Help for AK plan - do we really need to see all 3 of these?

[Sharpdisney]

I'm trying to play around with my AK plan a little bit. I am planning rope drop, but I think I also want a plan B, in case the family does not get up so early that day. We'd still get in the park at a reasonable time, maybe 10? So that means I'll probably drop something out of my AK touring plan.

Do we need to see all three of these? I'm interested in hearing others opinions.

We are a couple in our 30s, DS who is 5.5 on this trip, and MIL 50's. Leisurely touring I think, but happy to get to see all we can. DS loves animals. Going late February, AK is recommended park with a crowd of 3.

So...

Pangani Forest Trail
Maharaja Jungle Trek
Rafiki's Planet Watch/ Habitat Habit / Wildlife Express Train

(We are absolutely doing the Safari, already have FP+).

I feel like I need to ask this because I mentioned the Wildlife Train to some friends who are total WDW regulars, DVC and everything, and they had never even heard of it... I've heard some say it is not that interesting for the time you need to commit. Or should we try it, but just pick one of the "treks"?

Thanks for any advice!!!

 

[Robo]

I'm trying to play around with my AK plan a little bit. I am planning rope drop, but I think I also want a plan B, in case the family does not get up so early that day. We'd still get in the park at a reasonable time, maybe 10? So that means I'll probably drop something out of my AK touring plan.

Do we need to see all three of these? I'm interested in hearing others opinions.

We are a couple in our 30s, DS who is 5.5 on this trip, and MIL 50's. Leisurely touring I think, but happy to get to see all we can. DS loves animals. Going late February, AK is recommended park with a crowd of 3.

So...

Pangani Forest Trail
Maharaja Jungle Trek
Rafiki's Planet Watch/ Habitat Habit / Wildlife Express Train

(We are absolutely doing the Safari, already have FP+).

I feel like I need to ask this because I mentioned the Wildlife Train to some friends who are total WDW regulars, DVC and everything, and they had never even heard of it... I've heard some say it is not that interesting for the time you need to commit. Or should we try it, but just pick one of the "treks"?

Thanks for any advice!!!

We usually skip the VERY TIME CONSUMING Rafiki's Planet Watch/ Habitat Habit / Wildlife Express Train.

The trails are filled with a lot of interesting animals, presented in unique ways.
And, you can spend as little or much time as you like in any section.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

We've done the train and Rafiki's once. Don't really feel a need to go back. And we LOVE AK! Love everything about it. But that just seems far removed and, as you mentioned, not really worth the time you need to invest. But I would DEFINITELY go to both of the animal trails, especially if your little guy likes animals. Neither are terribly long, but definitely worth doing both. That's just how our family feels about it! I'm sure you'll hear other opinions as well...

 

[Dis703]

The train goes over to Rafiki's Planet Watch which is great for your son's age. My 5 year old loved it last year and if doing the Wildlife Explorers Program there are a lot of badges to get while you are there. My kids watched them perform an exam on a porcupine and we were going to do the petting zoo (did that with ODS years ago) but it started pouring. They also did a M&G with Chip and Dale and Rafiki which were some of our best pics with characters. I think it's worthwhile.

We also really enjoy the trails and again there are badges to get along the way.

 

[kwdw]

Nope - don't need to do all three. I do like taking the train out to Planet Watch and its a nice break from the rest of the park. There's usually a character meet out there and probably some goats or sheep to actually pet. Sometimes there will be CMs out with a live animal out of a cage that they can tell you more about. And sometimes there will be a real surgery going on to watch.

I'm going with a 5.5 yo girl this spring, and we'll definitely do the train ride and animal petting since she will like that. Plus, the building is air-conditioned with some seats - and its nice to have the break from the heat.

I'd skip one of the two trails, though. Little ones can struggle to find the animals to see them - or they might simply be out of sight anyway. I can't remember which trail has what - but kids usually like to see the tigers! They can be walking without much reward sometimes.

Plus - if you plan to see at least two of the three shows - it can be hard to get everything in one day.

It's also a weather dependent decision, IMO. Beautiful low humidity day - walking the trails might be fun. Hot and humid day - could just feel like a torture walk and maybe trying to make all three shows is a better idea.

 

[Sharpdisney]

Wow, thanks for the great feedback already! Of course, as I guessed, no consensus on what to pick. My DS loves LOVES trains of all sorts, so I'm thinking if nothing else, just for the ride, he'll enjoy that. It is hard for me to justify with a couple goats and sheep, but if there is an animal procedure or an animal interaction type thing, he'd go for that.

Are there snakes there, or anywhere at AK, to see, caged or otherwise? His favorite animal by far (and DH's least favorite - think Indiana Jones...)

 

[DisneyKidds]

As an adult I would absolutely pass on Rafiki's Planet Watch. Interesting for an adult to see once, but not so much bang for the adult buck, given the train ride you have to take to get there. As an adult I don't need to see snakes and lizards, or pet goats, or greet characters. Even for my older children that isn't an attraction any longer.

But you aren't asking for an adult, or for older children.....you are asking for a 5 yo boy. If he likes train rides and petting animals. If he wants to see spiders and lizards and snakes and such. If he wants to greet some characters.....well, you probably get the idea, it's a great option for a young child.

I'd skip one of the trails if you have to. The Africa trail might have some snakes in by the naked mole rats......but the Asia trail has giant bats and tigers!

 

[NavyDad]

Our kids are older and love the thrill rides so we skip the train ride to Planet Watch.

With your group and the age of your son I would take the train and spend some time over there.

IF you have to cut something out you could probably cut out one of the trails.

Later on as your son gets older and wants to ride more rides you probably won't want to "waste time" on the train ride so now is as good a time as any to see it...

 

[MinnieGi]

If you are good on time I would do Rafiki's. Our kids are older now 14 & 10 so we usually skip Rafiki's. However when they were younger they enjoyed the petting zoo aspect and the animal building has reptiles, usually a character for photos and animal care workers behind glass that you can see maybe working on and taking care of the animals. For a 5.5 yo, the train and animals may be just perfect.

 

[Hooked On The Mouse]

Our kids love animals, and we have done the train and Planet Watch, but honestly felt like it ended up being a huge waste of time. It just takes you so far out from the rest of the park and mostly for things available at our local zoo. But we do love AK and animals, so we try to do both Pangani and Maharajah trails. That would be my advice, and then if your son loves trains, I would definitely suggest the train at the MK which is much less of a time commitment to experience.

 

[Funfire240]

Our kids are 6 and 4 and they like Rafiki's. They enjoy the petting zoo area. Last summer when we got there they had games with Chip and Dale that DD jumped in with and Dale ended up walking her over to the meet and greet line holding her hand. we also enjoy it in general because we are animal people and spend a lot of time at the zoo and in zoo classes so the kids (especially the 6 year old) enjoys that educational part.

If you want it just for the train, just take that around and don't get off at Rafiki's - you can stay on and circle around.

 

[Sharpdisney]

Thank you! Great tips and ideas! I'm going to keep looking at my schedule. And as I said, this is plan B. If I am successful at getting my group up in time for rope drop, I'm sure we will fit in all that we are hoping for that day:

Safari
Pangani
FOTLK
Tusker House lunch
Rafiki's Planet Watch
Maharaja
Expedition Everest
Dinoland/DINOSAUR/Triceratop spin / Boneyard
Tough to be a bug at end of day

Does that sound reasonable?
This is with a 5 pm AK closing. Last year on that date (last Thursday of Feb.) the close was 7 pm, so not sure if that could adjust when we get closer. Thank you!!!!!

 

[StirlingSilver83]

I feel the train is a must for a 5.5 year old. When we took my son at that age trains were his thing and he loved it. The planet watch was just ok for me but my son loved it. I would definitely drop 1 of the trails. It might be a lot of walking for a 5.5 year old. Animal kingdom is a lot of walking without adding on the certain trails lol

 

[Sharpdisney]

Great ideas, thanks all.
I think for DS I'll plan to at least take the train there, see what's available, and take the train back if there isn't much going on.
I'll keep the walking in mind for the trails, but thanks to the fabulous internet, I've been able to organize our plan so that we don't do backtracking, so hopefully that will help. Right now I'm shooting for one trail before lunch / late morning, and the other trail after lunch, so we'll see how we are all feeling (and weather too!!!)

 

[KEichman]

How long is the train ride, there and back? I understand you can spend as little or as much time as you like once you arrive, but I'm just trying to estimate the minimum time commitment. Thanks!

 

[msmama]

Train ride I'd guess is roughly 10 minutes. I'm fairly certain they do make you get off on the other end (no staying on to ride back) but I could be mistaken about that.

Like others have said, the best thing about the trails and Rafiki's planet watch is that you can spend as much or as little time on any of them as you'd like! If it were my first trip, I'd aim for doing them all quickly rather than skipping any one of them if you're lacking time.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

I would skip Dinoland - my 3y.o. loved triceratops spin but it really is nothing more than just a cheap-looking Dumbo knock-off. It's a weird area with theming that doesn't match the rest of the park. Rafiki's and the train was being refurbished during our trip but we would have gone there instead. JMO.

 

[Racemom17]

Depends on your son. I could leave the Rafiki Planet Watch but my now 12 year old still loves riding that train out to a petting zoo...where most of the animals don't want to be touched and sit inside the no touch zone....the trails are much more interesting to me.

 

[Sharpdisney]

Since I re-looked at our schedule, I think we might have time to do each of them, albeit not for an extended period, just to see what each thing is like. In Dinoland, I could take or leave the spin ride, but we might all like the Dinosaur ride. We are not trying to see every show there, so that leaves us some flexibility to walk around to see other stuff. Thanks for everyone's input!

 

[gpeters93]

The Discovery Island trials are often overlooked, but would be a good addition to your plan. Lots of small animal viewing and a close encounter with the Tree of Life.