Jungle Trek at Park Opening

[southernfriedmom]

My DS likes to ride EE several times at park opening with my DH but that leaves the other 6 of us non-riders waiting. It was my plan for the rest of us to wander through the nearby Jungle Trek but touringplans says it doesn't open until 30 minutes after park opening. Can anyone confirm or deny this? If its opening is delayed, any suggestions on what to do with the other 3 kids and grandparents while they ride without too much walking cross park (we'll be headed to Safari next)? TIA!!

 

[Robo]

My DS likes to ride EE several times at park opening with my DH but that leaves the other 6 of us non-riders waiting. It was my plan for the rest of us to wander through the nearby Jungle Trek but touringplans says it doesn't open until 30 minutes after park opening. Can anyone confirm or deny this? If its opening is delayed, any suggestions on what to do with the other 3 kids and grandparents while they ride without too much walking cross park (we'll be headed to Safari next)? TIA!!

The Boneyard. "Diggin' in Dinoland"

 

[tobikaye]

If you do not want too much walking, then I would just send your DS and DH to EE and then take your time heading for Safari. You might be able to catch some characters meeting along the way or stop and get a treat, such as a muffin, along the way.

 

[southernfriedmom]

Thanks for replying so quickly guys! I typically do just wander over to Safari slowly with the kids but it is always hard to keep them happy after waiting almost an hour at rope drop to only get in the park and wait another 30-45 minutes before they actually do something. Some of our most memorable meltdowns over the years (we've been a dozen times in the last 3-4 years) have happened during this time. I decided to try to plan ahead and find a way to entertain them- Touring Plans says Boneyard & Jungle Trek delay opening by 30 min. Maybe we could wander down Pangani.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

Have you done the Wilderness Explorer program yet? Those stops can be loads of fun - there are several in Dinoland and in Asia as well as at least one on the way to the Safari (from Asia)

 

[IndianaMouse]

DD and I did Pangini first thing in the morning and loved it. There weren't any other families on the trail so the CMs were able to spend quite a bit of time talking to us about the different exhibits and one even walked with us to the Gorilla exhibit in order to point out a couple of interesting facts.

 

[LaurenT]

Pangani is what you want to do!! It's right next to safari - so the EE peeps can meet you there.
I always go right to Pangani at park open ... Everyone else is running to KS or EE and I have Pangani to myself. Just me and the CMs. It's so peaceful - great way to start the day.

 

[Best Aunt]

DD and I did Pangini first thing in the morning and loved it. There weren't any other families on the trail so the CMs were able to spend quite a bit of time talking to us about the different exhibits and one even walked with us to the Gorilla exhibit in order to point out a couple of interesting facts.

I have found that the older cast members sometimes are more knowledgeable about the gorillas than the younger cast members. This year, a younger cast member told me the gorilla family has 4 adult females (wrong, it's 3 adult females). An older adult cast member, on the other hand, told me about how the two gorilla mothers there have different parenting techniques. I have had the same experience in prior years as well.