How hot will Animal Kingdom be in summer?

[mshanson3121]

We're going the last week of June. Just how hot will Animal Kingdom feel? Is it quite unbearable? It is the park my son is looking forward to the most, and I know that we will need a FULL day to see all we want to. Would we be better off to try and split it into two mornings, say 9-12 or 1 both mornings? Or 9-1 one morning and maybe 4-7 another day?

 

[bsbrady]

I dont think it will be any hotter than the other parks. Its June in Orlando, it will be Hot & Humid. I would start very early in the day

 

[Nancyg56]

I would get there for rope drop. AK is HOT. But worth it!

 

[minnie mum]

It's no hotter than any other park. Some people think it FEELS warmer. Probably because of the density of the vegetation. It's a jungle, and it blocks any breezes in some places. Wear the proper clothing, including a hat. Stay hydrated. And use a hand held fan or mister. Do the indoor attractions in the afternoon when it's hottest and hit KRR to cool off.

 

[mshanson3121]

So, no need to break it into a couple days then?

 

[Nancyg56]

It's no hotter than any other park. Some people think it FEELS warmer. Probably because of the density of the vegetation. It's a jungle, and it blocks any breezes in some places. Wear the proper clothing, including a hat. Stay hydrated. And use a hand held fan or mister. Do the indoor attractions in the afternoon when it's hottest and hit KRR to cool off.

LOL! Florida is hot in the Summer there is no getting away from that! I think that no matter which park you vist, plan ahead, get to the entrance early, use good judgement and drink plenty of water. I will say AK "feels" hotter to me! But Summer feels hotter to me lately! LOL!

 

[Nancyg56]

So, no need to break it into a couple days then?

I would not, unless you want to visit on more than one day. AK is a great park, and there really is a lot to do and see. We generally just visit one day, but I have not been in June. I think if you kept the shows til the afternoon, and as a PP posted, hot Kali River Rapids during the heat of the afternoon, you will be fine.

We are going in August, and my DGD really cannot tolerate the heat so we are getting there at rope drop. I think we can hit everything that day, before it gets too hot for her.

 

[HelenParr]

I also would not break it up. Go at RD. Have FP+ plan. You'll get it all in. And if you plan FotLK and Nemo,you will have a nice, cool half hour to chill for each. Plus good A/C on Dinosaur and Tough to Be a Bug.

 

[mshanson3121]

Would I want to do the Jungle Trek before or after Kali? We have a 12:25 ADR for Tusker House too, which will be good.

 

[Pembo]

We have been to AK in June and it was HOT. It definitely feels hotter than the other parks. Get there before rope drop and when you start wilting, leave and come back later. We also carry those personal mister fans.

 

[kbmartin]

I honestly think you could do a whole day there if you plan it well. Last year my DH and I went in August (HOT!) and made it two separate mornings, but looking back, we totally could have done it in one day. There are some shows (Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo the Musical) that are indoors and are about a half hour long. There are also some rides that are indoors (Dinosaur, It's Tough to Be a Bug) and some that will cool you off (Kali River Rapids). Plus, you've got to eat at some point, and you could easily choose an air-conditioned restaurant there. I would make your Fastpass reservations for ones in which you'd have to wait outside for long periods of time in the heat and sun. HYDRATE!

Example plan...

• Get there BEFORE Rope Drop to be one of the first in the park
• Go straight to the safari ride (you'll walk right on) (outdoor)
• Go to first Festival of the Lion King (indoor)
• Flights of Wonder show (outdoor)
• Expedition Everest (outdoor)
• Lunch (indoor)
• Etc...

This is just an example to help you see what I mean. Just keep alternating between indoor and outdoor attractions. If you get too hot, take a break, go back to your hotel, and come back later! I cannot emphasize enough to be there and ready to enter the park the moment it opens. Also, in the evenings there are smaller lines. Just figure out your priorities, do them, and if you feel good, do the others.

One piece of advice - doing the Maharajah Jungle Trek was tough in the heat, and there wasn't much animal activity to see. Decide if you really want to wander the trails in the heat or not... It will definitely not be a priority for us on our next trip.

Good luck!

 

[JenLynn]

I love AK but it does often feel hotter than the other parks. I wouldn't break it in to multiple days, but I would suggest getting there early. There is shade to be found, but there is also little air movement so no breeze to cool you off.

 

[kwdw]

Leave FOTLK and Nemo shows until later in the day as both are in air conditioned theaters. Do Flights of Wonder in the morning or right after lunch. Lunch at a place with AC. I think AK is cooler than EPCOT because there's more shade options at AK.

 

[DebbieB]

We have been to AK in June and it was HOT. It definitely feels hotter than the other parks. Get there before rope drop and when you start wilting, leave and come back later. We also carry those personal mister fans.

I agree, I've been there in June.

 

[disneybliss2]

AK is a favorite of both of my girls, so we spend a lot of time there. We go in June also, and I don't think it's any hotter than the other parks. I would plan your days out how you want to and wouldn't try to worry about scheduling around the heat. It will be hot no matter what park your at.

 

[bocaj1431]

We have been to AK in June and it was HOT. It definitely feels hotter than the other parks. Get there before rope drop and when you start wilting, leave and come back later. We also carry those personal mister fans.

I agree. Someone posted previously that the reason it feels hotter is there are fewer rides where the lines are in an an enclosed area that is cooler than out in the direct sun and fewer air conditioned attractions. Not sure if that is true but it definitely feels hotter. We went last year in the summer to all the parks and of course they are all hot but I couldn't stay mare than 3 hrs in AK. We had all the helpful cooling tools but it just did not help.

Maybe you can have two plans, one for the day and a back up plan in case you feel the heat is too much. I would also get there at RD when the park is cooler and hopefully not as crowded and you can get more done. Make sure when planning to strategically place attractions with AC to give you time to cool down.

 

[mshanson3121]

How does this look for a Touring Plan, with the idea of being in park from 9-5?

Oasis Exhibits
Discovery Island Trails
Lion King (10:00)
Kilimanjaro Safaris (10:00 FP+)
Taking the train over to Conservation Station
ADR at Tusker House 12:25, I imagine we'll plan on an hour here?
Pangani Forest Trail
Kali River Rapids
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Either do Finding Nemo show or just take a break here, as we have about 40 free minutes
Flights of Wonder
Dinosaur
DinoLand Dance a Palooza

 

[philharmagic fan]

Don't burn valuable rope drop time at the Oasis or Discovery island. Oasis is very shady so OK to do in afternoon. There's a bit of a walk from the far train station to the Conservation Station exhibits,so I'd do that first while it's cool. Train stations are not far from Lion King and Kilimanjaro, so you'll be in the right part of the park. BTW - if you have access to a freezer, freeze a water bottle for each family member; they will melt gradually and you'll have ice cold drinking water for at least the first few hours.

 

[Ava]

If you don't have an ADR for lunch, Pizzafari and Restaurantosaurus are two counter service options that have indoor, air conditioned seating (and plenty of it). There's also an ice cream stand attached to Restaurantosaurus, you can get an ice cream from there and then sit inside to eat it.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

It's funny. I hear people say it feels hotter than the other parks, but I always thought just the opposite! With so many trees and vegetation, it just feels more shaded. Like you're not standing in the middle of the blazing sun all the time! I find Epcot to feel much, much hotter than AK. We go in August and, yes, it's hot everywhere. But we've thoroughly enjoyed our days at AK. We usually just do one full day there, rope drop to closing since they usually close at 5 or 6 when we're there. And Kali is the perfect answer when you feel overheated!