Please critique my AK plan!

[hswillia07]

Hi there!

For those of you who love doing this, can you please critique my AK plan below? We're there early May and this will be a Wednesday with park scheduled to open at 9am. I LOVE AK, but haven't been there in awhile and can't remember how long it takes to get around. Thanks so much!


Breakfast at Tusker House at 8am (I'm guessing we will not finish in an hour - my daughter has allergies, so I know the food preparation will take some time)

Kilimanjaro Safaris - FP 9:30-10:30 (f FP not needed, get for Lion King)

Maybe do the new 'Caring for Giant's experience

Explore the area - wander around Asia and Africa

Discovery Island w/ lunch at Flametree BBQ - maybe around 12:00 or 12:30?

Go to Dinoland - ride Dinosaur w/ FP for 2pm-ish

Hang out in Dinoland - tricera top spin, dino dig, etc.

Lion King Show 3pm

Kali River Rapids 3:30pm FP

Heading out to dinner elsewhere.

Is this too rushed?? we have 4 adults and a 6 and 3 year old. We'll be back to AK another evening for dinner and Rivers of Light.

Thanks so much!

 

[chs27]

Tusker house is buffet, you can call to talk about allergies with the chef. You probably won't want to eat again at 12:00.

 

[hswillia07]

Thanks! Yes, we have all of the dining sorted out with special diets, so I feel good about that. I'm just not sure if I've allotted the correct amount of time between things. Lunch is one of the very few quick service we're doing, so if we don't need it at 12, then that's okay!

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

I think your timing is OK. With a FP, you can show up anytime within the hour so you should make it.

 

[pitpat]

honestly, you have very little planned so it should be no problem at all. There is unnecessary walking back and forth to The Lion King Show. Would be better if you could do it before lunch.

The Nemo show is also worth seeing.

 

[hswillia07]

honestly, you have very little planned so it should be no problem at all. There is unnecessary walking back and forth to The Lion King Show. Would be better if you could do it before lunch.

The Nemo show is also worth seeing.

Thank you! I'm going to look at the map & see about switching the show. I'm glad to hear that you think we have lots of time - our kiddos will want to take in all that there is to see, so that's great. Thanks again

 

[Elle23]

I, for one, will never attempt another qs restaurant between 12-2. The times we hit them around that time, it was always crazy (even on lower crowd days).

We started going at 11, and had MUCH better experiences.

I know that's probably not doable with an 8 am adr, but that was my experience.

And what about Expedition Everest? That was one of our favorite rides the whole trip!

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

Here are a few pointers to think about:

- I'm just wondering, are you wanting to do breakfast at Tusker House for the character experience? It will be cheaper to do breakfast elsewhere like at Starbucks or a QS location. Starbucks is usually my go-to for breakfast in the parks, because I'll use my Starbucks card.

- Not sure if the kids will be tall enough, but if some of the adults want to ride Expedition Everest, that ride does have single rider. Depending on the line and time of day, that can be quick.

- If you don't have a fastpass for the Lion King, I would get in line at least 40-45 minutes prior to that show. I have walked up 30 minutes before, and I was not allowed to get in line. The Festival of the Lion King is arguably the most popular show on Disney property (the CM's say this while you are standing in line). This show also gets busier the later the day gets. It's also my favorite show on Disney property!

- For the reason above, I would get a fastpass for Dinosaur around 1-1:30 p.m, and do that after lunch? If you got a fastpass at 1, it could possibly give you time to do some of the Dinoland attractions before heading to the Lion King.

- The Caring for Giants experience is currently listed for an hour. Depending on the start of the tour time, you would only have 30-60 minutes to explorer Asia and Africa based on your current schedule.

- I saw a previous poster mentioned the walking. Animal Kingdom is not on the scale of walking like EPCOT is. Based on your schedule, you would probably walk around Animal Kingdom twice. I have never found the distance between Dinoland and the Festival of the Lion King to be horrible. I say the walking will be doable.

- If you are also curious, you can show up 5 minutes early and up to 15 minutes late for a fastpass. After that, you won't be allowed to use the fastpass unless the CM lets you in.

 

[gap2368]

- If you are also curious, you can show up 5 minutes early and up to 15 minutes late for a fastpass. After that, you won't be allowed to use the fastpass unless the CM lets you in.

I have walked up 7 minutes lat for a FP and was not let in, I thought that I was still in the windo of my FP time, I asked the CM if they could let me in and she said they were not allowed to any more. It turned out to be fine since the standby line was just 5 minutes, not sure if this is now the policy or just one area/ ride but I would try your best to get to your FP during your windo exspasily if it is a must do ride.

but all the times I have been at Disney what AMusicLifeForME said is what I have seen happen

 

[hswillia07]

I, for one, will never attempt another qs restaurant between 12-2. The times we hit them around that time, it was always crazy (even on lower crowd days).

We started going at 11, and had MUCH better experiences.

I know that's probably not doable with an 8 am adr, but that was my experience.

And what about Expedition Everest? That was one of our favorite rides the whole trip!

True about lunch. We may have to get two people to order while the rest go and explore, because especially with the allergy needs, I know it'll be crazy.

Expedition Everest we're going to do on a different day when we're at AK for the Rivers of Light

 

[hswillia07]

Here are a few pointers to think about:

- I'm just wondering, are you wanting to do breakfast at Tusker House for the character experience? It will be cheaper to do breakfast elsewhere like at Starbucks or a QS location. Starbucks is usually my go-to for breakfast in the parks, because I'll use my Starbucks card.

- Not sure if the kids will be tall enough, but if some of the adults want to ride Expedition Everest, that ride does have single rider. Depending on the line and time of day, that can be quick.

- If you don't have a fastpass for the Lion King, I would get in line at least 40-45 minutes prior to that show. I have walked up 30 minutes before, and I was not allowed to get in line. The Festival of the Lion King is arguably the most popular show on Disney property (the CM's say this while you are standing in line). This show also gets busier the later the day gets. It's also my favorite show on Disney property!

- For the reason above, I would get a fastpass for Dinosaur around 1-1:30 p.m, and do that after lunch? If you got a fastpass at 1, it could possibly give you time to do some of the Dinoland attractions before heading to the Lion King.

- The Caring for Giants experience is currently listed for an hour. Depending on the start of the tour time, you would only have 30-60 minutes to explorer Asia and Africa based on your current schedule.

- I saw a previous poster mentioned the walking. Animal Kingdom is not on the scale of walking like EPCOT is. Based on your schedule, you would probably walk around Animal Kingdom twice. I have never found the distance between Dinoland and the Festival of the Lion King to be horrible. I say the walking will be doable.

- If you are also curious, you can show up 5 minutes early and up to 15 minutes late for a fastpass. After that, you won't be allowed to use the fastpass unless the CM lets you in.

Thank you - good info! yes, we do want the character experience, but also can't do places like Starbucks due to food allergies. Expedition Everest will be on a different day I hadn't thought about the wait for the Lion King show...hmm...might have to re-think my FP selections. Good to know about the distances - that was really what I was having trouble remembering. So appreciated!

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

I have walked up 7 minutes lat for a FP and was not let in, I thought that I was still in the windo of my FP time, I asked the CM if they could let me in and she said they were not allowed to any more. It turned out to be fine since the standby line was just 5 minutes, not sure if this is now the policy or just one area/ ride but I would try your best to get to your FP during your windo exspasily if it is a must do ride.

but all the times I have been at Disney what AMusicLifeForME said is what I have seen happen

Interesting. I know for sure the 5 minutes before works, because I have used that almost every single time for a fastpass. I had a CM tell me about the 15 minutes late rule, but I usually never try to be late. I have been late only a couple times due to ADR's going longer than expected, but never 15 minutes. I was always let in. I only typed that hint based on what a previous poster said.

Thank you - good info! yes, we do want the character experience, but also can't do places like Starbucks due to food allergies. Expedition Everest will be on a different day I hadn't thought about the wait for the Lion King show...hmm...might have to re-think my FP selections. Good to know about the distances - that was really what I was having trouble remembering. So appreciated!

Gotcha. That makes sense. I'm someone who doesn't have food allergies, but I have heard so many stories from others that say Disney does it best in regards of making sure people with food allergies have a great experience...About the Lion King, people always recommend to not get a fastpass for a show until later in the day. My one exception is Festival of the Lion King, and it's for the reason I typed above. I will get a FP for Festival of the Lion King for almost every time I walk into Animal Kingdom.

- One more tip I just thought of...In regards to the Safari, I have only seen a line in the first 2-3 hours. The longest I have ever seen it get is 45 minutes which for me isn't a long line, because I'm used to Disneyland wait times. Most of the time, the later the day goes, I have walked on so many times towards the end of the day. If you want to FP the safari, get one for the morning. If not, I don't know if you are really going to need it.

I just posted my experience. Always, yours might be different than mine. I hope you have a great vacation!

 

[hswillia07]

Interesting. I know for sure the 5 minutes before works, because I have used that almost every single time for a fastpass. I had a CM tell me about the 15 minutes late rule, but I usually never try to be late. I have been late only a couple times due to ADR's going longer than expected, but never 15 minutes. I was always let in. I only typed that hint based on what a previous poster said.



Gotcha. That makes sense. I'm someone who doesn't have food allergies, but I have heard so many stories from others that say Disney does it best in regards of making sure people with food allergies have a great experience...About the Lion King, people always recommend to not get a fastpass for a show until later in the day. My one exception is Festival of the Lion King, and it's for the reason I typed above. I will get a FP for Festival of the Lion King for almost every time I walk into Animal Kingdom.

- One more tip I just thought of...In regards to the Safari, I have only seen a line in the first 2-3 hours. The longest I have ever seen it get is 45 minutes which for me isn't a long line, because I'm used to Disneyland wait times. Most of the time, the later the day goes, I have walked on so many times towards the end of the day. If you want to FP the safari, get one for the morning. If not, I don't know if you are really going to need it.

I just posted my experience. Always, yours might be different than mine. I hope you have a great vacation!

Yes, we too have heard amazing things about Disney and allergies, so we're pretty excited as we never get to eat out anymore - should be fun

Thank you for all of the info - I really do appreciate it!

 

[dkrauss]

Hi there!

For those of you who love doing this, can you please critique my AK plan below? We're there early May and this will be a Wednesday with park scheduled to open at 9am. I LOVE AK, but haven't been there in awhile and can't remember how long it takes to get around. Thanks so much!


Breakfast at Tusker House at 8am (I'm guessing we will not finish in an hour - my daughter has allergies, so I know the food preparation will take some time)

Kilimanjaro Safaris - FP 9:30-10:30 (f FP not needed, get for Lion King)

Maybe do the new 'Caring for Giant's experience

Explore the area - wander around Asia and Africa

Discovery Island w/ lunch at Flametree BBQ - maybe around 12:00 or 12:30?

Go to Dinoland - ride Dinosaur w/ FP for 2pm-ish

Hang out in Dinoland - tricera top spin, dino dig, etc.

Lion King Show 3pm

Kali River Rapids 3:30pm FP

Heading out to dinner elsewhere.

Is this too rushed?? we have 4 adults and a 6 and 3 year old. We'll be back to AK another evening for dinner and Rivers of Light.

Thanks so much!

I'm good up until you get to DinoLand..............you've got a 2pm FP there.........then you want to be at Lion King (all the way across the park) at 3pm............to go back all the way to KRR for a 3:30pm FP. To me that's a lot of zigzagging. Now if you KRR FP starts at 3:30 your better coming back because you have until 4:30.........but the Lion King is not a 1/2hour attraction. Your also doing all this back and forth with younglings. I'm not a fan of zigzagging parks, especially with younglings. I also agree that after an 8am Tusker House breakfast.........eating again at Noon at FlameTree BBQ is a bit much........but that's me.

Have a great time!

Doug

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

to go back all the way to KRR for a 3:30pm FP. Now if you KRR FP starts at 3:30 your better coming back because you have until 4:30.........but the Lion King is not a 1/2hour attraction.

Festival of the Lion King is a 30 minute show. If the show starts at 3 p.m, the show will be over at 3:30 p.m. It should only take 5 minutes or less to walk to Kali River Rapids to use the fastpass.

 

[dkrauss]

Festival of the Lion King is a 30 minute show. If the show starts at 3 p.m, the show will be over at 3:30 p.m. It should only take 5 minutes or less to walk to Kali River Rapids to use the fastpass.

This is dependent on the time of year and the crowd level. In November (Jersey week) we had the crowd leaving the theatre and the crowd entered "collide". It took a few minutes to get thru that mass of people. KRR is about a 5 minute walk if that's all you do........but it's further than you may think from the Lion King...........plus your group does include younglings........ The link below shows a map (go down a few pics to see it) that shows what that walk with be.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/wdw-maps-by-robo.3545729/#post-56460957

Hey as long as the crowds are ok and the FP beings at 3:30............this won't be an issue..........but I doubt it will be a 5 min walk. But hey I've been wrong before

Have a great trip OP!

Doug

 

[cindyfan]

Festival of the Lion King is a 30 minute show. If the show starts at 3 p.m, the show will be over at 3:30 p.m. It should only take 5 minutes or less to walk to Kali River Rapids to use the fastpass.

I think she was more referring to the fact that the Lion King takes longer than the actual time of the show. By time it ends and many times you have to wait for the doors to open, then you walk down the stairs and out the door..... that can add almost 10 minutes depending on where they seat you (worst case scenario), then go to grab the stroller, etc. I always give myself 45 minutes from start of show.

 

[hswillia07]

Thanks SO much everyone! I've changed a few things around and I feel confident now Can't wait to book FPs! Thanks again