AK in a day?

[Dyrti Byrd 2k2]

We're 6 weeks away from our first ever trip to WDW. We pretty much have the trip mapped out with 1 day for each major park. EMH's will help get to see all or most of DHS and Epcot while MK has a lot of mirrored rides to DLand that we could afford to skip if needed.

What would be the best way to tackle AK without the aid of EMH's? The park is open to us from 9am-7pm (we're pretty good about opening and closing out the parks).

These are MUST's for us (if possible):
Festival of the Lion King
Finding Nemo Musical
Everest
Kilimanjaro Safari
Dinosaur

we'd love to also be able to fit these in, but would be ok if we had to miss it:
Kali Rapids
Primeval Whirl
TriceraTop Spin

What do you think? Doable in a 10hr day? How should we tackle it?

[LindsayinNJ]

AK is doable in a day. Get a fast pass for Everest or if you're comfortable not sitting next to each other, do the single rider line and get a fast pass for the Safari. IMO, primeval whirl and triceratop spin aren't worth it - I'd skip them and see the shows. Make sure when you enter the park, you choose the show times that work for you and keep an eye on the time. They start lining ppl up for the shows like a half hour before they start. Do It's Tough to Be A Bug, too!

[Return_of_Phos]

We're 6 weeks away from our first ever trip to WDW. We pretty much have the trip mapped out with 1 day for each major park. EMH's will help get to see all or most of DHS and Epcot while MK has a lot of mirrored rides to DLand that we could afford to skip if needed.

What would be the best way to tackle AK without the aid of EMH's? The park is open to us from 9am-7pm (we're pretty good about opening and closing out the parks).

These are MUST's for us (if possible):
Festival of the Lion King
Finding Nemo Musical
Everest
Kilimanjaro Safari
Dinosaur

we'd love to also be able to fit these in, but would be ok if we had to miss it:
Kali Rapids
Primeval Whirl
TriceraTop Spin

What do you think? Doable in a 10hr day? How should we tackle it?

It's do able especially if you show up when the park open. Everytime I go to AK when it opens I am done with everything I wanted to do buy 1pm. And that includes everything on your list except Kali Rapids, Primeval Whirl, Triceratop Spin & Finding Nemo.

Though if you go I recommend seeing the flights of wonder show

[rogpalmeruk]

On my next trip I'm only planning a day at all the parks and looking at AK, it is going to be one of our shorter days due to it closing at 5pm (early october), which means we can have a evening down in downtown... AK is one of the smallest parks in WDW so you should be fine if you prioritise....

[crazybones27]

Ak is definitely doable in a day. It no longer has EMH's in the evening so I believe you'll only find them with extra morning hours. This park is the hottest of all the parks so be prepared to drink more water. Make sure if you do Kali River rapids you're prepared to get SOAKED! There's no telling if you definitely will or not, but there's a 50/50 chance. Alot of people will wear ponchos on, but I'd wear flip flops or crocs on if you don't want to walk around in soaked sneakers all day.

Everest and the Safari and the ones you want to try and fast pass for. I personally like heading for the Safari first thing when we arrive to get it out of the way. The animals seem to be a little more active also since its not so hot yet.

We love Primeval Whirl so if you'll be in that area I'd definitely get in line. Usually the wait is minimal 10-20 mins.
Dinosaur depending on the time of day the wait can be up there so you may want to fast pass, but it's a fun ride. I just did it again on my last trip for the first time in years and I forgot how much fun it is. It's dark, and rocky, but a lot of fun, but if you have little ones it may not be for them. We have a 2 and 4 year old and it is not for them.

I also wouldn't miss It's Tough to Be a Bug it's very cute. We've never done the Festival of the Lion King only because our kids don't sit well, but I hear it's wonderful. The same goes for the Nemo show. We actually saw 20 mins of this is 2008 and had to leave because our daughter got restless.

All in all AK can definitely get done in a 9am-7pm day. And if you do an EMH morning day 8am-7pm you'll get it all done . The only warning I give is that it's so HOT in that park. AK and HS are the only parks I think that only need one day to get done. The others al
Need at least two do see and do everything.

I hope you have a great time .

[MsDisneyFan]

It's do able especially if you show up when the park open. Everytime I go to AK when it opens I am done with everything I wanted to do buy 1pm.

get there when the park opens! I went at the end of August last year and got there when the park opened. I was able to do everything I wanted by the 3 o'clock parade which I then sat down to watch. Be sure to see the Flights of Wonder show.

---------- Post added at 10:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:41 AM ----------

The only warning I give is that it's so HOT in that park

I definitely agree with this also! Anytime you see a water fountain stop & take a drink.

[rogpalmeruk]

Probably because its August it effects the wait times too.... fingers cross when i'm there in beginning of oct its quiet...

[Ale8414]

I'll be there end of sept / beginning of oct

[Dyrti Byrd 2k2]

Thanks everyone! This is all very reassuring.

Flights of Wonder, huh? I'll have to add that to the agenda

Again, thanks for the tips. We're trying to be as prepared as possible to deal with the August heat. We're coming equipped with those CamelBak Hydration packs LOL.

[MsDisneyFan]

Probably because its August it effects the wait times too

Wait times were super short when my mom and I were there in August. Our longest wait was probably 10 minutes and that was at MK waiting for Space Mountain.

Again, thanks for the tips. We're trying to be as prepared as possible to deal with the August heat. We're coming equipped with those CamelBak Hydration packs LOL.

I think that's a smart idea! My mom and I made a point of bringing water bottles with us, drinking from every fountain, used little handheld fans (that kind that mist you with water!) and rode Kali River Rapids just to cool down (it's a great ride too!)

[Return_of_Phos]

Thanks everyone! This is all very reassuring.

Flights of Wonder, huh? I'll have to add that to the agenda

Again, thanks for the tips. We're trying to be as prepared as possible to deal with the August heat. We're coming equipped with those CamelBak Hydration packs LOL.

Also, if possible I would recommend going to AK when it opens at 8am, and immediately ride the safari ride when the park opens. The last two times I went to AK during EMH we went on the Safari first thing and we saw so many animals during the ride. The main reason why we did was because the park was in the process of feeding the animals.

[crazybones27]

Also, if possible I would recommend going to AK when it opens at 8am, and immediately ride the safari ride when the park opens. The last two times I went to AK during EMH we went on the Safari first thing and we saw so many animals during the ride. The main reason why we did was because the park was in the process of feeding the animals.

Hey I said that already

[Return_of_Phos]

Hey I said that already

Yes, but you didn't say why th animals are active first thing in the morning

[crazybones27]

Everest and the Safari and the ones you want to try and fast pass for. I personally like heading for the Safari first thing when we arrive to get it out of the way. The animals seem to be a little more active also since its not so hot yet.

Yes, but you didn't say why th animals are active first thing in the morning

ahem yes I did

[lianaishere]

Hey I said that already

Yes, but you didn't say why th animals are active first thing in the morning

ahem yes I did

Ooooo this is gettin' good! I should get out my popcorn!

[Return_of_Phos]

ahem yes I did

You just said that they are active in the morning, while I said they are more active because the are being fed,

[jeffztt]

You should easily see everything on your list in a day. I can't add much, but I'll be reinforcing what folks have said, all just my opinion, of course:

Get there early, go to the safari. This ride is best when opening or closing the park since the animals seem most active at these times.
Check the show times. The show start and end times don't all align well, which is why most people miss something. LK and Nemo are the best shows, IMO. Flights of Wonders, etc. aren't too different from similar type parks, although very well done versions of those shows.
Fastpass Everest, if possible. Maybe ride Kali River Rapids while waiting for the fastpass window to open.
Dinosaur is similar to Indiana Jones in DLR...same vehicles, different story, not quite as impressive as Indiana Jones, but definitely worth going on.

If your kids like animals, there is the Jungle Trek (?) next to the safari that is cool, and the animals walk through in the Asia section is cool. Rafiki's planet watch is interesting, but takes a lot of time.

Honestly, if you can get out of there around 3, cool down and rest at the hotel (folks aren't kidding, AK and the back half of DHS are very hot) and use a park hopper ticket to get back into Epcot or MK for an evening, or check out DTD or eat at a resort (we like Boma at AK Lodge as a unique experience, or visit the Boardwalk area, or go on the monorail loop and see some of those resorts), that is your best bet.

[Dyrti Byrd 2k2]

Honestly, if you can get out of there around 3, cool down and rest at the hotel (folks aren't kidding, AK and the back half of DHS are very hot) and use a park hopper ticket to get back into Epcot or MK for an evening, or check out DTD or eat at a resort (we like Boma at AK Lodge as a unique experience, or visit the Boardwalk area, or go on the monorail loop and see some of those resorts), that is your best bet.

Thanks! We skipped out on hopper tickets (which is why I'm limited to 1 day) and instead opted for the Water Parks Fun & More option. The two shows are top priority since the kids absolutely love the production of Aladdin in California Adventure. Everest will definitely be getting a FP and hope to land a FP for the Safari (for closer to closing perhaps).

[crazybones27]

How old are your kids? If they are young enough they might enjoy some time in the Dinosaur dig area in Dinoland. Our kids loved it in there. They have big fans inside, it's covered from the sun for the most part, and the kids get shovels, buckets, and paint brushes to dig up Dino fossils in sand/gravel. Our kids really really enjoy this area, and it's inside a HUGE play area they can run around with huge nets and slides.

[Dyrti Byrd 2k2]

Our youngest son is 5, but the 2 older ones are 13 (boy) and 15 (girl)... so the wish list is a mixed bag. I think my little one will have a field day in the fossil area (not to mention I've read that it's a great opportunity for the parents to get off their feet for a bit).

[crazybones27]

Oh your 5 yr son will LOVE it in the dig site. It is a nice place to sit and relax. There isn't any air conditioning, but there are big fans on all corners of the site blowing down and it's covered and fairly shady so it's not that bad. We did do this in the beginning of June last year and not August so I don't know how much hotter it will be for you. You will HAVE to keep your soes on at all times in the dig site. If your little guy does not like sand on his feet and you put him in crocs for say Kali River Rapids my suggestion would be to bring a pair of socks for him to wear with his crocs/Sandels. Our daughter does not like sand in her shoes so she must always have socks on. She's ok at the beach, but if she can't take her shoes off she is not happy with the sand feeling in her crocs.

[EpicMickeyMaster]

We're 6 weeks away from our first ever trip to WDW. We pretty much have the trip mapped out with 1 day for each major park. EMH's will help get to see all or most of DHS and Epcot while MK has a lot of mirrored rides to DLand that we could afford to skip if needed.

What would be the best way to tackle AK without the aid of EMH's? The park is open to us from 9am-7pm (we're pretty good about opening and closing out the parks).

These are MUST's for us (if possible):
Festival of the Lion King
Finding Nemo Musical
Everest
Kilimanjaro Safari
Dinosaur

we'd love to also be able to fit these in, but would be ok if we had to miss it:
Kali Rapids
Primeval Whirl
TriceraTop Spin

What do you think? Doable in a 10hr day? How should we tackle it?

MUST MUST MUST see Nemo. And get the sound track because you'll want "go with the flow" fo sho. you can find the soundtrack on iTunes i think

[mariemb]

So we used to do AK early and get out early the head to down town. On a visit my parents went they talked to a handler and she said the best time to do the Safari was in the evening. So we slept in, did a little pool time and headed over. We did the Safari dead last before leaving the park and it was awesome there were animals EVERYWHERE!!! More than I had ever seen on safari! The handler said the animals have their own "clock" they know when the food truck will be out, so they are out in full force closer to closing time! The only animal not active was the make lion but he was out so you could see him checking out everything perfectly! It was an awesome experience, the best I've ever had!

[YoungGun]

I think AK is great to do in a day if you have the energy and know how as it can free up time for other parks on other days.

[Disneyclaire]

Animal Kingdom is completely doable in a day, we always make sure we save time for its tough to be a bug and festival of the lion king, it is my top favourite thing to do at that park, it's just wonderful! Everest, Kali river rapids and kilimanjaro safari are all good too. I think me and hubby are the only people who hate finding nemo, bring back Tarzan the musical!!!