Which shows to choose for short day at AK with young kids?

[tee11]

I would love for us to see all the shows at AK, but we only have half a day.
My kids are one and four. Which shows would you recommend for that age set?
Lion King? Nemo? Flights of Wonder?
I should add that this is for the beginning of September (I expect it to be hot).

So maybe a follow up question would be: Which, if any, of the animal encounters would you do with this age set during a hot month, if your time is so limited? Rafiki's (affection section)? Jungle Trek (Asia)? Gorilla Falls (Africa)?

The four year old LOVES animals AND shows.

Thank you!

 

[CAS239]

Lions king hands down. I think it's the best show on property as many others do as well.

The walking trails are nice and don't take too long. There's trees a long the way so you're not just out baking. I'd do both if you have time.

Rafikis planet watch is fun for kids because you have to take the train to get there, along the way you see animal housing and can catch some animals such as rhinos. A/C building where you might be able to catch a vet working on an animal. Then you have the petting area with animals

 

[alex9179]

Nemo was great with more comfortable seating and A/C. The puppeteers were wonderful! I think this would be what I would pick for those ages and the weather.
Lion King was exciting and fun with some audience participation. Uncomfortable bleacher seating, though. Try to fit it in, if you can.
Our favorite is Flights of Wonder. We laugh every time and the birds we've seen are so cool! I'm afraid that it would be HOT in there in Sept., although they've been working on the structure.

We haven't made it to Rafiki's. I have some fantastic photos from both of the trails. I believe the aviary is on Maharajah's (Asia) trail and it's so neat to see the birds up close. The Oasis is right by the entrance and also has animal exhibits.

 

[Kittyoko]

Nemo is wonderful! Very colorful and the puppets are awesome. My son was 2 at the time and loved it. If you sit near the front of the stage, that is where the bubbles fall. But is your 1 year old able to sit through shows? If not, then you might want to sit near the exit. Rafikis was closed if I remember correctly, but I know others love that. We did the trails, and it was a lot like the zoo where we live so next time I plan on skipping that.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would choose Nemo and Flights of Wonder.

 

[Cinderelly911]

If I could give you one word of advice. In my opinion Avoid "it's tough to be a bug" 3 D movie with 4 year old. I've know of 4 different 4 year olds who absolutely lost their minds crying and screaming during it! Including my friend's boy who yelled "Get me outta here! Now!" I think it's scary for them and also upsetting.

 

[cdnjason]

My order of priority:

1. Lion King
2. Nemo
3. FoW

 

[McKelly]

I would pick Nemo or FOLK. Depending on how long your kids can sit for a show, FOLK is about 15 minutes shorter. And I agree with the PP, absolutely do NOT take them to It's Tough to be a Bug - my kids were sobbing after that.

 

[Princesca]

It depends. If you are looking for live animals, I think Flights of Wonder can't be beat. It's one of my faves... the audience has the chance to get up-close interaction with birds of prey. It's pretty awesome.

 

[Aliceacc]

The fire in Lion King might frighten either or both of your kids.

As much as I LOVE the Lion King, I think I would go for Finding Nemo. Even if your youngest is too young to appreciate the story, he'll love the bubbles. Try to sit on an aisle in front, or the first row of the mezzanine, the performers use those aisles during the show.

 

[kayemgi]

We brought my daughter at 14-months and we didn't even try any of the shows, as I knew she wouldn't want to sit still. If your kid is more chill than my hellion, I would try Nemo. We are going to try it on our upcoming trip, as my daughter loves Nemo and I think she might be able to do it this time around (she'll be a little over two)! The puppets are so cool and the music is great. FotLK is super fun, as others have said, and it's shorter too. If your 4yo is into birds, Flights of Wonder is my personal favorite show at AK, but I'm not sure a 1yo would sit through it.

 

[Pepper pots]

We never miss Festival of the Lion King...Possibly our favourite live show at WDW..

 

[erinch]

Can you reevaluate your plans and return after a nap if they love it in the morning? For littles who love animals and shows, AK is a fabulous park. It is a 2 day park for us!

 

[TexasTSL]

Definitely Lion King. My now DS5 has been with us every year since the year he was born, and this is his favorite! He has also been to Nemo, and thinks it's just okay. I know some are saying It's Tough to be a Bug is scary for small kids, but I guess it really depends on your children. My little boy absolutely loves it and always has. We would never miss it, not even when he was one and two, but, then again, he is afraid of the roller coasters, so I guess you have to judge for yourself. Have a great time!

 

[TravelingTotMom]

DS is 2, and we always go to the Lion King show (and we've actually avoided Nemo... when he was 1, the silhouette of the shark attacking at the beginning freaked him out. It's not a scary show by any means, but that set him off. Other kids there were fine.)

The affection section at Rafiki's Planet Watch is great for those ages. There are mainly goats to pet, and they also provide brushes to brush them. The goats are great with little kids, and there are hand washing stations. It is also the cleanest petting zoo I have seen in my life. Bonus is that the kids get to go on a train ride to get there.

Also, don't miss the Boneyard! It's a great playground for the kids to get some energy out.

 

[Crystal824]

FOLK for sure. Your 4 year old might even be picked to participate. Nemo is also a good show but a bit long in my opinion. FOW is also a great show. I personally like the Jungle Trek more than Gorilla Falls, but that is just my preference. Gorilla Falls is close to the Safari so it is easy to do right after the Safari. Rafaki's planet watch takes a while to get there and back. With that being said, we go there every few trips because my kids like the petting zoo and meeting Rafaki.

 

[tee11]

Can you reevaluate your plans and return after a nap if they love it in the morning? For littles who love animals and shows, AK is a fabulous park. It is a 2 day park for us!

No, unfortunately, we only have one half day/morning! I do realize that ideally, we could devote more time. Nonetheless, my four year old is super excited about animal kingdom.

Thanks everyone for the warning about Tough to be a Bug, yes, I was planning on skipping that!

I see that everyone likes different shows best... not an easy decision... I try to think of the weather and what will capture my kids' attention without frightening them...?
That's why I'm leaning towards skipping Flights of Wonder this time around... Possibly also skipping both trails?? We do go to our zoo quite a bit... my four year old loves it. But I'm worried about the heat, and that it takes too much time (to really enjoy it, and not rush through)? My one year old is pretty good on my lap, if she is not tired or hungry. Would either show be LOUDER than the other?

 

[TexasTSL]

No, unfortunately, we only have one half day/morning! I do realize that ideally, we could devote more time. Nonetheless, my four year old is super excited about animal kingdom.

Thanks everyone for the warning about Tough to be a Bug, yes, I was planning on skipping that!

I see that everyone likes different shows best... not an easy decision... I try to think of the weather and what will capture my kids' attention without frightening them...?
That's why I'm leaning towards skipping Flights of Wonder this time around... Possibly also skipping both trails?? We do go to our zoo quite a bit... my four year old loves it. But I'm worried about the heat, and that it takes too much time (to really enjoy it, and not rush through)? My one year old is pretty good on my lap, if she is not tired or hungry. Would either show be LOUDER than the other?

I think Nemo is a little longer and not so attention-grabbing at FOTLK. My son has sat through it mesmerized every time, but with Nemo he gets distracted about half-way through. I think FOTLK is a little louder, but neither show is loud by any means. These are, of course, just my opinions!

 

[Crystal824]

While I love FOW (I actually used to work there during my CP), we often skip it if we don't have enough time. My family wouldn't miss FOLK. My 6 year old insists we get there early to get a good seat so she will be picked to be in the show at the end. It usually works. Nemo is cute, but not as good as FOLK. The Boneyard is an awesome playground, but I'm not sure I would spend much time there if you only have a morning. I would definitely do FOLK, the Safari, one of the trails, Everest if you child is tall enough and likes coasters (this is my 6 year old's fav. ride at WDW- she has been riding it since 4- almost 5). If there is time/ interest, Kali.

 

[tee11]

While I love FOW (I actually used to work there during my CP), we often skip it if we don't have enough time. My family wouldn't miss FOLK. My 6 year old insists we get there early to get a good seat so she will be picked to be in the show at the end. It usually works. Nemo is cute, but not as good as FOLK. The Boneyard is an awesome playground, but I'm not sure I would spend much time there if you only have a morning. I would definitely do FOLK, the Safari, one of the trails, Everest if you child is tall enough and likes coasters (this is my 6 year old's fav. ride at WDW- she has been riding it since 4- almost 5). If there is time/ interest, Kali.

Thank you! I think this will come close to "option A" of what we'll end up doing... If we can, we'd love to do Nemo as well. Will play the trails by ear... possibly as PP suggested, check one out right after the Safari, which we plan to do first.
If we do affection section/Rafiki ("option B"), we'd probably have no time for a trail or Nemo... that's the other possiblity.
We will skip the Boneyard. I'm hoping to do Kali with my 4 year old for sure!

I have a fast pass for Everest, but I considered riding that myself, LOL! (Have never been on it!) I'm amazed your 4 year old was tall enough and brave enough to ride it AND like it!!! Mine is very close to being tall enough. Probably not a lot of 4 or 5 year olds on it though?!? I had not even considered it, honestly!