Kilimanjaro Safari FP needed during Extra Magic Hours at 8AM?

[kimfirstdisneytrip]

Hi! First timers here. 1 day for AK. I have two young children and some other adults going with us. Thinking I might book our Fastpasses for: Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest (adults only), and Festival of the Lion King. However, we are going on a day they have Extra Magic hours at 8AM, and we are staying in a Disney resort. Q1: If we go straight to KS at 8AM, do we really need a Fastpass for it, because I would prefer to use that FP for Finding Nemo musical if I can. Q2: If we take 15-20 minutes to stroll through Oasis and/or Discovery Island on our way into the park, can we still make it to KS by 8:20AM ish without needing a fastpass? Any suggestions welcome. Thank you in advance!!

 

[hiroMYhero]

to the Boards!

Most people who arrive at the beginning of EMH head directly to the first ride in their plans. FPs cannot be booked for that EMH so you should plan to use them for rides you don't intend to complete during EMH.

If your kids are not tall enough for Everest, utilize Rider Swap. Some of the adults use FP for Everest and get a Rider Swap pass and then after they complete the ride, 3 riders ride on the Swap via the FP line and the Swap Pass - they don't need FPs for this ride.

 

[kimfirstdisneytrip]

Thank you for your reply, that is very helpful! Do you (or anyone) think we might have time to stroll through Oasis and Discovery Island on our way in (is that worthwhile for first-timers?), or should we make a beeline for Kilimanjaro?

Just to make sure I understand how Rider Swap works: If we have 5 adults, does that mean only 3 adults need Fastpasses, and we can use Rider Swap to allow all of us to ride?

Thank you, I just want to make sure I understand how things work before we get there.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Just to make sure I understand how Rider Swap works: If we have 5 adults, does that mean only 3 adults need Fastpasses, and we can use Rider Swap to allow all of us to ride?

Yes, 2 or 3 need FPs to ride first, and the others (any 3) ride on the Swap. You must show the too short child at the entrance to the FP line when the first riders approach the ride.

So, split up your FPs for height restricted rides to double up on experiences.

I would say beeline for Safari and then stroll after. Plan your first set of FPs for 10:00 or 10:30. You can arrive at the ride anytime during the return "hour."

 

[dancemonkey]

EMH. You should comfortably be able to do all three rides. I don't book fp+ for festival of the lion king. But with little kids it's probably a good idea. Better seating I think. But there really isn't a bad seat.

 

[kimfirstdisneytrip]

Wow! You guys are blowing my mind, lol!! So glad I asked! Hmmm, should we book our fastpasses for our preferred rides, and if we can get all three done during EMH, then we can either cancel the fastpasses or ride again? Do people end up criss-crossing all over the park? The Touring Plans I've read look like they have people criss-crossing all over the park (just extra walking). I've also read that some people don't even use FP in AK.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Hmmm, should we book our fastpasses for our preferred rides, and if we can get all three done during EMH, then we can either cancel the fastpasses or ride again?

Yes. Because it's your first trip, keep the FPs to enjoy the rides a 2nd time. If you aren't planning to parkhop, use the FPs and save your group from waiting in Standby lines.

Use Modify on the app to change rides or return times. After you pass the FP entrance, you can go on your MDE app to see if you can move up the next FP time.

 

[kimfirstdisneytrip]

Thanks, that is helpful!!

 

[DonJ123]

For the past few years we have crisscrossed a lot using a plan at AK. Last year we ditched the plan and went straight to Kilimanjaro safaris and then used FPs for everything else and it worked out a lot better(less crisscrossing).

 

[kimfirstdisneytrip]

Thank you! That is really helpful!! That just makes so much more sense to me!