I love, love, love, FOTLK. It was AMAZING! You have to go see it! We also saw Flights of Wonder, which was cool, but we enjoyed both Nemo and FOTLK better. I found a really good Youtube video of Festival of the Lion King here if you're interested!
I really wanted to eat at Flame Tree, and I'm in the midst of doing more food porn categorizing and just saw some really yummy pictures!! We didn't get to eat there last time because we left the park before dinner, and we won't be making it to AK in October, so I'll have to wait a few more years. 
I also recommend the sundaes from Dinoland. We found a shady wall by the Finding Nemo exit to eat our lunch, and that was a good place to people watch. 
Also, I followed the FW menu link, and I had totally forgotten about Trails to Go. I don't really know how that works, but it sounds yummy and I don't believe it's outdated.
Oh-I probably wasn't clear! We have done FOTLK several times, just the last trip we didn't get to it. The only show we haven't seen yet at AK is Flights of Wonder, that's why it's #1 on the list.
It is an AMAZING show! Simply incredible performers!!!
And I have to say hello to Poolrat's (Pat) tumble monkey. 
I have always missed Flame Tree too. One time I couldn't find it, another time it was closed (it was PM EMH) and another time it was under refurb and two times it's just been too stinkin' hot to eat outside! THIS IS THE TRIP!
Oooh, I like sundaes.
I am going to mark that down!
Good to hear about Trails to Go! I haven't a clue how any of it works since I've never been there, but hopefully it all is easy enough. Otherwise we'll do the WL and the walking path - which would be equally as nice...
I think you will be fine at AK! Don't get worried if it feels crowded, the park easily feels rather busy since the walkways are rather narrow. Also, crowd levels tend to drop dramatically after the parade, so just stay until closing.
I would suggest to get a FP for the Safari early on and that should take care of that problem.
Will Henry be able to go on Kali River Rapids? I think it is actually a pretty mild ride, at least I felt much more secure on it than on Splash!
For the character trails I would suggest to do them while a Lion King show is going on, that worked really great for me once.
And for people spotting: I like the Dawa Bar area outside Tusker House. There are plenty of options for drinks and snacks around and you can sit and watch people entering Africa. Also further towards the Safari is a small outdoor school room. In this area are a few tables as well. And then of course there are plenty of benches around Discovery Island.
With all your plans for AK, I hopt you have more than one day planned there?
That is very true about AK. I'll never forget our day there in December over NYE week.
It was unreal!!!!! I am thinking this day should be okay - we only have to secure a FP for the safari really, and if we miss it that day, we will get it next time. It'll work out one way or another! I imagine we'll get there around 9:30 or so, I can't imagine them being out of FPs already on a 4.1 day by then.
Henry should be able to ride Kali! I believe it's 40". We have never ridden, so I haven't a clue what to expect. I better YouTube that just to prepare him a bit. I've heard it's very short too?
That's a GREAT tip about the character trails - makes total sense too!
I remember being back there once during a show (we didn't do the characters, it was during the "sick trip" and we were more concerned about the bathroom than Mickey!
) and it was EMPTY. I think this would be a fun way to meet all the characters pretty quickly.
I always forget about the Dawa Bar! That is a very nice area and a busy one, so people watching would be great here. I don't recall seeing the school room, I'm sure I have - but I don't remember it. I'll have to keep an eye out for that.
Oh yes, more than one day for sure at AK! At least two. I originally had park days all laid out so we visited each park at least twice. When I scrapped those plans I made Joe very happy but I told him, very strictly, we had to visit AK at least twice, we were NOT skipping out on it!
He agreed-and wants to visit. Plus, we do have a PM planned there (my upcoming Everest event!), so we'll for sure get at least one day and that PM.
Also on the agenda is It's Tough to Be a Bug. Henry has never done this and is kinda into bugs and has expressed interest. We watched a bit of the video on YouTube and the dark parts didn't even phase him....but we were at home on the computer and not IN IT. Know what I mean? Those of you with little ones...how did they react to it? I think if I prepare Henry he'll be okay with this one because it's a movie.
, but the system wasn't working. 
The only "bad" part of the program, for us, was the waiting before the show started. I remember being in a cave, and hearing the buzzing of ... bees? or maybe ants? ...and the cave was getting crowded. Noises like that make the voices in my head scream
for silence so I was getting a bit edgy. I think I minded it more than DH & DD. I was glad when they opened the theater doors & let us in. 
wins!
It really isn't scary but the special effects are so great. The only thing that really jumps out at you is at the end in the graveyard.
