Strategy for Animal Kingdom - Need help!

[lpoeppelman]

In what order would you ride the AK rides/attractions? We will have Lion King show and the parade out of the way on a different day.

We'll be there for rope drop.

We'll need to ride all the big rides and small ones.

 

[Robo]

In what order would you ride the AK rides/attractions?

-EE
-Safari

-the rest

 

[Metro West]

In what order would you ride the AK rides/attractions? We will have Lion King show and the parade out of the way on a different day.

We'll be there for rope drop.

We'll need to ride all the big rides and small ones.

I would go right to Everest...get a FP...wait in line and then go back with the FP before it gets too busy. I was at AK on Sunday and around 1pm, the FP return times were 4:10 to 5:10pm. Do that one first.

 

[brokenlola]

I was also going to ask this question. So are you saying the Kilimanjaro Safari and Expedition Everest are the only things that will have a long wait?

We don't plan on doing EE, so we will go to KS first and then is there a better direction to tour the park from there?

 

[Traveliz]

I was also going to ask this question. So are you saying the Kilimanjaro Safari and Expedition Everest are the only things that will have a long wait?

We don't plan on doing EE, so we will go to KS first and then is there a better direction to tour the park from there?

Pretty much those are the biggies - although Nemo has a long line and a wait so I think I would hit the first of those shows.

Liz

 

[C U AT DISNEY]

I would go to EE first and grab a fast pass. You will be able to get on the ride right away plus you will have a fast pass for later or right after your first ride.. (You get to go on it twice in a row) Then head for the safari and then I would do everything else..


James

 

[karajeboo]

I was also going to ask this question. So are you saying the Kilimanjaro Safari and Expedition Everest are the only things that will have a long wait?

We don't plan on doing EE, so we will go to KS first and then is there a better direction to tour the park from there?

Also Dinosaur and Triceratop Spin have long waits.

We have always rushed to get a FP for EE, then gone to KS to ride because everyone told us you MUST ride the safari first thing in the morning to see the animals. Then last May we bucked the system and didn't ride KS until close to noon and saw MORE animals! Maybe just luck?

AK is a hard park to pack into one day, since they close early. But if you've already seen FOTLK, that will help.

I would get FP for EE, then go hit Africa - ride KS, head to Rafiki's Planet Watch (personally, not a big fan and hit takes a big chunk out of your day). Then go back and ride EE. Then get FP for KRR while you're in Asia. Then head to Dinoland, stopped to watch Nemo along the way. Ride TS, PW, then get FP for Dinosaur. Should be about lunchtime by now. AFter lunch you have two FPs to use, and then you can just stroll and relax. And if you eat at Flame Tree BBQ, you should be close to Bugs Life movie, too. Don't forget Camp Minnie-Mickey if you want autographs!

My opinion, the not to be missed are:
EE, KS, FOTLK, Nemo, Dinosaur. Remember too that this park always appears to be a lot busier than it is. The paths are narrow and it feels congested. But it's a hidden gem, so take the time to explore and take it all in.

 

[stephie1012]

i was just wondering the same thing! i was actually doing ridemax and didnt really like they way they had us going so idk yet. i always heard do the safari first thing in the morning but now im not so sure

 

[Robo]

i was just wondering the same thing! i was actually doing ridemax and didnt really like they way they had us going so idk yet. i always heard do the safari first thing in the morning but now im not so sure

Not much difference in "first thing in the morning" and "first hour or two of the morning."

We've literally ridden Safari during every day-part there is.

It is different every time we ride.

 

[lpoeppelman]

Would love to know if anyone has an "approximation" on how long you think this itinerary will take? We're going for rope drop at a 9a.m. park opening.

Rides in this order:
1. Expedition Everest (use child swap so we can both ride)**grab FP for Dinosaur on the way???
2. Kilmanjaro Safari
3. Tricera Top Spin
4. Primeval Whirl
5. Dinosaur

If time, we'll ride Kali River Rapids or get a FP for it.

We'd love to be done with all this by noon? Is this possible?

Thanks!

 

[OB1]

you can definately do all this before noon if it is a moderate time of the year. Since your last 3 are all together, that will be about an hour. You may want to ride Kali while you are near Everest, since they are both in Asia. Kali is not busy early in the day, but most people do not want to get soaked early in the day.

You have not left much time to wander, discover, and watch the animals. If all you want are a few rides, then you can do this by noon. We really enjoy watching the animals, exploring trails, and just letting this be a slow day park. It just feels slower than the other parks.

 

[cannonballer]

After MUCH MUCH MUICH research and advice from others etc this is our AK day planned for first week of june.

Let me know what you think. We have already included everything we want to do so if it not on the list its because we are not interested.

6/5/2009
FRI
Animal Kingdom

arrive at gates 830
fp for everest - ride DINoSAUR
ride PRIMEEVIL WHIRL
RIDE KALI RIVER RAPIDS
Get FPS for KILIMANJARO SAFARIS
lunch @ Tusker House Buffet
RIDE EVEREST WITH FPS
Maharaja Jungle Trek
Ride Wildlife Express Train
Kilimanjari Safaris
Pangani trail
mickeys jammin jungle parade - Park closes

 

[Metro West]

Also Dinosaur and Triceratop Spin have long waits.

 

[shelemm]

After MUCH MUCH MUICH research and advice from others etc this is our AK day planned for first week of june.

Let me know what you think. We have already included everything we want to do so if it not on the list its because we are not interested.

6/5/2009
FRI
Animal Kingdom

arrive at gates 830
fp for everest - ride DINoSAUR
ride PRIMEEVIL WHIRL
RIDE KALI RIVER RAPIDS
Get FPS for KILIMANJARO SAFARIS
lunch @ Tusker House Buffet
RIDE EVEREST WITH FPS
Maharaja Jungle Trek
Ride Wildlife Express Train
Kilimanjari Safaris
Pangani trail
mickeys jammin jungle parade - Park closes

I really don't like your itinerary at all. Lots of criss-crossing the park for no apparent reason. Just thinking about walking those enormous distances makes me tired. I could make other suggestions, but I'd like to know how many/what ages you are. For example, you mention Wildlife Express Train. This makes me think that you have kids who want to go to the Affection Station or do the Character Greetings at Rafiki Planet Watch. Just riding the train is not at all interesting. So this stop entails a good chunk of time.

I love the idea of coming up with a plan, but I hate the idea of criss-crossing. My overall strategy is still to hit things that are close by, but hit them in a particular order keeping in mind that it's best to get an FP and fill the 'wait' time seeing other nearby attractions.

One other hint: After the parade is over, you still might have time to catch Dinosaur a second time before leaving the park, if you position yourself properly. Some things are worth doing twice.

 

[cannonballer]

I really don't like your itinerary at all. Lots of criss-crossing the park for no apparent reason. Just thinking about walking those enormous distances makes me tired. I could make other suggestions, but I'd like to know how many/what ages you are. For example, you mention Wildlife Express Train. This makes me think that you have kids who want to go to the Affection Station or do the Character Greetings at Rafiki Planet Watch. Just riding the train is not at all interesting. So this stop entails a good chunk of time.

I love the idea of coming up with a plan, but I hate the idea of criss-crossing. My overall strategy is still to hit things that are close by, but hit them in a particular order keeping in mind that it's best to get an FP and fill the 'wait' time seeing other nearby attractions.

One other hint: After the parade is over, you still might have time to catch Dinosaur a second time before leaving the park, if you position yourself properly. Some things are worth doing twice.

Thanks for your input.

We are 34 and 26 and YES the affection Section apeals to us although we have no kids. We do kiddy things, its fun. We will never grow up! Grown up stuff like spas and golf adn table cloth dinners ar enot for us! We like the fun stuff.

The criss corssing we did actually is done with purpose though it may not sound like it.
I will give you our reasons then would like more feedback please.

arrive at gates 830
fp for everest - ride DINoSAUR The FP for EE may be a long time and the lines for Dinosaur are best hit in the morning form what we are told.

ride PRIMEEVIL WHIRL Since we will be next to dinosaur we can get the coaster credit in

RIDE KALI RIVER RAPIDS We want to ride this while its still early and the lines are not too long.Also its on the way to teh place we want to eat lunch.

Get FPS for KILIMANJARO SAFARIS Sincve it is not far from our lunch Place we will get FPS and let some of our time go by

lunch @ Tusker House Buffet Our place of lunch.

RIDE EVEREST WITH FPS We will restart our trek here working our way back toward the safaris.

Maharaja Jungle Trek
Ride Wildlife Express Train
Kilimanjari Safaris We end the riding here because it will probably be the longest wait since we got fps later in the afternoon

Pangani trail
mickeys jammin jungle parade - Park closes We are going to all seven major orlando parks, We wont care for extra rides this trip!

In a way it is not criss crossing at all adn we are riding everything in order. We have taken into account the amount of wait time adn what to fp first etc.
If you have any other views feel free to share them.

 

[shelemm]

Ok, I'll assume for a moment that you've never been to AK before....

If you are going to ride Everest only once, then I would either just ride it when you get there, or no reason to walk all the way to Everest first thing. It's very far! To walk to Everest and then walk to Dinosaur (Dino is pretty deserted early in the morning) are enormous distances as it is. Are you going commando or will you stop and smell the roses? There are a lot of things to see along the way.

After PW, you are then walking all the way to KS for an FP. Again, this is a very long distance. These things are very far apart. While other people are actually seeing things, you'll be hoofing it. At this point, you've practically walked the entire park while doing only two rides.

I think you've underestimated the distances, that's all I'm saying.

 

[Robo]

Ok, I'll assume for a moment that you've never been to AK before....

If you are going to ride Everest only once, then I would either just ride it when you get there, or no reason to walk all the way to Everest first thing. It's very far! To walk to Everest and then walk to Dinosaur (Dino is pretty deserted early in the morning) are enormous distances as it is.

Everest is basically next door to Dinoland.
It's certainly not a one minute walk, but I'd say that it's under 7 minutes at a normal pace.

 

[AliceNWonderland]

My question is should we take one or two days to do AK?

 

[Robo]

My question is should we take one or two days to do AK?

Everyone's pace is different.
Different tastes come into play, as well.

We can "do" much of the park in a FULL day (it's not open very late, usually.)

But we like the park so much that we come back for a second day to
enjoy more of the feeling of the place and re-do our favorite attractions.

 

[shelemm]

Everest is basically next door to Dinoland.
It's certainly not a one minute walk, but I'd say that it's under 7 minutes at a normal pace.

Yes, but take a closer look a the map you posted, from Entrance to Everest to Dinosaur is still a ton of walking. Saying that the Lands are next door to each other is not saying the same thing that Everest and Dinosaur are next to each other. Those yellow dots are quite far away from each other.

I still maintain that the itinerary calls for them to walk just about the whole park having done only two rides. If that's what they want to do, that's fine. Personally, I would be very tired by the end of the day and feeling a bit grumpy for having walked so much and seen so little.