Is AK a "must do" if you have never been there?

[princesslover]

We are planning our 2nd Disney trip this December. The first trip, we ended up cancelling our AK day while down there because we had rain on or DHS day and missed the Osborne lights. So we ended up doing another DHS day instead.

This time, I have AK planned for our last day. It's planned this way mostly to follow the crowd calendars. I've tried to move things around, but this is the only day that works. However, part of me wants to go back to MK for our last day, and for some reason, I am still feeling lukewarm about this park.

My daughters are 10 and 6 (turning 7 while there). They love dogs, cats etc. but are not really "into" exotic type animals so I am not sure if the theming there will really excite them. I am wondering if this is worth a park day for us.

I also have a potential to get a BOG reservation for this day (trying to coordinate today with another DIS member) so that plays into it as well.

Be honest with me. Will we regret never seeing AK? Is it worth it for our last day? I feel like I could go either way. Thanks for your input.

ETA: the only other option we have is to go there on the day of our MVMCP, and I am currently using that day as a "rest day" but potentially could visit AK that day?

 

[WDW in Pearls]

Honestly, I'm not a huge fan. If you do go, it's not going to take you all day to accomplish what you need to. I pretty much do the safari, Everest, Dinosaur, and leave. I could skip it altogether and not be upset about it but DBF likes it.

 

[oneprincessjo]

You have to fit it in eventually. It's not just animals, there are a ton of great rides. It is however one of those parks that I have only done a half a day for. So I would recommend going in the morning to get on Everest, Dinosaur and I think it's called the Kali Rapids and a couple other rides that seem appealing then head over to MK for the remainder of your day. I never miss animal kingdom, but I never spend more than a few hours. It's definitely doable to do both. I always tend to do Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios in one day, half a day each, but I much prefer AK over HS. I have been known to skip HS altogether on some trips. I think everyone is going to have an opinion, because AK and HS seem to be the least liked parks, but its something you are going to have to decide for yourself. Also if you do AK, do it in the morning because it gets crazy hot and humid in there due to all the plant life.

 

[WDW in Pearls]

As much as I love ToT, PP is right. Both parks don't have enough going on to be there a full day. This might help you adjust your plans so that you can get in all the time at MK that you'd need.

 

[smallblackstars]

Are you able to park hop? If so I would definitely go to AK! When we are there AK will be closing at around 5.30 so we will be going there for rope drop and leaving at around 4.30 after the parade, heading back to our resort to grab DD's stroller then heading into the MK for our BOG reservation and to watch the MSEP and Wishes. A lot of people have AK as their least favourite park but I really like it, I think it is a much easier going park than the others and its a lovely park to walk about seeing the theming and the animals. I missed it last year as DD was poorly on our scheduled AK day so I can't wait to get back later this year! Whatever you decide to do I hope you have a fab time!!!

 

[princesslover]

Thanks to both of you for your input.

I would be happy to do HS and AK in half days....but we want to see Fantasmic (never saw it last time b/c it got rained out) and I keep hearing how we need to make rope drop at that park. So right now, I have us in HS all day for those reasons. I don't think I'd want to try to squeeze in AK between all that.

I've never understood how you can do DHS in a half day and do both rope drop and an evening show.

Part of the reason I had AK on our last day is because I knew it was a half day park...and we could get back the resort and pack, rest, swim etc. for the rest of the day.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

We are planning our 2nd Disney trip this December. The first trip, we ended up cancelling our AK day while down there because we had rain on or DHS day and missed the Osborne lights. So we ended up doing another DHS day instead.

This time, I have AK planned for our last day. It's planned this way mostly to follow the crowd calendars. I've tried to move things around, but this is the only day that works. However, part of me wants to go back to MK for our last day, and for some reason, I am still feeling lukewarm about this park.

My daughters are 10 and 6 (turning 7 while there). They love dogs, cats etc. but are not really "into" exotic type animals so I am not sure if the theming there will really excite them. I am wondering if this is worth a park day for us.

I also have a potential to get a BOG reservation for this day (trying to coordinate today with another DIS member) so that plays into it as well.

Be honest with me. Will we regret never seeing AK? Is it worth it for our last day? I feel like I could go either way. Thanks for your input.

ETA: the only other option we have is to go there on the day of our MVMCP, and I am currently using that day as a "rest day" but potentially could visit AK that day?

Two things I love in AK are The Lion King Show and the Kilimanjaro Safari. I would probably love Kali River Rapids too but have never been on it yet because our littlest one hasn't been tall enough until this year. That's about 2 hours worth of stuff. We never spend more than 3 hrs in AK. Honestly, I would see it all at least once, your kids will love it. But, if I had to pick one to SKIP because I had no other choice due to time constraints, it would be AK.

 

[stargazertechie]

We spent 2 full days at AK on our last trip. I just can't comprehend how people see it as a half day park.

Definitely don't skip it

 

[dpswift]

We love AK it is our second favorite park. In february when we had 2 days no PHs we did MK and AK. The four of us were in agreement and had no discussion. If you have never been there you need to go and give it a chance.

 

[bluejasmine]

Idk why but AK is our least fave park, in fact there have been a few trips we skipped it but this trip I told DH that I want to go for half a day, so we have early TH breakfast & I want to ride Dinosaur & that dinosaur spin ride, Kali and a few others.. We will get a snack & call it a day around 1230 head back to Poly & swim the rest of the afternoon until dinner at our resort & then I have booked a carriage ride as a surprise for DH!!

AK is just so hot & spread out! DH likes EE and the safari & ITTBAB.. We like looking at the tigers as well but that's really it.. Oh & this time I'd like to see FOTLK, DH hasn't seen that yet!

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[Guyton dis lover]

Its not a roller coaster theme park but it is worth the trip. That being said they do have a roller coaster.

 

[momofboyz3]

Hi~ so I saved AK for our last full day. This was our 1st time at WDW & I planned 1 day at each park, 1 TL day & a resort day. First off I know many families who chose to skip this park or half day it. We hit the safari, Kali and a few other things. AK is very hot, I found it more uncomfortable than the others, I was not prepared. With that said I have started planning our 2014 vaca & have AK as a park earlier on in the trip. I think it's a park I could LOVE. We ended up leaving after 3 hours, I had laundry that I wanted to do & reservations at OHanas. Plus my boys wanted to hit the pool.
So, if by skipping AK makes you feel better, since u will be getting an xtra MK day then skip it. I do think it is the most beautiful of the parks. But, it's a park you need to feel excited about seeing. My ds9 still talks about Kali..

 

[WDSearcher]

IMO, the two best stage shows on property are at AK -- Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo, The Musical. There's a great interactive "boneyard" for kids to dig in and "discover" dinosaurs. The entire park beautifully presents two parts of the world most people will never see: Africa and Asia. There's so much to see there, and most of it is stuff that kids can't see anywhere else. Clearly, I'm a fan.

I would suggest you really take a look at the park. Read about all the attractions, rides, characters and shows. Look at photos. Watch a couple videos. Even if none of that appeals to you or your kids, at least you'll have done your due diligence.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think that skipping any park is totally fine. It will be there if you go back. WDW is massive, it's just impossible to see everything in a week or whatever. GL deciding!

 

[Maggie Lizer]

If you don't really like animals or zoos, then I'd probably skip it.

That said, my DH who usually does not care much for zoos, ranks AK as his second favorite park behind Epcot, so who knows?

 

[Crickey]

I really enjoy AK i really like watching animals and find the trails really good i also love EE and Kali whilst the gf loves getting scared on Dinosaur.

For us its a half day park but we use it as a semi rest day where you are doing something but recharging the batteries for another assault on a bigger park the following day

 

[princesslover]

I really enjoy AK i really like watching animals and find the trails really good i also love EE and Kali whilst the gf loves getting scared on Dinosaur.

For us its a half day park but we use it as a semi rest day where you are doing something but recharging the batteries for another assault on a bigger park the following day

Thanks for the responses everyone. quick question....we currently have nothing planned on our MVMCP day, other than to be in MK around 4:00. Would it be possible to make a "quick visit" to AK on this day, for a couple of hours, or would that be too much on a party day?

If I did that, I would go to MK our last day. And then we'd do both. Thoughts?

 

[Gumbo4x4]

If you don't really like animals or zoos, then I'd probably skip it.

That said, my DH who usually does not care much for zoos, ranks AK as his second favorite park behind Epcot, so who knows?

This is exactly the point I was preparing to make. We went into our first Disney trip assuming which parks would be our favorites, and which attractions would as well. But for many things, we were dead wrong. We loved things we didn't think we would, and hated some things we expected to love. I think you need to go and just see what happens

 

[cfw213]

Thanks for the responses everyone. quick question....we currently have nothing planned on our MVMCP day, other than to be in MK around 4:00. Would it be possible to make a "quick visit" to AK on this day, for a couple of hours, or would that be too much on a party day?

If I did that, I would go to MK our last day. And then we'd do both. Thoughts?

I think that's a good compromise. If you do RD at AK you could get a lot done by lunchtime and still have some downtime before the party starts.

AK is a beautiful park even if it isn't loaded with thrill rides and the theming is incredible. I wouldn't miss it.

 

[Rose23]

There's nothing like ending your vacation at the Magic Kingdom with fireworks, SpectroMagic (if you can catch it) and seeing the castle lit up as you leave.