Should we skip AK??

[kels*angels]

We are going on our first trip to WDW this Oct. (the 12-17)
I was wondering, since we will be there only 5 days, if we should skip this park?
What are you likes/dislikes about AK?

 

[NCTWINSMOM]

I'm interested to see what our Disney Vets have to say. I'm planning on going but we are there 7 days.

 

[disney junky]

I wouldn't. Everest is awesome. There is the new Nemo show. I love Festival of the Lion King. You have much more to do than a couple of years ago. Don't know what your individual tastes are, but for me, I'd actually spend less time at MK to do AK. I also don't know what your other days entail and if you have kids, and their ages. Personally for me, AK is a not miss anymore. I just realized this is your first trip. If you plan well and get their early, play your fastpasses right, you can do a lot of the big attractions in less than a day, so maybe you'd want to split that with another of the parks, perhaps MGM or Epcot, which stay open later....

 

[nanlou]

Who exactly is going? What are their ages and interests?

We really like AK... and I think it's been getting better and better these past few years. While I wouldn't plan to spend more than a day there... and there are plenty of folks who spend only half day ... I personally think it's well worth including. Expedition Everest is a fantastic new ride. Festival of the Lion King is one of the best shows offered by Disney. Our 7 year old can't get enough of primeval whirl (okay, I admit it, I thought it was a lot of fun, too ), and I think this might just be our toddler's favorite park overall (he does have a special place in his heart for Rafiki....).

 

[Leota]

I wouldn't skip it, it's my 2nd favorite Park.
What ages are your kids? Do you have any Animal Lovers or Cultural Lovers?

We are an older Family, our youngest DS is 18. We've been doing AK since it opened & really love watching this Park develope. IT's the most Immersive Park experience. The Themeing & Landscaping is just amazing. The attention to detail really comes together here to transport you to another place.

Festival of the Lion King is great for any age. Not to be missed. The Character Greetings, Dinoland & Safari are great for the Young & Young at Heart.

For Thrill Seekers, you have Kali, Dinosaur & the not to be missed Expedition Everest.

For the Animal Lover, theres Pangani & Maharjah walks as well as Conservation Station. At CS, there's a Petting Zoo for the Little Animal Lover (and the big ones too)

For the person who loves Cultures from around the Globe, there is great music, art & architechture. A great opportunity exists here to converse with Cast Members from Asia & Africa.

For me, no trip to WDW is complete without a stop in AK.

 

[HunnyPots]

Why do you think you might want to skip it? Are you just not interested in the animal aspect or have you heard from others that didn't like it or what?
Since it is your first trip, you should at least give it a try to see for yourself what you like or don't like.

As for my likes, AK is an incredibly beautiful park with a very laid back feeling to it. Lots of amazing photo ops as well.
I could never skip Expedition Everest and Dinosaur! Two awesome rides! And the best live show in all of WDW, Festival of the Lion King!

I really love AK. It's probably my second favorite park, after MK. You really shoud give it a try.

 

[Aurora63]

I am on the fence about AK. There are many things I like about it, but again, many that just don't excite me, personally. My pro's and con's:

Pro:
Everest is a fun, exciting ride.
Food - Tusker House is yummy!
Kali River Rapids and Kilamanjaro are both fun.
Dinoland USA - I like everything about this part of the park. It's cheesy and campy, but then so am I!

Cons:
Crowded - Even if it isn't, it always seems to feel crowded.
Shows - I've always been told that the shows are great, but I am not into shows. Personal preferrence. If you like shows, then this is the park for you.


You could probably do most of what you want to do at AK and leave by 4pm.

ETA - If I had to choose, I'd do AK and skip MGM. Especially with young kids.

 

[bjscheel]

We were there for 5 days last time and had 1 AK day (2 MK days and 1 for each other park). My DD5 had so much fun on the Safari. We were really surprised how much we enjoyed Flights of Wonder. Festival of the Lion King is fantastic. We cut the day short to rest before MVMCP but I wished we'd had more time. Gotta go back!

 

[mousebit]

JMHO, but I think that AK has 4 of the "bests of WDW"
1 - EE (best thriller)
2 - JJP (best parade)
3 - Lion King (best show - unless you've seen the Broadway one)
4 - Tusker House (best counter service restaurant)

Just depends on your ages and preferences, of course. But with 5 days, I'd at least arrange 1/2 day for AK.

 

[carmiedog]

I'd at least try to fit in a half day. Expedition Everest (per dh) and Lion King are the tops. If we were short on time we'd probably go just for these and plan a nice meal at Rainforest or something. I also really liked Dinosaur and my kids could have spent a few hours in DinoLand. There's definitely enough there to fill an entire day though if you wanted to. I thought Kali was nice but too short, and Safari is skippable IMO.

 

[G8RFAN]

We love AK and DS is only 5. EE, Kalil, Lion King, Nemo, ITTBAB, Dinoland playground and dig site, Flame Tree, Safari, and so much more are all things that are top notch. In fact, I think the execution of the park is getting so much better than when it first opened, that it probably ranks ahead of EPCOT and MGM in our book. If you have 5 days, and you get the park hopper option, you should try to experience it. It may be your favorite park.

 

[Mousema]

Love it! If you hit at rope drop (cute show with Goofy, Minnie, Pluto and Mickey) you can hit Everest, Safari, Lion King, Dino, It's Tough to Be a Bug and be done by 1:00.

 

[lisadisney2003]

I would get a park hopper and do AK first thing the hop over to Epcot for the remainder of the day and evening. That way if you don't like it, you are loosing out on a day at the parks.

 

[tony609]

AK is my FAV park! Its not the park I do the most in BUT I think its the most beautiful of all the WDW parks. Walking around looking at the animals. Camp minnie-mickey is a great character spot I have never seen it overly busy.The safari is fun, to do at least once.Dinosaur is loud and scarey-LOL.

 

[kels*angels]

Thanks Guys!!
My Girls Will Be 4, 5 & 11 When We Go In Oct.

 

[Leota]

Thanks Guys!!
My Girls Will Be 4, 5 & 11 When We Go In Oct.

Your kids are the perfect age ranges for AK & I just noticed your dates. A beautiful time of the year to go. AK shouldn't be too hot. In the summer it can get very, very hot.

 

[december]

We were in AK on July 12 last year. Granted, I'm from MS, so I can take the heat better than most. Me, mil, ds9 (turned 9 the next day) and dd6 stayed in AK from 8am (emh) until 7:30pm (got in the last line for the Rapids before 7pm closing). I wish we'd had more time. I'm planning for 1 1/2 days on the next trip (one full day and our departure day). We loved it!

 

[indigoxtreme]

Our DGD loves AK, Lion King, the Character meet and greets, she also like Phocahantis show, they let the children sit in the middle and live animals run across the stage. Nemo was not done when we went last year. She loves the Safari too. Try it for at least 1/2 day, get a FP for the Safari first thing unless the line is not a long wait. Also the afternoon parade was one of her and our favorites. Not so commercial more home made type.

 

[txmomto1]

We love AK. We spent a day there in January, and are planning another day in September. FYI, both our trips are 5 days.

 

[lpandorf]

My kids are DD 7 and DS 3 and they really like AK. We are planning our upcoming trip to WDW in June and I asked my daughter what parks she said all but MGM. She said AK because she loves Kali Rapids, Festival of Lion King and the Safari. My 3 year old son loved loved loved the Boneyard playground area. He is big into playgrounds and we had to drag him out of there. He also like the Safari and both enjoyed train. The characters there were great our last trip too, really interacting with the kids and made it especially memorable.