One day AK, WDW newbies

[AmazonMama]

Hello everyone,

Y'all are so awesome. We're a DLR family and have only done WDW once and only spent 1/2 day at AK. Our dear friends who rely on us for all things Dis, are going to Orlando next week for other reasons and have just one day to spend at WDW. MK was full (their first choice) so they're doing AK. I can only recommend Everest and Kilamanjaro Safari and those were the only two rides we rode when we were there. They will be there from 8-8 assuming they make it at rope drop (they get in late the night before and have a two-hour time change to deal with and are driving to WDW from off-site, so I'm not sure they can rally).

My question for you is,

What is must see, and what order should they do it in? They have a daughter who truly loves animals so I know some of the walking trails/animal exhibits besides the safari ride will be good for them. They are a family of 4 with two teen girls and will also do the "big rides." Very little theme park experience, their only expertise came from me when I took them to DLR once. They've been back one on their own to DLR one other time and knew the drill I taught them and did it well.

After some research here, I'm grateful to read there's no FP right now because that actually takes some pressure off of them. And it shouldn't be too crowded right since park capacity is limited? If anyone can tell me what they should expect next Wednesday I'd really appreciate some Covid-times insight on how they should attack the park for their one-and-done experience. They have no dining reservations either so any tips on where to get some quick food from non-reservation locations in the park would be helpful too. (They aren't picky.)

THANK YOU!!!

 

[scrappinginontario]

If they're able to rope drop I would recommend heading to Flight of Passage first and Navi River Journey second. If they arrive after rope drop or, if Navi River is a long wait after FoP I'd recommend they go back in the evening. Regardless, Pandora is worth a visit after dark as it's absolutely beautiful!

Basically with 12 hours at AK they can do everything and some things more than once if they wish. Kilimanjaro Safari is a great ride earlier in the morning and around dusk as it's almost like 2 different experiences.

If they enjoy drawing there is a drawing class which is a great way to spend time while getting a break from the heat.

 

[AmazonMama]

If they're able to rope drop I would recommend heading to Flight of Passage first and Navi River Journey second. If they arrive after rope drop or, if Navi River is a long wait after FoP I'd recommend they go back in the evening. Regardless, Pandora is worth a visit after dark as it's absolutely beautiful!

Basically with 12 hours at AK they can do everything and some things more than once if they wish. Kilimanjaro Safari is a great ride earlier in the morning and around dusk as it's almost like 2 different experiences.

If they enjoy drawing there is a drawing class which is a great way to spend time while getting a break from the heat.

Great tip regarding the safari ride! She's now thinking that hubs can drop them off and go back and relax at the hotel and join them later when he's better rested. That should make everyone happy and they can get to rope drop that way (or close to it). Good to know to head to Pandora first. (When we went it was brand new and way too crowded and so we just avoided it all together.) Also I'll make sure they know to return to Pandora just to see it at night.

 

[No.1000]

Flight of Passage is one of the best rides in all of Disneyworld. Worth waiting for.

The walking trails are excellent. Dinosaur is fun. The drawing class at Rafiki's Planet Watch is a totally different kind of Disney experience. It's Tough to be a Bug is even worth a try since they don't have very young children (it can be scary as it is loud and dark and there are BIG bugs).

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

100% do FoP and definitely go back to that area at night as it is incredibly beautiful. The safari is always fun, like said above earlier in the am or at dusk or both. The walking trails are great and we always do the drawing experience at the Conservation Station, so fun and nice AC also. Also all the other attractions mentioned are great. Food, Yak & Yeti QS is great and hear great things about Satu'li's but have not eaten there. Nomads lounge is very nice and Flametree BBQ pretty decent. AK is such a beautiful park and there are so many little nooks and details that we keep discovering...

 

[loves to dive]

There is a path that winds around The Tree of Life that allows you get a little closer to it. We love walking it and finding all the animals you don't normally see if you are just looking head on. There are also little spots on just about every path/walkway that have animals in them so going slow and paying attention will allow them to see more animals. I will be the Devil's Advocate here and say I'm not as huge fan of FoP as others are, I ride it if the wait isn't long but it's not a must do for me. I do, however, like to walk around Pandora at night. There is a lot to see at AK if you just go slow and look, with all day there, they should be able to hit all the attractions and take their time. We love Nomad Lounge but there are a lot of places there to eat.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Great tip regarding the safari ride! She's now thinking that hubs can drop them off and go back and relax at the hotel and join them later when he's better rested. That should make everyone happy and they can get to rope drop that way (or close to it). Good to know to head to Pandora first. (When we went it was brand new and way too crowded and so we just avoided it all together.) Also I'll make sure they know to return to Pandora just to see it at night.

Just a tip that 'rope drop' is normally around 45 minutes before official park opening. If the wait to arrive at the published park opening time they will encounter lines at some of the more popular attractions.

 

[auntlynne]

 

[auntlynne]

 

[AmazonMama]

Thanks everyone! Great info for me to share. I appreciate you all!!

 

[Ecomommy09]

But I love Navi, so I would still suggest riding.

 

[lorileahb]

When do they seem to let cars through the gate right now... about 45 mins before park open? Not sure when to line up so we don't get turned away.

 

[AmazonMama]

Thanks everyone for these tips. My friends went and had an absolute blast. They said it was completely reasonable due to Covid park attendance limits, they spent the morning doing all the animal stuff and did rides all afternoon. The wait times were completely reasonable. She loved Pandora at night and FoP wasn't her favorite ride ever but she said it was the most well-done ride she's seen at Disney. She also said that Everest never had more than a 20-minute wait. They enjoyed their day a lot! Thanks so much for all the tips, thanks to you all they were well prepared!

 

[Blanco]

I would agree with the rope drop and start with flight of passage then if possible, Safari as the animals are active early in the morning. You’ll be able to see a lot of things by that time frame then Everest, if I’m not mistaken. They are close to each other.