Got my ADRs! Finally! How'd I Do?

[gila]

like many other DISers it seems, i'm going may 2-9. first trip for the 5- & 9-year olds (boys), so i tried to get some variety but still make it fun for them. thoughts?

sat: chef mickey's (7:50, couldn't get any earlier and did this one a month ago)
sun: '50s Prime-Time (lunch; will grab CS from catalina eddie's to take w/ us to fantasmic for dinner)
mon: cape may b'fast (7:40, with Albatross Pirate Cruise from YC/BC marina at 9:30, so i hope this will work), and dinner at ohana (5:30)
tue: boma (5:50; what time should we leave AK to catch a bus for the AKL?)
wed: biergarten (5:45)
thu: le cellier (5:40)
fri: whispering canyon (5:20)

 

[onelilspark]

I think those sound like fun!

For Boma, if AK is closing at 5, I would catch a bus at like 430. It's wayyyyy early for your ADR, but I wouldn't want to be stuck with the crowd leaving. Once at the AKL, you can walk around and look at some of the animals before dinner (and you can always check in early.) If it's closing at say, 6, I would be heading out of the park at 5.

 

[septbaby]

You've done very well. Have a great trip.

AK usually closes at 5pm. Taking a bus at closing or even as late as 5:30 would be fine. It is about a 5 min ride to AKL from AK. We had an ADR for the same time and that's what we did. We actually went to the final showing of Nemo which let's out after 5pm, we were fine and not rushed or crowded. There is also a chance that even with an ADR you'll have a bit of a wait at Boma. I took our 5yo out to the playground while we waited. The pager is supposed to work around the entire pool area. We were just heading back inside when our pager went off.

By the way, please, please, please stay for the AK parade it is absolutely magical. The floats are like nothing you've seen, you can't help but bop to the music and there are lots of old school characters that I didn't see elsewhere at WDW.

If you are spending the day there consider getting a stroller or a double stroller for the day. We were only there for the afternoon and it was really helpful as AK is a large, hot and sometimes hilly park. It was the only day we got a stroller for our 5yo, well worth it. Also if you are going to another park after dinner the stroller fee will let you grab one at the park too, no additional payment.

 

[gila]

thanks, 'sparky. i like the idea of getting to AKL early to wander around. i've never been there but have heard that it's architecturally stunning.

septbaby, i have read somewhere else that the AK parade is the best of 'em all. why is it so special? i'm not a big parade fan, personally, but i guess i'm supposed to be selfless and think of what the boys would like

is there a good place to see the parade that also makes for a quick getaway? i see from the calendar that the parade is at 3:45 everyday EXCEPT for the day i'm going to Boma, when it starts at 4. any idea why that is?