What is the AK Awakening like?

[Kristina]

I had made a note on our last trip to make sure and get to the AK early to see this but we never managed it! Now that our second trip is coming up I am curious to see what we missed. Does anyone know also if they still have it? I'm imagining it's music and animal calls and stuff like that, some sort of little opening show as you walk in. Is my guess even close ?

 

[Stitch_lover_Sith]

I loved this part of the day. It is a little show as you walk into the park. You get coraled in front of the tree of life and watch the magic unfold. If you can try to be towards the front for better picture oppertunities. Be on the watch out for toddlers on parents backs though. Hope you have fun.

 

[Kristina]

Yay well then I'm going to get up early and go see it too! I am going to try my best to get us up and out the door this time, hopefully too it will be cooler in the morning hours as well! And no worries, little kids come first in my book . Thanks!

 

[nluvwithmickey]

Saw it for the first time in December 2004. Very cute and colorful, watch out for Mickey.....who knows where he'll show up!


Definitely a camera moment.

 

[jenr812]

What time does this happen? We have an 8am PS for Donald's

 

[crazyj4488]

It happens at about 8:55 AM on the money...I don't think you will be able to get back up front to see it once you are back in Dinoland for your PS breakfast.

The double decker character bus pulls up with Minnie and Goofy and they bring out a checklist of things you should have with you in order to undertake your adventure for the day at the AK. Then Mickey appears up on the Tree of Life to start the countdown. I saw every opening while I was there last week as I got to the parks every morning 30 mins before the gates would open. I had never seen any of these and didn't even know they did them...pretty neat...it really got my heart started in the morning...you get really excited to get your day going.

 

[laudan14]

So if the park opens at 9 and we park the car by 8.30 will we be in time to watch it opening?

 

[Kristina]

Do the other parks do something special at opening that I should know about, other than the rope drop? Actually I've only even heard about the rope drop at Magic Kingdom, but I guess they need to do it at the other parks too. I had planned on getting to the parks early every day as the Unofficial Guide recommends, but never even once managed it, but next time boy...! Way to go crazyj4488 !

 

[ryley26]

Magic kingdom has a train bring the Mayor of MK and some singers to open the park. One family is also choosen to help do this .

 

[marcij]

Anyone know how the families are chosen to ride on the train to open the MK?

Thanks.

 

[kilee]

Being the chosen family for a parade or park opening has no rhyme or reason. Be friendly, have fun, and maybe all dress alike or in a similar theme. These are things that other disers who've been picked have done. Asking doesn't work. It's really just magic as to who gets picked.

 

[PandyPaws]

The current park-opening show at AK is called "Adventure Begins" and takes place at the ropes in front of the Tree of Life. Two Safari cast members will come out and select a 'rope family' from the crowd shortly before the show begins. A Character safari vehicle appears (usually carrying Minnie, Goofy and Pluto) and they present a little show with a checklist of what you'll need for your adventure for the day. Mickey appears near the Tree of Life during the show. When they announce "Let the Adventure Begin...!", the vehicle proceeds foward towards Africa, the 'Rope Family' is positioned behind the vehicle by the Safari Cast, and they lead the procession to the Kilimanjaro Safari entrance.

 

[matt&jakesmom]

I never knew that this was done. So if this starts at 8:55 it is probably best to be at the park around 8:30. I think my boys would enjoy seeing the opening. Especially seeing Mickey!!!

 

[PandyPaws]

Oops, forgot to add, it starts at 9am

 

[MAKMOM41]

We opened the MK 3 years ago.... if it's the same you need to be on the first bus to arrive & look very Disney. MY DD wore Tiarras & were picked toopen teh park. We recieved Certificates with thier names on it. Magic Wands & a ride down Main Street in a car.

 

[MelAnderson]

I have a 8:00 am PS for Breakfastorous. I am disappointed that I won't be able to see the Awakening. In case I am finished with breakfast by 8:45 am, will I be allowed to walk back to the front, or will I have to stay in the immediate area?

 

[chrisn]

In 2000 the first year we went, I remember being mesmerized when the music came on and the unmistakeable voice of James Earl Jones boomed out that "A new day is dawning at Disney's Animal Kingdom." It was my favorite part and I have not seen it since. I wonder if they still do it? The rest of it is sweet, but most people just race right past to get to the safari.

 

[crazyj4488]

Arriving at 8:30 AM is perfect for each and every rope drop ceremony when the parks opening time is 9AM. I do not think they will let you back up front if you are already in the park for breakfast...they will have the area roped off and the crowd will be pretty much filling the walkway back towards the front. I could be wrong on this though....However, I didn't see any of the people that had gone thru the gate early for breakfast coming back in line for the rope drop at any of the park openings. I was there for every one of them.

Annnnd yes, it was a pretty big challenge rising every morning at 6:45 am, having breakfast (important when undertaking all the exercise u get at WDW), and getting out to the parks 30 mins before opening. I do NOT think I would have been able to pull this off each and every morning without the use of the rental car. That feature of my trip this time was AWESOME...it saved us soooo much time and made things soooo much easier as far as timing things correctly and being on time. I got a full size rental thru national for 7 days at $100...tha deal can't be beat and well worth the money...I think I could eat twice at the parks and spend $100.

 

[crazyj4488]

Arriving at 8:30 AM is perfect for each and every rope drop ceremony when the parks opening time is 9AM. I do not think they will let you back up front if you are already in the park for breakfast...they will have the area roped off and the crowd will be pretty much filling the walkway back towards the front. I could be wrong on this though....However, I didn't see any of the people that had gone thru the gate early for breakfast coming back in line for the rope drop at any of the park openings. I was there for every one of them.

Annnnd yes, it was a pretty big challenge rising every morning at 6:45 am, having breakfast (important when undertaking all the exercise u get at WDW), and getting out to the parks 30 mins before opening. Doing this really made our trip extra special and hugely less stressful as far as dealing with those nasty crowds. I do NOT think I would have been able to pull this off each and every morning without the use of the rental car. That feature of my trip this time was AWESOME...it saved us soooo much time and made things soooo much easier as far as timing things correctly and being on time. I got a full size rental thru national for 7 days at $100...tha deal can't be beat and well worth the money...I think I could eat twice at the parks and spend $100.

Oh how I miss the World....What a magical time we had!! U won't see me planning another trip until late Sept though...that heat and those crowds are one terrible combination and the weather wasn't even that bad while we were there this last week...in comparison to Late May thru Sept standards.