Must Do's at AK for 2 adults?

[BippidiBoppidi]

My DH and I (early 30's) are going to be at Disney just two short days in early October. We already have one full day planned at MK, our favorite park (coming into town that morning and park closes early for MNSSHP). The second day, we plan to start at AK and then head to Epcot for F&W Festival. Epcot has EMH that day, too, so we will be able to stay until 11pm, giving us more time that morning for AK. Neither one of us has ever been to AK so I feel a little blind going in about what highlights to hit while we are there. We're thinking of doing about 4 hours in AK that morning, starting at open. We are both animal lovers but also want to make sure we do things/see things we can "only do at Disney" this trip first. Being Disney lovers, I'm sure we will have many full days at AK in the future when we have kids to bring along. So far, it sounds like we should definitely do Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, and the Safari. I also want to do It's Tough to be a Bug...I did it at Disneyland years ago and think DH would love it. What else could we squeeze in or what should we choose to do if we have some extra time after we hit these four? I have been reading some other AK threads, but I imagine it's a different strategy without children.

 

[hakepb]

Dole Whip with a splash of rum!
(Tamu Tamu in Africa)

There is actually a good variety of very interesting food in AK (African, Indian and Asian)..probably with better prices and portions than you will experience at F&W


http://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/pi...-ups-the-ante-menu-updates-and-odds-and-ends/

I was almost thinking Its tough to be a bug is a waste...but the queue and being able to experience the animal carvings on the tree of life, up close, is well worth it!
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Lion King show to an adult, but it wouldn't fit your plan. I would keep Lion King in mind incase rain closes other rides.

 

[Quellman]

I will mention that the food kiosks generally do not remain open for EMH at the food and wine festival.
I think you hit the big attractions at Animal Kingdom. Tough to be a bug is a low wait time attraction (meaning you wait for the current show to end before you enter). You could easily explore some of the animal trails, either the one near the exit to the safari, or the one near Kali River Rapids. Depending on your meal preferences you could easily grab something quick from Harambe market or Flame Tree BBQ. You could also hit one of the other shows, flights of wonder (a bird show), Finding Nemo (musical version of the movie), or Festival of the Lion King (characters from the movie, but more of a perfomance show cirque style.

Some people will say you are missing out on the night time offerings at Animal Kingdom, but until they are eperienced no one can say if that is a good choice or not. We enjoy food and wine and EPCOT as well. Have a great time.

 

[TellTheHubbyLater]

IMO everything is worth doing Whatever you do decide is priority, planning is the key. Get on your computer, open the park map, a window for show times, a window for ride info (like usual wait times, length of ride or show, etc.) and plan your way in a circle around the park. If done right, there is no reason why you can't do everything you want by shortly after lunch. Good luck!

 

[HuskieJohn]

My top recommendations for something "Disney" would be either of the shows.

Festival of the Lion King is 30min and the first show is at 10am
Finding Nemo the Musical is 40min long but the first show is at 11am so that may be too late for your Hopper

If I were set out to do your plan here is the order I would do it...
Safari
Everest
Dinosaur
Bugs Life
Tree of life path (You can fit it in some viewing before or after the Lion King show)
Festival of the Lion King


I think it would be better if you saved your FP+ for EPCOT. If you rope drop AK you will be able to do the first 2 within the first hour then everything else will have a very short line.

 

[Parker Clan]

I agree with the PP, when we RD at AK we head right to EE and are able to ride it twice in a row with literally no wait. This is in Aug though, not sure if it differs depending on when you go

 

[disnut8]

Flights of Wonder. Flights of Wonder. Flights of Wonder.

This is not just another bird show as my husband and I found out after avoiding it for years because I don't like that type of entertainment. Then, I was on the solo part of one trip and a show was starting and I needed a place to sit so in I went. We haven't missed this show since then.

 

[bbjunkie]

I know it might take some juggling to fit it in to your plan, but there is no way I would go to Disney World and miss Festival of the Lion King. I know it's only my opinion, (well, my whole family's) but FOTLK is easily the best show on property. I would make that a priority. I'd actually skip Dinosaur before missing it.

 

[AJA55]

If picking between:

Lion King is a short outstanding musical and pure Disney

Wonders of Flight is very entertaining bird show done the Disney way…top notch and is also outstanding.