Kilimanjaro safari fastpass

[Jennasis]

Again, I thank you all for your advice and input.

Please forgive me for calling AK a zoo. I have researched every aspect of my upcoming WDW/Universal vacation to the Nth, but based on what several friends have told me, I was led to believe that AK is not that great. Sorry! Don't kill the messenger! I'm only going on what friends who have been there have told me. One friend actually told me not to go to AK at all because it is a waste of time! It appears that I was mis-informed. I really didn't do much homework on that particular park. I figured the safari would be sufficient to experience AK. And since it is DD's birthday, I would honor her request to use our park hopper option and go back to MK where she wants to get extra time. BTW, my almost 9 y.o. has no interest in character breakfasts. She's always been sort of freaked out by people in those big costumes.

I've heard such great things about BOMA. Even the reservationist told me it was a good choice. And no other reservationist said that for any of the other ADRs that I made. I guess we will find out about that. The atmosphere looks very attractive, and as one poster said, after we eat, we may be able to glimpse a few animals from the viewing area near the restaurant. I thought it would add an interesting element to have some food choices that are slightly exotic. We will see about that.

And I will definitely catch a cab from POP to Boma, it seems like the least hassle. I'm sure it will all be good, and am looking forward to it.

WDW is the kind of place where one man's trash is another's treasure...meaning your have to experience things for yourself to decide you don't like them. It would be like you telling people not to bother with Tower of Terror and Rock and Roller Coaster because you and your DD don't like them...but other people really might!

So give AK a try. It's worth it and there is plenty for a non-thrill ride 9 year old to do. The Safari, ITTBAB, Nemo, Festival of the Lion King, the walking trails, Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade, Flights of wonder, and Kali River Rapids (if she likes water rides).

Like the others have suggested, take a cab from Pop to AKL, eat breakfast and then get on the bus to AK. You'll probably make it just at or a smidge after park opening and find almost no wait at the Safari. PLUS, morning is one of the best times to view the animals!

 

[chartle]

Please forgive me for calling AK a zoo. I have researched every aspect of my upcoming WDW/Universal vacation to the Nth, but based on what several friends have told me, I was led to believe that AK is not that great. Sorry! Don't kill the messenger! I'm only going on what friends who have been there have told me. One friend actually told me not to go to AK at all because it is a waste of time! It appears that I was mis-informed. I really didn't do much homework on that particular park. I figured the safari would be sufficient to experience AK. And since it is DD's birthday, I would honor her request to use our park hopper option and go back to MK where she wants to get extra time. BTW, my almost 9 y.o. has no interest in character breakfasts. She's always been sort of freaked out by people in those big costumes.

Yes AK is a very unique park. Like I posted we only did the two animal trails the last time because we thought to would get us out of the rain a little. You will walk and the first thing you will probably say is where is all the animals?

AK has two big Broadway quality shows, Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo.

FotLK is a theater in the round and is in your face if you sit up close.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH-ThevLlIQ

Last time there we walked into the theater with one of those where do you sit expressions and a CM caught our eye and directed us to front row seats. We were 12 inches from the performers. At one point in the show we are all supposed to be clapping. My DS19 is not paying attention and a dancer on 3 foot stilts somehow gets within a foot of my son's face and with a semi snarky tone says "You're not clapping" My son looked at me like "What?"

Nemo kind of uses puppets with actors.

There is also Its tough to be a bug. Which is a 4D show that may be a little scary to younger kids.

 

[SilverMickey]

Yes AK is a very unique park. Like I posted we only did the two animal trails the last time because we thought to would get us out of the rain a little.

AK has two big Broadway quality shows, Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo.

FotLK is a theater in the round and is in your face if you sit up close.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH-ThevLlIQ

Last time there we walked into the theater with one of those where do you sit expressions and a CM caught our eye and directed us to front row seats. We were 12 inches from the performers. At one point in the show we are all supposed to be clapping. My DS19 is not paying attention and a dancer on 3 foot stilts somehow gets within a foot of my son's face and with a semi snarky tone says "You're not clapping" My son looked at me like "What?"

Nemo kind of uses puppets with actors.

There is also Its tough to be a bug. Which is a 4D show that may be a little scary to younger kids.

We love love love AK! Your post made me smile! We will spend 2 days there in April.

 

[Meriweather]

Well, I LOVE Boma for breakfast, so I think it is a good choice

And I LOVE AK!! I go to zoos every where and it is nothing like one. It is so beautifully done. We love it there and love the afternoon parade. Our favorite one!!

 

[claryche]

Like someone else said, you really have to experience the park for yourself. I'm not big on zoos and my dh doesn't really like them at all, but we love Animal Kingdom. Yes, EE is awesome, but like the others have said just the shows alone are worth going there. Now I can see not spending a whole day there, but I say just go there with an open mind. Do the KS, and then maybe a show or two and go from there. I love the character meet and greets there. If you time them right, it's a much shorter wait than at say MK.

My sil is taking her 7 year old sons on their first trip this summer. And she is listening to her friends and is probably going to avoid Epcot all together. Which others on here would think is the one of the worse things to do. I've tried convincing her otherwise, but she won't listen, so at least you are listening and getting tons of information. That is all you can do.

And like we always say, if we miss something that just gives us a reason to come back. Have a great trip.

 

[Tarffri]

Well, I LOVE Boma for breakfast, so I think it is a good choice

And I LOVE AK!! I go to zoos every where and it is nothing like one. It is so beautifully done. We love it there and love the afternoon parade. Our favorite one!!

I'm so glad you love AK! I'm sure I will too! I'm more inclined to like things than hate things. I prefer the positive over the negative. So much for negative Nellies giving me bad advice! DISBoarders really know their Disney parks! So if you all say AK is great, then it really must be! Two weeks til my vacation! I'm dying from the anticipation! I'm already packed!

 

[chartle]

I'm so glad you love AK! I'm sure I will too! I'm more inclined to like things than hate things. I prefer the positive over the negative. So much for negative Nellies giving me bad advice! DISBoarders really know their Disney parks! So if you all say AK is great, then it really must be! Two weeks til my vacation! I'm dying from the anticipation! I'm already packed!

So does that mean you will stay awhile?

 

[rwdavis2]

I would recommend you do some of your own research on AK. The folks at Disboards have done an excellent, recent, AK podcast with tons of information. My wife and I used to share your initial opinion but have decided to really do AK to the max in the fall after listening to the podcast and doing some reading.

Our fist trip had a cranky teenager with us (DD 13 at the time) which put a damper on the AK visit. The Lion King show is not to be missed.

IMHO, is all the trouble just to have breakfast worth it? Although you may overlook the Savannah you can see the same animals on the Safari. I've never considered WDW a destination for food. Although I'm pretty critical of restaurants I'm willing to settle when in Orlando.
Have a great trip!
BD

 

[Minnesota!]

AK is DEFINITELY not a park to be skipped. It is so far from being a zoo...it's just a wonderful place. The atmosphere is out of bounds, the rides (thrill and non-thrill) are great. The shows are top notch, the trails are beautiful, etc.

Boma is our FAVORITE breakfast place. I wouldn't miss it. That early I would do a cab. We usually aim for a 830 - 9 ADR there and have no probs doing bus from Pop to AK to AKL. Quick and easy.

 

[pouncingpluto]

You know, assuming you aren't going a crazy busy time of year, you can always split a day between Animal Kingdom in the morning and DHS in the afternoon.

AK is a beautiful park-- my only complaint is that it needs more attractions (I feel the same way about DHS)-- something they have begun to rectify with the addition Expedition Everest and replacing Tarzan with a show (Nemo) great enough to see over and over, and they are continuing to fix this with the addition of the Avatar land. But what IS there is fantastic.

Btw... AKL has its own savannas... that is what you're overlooking at Boma, if you get a table by the window.

 

[ElizabethG]

I'm going to throw in my two cents. You can only make your best guess as to what you will enjoy. My recommendation would be not to do too much. It sounds like your plan is AKL to AK to MK to Illuminations cruise. That is a lot of travel time in one day. You initially thought that you would already be at AK for Boma. If that was the case, it would make sense to go on the safaris ride.

My suggestion would be to have a more relaxed day. Go to Boma for breakfast. Afterwards, take some time to walk around AKL and check out the animals on the savannah. You can get some really great views. Then, take the bus from AKL to MK. You are under no obligation to check-out AK.

Opinions on AK really vary. My DH loves it. I like it. My DD7 and DS10 just think it is OK.

Don't try to do too much.

 

[Robo]

You are under no obligation to check-out AK.

The things I learn on the DISboards.