Help! Animal Kingdom plans!

[NJlauren]

We are going in August so I am trying to limit how much I’m scheduling for each day and making sure we hit the must dos.

I want to have a lose plan for ADR day we are a larger group (8-15, don’t have a final count). So I know making changes will be hard.

I currently have two halfish days scheduled at AK the first full day (60+1) and day 5 (60+4). Plan is to try and get FoP FP for day 5 around 3pm and do the pool in the morning.

My issue is I have no idea how to plan out AK days. I don’t know why every trip I find it so difficult. I just don’t know the park as well I guess.

So right now I have lose plan for the first day of safari first thing, festival of Lion King (10am), maybe do some explorer badges, lunch at tusker House 11ish, FP for Na’vi River ride maybe 1 and then head out of the park if the kids are done or hang out a bit longer, maybe Nemo show or some trails.

On the 2nd day get to the park 2/3 do FP for FoP, Nemo show go to dinoland, maybe the playground, maybe Up A great bird adventure, and do some trails. Quick service for dinner.

I just feel like this plan seem to much and not enough at the same time. Is it better to just go one day when we have FP+ For FoP, skip Na’vi and wait stand by for the safari?

Last trip DH did FoP I was prego and couldn’t go so it’s a must do for me.

Any Animal Kingdom advice is appreciated!

 

[kcp6763]

What are you doing for the other half days? Is there something you'd rather do instead of the second AK day? I was not a big fan of Navi, didn't feel worth the wait or a fastpass if I would've had one. If you head to the safari first thing you likely won't have a huge wait anyway. Are you planning to do any of the other rides there like Everest, Dinosaur, or Kali River Rapids and do you want to see Rivers of Light? I think doing two half days is fine if you have the time and it can give you a chance to break from the heat. But if you want to visit another park instead then putting it in one day is doable.

 

[NJlauren]

What are you doing for the other half days? Is there something you'd rather do instead of the second AK day? I was not a big fan of Navi, didn't feel worth the wait or a fastpass if I would've had one. If you head to the safari first thing you likely won't have a huge wait anyway. Are you planning to do any of the other rides there like Everest, Dinosaur, or Kali River Rapids and do you want to see Rivers of Light? I think doing two half days is fine if you have the time and it can give you a chance to break from the heat. But if you want to visit another park instead then putting it in one day is doable.

We have a full MK day and 2 half days, 3 half days at Epcot and a half day at HS, one afternoon up in the air and some pool time and a water park day.

So we have the time, at least I think we do. I would do Everest, but I’m not positive all the kids are tall enough/brave enough. Kali is up in the air my daughter likes water slides, but if she goes on a non water ride water ride she freaks out (she got wet on frozen and had a meltdown). So if she is better with that we would do it otherwise we are fine skipping.

I also have spent so much less time in AK compared to other parks I just feel lost!

 

[Berlk]

If you don’t have FP+ for FoP go there first!! Or if you want to do it twice as standby times the rest of the day will likely be out of control. We were there more than an hour before park opening, and got into the park after 10 minutes of waiting at the turnstiles. We followed the masses straight to FoP, and thought about getting right back into line, but bailed on that decision when we got out and saw the line up. It wasn’t even 20 minutes later and the park technically wasn’t even “open” yet. I don’t find the need to go straight to the safari for the first attraction anymore. Yes the animals are more likely to be active in the cooler hours of the day (earlier) but the last few trips I’ve made waits were basically walk on for the safari. Also, make sure you’re there well before rope drop to do FoP, I’m not sure if they’re still letting people in early for FoP. There’s also a side path from Pandora to near where the lion king show is, it should be a quick walk from there to the safari! Edit: you could likely also do Navi before heading to safari, as the entrance is close to the path you take when exiting FoP.

 

[motherof5]

We are going in August so I am trying to limit how much I’m scheduling for each day and making sure we hit the must dos.

I want to have a lose plan for ADR day we are a larger group (8-15, don’t have a final count). So I know making changes will be hard.

I currently have two halfish days scheduled at AK the first full day (60+1) and day 5 (60+4). Plan is to try and get FoP FP for day 5 around 3pm and do the pool in the morning.

My issue is I have no idea how to plan out AK days. I don’t know why every trip I find it so difficult. I just don’t know the park as well I guess.

So right now I have lose plan for the first day of safari first thing, festival of Lion King (10am), maybe do some explorer badges, lunch at tusker House 11ish, FP for Na’vi River ride maybe 1 and then head out of the park if the kids are done or hang out a bit longer, maybe Nemo show or some trails.

On the 2nd day get to the park 2/3 do FP for FoP, Nemo show go to dinoland, maybe the playground, maybe Up A great bird adventure, and do some trails. Quick service for dinner.

I just feel like this plan seem to much and not enough at the same time. Is it better to just go one day when we have FP+ For FoP, skip Na’vi and wait stand by for the safari?

Last trip DH did FoP I was prego and couldn’t go so it’s a must do for me.

Any Animal Kingdom advice is appreciated!

You sound organized and you will figure it out. I usually do just FP planning and then take the shows and stuff day by day when I'm there so I'm not so overwhelmed. I also noticed I like doing shows to get out of the heat or if it rains and what I miss the first day I do the second. I also only do two 1/2 days at AK and have been pleased (we have 5 kids so I usually have each pick their must do item and try to hit those first, rest are bonuses) Don't try to over do it or you won't enjoy it. Have fun.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I'm confused about what you would do for your other FPs on the afternoon with FOP or an all day AK day. Why wouldn't you get Safari instead of riding standby since you aren't sure about the other rides. If you do a full day at AK you could RD Navi and either Safari or EE or other rides the group might want to do. Or if you stick with the half days you could hit then near park close. It definitely doesn't feel like you have too much to me but I also haven't been in August.

 

[NJlauren]

If you don’t have FP+ for FoP go there first!! Or if you want to do it twice as standby times the rest of the day will likely be out of control. We were there more than an hour before park opening, and got into the park after 10 minutes of waiting at the turnstiles. We followed the masses straight to FoP, and thought about getting right back into line, but bailed on that decision when we got out and saw the line up. It wasn’t even 20 minutes later and the park technically wasn’t even “open” yet. I don’t find the need to go straight to the safari for the first attraction anymore. Yes the animals are more likely to be active in the cooler hours of the day (earlier) but the last few trips I’ve made waits were basically walk on for the safari. Also, make sure you’re there well before rope drop to do FoP, I’m not sure if they’re still letting people in early for FoP. There’s also a side path from Pandora to near where the lion king show is, it should be a quick walk from there to the safari!

The plan is FP for FoP we have 2 young kids with us and a not morning person husband (plus another family and adults ah to many moving parts) I’m just not sure I can get all of us moving to be there an hour before park open.

 

[NJlauren]

I'm confused about what you would do for your other FPs on the afternoon with FOP or an all day AK day. Why wouldn't you get Safari instead of riding standby since you aren't sure about the other rides. If you do a full day at AK you could RD Navi and either Safari or EE or other rides the group might want to do. Or if you stick with the half days you could hit then near park close. It definitely doesn't feel like you have too much to me but I also haven't been in August.

I thought it was either safari, Navi, or FoP for tier 1, so since we haven’t done Navi thought we would do that for FP one day and FoP the other day. Using 2 half days of FP at AK.

We also haven’t been in August so I think I’m trying to keep the days open and leaving room to be flexible if needed.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I thought it was either safari, Navi, or FoP for tier 1, so since we haven’t done Navi thought we would do that for FP one day and FoP the other day. Using 2 half days of FP at AK.

We also haven’t been in August so I think I’m trying to keep the days open and leaving room to be flexible if needed.

Safari is Tier 2. Only FOP and Navi are Tier 1.

 

[Berlk]

The plan is FP for FoP we have 2 young kids with us and a not morning person husband (plus another family and adults ah to many moving parts) I’m just not sure I can get all of us moving to be there an hour before park open.

Hope for fast passes then ‍ Hahaha I’m not sure! We went in August and couldn’t get FP+ so our only option was to get there early. Would they consider it worthwhile to consider it an “only extra early day” for the trip? We always leave after lunch for a nap and to cool off, so the early morning just are what they are for us. I also heat mornings, but I’ll do it for Disney!! Also keep in mind that that park does get really hot in the afternoon. I’ve heard it’s because all the trees keep the heat in...? We find A/C shows and attractions are really nice closer to lunch-or early afternoon if you’re staying at the park. The lion king line is tough to stand in for a long period of time, so we FP+ it to not be standing in there quite as long. It’s always a FP+ choice for us.

 

[NJlauren]

Safari is Tier 2. Only FOP and Navi are Tier 1.

Ahhh this changes it a bit too.

 

[NJlauren]

Hope for fast passes then ‍ Hahaha I’m not sure! We went in August and couldn’t get FP+ so our only option was to get there early. Would they consider it worthwhile to consider it an “only extra early day” for the trip? We always leave after lunch for a nap and to cool off, so the early morning just are what they are for us. I also heat mornings, but I’ll do it for Disney!! Also keep in mind that that park does get really hot in the afternoon. I’ve heard it’s because all the trees keep the heat in...? We find A/C shows and attractions are really nice closer to lunch-or early afternoon if you’re staying at the park. The lion king line is tough to stand in for a long period of time, so we FP+ it to not be standing in there quite as long. It’s always a FP+ choice for us.

Yeah I’m a bit worried about the heat. But we are giving it a try this year! We are trying to do an emm at HS or/and MK, so we will have some early morning. And the hours aren’t even out for August yet so it possible there won’t be 7am AK mornings, but I doubt I can get the group there an hour before that to race to FoP. If it’s an 8am morning there is a chance.

 

[Berlk]

I actually prefer to go in August! It’s warm, but leaving in the afternoon is one way we deal with it. You’ll see what’s best for you once you’re there. If they have EMH that you’re doing that will make for some early mornings!! We seem to miss most of the summer hours at the end of August, so the nights aren’t usually super late, and the mornings are cooler to be up and about!! So that helps too. Best of luck with the planning, I wish I had a trip to anticipate!

 

[NJlauren]

I actually prefer to go in August! It’s warm, but leaving in the afternoon is one way we deal with it. You’ll see what’s best for you once you’re there. If they have EMH that you’re doing that will make for some early mornings!! We seem to miss most of the summer hours at the end of August, so the nights aren’t usually super late, and the mornings are cooler to be up and about!! So that helps too. Best of luck with the planning, I wish I had a trip to anticipate!

We are going the last week of August. Trying to mix it up some early mornings and some not. However if the kids are up we will probably just head out, even if it isn’t planned.

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

Beyond a FP for FOP, AK is a a fly by the seat of our pants park.

There’s a lot to see and do. You’ll come across shows in the “streets”, maybe happen upon Devine (which is always a treat). Loads of little things to keep you busy. And then the trails and attractions.

I think your plan as you have it is fine. Leaving room for the little things you’ll stumble upon in this park is important IMO.

 

[CAQDaddy]

With a group as large as yours you may even consider splitting the group up if they're up for it. I think RD is so valuable that you shouldn't
miss it just because some in the group want to sleep in. I've found that RD at AK is more valuable than the other parks. If you avoid Pandora, you can accomplish many attractions with little or no wait. I would pick Dinoland or Africa and start with one of those areas and work your way around the park (clockwise from Africa or counterclockwise from Dinoland). Plan your FP's for later in the morning and you can check out Pandora whenever you go there for FP. I think you will really enjoy late August. It is hot, but crowds are manageable.

 

[NJlauren]

With a group as large as yours you may even consider splitting the group up if they're up for it. I think RD is so valuable that you shouldn't
miss it just because some in the group want to sleep in. I've found that RD at AK is more valuable than the other parks. If you avoid Pandora, you can accomplish many attractions with little or no wait. I would pick Dinoland or Africa and start with one of those areas and work your way around the park (clockwise from Africa or counterclockwise from Dinoland). Plan your FP's for later in the morning and you can check out Pandora whenever you go there for FP. I think you will really enjoy late August. It is hot, but crowds are manageable.

We plan on rope drop, but not an hour before to get on FoP. More get there 10/15 before in hopes we have a FP for later.