Morning strategy at Animal Kingdom?

[tgbanks3]

We have ADR at TH at 10:15am on a day with EMH (hoping that we get to sample both breakfast and lunch items). Park opens at 8am. I'm really wanting to maximize our time as I think we're planning on AK being a single day park. What would your strategy be? Head straight to the Safari then hit Conservation Station before TH, using FP+ for all afternoon rides/shows? Or is there a better option?

 

[Babs1975]

Did I just post this? Lol we have a 10:15 TH as well. (And you will get to sample some lunch ) I think you have a good plan. We go right to Safari. Do Africa, as much as you can, before your ressie. Then fp's for the afternoon for the other headliners or whatever is important to your family outside of Africa. Will work well.

 

[Farro]

If I'm reading correctly, you will be there for the extra morning hour? I think you can get a lot done! You should be able to do Safari, Everest (probably a couple times) and other rides before eating at 10 without fast passes. Then I would make fast pass reservations for after breakfast. Make one for the Safari in the afternoon too!

 

[Cinderella94]

Yes, I would save all your FPs for after breakfast!

 

[BaymaxForever]

I agree, save fast passes for later. On our recent trip I pushed up my 10:30 TH to 10:15 so we would make the 12:00 FOTLK with time to spare (no fastpass) and we almost had too much time (and didn't need FP). It's right next door to TH and I didn't want to cross-cross the park, so it worked out great and we loved the show!

 

[tgbanks3]

Yep my plan is to hit the Safari at RD. Then to Conservation Station (which we've never done). Then brunch at 10:15. Do a little shopping in Africa before hitting the noon showing of FotLK. Then use our 3 FP+ for afternoon attractions, hopefully getting to all the attractions in one day.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

When I was at Animal Kingdom this summer, the conservation station opened later than the park opening. I believe the train started at 10 a.m, so I would check the attractions guide for the day you are attending Ak on the WDW website. They list the times the rides will be open. If what I said above is the case, I would start by doing the safari and then do Expedition Everest/Kali River Rapids. I'm not sure if Dinosaur will be open yet, but you can possibly also get that done before your 10:15 a.m. reservation. I have noticed the EMH at Animal Kingdom haven't brought many morning crowds, so it's easier to get things done or do them more than once. The safari will definitely be the biggest draw in the morning since the animals tend to be more active during that time before the afternoon heat hits.

 

[Lewandowski]

Definitely do Kilimanjaro Safaris and Pangani Forest Exploration Trails before Tusker House. I think Rafiki's Planet Watch opens at 9:30am, so yeah I'd go there after that and spend time there until your ADR. Save FP+ for later and have one for Everest, Kali River Rapids, and DINOSAUR (If not opened Primeval Whirl or Finding Nemo)

 

[muenginerd]

What time of year are you going? Of all the parks, we found AK least crowded and we only found our FP useful for an afternoon safari. The others were not needed, but nice to have. Safari of course is nice first thing as animals may still be active. Rafiki's planet watch might be another good morning activity. If there are any animal demonstrations or procedures scheduled for that day they are done first thing in the morning. CM's can probably help you that day find out if anything is scheduled for the planet watch. Otherwise they'll have all their other activities going on out there.

Just know it is alittle bit of a hike to get out there. We took the train, I cant remember exactly how long (maybe 5 minutes) but then of course you have to wait for the train to arrive too. I may save Rafiki's area until after the meal, just so I'm not racing out there. Rushing around there. Then racing back. Of course if a Vet has a proceedure scheduled for out there. Totally worth it to race out.

 

[Dayman99]

You have a solid plan. If you have hoppers, you could use them in a different park later in the day. (If you choose this of course). We did the EMH and went to Safari, then Everest which all the kids went on 4 times with no lines. You will get more done in the 1st 2 hours than you think.

 

[cosmicmommy]

I have a piggyback question... on a non EMH morning - is it best to have PPO breakfast or a brunch? Park hours for my day are 9-7, we have an 8 AM ADR for Tusker with plans to hit all of Africa (Safari, FotLK, Rafiki's Planet Watch and Gorilla Falls). Would it best (and possible) to do those before a 10:30 brunch with a 9 AM opening or should I leave everything as is?

 

[tgbanks3]

What time of year are you going?

We will be there the 2nd week of January, just after Marathon weekend. So I'm hoping it will be relatively slow to begin with. I had thought about park hopping but I didn't know if we'd have time or not once we finish all the attractions at AK. Our must dos are the Safari, Dinosaur, FotLK, EE, and It's Tough to Be a Bug. We have 2 young children that will be in strollers, so the walking trails may not be the best bang for our money, but they'll definitely want to play on the Dino Playground. Primeval Whirl and Finding Nemo are maybes, but only because we've done the before. We'd like to do some of the character meets. I think we could easily pack a whole day's worth of activities, unless the crowds will be really down and we get a lot done before brunch.

 

[muenginerd]

We will be there the 2nd week of January, just after Marathon weekend. So I'm hoping it will be relatively slow to begin with. I had thought about park hopping but I didn't know if we'd have time or not once we finish all the attractions at AK. Our must dos are the Safari, Dinosaur, FotLK, EE, and It's Tough to Be a Bug. We have 2 young children that will be in strollers, so the walking trails may not be the best bang for our money, but they'll definitely want to play on the Dino Playground. Primeval Whirl and Finding Nemo are maybes, but only because we've done the before. We'd like to do some of the character meets. I think we could easily pack a whole day's worth of activities, unless the crowds will be really down and we get a lot done before brunch.

I think you'll have more than enough time. Hubby and I did pretty much the same thing (with a 10:45 Tusker House). We did it mid September last year and still got everything done plus Rafiki's planet watch before 2? No need to worry about anything. We FP FotLK but there was really no need to. Best fast pass was Safaria. Hubby jumped on EE right after they opened after a light rain and he walked on. It was a great day. I'm sure January will be just as great!

 

[Klayfish]

The first hour or two of the park opening are really slow. You can get a lot done. For us, we would do character greetings first as they can get long lines and there is no FP+ available. Then hit the less crowded rides, like Bug, and then use FP+

 

[M&J's Mom]

We are doing EMH at AK with a 10:35 TH. Our plan is to ride KS, Everest, Dinosaur, Kali (if it's warm enough), and see FOTLK before we have our breakfast/lunch at TH. Then we plan to fill in with the trails, shows, and WE and have a FP+ for KS at sunset and plan to ride EE after dark. We don't plan to park hop or leave the park, but the option is always there if needed.