Not An Animal to be Seen on Safari?

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I'm trying to get my TPs in order ahead of next week's FP window opening for our May trip. For animal kingdom, we think our son would enjoy Flights of Wonder more than Lion King. Either show can be worked (without vastly increasing our walking time which is important to the DDs who will not have stroller privileges this year ). Lion King works better, but FoW can be done if I'm willing to move Kilimanjaro Safari from 10 to 11:30. I have heard over and over how it's better to go early in the morning, but how big a deal is it? We're trying to balance a lot of different desires on what to do in this park, without crazy back and forth since everything is really spead out. Has anyone had good luck going on the safari mid day or would we be relegated to seeing nothing but the backsides of a few antelope?

 

[DisMommyTX]

We have always seen lots of animals, even mid afternoon in July. Put the safari wherever it fits best in your schedule. AK is a huge, hot park. You don't want to have to walk back and forth any more than necessary.

 

[Robo]

Some of our BEST Safari rides have been later in the day.

(And, we are veterans of dozens and dozens of Safari trips.)

It is a myth that Sarari is "best" first thing in the morning.

We have never had "the same ride, twice" on Safari.

 

[rwdavis2]

More animals early in the day is a myth.

 

[subtchr]

I agree with the others, the early morning benefit is a myth.

And although FoW is a great show, please don't miss Festival of the Lion King. Best musical show on property.

 

[LumosQ102]

different time of day, different activity, we'll merrily repeat during the day and its true - never the same ride twice. The animals do as they please and are always a joy.

I'd FP Lion King and walk up for Flights of Wonder, but try and do both. they're both great shows.

 

[Robo]

And, as long as we're talking shows...

Finding Nemo the Musical is unique and entertaining.

 

[LumosQ102]

And, as long as we're talking shows...

Finding Nemo the Musical is unique and entertaining.

couldn't agree more! we managed to miss it, trip after trip, and only saw it for the first time on our most recent vacation. boy have we been missing out! its a gorgeous show.

 

[Tomh]

I'm going to agree with others who have said both shows are well worth seeing. Flights of Wonder simply because the birds are amazing. Festival of the Lion King because it is probably the best musical show in all of Disney World.

 

[SharonLowe]

The staff at AK work very hard to make sure that the animals are visible throughout the day - if it is really hot, many will be resting in the shade but you should still see plenty. The reason people say it is better early has more to do with the temps - the animals may be more active when it isn't too hot but they will still be visible no matter the time of day.

 

[krm222]

We ate breakfast at Tusker House, saw the 11am FotLK show and then went on the Safari. We saw tons of animals - many crossing the path of the truck!

 

[Robo]

The staff at AK work very hard to make sure that the animals are visible throughout the day - if it is really hot, many will be resting in the shade but you should still see plenty. The reason people say it is better early has more to do with the temps - the animals may be more active when it isn't too hot but they will still be visible no matter the time of day.

Cats (big cats, included) actually relish warmer temperatures.

We've seen the (normally reclining) chetahs up and active in the afternoons, as well as
the lions up on their haunches or pacing on their high rocks.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Thanks for the reassurance. I figure Disney would have ways of coaxing the animals out.

We (that is DD6, DD7, and I) will see Lion King while DS3 is napping. We just think he'll be more interested in the birds. We saw Nemo last year and it was great but when I gave the kids the option of two of 1) ride rides multiple times, 2) see shows, and 3) go on the walking trails and see animals, they picked 1 and 3 as the priorities so no Nemo this year, which is ok. I like that they love to hike (surprised me on a non Disney vacation with that news last year).

 

[JimmyV]

As much as they try to disguise this fact, the safari ride is not really a trek out into the wild. It is a tour through carefully constructed compounds where the animals have few places to hide. With few exceptions the animals are in the same general area all day long. (The cheetahs are sometimes difficult to spot...sorry for the pun.)

 

[HopperFan]

Almost all our safaris are in the afternoon and I can say we've never walked away feeling shortchanged. They are animals much more used to heat than we are.

Last month we did have a chuckle - it was cold, colder than normal. It was the first time since it opened I haven't seen hippos out of the water sleeping on the bank. Guessed the water was just too cold for them and they were seeking sun instead. Very cool.

 

[momtosam]

It's Disney -- they'll make sure you see some animals

 

[Amanda999]

Just wanted to add that if it rains, definitely do the safari: shorter line and - maybe just my luck - but I always see the most animals on the safari in the rain (or shortly after rain has ended). The jeep/vehicle has a covered awning (although you will get rain on you especially if you sit on the side).

 

[LaurenT]

Currently, they are switching out the painted dogs for hyenas at 4:30 - so if you do the safari again after 4:30, you'll get to see both! Hyenas are only out for a short time each day while they get used to their space.

 

[LaurenT]

Almost all our safaris are in the afternoon and I can say we've never walked away feeling shortchanged. They are animals much more used to heat than we are.

Last month we did have a chuckle - it was cold, colder than normal. It was the first time since it opened I have seen hippos out of the water sleeping on the bank. Guessed the water was just too cold for them and they were seeking sun instead. Very cool.

This was this past week!

 

[mountdew1]

No trip on the safari will ever be the same. We did rope drop 2 days at AK this year, first day all the Elephants were out by the time we got there, second day, the Elephants came running out as we rode by. And then conversely, we have done safari's at the end of the day and some animals have already gone backstage.