What to do in the rain at AK

[AladdinsPrincess]

My DH and I live in Tampa and we buzzed up to WDW yesterday because it finally looked like the weather might be nice. We were planning on going to Typhoon Lagoon but when we got to Orlando it was cloudy so we thought it might be a nice day for AK. We usually skip AK in the summer because it's so hot there!

After taking in the Tarzan show, which is not to be missed, the skies opened up. Since we live here, I'm used to a little Florida afternoon rain storm, but I think this was closer to a monsoon! I had two ponchos on and I was still pretty wet. So of course, my crazy DH and I headed striaght back to the safari. It was honestly the best safari we have ever been on! All the animals were out and active in the rain! It was a slow safari too because the jeeps had to keep stopping to let animals cross the road - that's how active they were! I could have reached out and touched a passing rhino. Even the hippos were out of the river enjoying the shower. We also saw the cheetahs for the first time ever (and we've been on the safari a lot). They're usually way back in the grass, but this time they were both sitting out way down near the road. It was terrific! Just be warned, the "roof" of the safari jeep isn't waterproof so we got really, really wet. It was worth it though!

So if you're ever stuck in AK in the rain, don't be bummed! Grab your rain gear and ride the safari!

 

[dgaston]

We were at AK too, and did Kali, Bug's Life, and Dinosaur. Wouldn't you know we skipped Safari! Bad choice I guess.

 

[don8life]

When we were there in Novemeber it was like a monsoon also. I have been to AK 6 times and I agree in the rain it is the absolute best! The safari was so much fun. The hippos were running back and forth in front of the bus it was soooo funny.
So definitely don't shy away if it rains! have fun!

 

[Carrieberry]

Yep, whenever we go to WDW and it is rainy we head for AK! We put on our ponchos and walk the trails and do the safari. One of the CM's a few years ago told us that the animals love to play in the rain, and some of the best pictures of the animals that we have are from our rainy days! AK is the best in the rain!!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I probably won't have thought of the safari so thanks for the suggestion. I hope I don't need to put that plan in to use though!

 

[PandyPaws]

Originally posted by AladdinsPrincess

So if you're ever stuck in AK in the rain, don't be bummed! Grab your rain gear and ride the safari!

It is a great time to ride!!

 

[Schmeck]

I always thought the hippos and rhinos were in their own enclosures, and not on the free range area that gets driven through - they're very large animals, and can be unpredictable. They don't let the elephants roam freely...

 

[sters]

I guess I'm enlightened. We were at AK last November and it poured. In my opinion, AK was like the worse place to be in the rain because there is very little shelter. We'd already done the Safari, so we missed all the great animal activitiy that other posters have reported. We did do the Kali River rapid ride 3 times in a row... what the heck, we were already wet, right? And there was very little line. So that was cool. But since my kids are little, we couldn't do Bugs Life or Dinosaur. The Boneyard closes and everything else in Dinoland is out in the open. We just missed Tarzan Rocks. (We did catch a later show, after the rain had stopped, but the show was less than it's usual spectacular. Why? Because the skating portion of the show was cancelled.) I hated AK in the rain with young children!!! We ended up going back to our hotel early.

 

[mrsltg]

I always thought the hippos and rhinos were in their own enclosures, and not on the free range area that gets driven through

The hippos are enclosed, the rhinos aren't. I read on someone's trip report that a rhino charged the safari truck - they said it was one of the most awesome sights they have ever witnessed!

Yes, definitely AK in the rain! DD and I went last December and it was pouring - I mean BUCKETS!!! We took the safari and had the entire truck to ourselves. The guide dispensed with the script and talked to us - mainly my 3-year-old DD - about what we were seeing. We had been on the Sunrise Safari earlier in the week and this was almost as informative. The guide would stop the truck so that I could take pictures and the animals were VERY active! By all means, go to the AK during the rain, you won't be disappointed!!!

Erin

 

[Tinkbell]

I agree. I had my best safari ride ever in the rain. Forget about going early. Wait for that rain!

 

[PandyPaws]

Originally posted by mrsltg
The hippos are enclosed, the rhinos aren't.

To clarify: White Rhinos can cross the roads/come near the vehicles; they are on the savanna....the Black Rhinos cannot; they are across the water in the forest area

 

[10drum]

DS and I spent a rainy day at AK this summer and really enjoyed it. Walked the trails and it was like being in a rain forrest.