Kilimanjaro Safari FP+ for 9-10am a waste?

[dotcomgirl18]

One of our park days we will be spending the whole day at AK. I figure that since we won't need FP+ for a second park, we should use all of our FP+ as early as we can so that we can get additional FP after we use our first three.

We will arrive at RD (park opens at 9am) and hit EE for at least two rides. My plan was to book the Safari from 9-10am, Dinosaur (my all time favorite ride) from 10-11am, and Kali River Rapids from 11am-12pm. Will it be a waste to use a FP+ on the Safari during the 9-10am hour? We would plan on hitting the Safari closer to 10am.

Is there a better way to arrange our AK FP+?

 

[AllieBoo]

What time of year are you going? We usually go in June and always hit the safari first and don't use a fast pass on it because we just head straight there and don't have to wait long.

 

[dotcomgirl18]

What time of year are you going? We usually go in June and always hit the safari first and don't use a fast pass on it because we just head straight there and don't have to wait long.

We are going during the middle of August. And we will definitely be doing EE first thing, so the Safari is out for doing it first.

 

[JimmyV]

What time do you plan to leave the park? If you will stay well into the afternoon, it might be better to use your FPs between 11:00-2:00. But if you want to try for additional FPs at AK, or will leave for the second park after lunch, then it is never to early to burn through your FPs. If the park opens at 9:00, then it sounds like you will be there at a slower time so 4th, 5th and 6th FPs should be obtainable. If that is true, then burn them early. If you are going when crowds are high and a 4th FP is unlikely, then you are better off using the early hours to ride standby and use your only 3 FPs for later when crowds are heavier.

Edit to add: I see that you will be there in August. Are you sure the park opens at 9:00?

 

[Beer Me]

I scheduled safari first too. But I'll probably look around and do other things then hit the safari at the end of the FP window. I'm thinking we might have time to hit EE, Dinosaur or primeval whirl first. Personally I love taking it easy in this park and plan to spend all day so I'm not too worried about it.

Another back up plan might be to change your FP if there's no wait when you ride.

 

[dotcomgirl18]

Edit to add: I see that you will be there in August. Are you sure the park opens at 9:00?

Yes, the park opens at 9am and closes at 7pm. We are planning to spend the whole day there. I know that AK won't take the whole day, so if we get done with everything that we want to do by even 3pm, then so be it. We may just take the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel, or we may decide on the fly to hit another park. I wanted to burn our 3 FP+ early so that we can get additional FP as soon as possible (to get another EE or Dinosaur FP).

 

[JimmyV]

Yes, the park opens at 9am and closes at 7pm. We are planning to spend the whole day there. I know that AK won't take the whole day, so if we get done with everything that we want to do by even 3pm, then so be it. We may just take the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel, or we may decide on the fly to hit another park. I wanted to burn our 3 FP+ early so that we can get additional FP as soon as possible (to get another EE or Dinosaur FP).

If your goal is to get more FPs at AK in addition to getting some at a second park, then schedule and use them as early as possible. (Also, get to RD no later than 8:30. I'd be surprised if the didn't open the park earlier than 9:00. Maybe much earlier. August is hot and they tend to reward people who want to make use of the earlier, cooler hours).

 

[practicallyperfect77]

OP - Not sure if you are traveling with any kiddos but there is now a Wilderness Explorer club where there are 31 stops and you earn a badge at each one. Might be fun for the kiddos...or kiddos at heart like me. I agree if you want additional ones to use them early. And if you think you won't get there til 10, I say go for it. Fyi...people have reported being able to move up the 2nd and 3rd once the previous one has been used (depending on availability). So if you used your 2nd one on Dino at 10:20 you could potentially move up your 3rd (primeval whirl) to 10:25 depending on availability of course. Which means you can start getting your 4th even faster. =)

 

[AnAmericanInDisney]

From our October trip, sounds like a good itinerary. Try to get to safari around 9:30. It's a long ride and all might be ready for a drink afterward and before Dino. Not a waste, in my opinion.