assume that I would have to pay to park since I would not officially be a resort guest at that time, right?

 

[OKW Lover]

I just had another thought. Since I will have a rental car, should I just go to AK instead of SSR to check in from the airport? The room might not be ready until 4 p.m. anyway. When AK closes at 5 p.m., we could go check in at that time. Has anyone ever gone straight to a park from the airport before checking in? I would assume that I would have to pay to park since I would not officially be a resort guest at that time, right?

Yes, you could indeed do this. And you might not have to pay to park - try showing your SSR reservation to the CM at the parking plaza.