Help me plan our AK day?

[blf14]

We want to do the primary rides. We want to eat at Tusker House. And we want to see Rivers of Light.

We’ve done AK Several times, but never made it to the end of the night. My youngest is almost 4, and will definitely tire out in the heat. We will be staying in a Disney Springs hotel, which will also be a first for us versus on property, so I hesitate to plan on leaving the park to rest. So, even though we are typically an early morning family, I am re-thinking that.

My main question right now is for when we should make our Tusker House reservation. Ideally, I was thinking about that late breakfast time (10:40ish), when lunch would be beginning also, as that would satisfy all of the taste preferences in the family. However, With travel time from an offsite hotel and etc., would even that be a bit early if we’re also having a late night?

What’s your favorite meal at Tusker House? And when would you Go in my shoes?

( and apologies if this should be on the restaurants forum, I wasn’t sure!)

 

[AuntJamelle]

Hmmmmm....I see your dilemma. If Rivers of Light is at 8PM (I believe?) and you have to factor in travel time back to hotel afterwards - at least an hour right? Then working back from that - what is the earliest you think you could get to the park without hitting meltdown mode by the end of the night?

What if you do something like this?

Sleep in
Eat simple breakfast at hotel or QS somewhere DSRA
Arrive at AK in time to do lunch at Tusker House - maybe do a later lunch to avoid the peak busy time? You could tour a bit - then do lunch - then continue on about your day...

Given the fact that so much of AK is outside in the heat - maybe you can work in the shows (Lion King, Nemo) at strategic points during the main touring stretch of your day. To give you all a break from the heat. One show is 30 min and the other is 45 I believe. Your little one might even nap part of the time?

I've been trying to find info on quite places in AK with A/C to take a rest break - not much found so far but if I find anything else I'll chime in again!

 

[blf14]

Hmmmmm....I see your dilemma. If Rivers of Light is at 8PM (I believe?) and you have to factor in travel time back to hotel afterwards - at least an hour right? Then working back from that - what is the earliest you think you could get to the park without hitting meltdown mode by the end of the night?

What if you do something like this?

Sleep in
Eat simple breakfast at hotel or QS somewhere DSRA
Arrive at AK in time to do lunch at Tusker House - maybe do a later lunch to avoid the peak busy time? You could tour a bit - then do lunch - then continue on about your day...

Given the fact that so much of AK is outside in the heat - maybe you can work in the shows (Lion King, Nemo) at strategic points during the main touring stretch of your day. To give you all a break from the heat. One show is 30 min and the other is 45 I believe. Your little one might even nap part of the time?

I've been trying to find info on quite places in AK with A/C to take a rest break - not much found so far but if I find anything else I'll chime in again!

Oh, I'm so thankful for your response! Some great points I hadn't considered. I hadn't really even thought about a traditional or even late lunch as character meal lunches, for some reason, seem to be less of a "deal" (ha!) than breakfast or dinner... but a) maybe that's all in my head, and even moreso b) that might work best for our family! Then we can just see how the morning shakes out, and grab a heavy snack or dinner in the evening whenever suits also, and perhaps be better equipped if the littlest starts crumbling. I like it

 

[blf14]

And Tusker House has characters for all 3 meals now, yes? I know it used to be just breakfast but it looks like that changed.... fingers crossed!

 

[cruisin5]

10:40 is too early IMO. That will be just about a 12 hour day.

I'd plan on arriving at about 1 or even 2. That will still be plenty of time to eat at TH and enjoy AK.

While AK doesn't have a lot of indoor rides/attractions there is a lot of shade.

She probably won't remember much from this trip so I'd make it easy on your family and push back your reservation.

 

[Accidental Magpie]

Do the Rivers of Light package at Tusker to secure a seat later for ROL so no waiting in line for seats?

 

[blf14]

10:40 is too early IMO. That will be just about a 12 hour day.

I'd plan on arriving at about 1 or even 2. That will still be plenty of time to eat at TH and enjoy AK.

While AK doesn't have a lot of indoor rides/attractions there is a lot of shade.

She probably won't remember much from this trip so I'd make it easy on your family and push back your reservation.

Thank you for the perspective . I was trying to get my head around how much time we’d need to “do” AK (which is probably our 2nd favorite park after Mk!) so that helps! We had such a magical time with my big kids when they were that age (now 8 and 9); we’re trying to recreate that a bit with the character meals and etc for the little one

 

[blf14]

Do the Rivers of Light package at Tusker to secure a seat later for ROL so no waiting in line for seats?

Yes, I think so! Reviews seem mixed on whether it’s worth it, but it’s not a whole lot more money so I think we will