Need a Plan of Attack for AK

[LeeAnn]

Planning on going to on AK on an EE day. So we will be there before it opens. We want to do as much as possible then leave early. Will be with a 9 month old and a 2 1/2 year old. This trip is mainly for them. May want to eat at Rainforest Cafe. Want to go back to CR to rest and relax so we may get ready for MNSSHP. What's the best plan of attack for this park? Thanks.

 

[grinningghost]

The best plan is to get there early, which you're already doing. Do the Kilimanjaro Safari first - the animals are more active in the morning. Other than that, I'd say head back to Camp Minnie Mickey or Dinoland. I'd skip It's Tough to be a Bug with a 2 year old. Unless of course that 2 year old loves bugs.

 

[Sue & Co.]

I agree with the previous poster hit Kilimanjaro Safari early to get the best view of the animals. Secondly when we last went we visited Rainforest Cafe, the kids thought it was wonderful and because we had an early start we got there about 11.30am, we were seated right away but by the time we had finished there were long queues so perhaps bear that in mind.

 

[mickeyfanatic]

Everytime we have gone to AK with our DS his favorate time in the park was spent at the sand dig site at the Boneyard playground in Dinoland. It is relaxing as kids play in the sand and dig up dino bones. I always enjoyed taking off my shoes to join him and to watch him play with kids from all over the globe. It's a small world after all in full force as the little ones all play together. And don't miss Festival of the Lion King. Your kids should enjoy the colors, movement and music. I do agree to do the safari first thing so you don't have to wait in a long line. Have a great time.

 

[JWimberley]

Everyone is right on target, its so much fun when we all agree, it makes you wonder why everyone doesn't just get the facts here first...

With the safari at the back of the park you will be moving against the crowd as you make your way back toward the front. I've never spent more than a 1/2 day on EE at AK and never felt that I missed anything. I do recommend the bird show though, I don't know if they still have the Bald Eagle but she was very impressive the last time we were down...

Joshua

 

[mickeysaver]

You might want to consider doing Breakfast at RFC. We had a great meal there last year. I didn't even realize they served breakfast, but it was awesome! It made for a great early start to our day. I would think that you little ones would love Camp Minnie Mickey as well as Dinoland. Tarzan Rocks and the Lion King shows would be good too, I would think, with all the action and colorful characters. I don't know how much your kids would appreciate the Pangani Trails, but there are some cool things to be seen back there. I especially liked the mole wall, all the cool birds, and the silverback gorilla. This is my perspective of what I think my 2 year old nieces or nephews would have liked. We don't have any kids. Mickey

 

[LeeAnn]

Covering the places mentioned above...
What time would you suggest making PS for the Rainforest Cafe?

 

[Dizney_Mania18]

If you are going to have breakfast at AK and have kids, do yourself a favor and get a PS to Donald's Breakfastasaurus! Great buffet breakfast with characters (including of course Donald). I'd make a PS for about and hour to 1.5 hours after park opening, do the Safari first and maybe Dinosaur or something else, then get some breakfast.

Gregg

 

[Laz]

I agree with the early Safari and Donald Breakfast. Get to the Lion King show early and get your kids in the front seats. They may be asked to join the show at a certain point! Dinasour ride can be intense for young children The bone yard is a better choice for them and is shaded with fans blowing.

 

[IndyJammer]

I'd have to agree with most of what everyone else has said -

Except - If your 2 y/o liked Bug's Life - Do NOT miss ITTBAB. We went last year with DS7 & DD6Mon - and they both loved it!

I also don't think the little ones would like the Dinosaur ride - it's a pretty good thrill ride - It's great for bigger kids though - so if you and DH want to ride - do a Baby Swap & let the kids play in the Dinoland bone yard while they wait!

We are going to AK in 5 days! (Monday with EE) And we have a PS for Donald's Breakfastosaurus at 10:00 am. So we are hoping to do the Safari & most of Dinoland before eating!

 

[LeeAnn]

Want to do Rainforect Cafe for lunch. What would be a good PS time?

 

[HvnzCaress]

LeeAnn I just made a PS for the RFC in Aug and was told they start lunch at 11:30 I believe it is. I would suggest going at this time or waiting till after the usual lunchtime rush and going around 2:00. I took the 11:30 PS cause I thought well if we're doing EMH we'll probably be hungry by that time. Now I'm thinking I might like to do a 1:30 or 2:00 p.m. and make this the end to our day at AK.

Then again what do I know this is my first time to WDW and I have no clue what I'm doing so take my advice for what its worth LOL!

 

[Laz]

I have a general rule of always eating at the non traditional times in order to avoid crowds.

 

[kejoda]

You have to be 46 inches to ride the dino ride so you would need to switch off for that.


We are also planning on doing EMH at Ak so thanks for the tips! Would you also stay for the parade or come back another day?

 

[erikthewise]

The height restriction for Dinosaur is 40 inches.
With children that age, be happy with Safari, Lion King show, and then relax and just enjoy the park. There is a big character greeting area near the Lion King show. The boneyard is a good idea.

 

[kejoda]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/animalkingdom/ak-dino-Dinosaur.htm

This says they have to be 46. It could be wrong and I hope they are because our 2 youngest ones want to go on this and we have been debating on this. It might be to scary but at this point doesn't really matter.

Does anyone know why it would have this height restriction on it?

 

[kejoda]

That site was wrong sorry about that. Now I have to make a decision on whether they are riding it or not. I think my brain might explode with all these decisions.

 

[dgaston]

Dinosaur is a very intense bumpy, jerky ride. Lots of younger kids who like dinosaurs do not like this ride. The carnotaur pops up and is scary! I'd suggest riding first, and then deciding if this is for your kids. Boneyard is a lot more fun for younger ones.

 

[pennylynn]

Someone told me about this and we used it and it was great. When you get to AK if there's a lot of people waiting to get in at the gates then go into the RFC and at the back of the gift shop there is an entrance to the park. When we were there no one else was using that entrance.

 

[BuzzLightYear3]

If you want to eat at RFC for lunch, definitely get PSs. We're planning to be there on Monday......I called a few weeks ago and the only PSs I could get were for 11:15 a.m. That's actually o.k. with us, but this experience makes me wonder how far in advance they book up for 'reasonable' lunch times.