Kilimanjaro Safari Hours in the morning and Festival of the LIon KIng

[disneyworldnewbie]

Good Morning to all. I have a question regarding the Kilimanjari Safari ride in animal kingdom. Does any one know the time of the first ride in the morning when the park opens? Is there a mad dash for the safari ride? Also, does the Festival of the Lion King have a long line in the morning? I am planning my animal kingdom day and want to do the safari first thing in the morning and then go see the Festival of the Lion King have lunch and maybe if time permits go to the boneyard if it is even worth it. My plan is to leave animal kingdom by 1:00. I am trying to strategize whether to do the other half of the day at Magic Kingdom or Epcot. I can not wait until July to actually see Disney world and the look on my children's faces when they are there.

 

[Robo]

Good Morning to all. I have a question regarding the Kilimanjari Safari ride in animal kingdom. Does any one know the time of the first ride in the morning when the park opens? Is there a mad dash for the safari ride? Also, does the Festival of the Lion King have a long line in the morning? I am planning my animal kingdom day and want to do the safari first thing in the morning and then go see the Festival of the Lion King have lunch and maybe if time permits go to the boneyard if it is even worth it. My plan is to leave animal kingdom by 1:00. I am trying to strategize whether to do the other half of the day at Magic Kingdom or Epcot. I can not wait until July to actually see Disney world and the look on my children's faces when they are there.

Now with EE open, I'm sure the "mad dash" to the Safari is cut at least in half.

The first Safari vehicle departs as soon as it is filled with guests first thing in the morning (EMH or regular).

In the past (and most-likely STILL) Cast Members "walk" guests back to the Safari right after the "rope-drop ceremony" ("The Adventure Begins").

If its important to make sure you are amoung the first groups of guests to experience any DAK attraction, arrive at the front gates 25-30 BEFORE the posted opening times (EMH or regular).

They open the gates early to allow guests to get ready for the rope drop which takes place pretty "deep" in the park from the front gates.

As far as FotLK, the first showing will be busy, but if you arrive at least 20 minutes early, you should not have any trouble getting in.
(If you do, just go to a later showing that morning.)

To find the show-times at any park, go here and click on the park in question:

http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/index.htm

 

[disneyworldnewbie]

Thanks for the info and the tips. I defintely will arrive 30 min. early then for the safari ride. Hopefully I can make the second showing of Festival of the Lion King after the Safari. I will check out the website for times.

 

[jackmac]

I've never had trouble going to the Safari ride at rope drop, then over to A Bugs Life and still making the Lion King show. The first show has not been filled on my visits and we were able to get in with no wait. I believe that the show is around 10:30 AM.

 

[nemofanatic]

we went on the safari first thing. So, it is open when the park opens. It's best to go in the morning since the animals are out and about then. Not as hot, especially in the summer.

Have fun

 

[TXTink]

Welcome to the DIS!! I don't blame you for being excited!! We have been many times, and I still get excited!!

Yes, the safari starts first thing in the morning, just as soon as people start getting back there after the park opens. There used to be an even bigger mad rush for it, but Expedition Everest has taken a large chunk of the crowds heading there first thing in the morning now that it is open. So, I don't think it will be too hard to get on the safari. But, as always, first thing after park opening is always the easiest time to get to ride it.

As for the Lion King show (which is EXCELLENT!!!), check your map for the first show of the day, and be at that one. I think the first show is at 10am if the park opens at 9am, but I could be remembering it wrong, maybe someone else knows for sure. But, there isn't a show right as the park opens, so you should have plenty of time to ride Kilimanjari Safari then head over the Festival of the Lion King to be in the line 30 minutes before the scheduled show time.

Happy planning!!