Kilimanjaro Safaris' First Ride Time

[buyerbrad]

Just doing some last minute planning for our visit on March 16th and I noticed it lists Kilimanjaro Safaris' hours as 8:30am-6:45pm.

Does the ride typically start 30 minutes after the park opens? I was planning on being there at Rope Drop and riding it first.

 

[Robo]

Just doing some last minute planning for our visit on March 16th and

1. I noticed it lists Kilimanjaro Safaris' hours as 8:30am-6:45pm.

2. Does the ride typically start 30 minutes after the park opens?

3. I was planning on being there at Rope Drop and riding it first.

1. You can ignore those kind of listings. KS will admit guests to the queue at (or a bit before) opening time, and the first truck will roll after those early guests have been boarded.

2. No.

3. You and 2,000 of your closest friends.

(BTW, Where did you find those hours?)

 

[buyerbrad]

When I'm under "My Itinerary" and I change the Filter to "Animal Kingdom" and "Attractions"

 

[Robo]

When I'm under "My Itinerary" and I change the Filter to "Animal Kingdom" and "Attractions"

OK, good.
Like I said, you can ignore it.

 

[mom2rtk]

You won't likely be on the first safari out unless you eat breakfast at Tusker House before the park opens. The restaurant sits right near the entrance to KS and are usually far ahead of any rope drop crowd.

 

[buyerbrad]

Ok, Thanks. Here is my itinerary if people would be so kind to comment. Day will include myself, my pregnant wife, and 2 year old daughter. We don't plan on attending Nemo as there is no way my daughter will sit still for over 45 minutes later in the day.

8am - Rope Drop to Kilimanjaro Safaris
8:30-10:30 - Rafiki's Planet Watch and Pangani Forest
10:30-11:35 - FP+ FOTLK
11:45-12:20 - Pizzafari
12:40-1:15 - FP+ Adventurers Outpost
Daughter will hopefully fall asleep in the stroller after meeting Mickey and Minnie and the rest of the day is less planned...
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Expedition Everest FP+ scheduled for myself for 1:50-2:50pm
Dinosaur FP+ 2:30-3:30pm scheduled for my wife, but I will use it
DinoLand USA - Boneyard and Triceratop Spin - possibly DinoLand Dance Party @ 3:30pm
4:45-5:15pm - Flights of Wonder
Go to Pangani Forest if we don't have time earlier
Dinner then home

 

[kandb]

I recommend doing the more crowded things between the hours of 8:30 and 10:30. Rafiki's and Pangani are good things to do when the park is crowded. If you are going to be there
at rope drop, I would do the more popular things, as they get more crowded as the day goes on.

 

[HopperFan]

If your wife is riding the safari I highly suggest you request front couple rows. The back is rough and bouncy.

 

[buyerbrad]

Just thought I should update this with some info from today.

1) Park opening was 8am, but they started letting people in at 7:45am.

2) KS didn't start letting people in until close to 8:15am.

3) It seemed like we were the only people aware there would be a character dance party at 3:30pm (Chip, Dale, Rafiki and Brer Fox).

4) We had used a FP+ earlier in the day to meet Mickey and Minnie, but the pictures they took on our phone were not good. At 4:05pm we went in the stanby line and were 2nd in line.

5) Did the Flights of Wonder show at 4:45pm before leaving and the theatre was maybe 25-30% full.

Things we did today in order... KS, P trail, Rafiki's Planet Watch, meet Daisy, Lion King FP+, Pizzafari, meet Mickey/Minnie FP+, M Trail (also sat for 1 hour on the bench at end of trail while daughter slept in stroller), Everest FP+ and parent swap, Dino games, Triceratop Spin, meet Goofy/Pluto, Dinosaur FP+ and parent swap, character dance party, Bug 4D, meet Mickey/Minnie again, meet Baloo/King Louie, Flights of Wonder, in car for home at 5:35pm.

Let me know if you have any questions!