WDW vet but need help with AK plan

[eeyoresmom]

We are a party of 8 adults visiting at a fairly busy time, mid March. We go frequently so usually go with the flow but we are bringing 2 WDW newbies and we want to see the following between rope drop (9 am) and 2 pm if possible. How would you set up FP's, etc for these?:
EE
Safari
TTBAB
Dinosaur
FOTLK
both nature trails (maybe 20 minutes each)
early lunch at Y&Y counter service or Flame Tree
Would love to see Flights of Wonder too but that's not a must do.
Usually we get fp's for safari, EE and Dino starting at 9am but still run to Safari and EE before the 9am fp window closes. I don't think we will be able to do it that way this time but what do you think ????

 

[eeyoresmom]

Op here. I am hoping the Rivers of Light show is open by then. If so I would plan to leave the park around 1 pm, return around 6 pm and do TTBAB, Dino (with FP) and the ROL show in the evening. Any thoughts??? We only have 1 day for AK...

 

[loves to dive]

If you get there at rope drop, you can easily knock out Safari and EE in a hour or less. You could FP dino for later and probably won't need a FP for the shows or Bug unless you just want to. Alternatively, since you are going to go back at night, you might want to FP EE for after the sun sets, it's pretty fun to ride at night, you don't want to do Safari at night and the trails close before the sun sets so make sure you get them in some time in the morning. We never FP anything at AK, EE can be tricky and Dino but if you time it right you should be o.k. You could do you FP for Dino before lunch and get your FP for EE for later in the evening and maybe even still hit it in the morning and get two rides in.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Thanks for your input, it is much appreciated. I am stressing a bit over this park because we usually don't return at night but if ROL is open we will. That would make it easier to plan as I would probably do 2 attractions plus the show. Your suggested plan is very similar to how we usually do it anyway, it's just difficult trying to fit the shows in.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

We are a party of 8 adults visiting at a fairly busy time, mid March. We go frequently so usually go with the flow but we are bringing 2 WDW newbies and we want to see the following between rope drop (9 am) and 2 pm if possible. How would you set up FP's, etc for these?:
EE
Safari
TTBAB
Dinosaur
FOTLK
both nature trails (maybe 20 minutes each)
early lunch at Y&Y counter service or Flame Tree
Would love to see Flights of Wonder too but that's not a must do.
Usually we get fp's for safari, EE and Dino starting at 9am but still run to Safari and EE before the 9am fp window closes. I don't think we will be able to do it that way this time but what do you think ????

My two cents based on our experience at Animal Kingdom at RD - note that we've never done the Lion King though so can't comment on that one. I'd get to the park at least 30 minutes before RD so you can be near the front when you enter. I'd do Safari first, then EE, then Dinosaur. You should be able to complete those 3 in the first hour without FP. I'd hit FOLK for the 11 show, grab lunch after that, and save the trails and Bugs for after lunch, doing Bugs on the way out. I'd probably FP EE, Dinosaur and FOLK, though I don't actually think you'll need them for EE/Dino. I'd try to work in Flights of Wonder, maybe at 12:30, but the timing for that is going to be tough.

And if you can do RD on a morning EMH even better.

 

[disnut8]

My husband and I are Disney World veterans and this is the one park we don't stress out at all. There's very few things you need FastPasses for so that cuts down a lot. The two park trails with newbies might be a challenge with you only having twenty minutes "scheduled" for them. That's where you can take your time and just relax after being "scheduled" all day. I would, though, try and fit in Flights of Wonder for newbies. For us, it's a show that cannot be missed since most newbies think Animal Kingdom is a zoo so seeing the birds flying around doing what is natural is, in our opinion, a must see. We never do rope drop so can't say what that will be like but you can FastPass the Safari for any time during the day and you will see animals of all kinds. Expedition Everest is also a must do for us and we did single riders for a while but now love being able to FastPass that. And, we know we are in the extreme minority but Festival of the Lion King did nothing for us even with being in the front row but others love it.

FastPass what is important for you so you are sure you can see it and if you want to sprint around at rope drop, do that. But the enjoyment of the park, to us, is just simply to be able to go around and see animals all day long.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Thanks everyone. This is my tentative plan so far.
Arrive for rope drop, ride EE and Safari.
Meander though Pagani from the time we exit Safari until 10:30ish to make the 11 am FOTLK show.
FOTLK until 11:30. Lunch after the show. TTBAB, exiting around 12:45.
FP+ for Dino, should be done around 1:15.
As we are all adults, everyone can decide for themselves if they head back to the resort for a break which is what we usually do. If anyone wants to stay I will suggest Flights of Wonder and Maharajah trail. I myself will probably head out around 1:30 leaving Flights of Wonder, Maharajah and hopefully Rivers of Light for my (our)return around 5:30. We do have FP's for a second safari from 6-7 pm if needed and possible. I am comfortable with that. I know from experience we usually get things done quicker than expected at AK leaving time to smell the roses which is so important in this park. If anyone sees any tweaking I could do, I am all ears