Should we skip AK??

[Frantasmic]

My suggestion is that if you think you may not like this park, go to it on an EMH morning and at least ride Everest, the Safaris, and Dinosaur. Then, see a show. If you like it, stick around and see the other things. If not, go to a different park.

IMO, you've experienced the things that you don't really find in other WDW (or amusement parks in general), and can say you've done it.

Yes, you AK fans, I know that there is *more* to AK than what I have stated. My point is that a lot of what AK provides can be experienced at a good zoo or other amusement type parks. Those top 3 that I have mentioned above are the unique features of AK, IMO.

 

[DISNEYNY]

We love AK. EE, Lion King, Dinosaur and the Safari Ride are all great. I'm sure you will enjoy!!

 

[Adam1217]

I love the AK!!! EE is a really nice ride and Dinosaur is fun as well, but I also love how the park is laid out and how real all the buildings look and the artwork that is done at the park is just beautiful. I would go there even if we were there for just five days, I would make it fit into the already busy schedule I would have.

 

[ZoZo]

I love AK! I'm definitely an "animal person," and thoroughly enjoy it. The safari ride is great, Flights of Wonder is fantastic (a live bird show with animals flying overhead), the Lion King show is very fun. I never miss it.

It's not necessarily an "all day" park - you can go and see most things by about 3:00 in the afternoon, then hop to another park later in the day. I'd give it a try if I were you!

 

[jjms97]

Lots of great advice here and I must say I agree!

We too SERIOUSLY considered skipping AK altogether on our last visit because of the animal aspect of the park. We were under the impression that it was basically a fancy zoo with a couple of rides thrown in. I'm not a huge fan of zoos myself and I figured I could go to the zoo here and be OK, but I'd heard great things about Safari and that's about it.

Needless to say our expectations were very low but we decided to try it out anyway. It's now a can't-be-missed park for us and we didn't even get to see half of it!

I know others have said it, but I will reiterate this point.....go at rope drop and hit the big rides first (fps if needed). I think that is really the best time to give it a true shot if you're not really sure about it. That way, if it's not you're thing, you haven't wasted an entire day.

Last thing....Festival of the Lion King is reason enough to go to this park. It's AMAZING!!

 

[december]

I had to add to my previous post-don't rush your day here! There is so much to look at. The trails are beautiful! I agree that FOTLK is worth the admission price-my kids loved it! My ds9 conquered his fear of big rides on Everest. But the scenery is the best thing about it. It is an amazing park! Just take your time and look for unexpected sites everywhere.

 

[DisneyWorldWisher]

I'd do it.

I would skip MGM instead.

 

[lillygator]

I wouldn't skip it...the new Nemo musical show is well worth it, and Everest, the Safari.....!

 

[DiRTyBuNNy]

If I was going to skip anything it would be MGM (and I'm a huge Star Wars/Star Tours fan).

--Mr. DB

 

[leanan]

The 3 kiddos will enjoy it. I would recomend the half day plan for you. Of course if you get there and totally love it then you could stay longer but it is worth half a day at least.

 

[leanan]

If I was going to skip anything it would be MGM (and I'm a huge Star Wars/Star Tours fan).

--Mr. DB

When I am not pregnant MGM is one of my faves but then I would go just to ride tower of terror and the rockin coaster over and over again. I am also a spoiled princess who has the seasonal pass. So I can go off season for an hour or three just to ride those two and head home or to another park when I am done. The pass makes me look at the parks in a whole different light. So does living 20 minutes away.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

We just got back from Disney and we absolutely loved AK. We did Donald's breakfast and were one of the first ones in the park then went to Dinoland and did River Rapids, safaris, Lion King, etc. I HIGHLY recommend going there. We stayed there till about 3:00ish, went to our room for a swim and then did DTD for dinner at Wolfgang Puck. It was a great day! Much better than MGM by the way.

 

[derekw]

Our trip 3 years ago we skipped AK (two kids at the time 3 and 5 yrs old.) On our trip last week we had 3 (4,6,8 now) and spent a day at AK. We REALLY enjoyed it. EE was my fav ride of the whole trip. Lion King show was great and IMHO Nemo musical was even better. Loved It's Tough to be a Bug and Dinoland great for the kids. Spent about 7 hrs total there and still didn't get to all the attractions. Since it usually closes a bit early you can park hop somewhere else (if you have any more energy.) What I like about AK is the suprise of something you may not see anywhere else (safari/animal trails/shows/etc.) Be forewarned it is a BIG park and alot of walking especially if its crowded (Oct should be good though) and using Fastpasses.

 

[DiRTyBuNNy]

When I am not pregnant MGM is one of my faves but then I would go just to ride tower of terror and the rockin coaster over and over again. I am also a spoiled princess who has the seasonal pass. So I can go off season for an hour or three just to ride those two and head home or to another park when I am done. The pass makes me look at the parks in a whole different light. So does living 20 minutes away.

Well, when the DW and I go WDW we usually have park hoppers but IMHO if you had to pick one of the four parks to not go to I will always choose MGM...I know I'm not the be all end all...but just muddying the waters more or less..

--Mr. DB

 

[Gus]

If I was going to skip anything it would be MGM (and I'm a huge Star Wars/Star Tours fan).

--Mr. DB

My thoughts exactly. We're doing 1 1/2 days at AK on our September trip. When we went two years ago, I think it was my DW's favorite park.

 

[Zip-a-dee-doo-Dad]

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.

I agree as mentioned above. A half a day is enough if you are ther for the opening. Some people really love AK. If ther was no EE my family would skip it altogether.

 

[girlsx4]

You can't skip AK! When we went in '05 we had a great time there. My youngest DD was sick the day we planned on going there so I took the 3 oldest(while DH stayed w/our youngest). The next day we went back just so DH and youngest DD could do what we had done the day before. The girls LOVED "it's tough to be a bug" And the Lion King show was awesome! Tarzan Rocks was really fun too!

 

[MissionMouse]

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

I did not read in the postings to what type of park tickets you are getting or have. If you have Park Hopper tickets I would definately say include AK, but realize some of the 'pressure' you might feel in seeing everything you can during your stay while maintaining a vacation feel. There is enough to see and do but we typically have only made it a half day on a early entrance day with two DD under 7yo.

 

[snusnu]

DH and I ADORE AK. We could have spent days just walking around. It's just stunning. EE is one of the best rides Disney has ever come up with, and the queue alone is worth the wait. Flights of Wonder is marvelous, Flame Tree BBQ has the best sandwiches in WDW, all of the incredible animals around the Tree of Life (the live ones) are so breathtaking and the theming is spectacular. Don't miss it!

 

[newholidayx2]

i agree w/above poster
if i was going to skip a park it would be MGM
My 1st favorite is EpCot then AK