Strategy for AK

[crazymomof4]

We last visited WDW before AK was built. So while I have some idea (If a bit outdated! ) of how to plan our itinerary for the other parks, I'm a total novice when it comes to the AK.

I would appreciate any recomendations for getting the most out of this park. Which rides are busiest and what's the best time to see them? What, in your opinion, are "don't miss" attractions? Any tips on how to travel through the park, (ex: start toward the left of the park, then cover the middle, etc.)

TIA,
crazymomof4

 

[susy]

Hi!!! Our first time at AK was over Veterans' Day Weekend 2001. We tried to follow the Unofficial Guides' advice of scurrying over to the Safari first. So did EVERYONE else ! We were the FIRST people in line that morning. By the time we made it to the Safari (with our 4yo DS in his stroller) we had to wait ten mintes and the ride lasts about 20. Then we went over to the Lion King show- had to wait about 10 minutes to be let in. Got out of there-the place was MOBBED!!! We could hardly get through the bridge from Camp Minnie Mickey to Safari Village. Pizzafari is right there and it was 11am , so we had lunch- very good, quiet and empty, since it was so early. We headed over to Dinoland , so DS could play- it was HOT, CROWDED and did I say HOT????? We left AK that day about 1pm, doubting we would ever return. We needed a new strategy and over the next four trips, perfected a plan that didn't fail on even Labor Day wekend or the next Veteran's Day Weekend!!!

Okay, so here is my plan (works really well with kids!) Remember that this worked on hoilday weekends with no Early Entry.

FF to Veteran's Day 2002!

Enter AK and stay to the RIGHT-everyone else will be headed left.

Follow signs to DINOLAND- you can get all the rides here done in the same time it woud take to ride the Safari.

If you have little ones, get them on Triceratops spin (like dumbo). My DH went on with DS while I rode Primeval Whirl (a fun rollercoater right next to TS). Then I got on TS with my DS and DH took off to ride dinosaur. I then took DS to the boneyard (all of these things are right together). My DS rode TS a total of four times without getting off. We played in the boneyard, which is SHADY, cool and uncrowded in the morning for about 10 minutes waiting for DH. DS knows that when daddy comes, it's time to move on. congratulations- you have just completed dinoland!

Walk back up the path where you came into Dinoland (the only way out) and you will run hed on into "It's Tough To Be a Bug". Just to give you the idea of the time.. we had to wait a few minutes for the first show to start! Great show!!! DS loved it!!! Warn little ones about Hopper and they will be okay. You may have to hold them on your lap.

Exit and turn LEFT into Asia!! Follow signs to Kali River Rapids... Again, here we had to wait a few minutes for the ride to open!
rode 3x without getting off -Hey! What happened to ALL THOSE PEOPLE WE SAW AT THE PARK ENTRANCE??? Got soaked. It is nice "air conditioning" for the rest of the day, but I suggest to at least bring a dry pair of undies!

Okay, all "rides" out of the way(all walk-ons, too), we now headed to Africa-right up the path. I had to find my trip report.It says that the safari had a 20 minute wait. We got a FP and did the Pangani Forest trail (right there). When we got off the trail, it was 11am . Not bad for two hours in the park. Since our FP was good until 12:15- we got lunch first at tusker house . This place has REALLY good quality food and if you eat early, you can avoid the crowds. After lunch we did the Safari. Now, at this point (around 12or 12:30) we had to laeve, but I am sure we could have seen all the shows and walked the Maharaja jungle trek before park closing. have a great time!

 

[meeko_33785]

I've found that any of the animal-centered attractions (The Safari and the trails) are best seen either in the early morning or in the late evening when the temperatures are cooler and the animals more active. Other than that, there's not really a lot of other planning necissary. Most of the big rides (DINOSAUR, Primeval Whirl, Kali River Rapids, It's Tough to be A Bug) all have FastPass so lines arn't usually a huge deal. The theater for the shows are also fairly large and can accomidate a large number of guests at a time. You still might want to get there 15-30 minutes before the show if for no other reason than to get some air conditioning inside the theater. And last but not least, save time to see the afternoon parade. Hope that helps.

 

[Kaycee]

We follow the same AK touring plan that Suzy described. The only thing I have to add is that we start off the day with breakfast at Donald's Breakfastosaurus. We love this character breakfast. We get the earliest available PS (8:10) and are finished right about the time the rest of the park is opening at 9. And we're already right there in Dinoland!

We agree with Suzy that this plan works very well with kids, even at busy times.

 

[crazymomof4]

Originally posted by susy

Okay, so here is my plan (works really well with kids!)

Thanks SO much! This is exactly what I was looking for! I copied the whole plan to my AK file and will definitely be using it. I'm glad you pointed out that this works with a stroller as we will be using 2.

 

[I Need Magic]

This will be my first visit to AK, and I've been thinking about everyone charging the safari line as well. I'm curious to see what advise you get. Thanks for the great post idea.

Not only is WDW the greatest place on Earth, it also has the greatest fans on Earth!

 

[susy]

Kaycee,

We did Breakfastsaurus twice using this plan and it is totally doable!!! We were done, too, and right there waiting for the park to open.

Remember that Primeval whirl and Dinosaur are kind of jerky rides,so don't overstuff yourself at breakfast. We ate what we wanted and did fine!

 

[LoriLou]

I agree with the previous posters that said head straight to Dinoland. We walked right on Dinosaur and TS. Both were great rides. We grabbed a FP for Primeval Whirl and went to get in line for Tarzan Rocks (about 30 minutes before the show started) after TR, went and rode PW. DH went to get FP for Safari while I took the kids to the Boneyard. I found the boneyard to be a difficult place to watch the kids and my kids got overheated running around through the playground (rookie mistake). Met back up with DH, ate at Pizzafari and then went to Safari. Got in line 45 min early for LionKing while DH went to get FP for Kali. After LionKing rode Kali (GREAT ride, by the way) and went back for another ride on Dinosaur. Left the park right at closing time. This worked really well for us last week and we were there with an 8yo, 6yo and 5yo. We had a double stroller which worked out great. We skipped ITTBAB because I didn't want to be freaked out by bugs!

As far as rides not to miss, Dinosaur (depending on your kids ages, this may be too intense) Kali, and Lion King. Just my opinion.

 

[FoxandtheHound]

This will be our first stop at AK and the plans sound GREAT! Just curious if waiting until around noon for the safari means that we'll see less animals? How was it when you all waited? Thanks!

 

[WDWorBUST]

I have went on the Safari early and in the early afternoon. It really wasn't that huge of a difference. In fact the afternoon one was better for us....lines were shorter....and our driver didn't feel rushed so he would come to a complete stop so I could take pictures. Those were the best pictures I ever got during the Safari.

 

[LoriLou]

I'm sorry, but I don't have any other Safari experience to compare to. I can tell you that we rode aroun 1:00 and there were a lot of animals out. There was even a rhino crossing the road in front of us. We were easily able to see all of the animals that the driver was pointing out, however, the giraffes were somewhat hidden in the trees and the lion was lying down and so we could only see the top of his head. None of us felt that we didn't get the full Safari experience, but then again, none of us had ever ridden it before.

 

[jjohns]

Originally posted by LoriLou
and the lion was lying down and so we could only see the top of his head

That's a lion (especially male) for you! We've been on the Safari several times, morning and afternoon, the lion is always 'resting comfortably' on his hilltop.

Originally posted by WDWorBUST
went on the Safari early and in the early afternoon. It really wasn't that huge of a difference. In fact the afternoon one was better for us....lines were shorter....and our driver didn't feel rushed so he would come to a complete stop so I could take pictures.

Wow! Would I like *that* driver! My one complaint about the Safari is that it is *very* difficult to get good pictures... the combination of rough ride and slowing not stopping makes it very difficult.