How long to spend at AK?

[my2boys1821]

I am planning my itinerary for June. I was wondering how long does the average person spend at AK? This is what I have going on that day.......

Chef Mickey's 8:00 am breakfast
Go to Animal Kingdom for the day
Dinner Resv. at Teppanyaki, EPCOT at 5:00.

Now I'm thinking that's not going to work because we will have to leave AK to go have dinner so early at EPCOT. Is it worth my time going to AK for about 6 hours? Do I need more time or is that enough? All of our dinner ressies are early because we have young kids and at the time I thought it would be easier. Now it may be too late to change? What do you all think?

 

[wdwguide]

I am planning my itinerary for June. I was wondering how long does the average person spend at AK? This is what I have going on that day.......

Chef Mickey's 8:00 am breakfast
Go to Animal Kingdom for the day
Dinner Resv. at Teppanyaki, EPCOT at 5:00.

Now I'm thinking that's not going to work because we will have to leave AK to go have dinner so early at EPCOT. Is it worth my time going to AK for about 6 hours? Do I need more time or is that enough? All of our dinner ressies are early because we have young kids and at the time I thought it would be easier. Now it may be too late to change? What do you all think?

I would try to reschedule your meal at Epcot for 6 pm, and do a character breakfast closer to the Animal Kingdom (like Donald's Breakfastosaurus in the park). It really is an all-day park now with Everest open, and you'd be rushed to see the highlights in just six hours.

 

[Azure]

We normally do 2 parks the day that we go to AK. I suggest going in the morning to AK and having a nice lunch at Tusker House and than do some afternoon rides and than go back to your hotel get changed and go to Epcot.

 

[paoil]

Our family would think that is plenty of time. AK has widely been regarded as a 1/2 day park. Expedition Everest is a great addition--but it doesn't add a whole 1/2 day.
If I were you I'd enter the park and right off the bat get a fast pass for Everest. Then go back and see the attractions in the Dinosaur area. You may also have enough time to see Bug's Life. As soon as you've done Expedition Everest so to the Safari and get a fast pass for it. While waiting for that pass window to open do all the other things you're interested in.
I think you'll make Epcot without a problem.

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

At least one full day for us. We love AK.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

We always do a full day at AK. It is the largest park and that way, we can take breaks and just wander. For some reason, it seems hotter there too. LoL We go in may and they close at 5 or 6, though, so we leave about 45 minutes before closing and then head to dinner, then Epcot or DTD.

We made ressies at the Yacht Club on the day we are going to AK, and made them for 7 pm just in case.

 

[delswife]

For some reason, it seems hotter there too. LoL

Oh, I thought I was the only one who thought that!

It is hotter, isn't it?

 

[RoyalCanadian]

I truly wonder how many wonderful attractions that people are skipping over just to be able to continue saying that AK is nothing more than a 1/2 day park.

There are so many wonderful attractions there -- the Maharajah Jungle Trek (where we had a face-to-face encounter with a tiger and nothing more than a viewing window between us), the Pangani Forest Trail, Rafiki's Planet Watch, Expedition Everest, FOTLK, the Safari, and the Boneyard were just some of the attractions that kept us going in mid-March. Throw in Tough to be a Bug, Dinosaur (missed it this time -- but back for New Years!), a leisurely lunch at Flame Tree BBQ and enjoying the theming and the very knowledgeable and helpful CMs. The time of AK being nothing more than a 1/2 day park is over.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

delswife-

My DH told the kids that Disney pipes in heat to simulate Africa.

 

[Vivianne]

We do a full day at AK. We don't go commando anymore. We just see the park at a relaxed pace. I also agree that the park feels hotter. Not so much of a breeze.

 

[Amirah95]

Oh, I thought I was the only one who thought that!

It is hotter, isn't it?

it is definitely hotter there for some reason . I was thinking it was all in my mind because of the dark colors and the greenery everywhere.

 

[Imagineer22]

I use to work at Rafikis Planet Watch and the concensious was that it WAS hotter due to the abundant plant life. Well ok maybe it wasn't warmer but it was more humid thus increasing the perception of heat. This was always evident after the daily rain shower and the steam hung around for a very long time. I still say Disney did a fantastic job of recreating the jungle in Florida!

 

[delswife]

delswife-

My DH told the kids that Disney pipes in heat to simulate Africa.

Now see, I would've fallen for that.


I'm glad to see I'm not completely nuts.

 

[BeckWhy]

When I went over spring break many years ago, you really needed a lot of time. We only had time to do one ride: Kali. It was a 3 hour wait. Animal Kingdom closes at 5 anyways, so I would reschedule your ADRs for later and I would try to take advantage of FP as much as you can.

If you were going a low travel time, I would have said sure it was plenty of time.

 

[mickeysaver]

We usually plan 2 half days at the park. We are huge fans of AK. I do find it to be a bit warmer during the spring, summer, and fall. But, it has some really special magic that if you take the time to see the park rather than just running from ride to ride can be really wonderful. Happy Planning! Maggie

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I do at least two half days there, too. The best way to see the park is to get there as early as possible, and stay till early afternoon. Then I like to take the bus over to AKL for my zebra dome fix AK is creeping up to being a two or three day park for me, though. Yes, you can rush through it in half a day, but why? I like to spend at least 20-30 minutes just watching the gorillas on the Pangani trail.

 

[my2boys1821]

Thanks a bunch! Maybe I will keep my itinerary the way it is. Still see if I can bump my dinner ADR back an hour to give us a little more time. We are there for 7 days so we can always come back to AK another day.

I would change my Chef Mickey's to Donald's Breafast but it's my ds's 4th birthday and he idolizes Mickey Mouse. All he's talking about it having breakfast with Mickey Mouse so I cannot change that ADR!

Thanks for the input. I knew you all would help me make my decision.

 

[Azure]

Animal Kingdom is a park where if you really liked it that you will want to go back. I wouldn't change anything because you will have enough time!

 

[golden1]

I think of AK as a 3/4 day park. For example, the two times I've been I've gone at opening and then left at around 3pm. I've gone during less crowded times of the year so I was able to see everything without rushing by mid-afternoon. Everest may add another hour to that.

 

[tomerin]

i really dont understand why people would consider AK a one day park. it may not have as many visible attractions as other park but this is where the magic is for me and my family. AK to us is a place where you simply cannot go and do "commando". it really is a place that needs a slower pace to immerse yourself in its theming. we did both trails last trip(2 seperate days) with 2 teenage boys and to my amazement we spent a long and enjoyable time because they allowed themselves the chance to be in a different world. if it wasnt for the physical barriers seperating the animals from us i would have really felt like i was on another continent.

if it wasnt for that abomination of an arcade area in Dinoland i would consider AK a perfect place to spen d a whole day. its not the cookie cutter rides that bother me its just that cheesy game area. it just reminds me of those rip-off games you see at county fairs.