So confused about AK nights - any advice greatly welcomed

[bravenyc]

We are headed to WDW in May (from the 21st - 28th) and I am beyond excited. I have been a handful of times before but this will be my first trip with my own children (ages 5 and 2.5). This will also be my first time in a busier season and post the new FP system. I was so proud of all of my meticulous planning, especially as a relative novice (thanks to all of you Disboarders!!) but all of this May uncertainty has been daunting.

I have been following the ROL saga with baited breath and was at least happy to hear that AK nights and the Jungle Book show (aka ROL "lite") will start when we are there. As you all know last week it was announced that AK nights and the Jungle Book show would start on 5/27 - our last night there and the day we had already planned to be in AK. I checked the official park calendar and the hours were posted as 9am - 11pm on 5/27 at AK and you can now book later FP for many rides.

Right now I have FP for Safari (everyone at 4:20), Kali Rapids (everyone at 11:30), and Everest (most everyone sans 5 yo and his dad at 10:30am)/P. Whirl (5 yo + dad). I was thinking about changing Everest FP to later in the evening so that we can arrive a little later (and pack before we head to AK since we leave the next am) and for the pure novelty of it. But now I notice that the official park hours for AK on 5/27 are back to 9am-6:30pm. This has me very nervous. Should I leave my FP where they are, especially give then uncertainty of a 5/27 start date? Is better to have them earlier anyway?

Once the FP for Jungle Book come out on 5/20, I hope to drop Kali for that one instead.

While I am so excited to see AK at night, I am also very nervous about the potential crowds on opening night. Should I expect mega crowds?

thanks so much

 

[aggieland03]

Where are you seeing the 6:30 closing time? I just checked and it still shows 11pm.

By the way, I think you're my doppelganger. I too was planning on staying May 21-28 with my 5 and 2.5 year olds. When the rumors were floating about possible Frozen opening on 5/27, I added another day. As it were, looks like we'll be spending the evening of 5/27 at AK. I've got an evening KS booked.

About the potential crowds, here's what I'm banking on...
Friday, 5/27 is an Early Morning Hours event at MK. Couple that with a late closing with Extra Magic Hours means I'm hoping a lot of people will stay at MK that day. MK and AK will be the two busiest parks on 5/27, no doubt. Prepare for experiencing only your FP+ events that day. Good luck booking Jungle on 5/20! I'll be online at midnight eastern trying to book it too!

 

[Angeliki19]

I feel for you! I am coming up on my ADR date and the uncertainty is driving ME insane.. can't imagine if my trip was this soon. So unfortunately I can't really offer any advice, but I did just want to point out really quick that the height requirement for Primeval Whirl is 48". My son has been wanting to ride it since he was 4 and now at 6 1/2 I think he just barely will make it. Your son might be really tall so sorry if you already knew that... just wanted to make sure! I always thought it was strange how the height requirement is higher then EE.

Sorry to go off-topic!! Sounds like you are going to have a great trip! Good luck with the AK stuff! It will be exciting to be one of the first people to experience it.

 

[ash901]

So, for certain, ROL will not open until the 27th? We will be leaving this day. I have also been trying to follow this ROL saga. I just went ahead and planned our day like nothing was changing.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

There's nothing that says ROL will be open on 5/27. It appears they are going to extend the hours and have other nighttime offerings, but ROL is delayed indefinitely. I believe they do start the Jungle Book show on 5/27 but I don't know if there will be fastpasses for that.

 

[aggieland03]

There's nothing that says ROL will be open on 5/27. It appears they are going to extend the hours and have other nighttime offerings, but ROL is delayed indefinitely. I believe they do start the Jungle Book show on 5/27 but I don't know if there will be fastpasses for that.

According to the Disney Blog, things are going to happen on 5/20. Things as in the ability to book FP+ for Jungle Rivers Lite, or whatever the slang term is for the water show.

 

[sunshinemelody]

According to the Disney Blog, things are going to happen on 5/20. Things as in the ability to book FP+ for Jungle Rivers Lite, or whatever the slang term is for the water show.

http://thedisneyblog.com/2016/03/24...eys-animal-kingdom-march-construction-update/ Guessing you're referring to this post?

Thing is Disney said that they'd be updating everyone Mid-May, not opening it. And the way that Rumors of Light is going it won't be open this summer either.

 

[Irish_Mike]

So, for certain, ROL will not open until the 27th? We will be leaving this day. I have also been trying to follow this ROL saga. I just went ahead and planned our day like nothing was changing.

Rivers of Light, as in the complete show, will not be opening until later this summer. This is (widely believed) due to technical difficulties related to the motion of the floats and GPS technology. Since the show was delayed off the April 22nd opening date, they have only said "later this summer".

To cover the hole left by RoL being delayed, Disney is doing a Jungle Book themed show using water screens and musical performances in the same theatre. That show should begin Memorial Day (Unclear as to whether it's weekend or the actual day).

 

[Micca]

There are some rumors floating around the web that ROL may not open this summer at all. Who knows if that's true, but I would adjust expectations accordingly if planning a trip this summer.

 

[aggieland03]

http://thedisneyblog.com/2016/03/24...eys-animal-kingdom-march-construction-update/ Guessing you're referring to this post?

Thing is Disney said that they'd be updating everyone Mid-May, not opening it. And the way that Rumors of Light is going it won't be open this summer either.

Was referring to this one: https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...es-attractions-starting-memorial-day-weekend/

Based on the comments, yes, it may be after May 20th when FP+ begin.

 

[bravenyc]

Thanks everyone.

Since the park is open late that night (until 11pm) and will likely be very crowded. Would it be better to leave most of the FP earlier in the day - or should I move some later if possible, since the crowds will likely be worst as the evening events begin?

Aggieland03 - what a small world! I will be doing the same as you at midnight on 5/20! Good luck.

 

[sunshinemelody]

Was referring to this one: https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...es-attractions-starting-memorial-day-weekend/

Based on the comments, yes, it may be after May 20th when FP+ begin.

Ah.

You said the Disney Blog, so I went straight to the actual site since you capitalized blog. Disney Parks Blog then, makes more sense.