Trying to plan a morning at AK, need help!

[ErinInCT]

Trip in Sept with myself, dh & dds 5 & 2. This trip is mainly for the kids and we wanted to only spend a half day (like until noon).

DD5 has seen the planning videos & Travel Channel shows which always seem to focus on Tarzan Rocks! She wants to see Tarzan Rocks (which I have heard is very loud) & Pocohontas (I think she would be bored b/c she is not really in to animals, but thinks Pocohontas is a princess so she really wants to see her!). She is not interested in anything else (like dinosaurs). I really would like to do the Safari & see FotLK (and Kali but dd2 is too small so we'll skip it this time). I have to try to plan stuff that will keep dd2 occupied & I am worried about her sitting thru shows.

Anyone with kids care to give me advice on how to plan this trip. We could do all 3 shows (Tarzan, Poco & FotLK) but then we could not do the Safari & I am not sure how dd2 will hold up to so many shows. Plz let me know what your kids liked.

 

[ErinInCT]

One more thing - Does Pocohontas do a meet & greet after her show? Maybe that would be enough to satisfy dd5!!

 

[OhMari]

Do a show, then go for Breakfast. I would do Tarzan first. I heard it can get very hot in the show, so early morning is best. JMO. Look for Pocohontas. You can always walk out of the show if your child doesn't want to sit.

I'm trying to plan to for my 15 dd. so she don't get bored. I want to leave at least by 12, take a break and finish up over at MGM with Fantasmic.

 

[PratersloveDW]

We have a 2 yo DS and when we went he loved the FoLK. It has GREAT colors and he loves the movie anyway. I don't know that I would suggest Tarzan Rocks, I mean, its a great show, don't get me wrong, but my son would NEVER sit through it. Not geared toward the real young. The Safari is actually a great ride for the kids, if they like animals. My DS really enjoyed it. If they like animals, there are also some really good exploration trails with really good viewing. Head to Camp Minnie Mickey to see the characters and if there is time I would even suggest It's Tough to be a Bug. My son diddn't put the glasses on but enjoyed it. We made sure he sat on our lap, however. And I would suggest the same to you...you will understand why after the show! Enjoy!

 

[PratersloveDW]

I would strongly suggest FoLK. I have a 2 yo DS and he loved it. They have great music and colors, plus he loves the movie. Tarzan maybe one to skip for now. It's a great show don't get me wrong but little ones seem to get bored and it is REALLY loud. If they like animals, they will enjoy the Safari. Our DS loved this and he also enjoyed the explorations trails. They have some great viewing of animals. Camp Minnie Mickey is a place to stop to see characters and I would even suggest Its Tough to be a Bug. Our DS liked it (didn't wear the glasses though) and we were also careful to keep him on our laps (you will understand why after you see the show). Enjoy!!

 

[GEM]

Just wanted to let you know that when we took my little guy in May for his first birthday, he was absolutely enthralled by both Tarzan Rocks and Festival of the Lion King. They both have so much wonderful color and movement and music that he was just fascinated! They were two of his very favorite things from the whole trip. So, maybe your younger DD won't have a problem sitting through them.

Also, there is no way I would go to the AK and skip the Safari!

My highlights for your group, considering ages and interests would be:

-Safari
-Tarzan Rocks
-Festival of the Lion King
-and the Gorilla and Tiger trails. (I know you said your oldest wasn't really into animals, but these are SO well done! The tigers are just right there!)

 

[ErinInCT]

Ok, I may have formulated a plan...

We'll do the 3 shows on our planned AK morning (we're planning an MGM afternoon too!). FotLK, Tarzan Rocks & Pocohontas

We have a water park morning planned later in the week which does not open until 10am. Sooooo, I am thinking maybe we can swing by AK at 9am opening & do Safari & child swap at Kali (we'll have our bathing suits on anyway & towels in the car) & then go to the water park! Looks like BB is pretty close so we can go there!

 

[luvsTink]

My dd's (5 and 7) loved Pochahontas...I think you will be glad you did it. THey even have reserved seating for the kids.

 

[Sydnoahmom]

I'd try to go on a day with EMH if you can get there by 8:00am, especially if you want to leave by noon.

 

[shellybaxter]

Originally posted by luvsTink
My dd's (5 and 7) loved Pochahontas...I think you will be glad you did it. THey even have reserved seating for the kids.

I've not heard about this reserved seating? Where is it and how does it work?

That's my one MAJOR complaint about FoLK. The younger kids LOVE it (like my Dniece) but the seating isn't set up in a way that they can see. We finally chose a seat up toward the top and on the edge of the row. Dniece kind of "danced" on the landing so she could see. Toward the end a VERY cranky older CM lady came up, grab her by the arm and very sternly told her to sit down. She then turned to DH and said "She could get hurt". I guess she was worried she would fall down the stairs. That wouldn't have been an issue if they had seating where she could see without standing up.

Shelly

 

[jl3614]

We took our DD (then just under 2) to Tarzan Rocks a few years ago. It was a disaster. The music was so loud it hurt her ears - she screamed through much of the show. If you go I suggest sitting as far forward and to the side as possible, it is not the best viewing spot, but much quieter, a lot of the noise goes over your head.

FOTLK and Pocohantas should both keep a 2 and 5 yr olds attention. Our kids are 4 and 6 the last visit (April 2004), they loved FOTLK, DS (6) thought Pocohantas was boring, DD (4) liked it.

Pocohantas and FOTLK are right next to each other, not sure about morning, but in the afternoon the show schedules are syncronized - you walk out of FOTLK and walk next door to Pocohantas arriving with about 10 minutes to spare.

It is a pretty good jaunt from Camp Minnie Mickey (FOTLK and Poco) over to Tarzan Rocks, allow plenty of time. also it didn't seem like the timing of Tarzan and FOTLK matched up very well.

 

[wdwobsessed]

Just remember that Tarzan Rocks and FOTLK are on opposite sides of the park!! My 2 year old liked the Safari .. you don't think yours will?

I was thinking hit Safari ... FOTLK .. Pochontas .... then Tarzan ... I think your little one would like the Safari ... my child is quite the scardey cat and he liked it!!!

For some reason I think the shows don't start until a little later in the day .. like around 10?

Anyone?????

 

[ErinInCT]

Pocohontas starts at 9:25am, FotLK at 9:45am & Tarzan at 10am. I thought I'd hit FotLK at 9:45 (half hr show) and then walk over to Tarzan for the 10:45 (half hr show), then go BACK to Pocohontas for the 11:25 show. I'm hoping there is enough time to get back and forth with this schedule. I would love to do the Safari 1st so maybe we will just try to do EMH & get ourselves out of bed early.

 

[Lady Cluck]

If they will wear them, you might consider taking some foam ear plugs for the loud shows. It should dull the noise enough to make it easier for the little ones. EarPlanes can also come in handy for the plane trip.



http://www.drugstore.com/qxp12445_332828_sespider/earplanes/earplugs.htm

 

[ErinInCT]

We used ear muffs last time (for fireworks,etc). DD kind of liked wearing them. I think they would try to pick the plugs out of their ears!!

 

[paigevz]

We loved Lion King and Pocahontas. My older son saw Pocahontas last at age 8 and that is one thing he still says he wants to do........

Tarzan just didn't set well with us. I don't remember it being overly noisy, just not interesting for us. It seemed like a combination of the circus and watching kids at the local skate park but with costumes and lights.
We left before it was over. That's just our opinion, obviously, and it does seem lots of others like the show. We just wouldn't take time for it again.