Has anyone rope dropped Animal Kingdom's 7:00 opening?

[TheyCallMeStacey]

How has that worked in terms of genie+ bookings or ride times? How was the crowd level at that time? Our park hours just changed, and I've never been that early!

THANKS!

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I've not RD AK recently but did just see Kyle Pallo, posted his experience with an early AM at AK. It looked pretty dead and he walked on FOP. I think the park opened at 7:30am but resort guests early entry was 7am.

 

[Lindanuf]

How has that worked in terms of genie+ bookings or ride times? How was the crowd level at that time? Our park hours just changed, and I've never been that early!

THANKS!

We rope dropped AK sat. It opened at 7:30, but 7 for resort guests, which we were.
6:10 Boarded bus at AK lodge
6:20 arrived at entrance - small line
6:20 line to get in small
6:39 long lines
6:51 got through main gate
6:58 held at the bridge before pandaria

While being held at the bridge we made our genie and lightning selections. I kept checking all morning and would have had no problem booking anything for hours.

7:20 almost on flight
7:37 got off flight

 

[Nautiquelfe]

Early in March the rope drop for AK was not as bad as it was during our Christmas 21' trip. Buses were plentiful and running early with little to no guests from our OKW Resort. Everyone was heading in the same direction at opening. I'd guess most anyone at rope drop had ridden FoP within 45 mins of the "rope drop". The line went from 20-30min wait to 2 hours very quickly after general admission time.

 

[wisblue]

We were there for the 7 AM early entry at DAK on Thursday, March 24.

Because we were going to MK for the fireworks that night and wanted to have Genie + for a few attractions there, I purchased Genie+ and planned to get an early time for the Safari so we wouldn’t have to wait in line waiting for it to open at 8:30. (It opens at 8 AM now with the earlier sunrise) I also planned to get an ILL for FOP so we wouldn’t have to participate in the crush at opening. With storms forecast for late morning we wanted to pack things in to the first few hours.

So, with no need to be there too early we got to the bus stop at 6:30, just hoping to get to the park before ETPE ends at 7:30.

A bus came immediately so we arrived at the park gate at about 6:55. There were long lines at all of the tapstiles extending out past the ticket booths, so I had to assume that they hadn’t let anyone in yet.

Very shortly the lines started moving as guests were allowed in. While we moved up, the clock struck 7, and we were able to book a LL for the Safari for 8:30, the earliest possible time.

When we entered the park we walked toward Navi as the hordes rushed to FOP ahead of, behind, and all around us.

When we got to the entrance for Navi we sat down outside to try to book something for FOP. At 7:17, as hoped, times for FOP started appearing again. When I saw the return time of 7:30 AM, I clicked on it, selected 9 AM to 10 AM, planning to ride that after the Safari, and booked it with the time never changing.

So, then we rode Navi (walk on), walked to Dinosaur and rode that (walk on) then came back so my daughters could get Starbucks. I watched the otters playing in their grotto while the girls got their drinks. Then we sat around while they enjoyed their drinks and waited for KS to open.

At 8:35 we used our LL for KS and I booked one for the Lion King show at 10 AM. Neither of these LL was really necessary, though the one for KS helped us sit and relax instead of standing in the growing line for KS. Plus, it was too early to get the things we were looking for at MK since we wouldn't be getting there until 4 or 5 PM

After KS we went to use our LL for FOP, getting there about 9:15, then came back for FOTLK, arriving there about 9:50.

While waiting for the show to start I ordered our lunch at Satulli, and saw that the rain was going to be coming soon. After the show we went for our lunch and it started to rain hard while we were there. So, after eating we returned to the resort to relax before going to MK later.

With so few rides, especially with EE closed and Kali something we rarely do because we don't want to get that soaked, it was very easy to do what we wanted in a couple of hours. With better weather we would have stayed around for some time walking the trails and maybe seeing the bird show, but we ended up doing those things in the morning and early afternoon on our departure day a few days later.

 

[coasternut22]

Keep in mind that the safari didn’t open until 8am for a 7:30 official start time and a 7:00 early entry. The line grew to over an hour wait before they started loading jeeps.