I'm beginning to dread going to AK

[laurabelle]

As you can see, our 1st summer trip is coming up soon but I keep reading on the boards that AK gets extremely hot in the summer. I just wanted to go for a couple of hours on a non-ee day, but now my kids have a laundry list of things they want to do there. Is AK really that bad in the summer?

 

[donna in Oz]

The humidity level can make it seem especially hot, but just be prepared. It always seems hotter than the other parks in mid-summer.

Be sure you have mister fans or cool ties, and go early. Ride the Safari early, and save the indoor-type activities (like ITTBAB and Dinosaur) for the warmer hours. The A/C will be especially appreciated then!!

And take a lunch break indoors. If your schedule allows enough time, the Rain Forest Cafe is a nice break.

 

[gschmerl]

We were in WDW last July. It was hot in ALL the parks. We didn't notice it being any worse in AK. I really enjoy AK. As suggested, do the safari early. Also do the walkings safari early. The indoor rides and attractions are air conditioned. Make sure to see It's Tough To Be a Bug--it was great. Also DON'T MISS the Festival of the Lion King Show. It's one of my favorite shows in all of WDW.

 

[supercarrie]

We went to AK a couple weeks ago. We were lucky enough to go on the coldest day of the trip (only 89 as the high I think.) It definitely can be done without being miserable. We each had little hand-held fans that we just kept on constantly which helped. Get there early and you will be fine. We also timed it so that we got FastPasses for Kali River Rapids for 12:30-1:30, which was WONDERFUL, a perfect relief from the heat. We went at 1:15, and then took we were done for the day with AK, but we actually got most of the park accomplished by getting there at opening.

 

[Daryl]

If you go 1st thing in the morning or late in the afternoon you'll be fine. I envy you! Have Fun

 

[PamNC]

It does seem to be the hottest of the parks. Which is obviously because a lot of what you do is outside and the lines are mostly outside as well. Plus, the shows. We go early. Hit the safari first thing. You'll see more animals that way anyhow. We try to duck into the air-conditioned shops throughout the day, that helps a little. Or, here's an idea...ride Kali River Rapids. You'll get soaked. Head over to Conservation Station and spend some time in the air conditioning during the mid-day heat. Just some ideas for you.

It's a great park - you don't want to miss a thing. Hot or not. Take it slow and drink plenty of water.

PamNC

 

[pygmymom]

I echo everything above--go early, mister fans, duck into AC. Also, work your FPs for the rides you have to wait outdoors for and do stand by for the AC stuff--like Dinosaur and Bug. We did the meal deal at AK so we had coupons for drinks and ice cream later.

And yes, you will get soaked on Kali River Rapids. Apparently, we didn't get wet enough the first time, so they turned on this giant spray of water toward the beginning of the ride. Even though we had to wear shoes, we took off our socks before we got on, so they were dry afterwards.

 

[grinningghost]

To be perfectly honest, I don't know what all the fuss is about AK being too hot. We went in late June one year, and didn't think it was any hotter than anywhere else in WDW. As a matter of fact, I'd almost stick my neck out and say it was cooler - due to Kali River Rapids. Go on that and you're guaranteed to be nice and cool for awhile - you get soaked to the skin!

Don't worry - you will be absolutely fine.

 

[laurabelle]

Thanks everyone, I do feel better now, I mean it's gonna be hot everywhere, right?!? I plan to do the safari first, then Kali right after, hoping it will keep us cool until we get our lunch and icecreams.

 

[grinningghost]

Originally posted by laurabelle
Thanks everyone, I do feel better now, I mean it's gonna be hot everywhere, right?!? I plan to do the safari first, then Kali right after, hoping it will keep us cool until we get our lunch and icecreams.

Exactly. Hot everywhere - that's summer in WDW.

 

[meiandrew]

<< As a matter of fact, I'd almost stick my neck out and say it was cooler <<

We felt the same way too, but we thought it was because of all of the trees providing some shade .

 

[>>^..^<<]

AK is our favourite park - were were staying at AKL last August and went there all the time as it was only 5 minutes away

I did not feel it any hotter than anywhere else... yes it's hot.. the hottest heat you can imagine and then some... hot hot hot... imagine getting in a hot car that has been baking in the sun all day and then using your blow dryer... it's hot - but you know what? - you are having so much fun you don't notice - just tak it easy and have lots of drinks and cool treats. AK is a very laid back park.

What you will notice however is severe lighting and rain blowing through in the afternoons for an hour or so.. like clockwork, so plan your days knowing that your afternoons will have rain and or/lightning.

The rains cool things off a bit for pleasant evenings.

>>^..^<<

 

[CarolA]

I find AK a LOT cooler then MK so maybe perception is 90% of it. That black concrete at MK just seems to melt my shoes

 

[nats]

It is very hot until you get to where the tree of life is. You are more in the open and there is some breeze.

 

[swilphil]

In AK, it seems like where there's shade, there's a ton of it, but there are a lot of areas that have no shade. I had 1 yo son in the stroller (he hates hats and likes to lean out) and at all the parks I tried to walk him in the shade. Once you passed the real shady area at the entrance to the park, it seemed like there were very few shady spots. We were mostly in Dinoland. At the other parks it seemed much easier to find shady spots along the way.

It helped that we made an 8 a.m. PS, did a few rides and then left by 10 a.m.

Bring your sunscreen!

 

[disneefamily]

Disney dad Says..............................You'll be fine.

I would not go from Safari straight to Kali, it will be too early. If you have young ones do that Wildlife Express Train thing, and walk the Pangani Forest Trail. Maybe see Flights of Wonder, and walk Maharajah Jungle TRek.

Then grab lunch at Tusker House. After lunch you need to decide, is it really hot? If yes, then do Discovery Island attractions.

If it's not too bad, then do Kali to get wet and head for Dinoland.
Hit Primeval Whirl, and Tricera Top Spin, and send a volunteer to get FP for Dinosaur. By the time you are done with the rides you should be dry and your FP's should be ready. If not kill some time at the Boneyard.

If you picked it's not too bad, then do Discovery Island, and you've done most of the park!!!

If you picked I'm boiling here, then after Discovery Island leave and do the rest of the plan in the morning of a return trip.

And heat is relative, Orlando at 90 with it's humidity, is no worse than a dry Sacramento heat at 105.

And let me tell you, I hate heat, but when Sacramento hits 105, I'll be out side for as long as 10 to 12................... minutes!!!!!

You hit the head of the nail, when you said it will be hot everywhere. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Minniespal]

We usually go the the AK first thing in the morning or later on in the afternoon. We were there last July and although I am very fair I found it to be fine.

Hope you have a great time.

 

[laurabelle]

Thanks everyone, and especially for the touring tips Disney dad, I'm taking notes!

 

[kdibattista]

Yes it is very hot in the afternoon.... we always get there right as it opens and get everything done by 1:00. I can't take it after that (and we normally go in September).

 

[BarbaraMB]

Originally posted by >>^..^<<
[yes it's hot.. the hottest heat you can imagine and then some... hot hot hot... imagine getting in a hot car that has been baking in the sun all day and then using your blow dryer... it's hot - but you know what?
>>^..^<< [/B]

Well put! Have a great time at the HRH! I LOVED it there.