New Attractions/Rides in Animal Kingdom...Worth it?

[bakerjay]

Good morning!

I'm making Fastpass plans and see that there are several new rides/attractions in Animal Kingdom that were not there when we last visited 3 years ago. I know that FOP is a must do if I can manage to snag FPs but what about the others? Up: A Great Bird Adventure? Rivers of Light? Na'vi River Journey?

We're a party of 7, oldest is 65 youngest is 11.

Thanks!

 

[LindySpirit]

No to Great Bird Adventure and Rivers of Light -- you don't need Fastpasses for either one. Na'vi is a slow boat ride. Worth seeing, but perhaps your fastpasses might be better spent on Everest or the Safari.

 

[Capang]

Can’t speak to Up as I haven’t seen it yet. ROL is a pretty show on the water. It is not that long and it isn’t loud or flashy like some other nighttime shows at WDW. I wouldn’t use a FP on it, but maybe a dining package at Tusker or Tiffins if you really want to see it and are going to eat at either of those places anyway. You can also find other locations outside of the seating areas to watch it. Navi River? No. It is super short and while it is neat looking the animatronic that is the centerpiece is often down for repair. If you really want to ride it rope drop it or wait for the line to not be crazy long. Or just skip it. But FoP is a must do.

 

[uccats97]

Unless you are making FP+ for 2 days at AK, you have to choose between FOP and Na’vi. My vote goes to FOP. Na’vi is a pleasant ride but FOP will amaze you. As for the other attractions, you won’t need a FP+ for them; stand-by is fine.

 

[coolbrook]

Try to get FP+ for Flight of Passage as others have said. You may have the best luck doing so if you try to get them for later in your trip as they are snatched up pretty quickly. We went to Na'vi River Jouney at rope drop last week, and I walked on twice in a row. I really like it, but then I like slow moving boat rides and it is pretty neat visually. The UP bird show was a bit of a disappointment. I really wanted to like it, and it does have some good parts. It just seemed disjointed and not as entertaining as the old show. The woman who hosts the show uses very awkward hand motions for everything she says, and is too over-the-top dramatic/serious about it. The guy talking about the birds is fine and the added characters are cute. The birds are fun to see, and a parrot sings a couple songs (kind of a departure from behavior we would see in the wild except that they would copy what the heard in the wild.) I'm glad I saw it once, but won't be in a hurry to repeat it unless they change it a bit.

 

[gharter]

If you can get a FP for FoP, then rope drop for Navi.
Skip the bird show. I haven't seen it live, but the videos of it, it isn't worth it.
RoL is good, not great. I've seen it twice and the theaters were not full. You might not have a great view like the FP does. It really depends on how much a great view is worth. I don't think there is a bad view, just some that are better.
I would prefer to keep getting more Fps as the day goes on, then to have a FP for RoL and not able to get more Fp during the day.
If reserved seating for RoL is important, consider a dinner package.