Can AK be done by 4:30?

[sbkline]

The last time we did Animal Kingdom, we had it done by 11:30 or noon, or so, and went to Magic Kingdom for the rest of the day. However, that was in 2004...before Expedition Everest, and without doing the shows, like Lion King and whatnot.

However, this year, not only will we have to wait for EE...either in line, or waiting for our fastpass time to come around, but the wife also wants to do the Lion King show. I agree, as I would actually like to slow down and take the time to do some of these shows that I've never been interested in doing. So here's the deal. I have down to do Animal Kingdom on Wednesday, April 25, which is also its evening EMH day, although we don't currently plan to take advantage of that. I have an early evening supper ADR at Coral Reef for 5:40. I wanted it for 6 or 6:30 or so, but the closest I could get was 5:40, although I am calling about everyday now to see if there have been any cancellations in the time frame I want. And I don't want to get rid of Coral Reef, as it's one of the places I've always wanted to try and never have. So, even if it ends up s__________g, I want to drive home knowing that I did it instead of wondering what it would have been like.

Anyway, I figure we will have to leave the park by 5 at the very latest, but that's even cutting it close. Allowing for the wait for the bus and the drive there and walking through the park to the restaraunt, 4:30 or 4:45 might be a better time to leave. That means that we would probably miss the Jammin Jungle Parade at 4 PM. But other than that, could everything else at AK pretty much be done from open to 4 or 4:30?

And, besides the Lion King, what other shows are there?

 

[imagineersrock]

You miiiiiiight be able to do everything by 4:30, but you'll definitely have to book it. Not the "taking it nice and slow" you were talking about.

Personally, I would spend the whole day at DAK and take it easy instead of doing Coral Reef. Honestly, we've tried the restaurant a few times now and have left disappointed everytime, especially for how expensive it is.

As far as must-sees at the park go in my opinion... (including shows):

1.) It's Tough to be a Bug
2.) Festival of the Lion King
3.) Kilimanjaro Safaris
4.) Pangani Forest Exploration trail
5.) Kali River Rapids
6.) Maharaja Jungle Trek
7.) Expedition Everest
8.) Flights of Wonder (Awesome bird show, one of, if not the most under-rated show on property.)
9.) Finding Nemo the Musical (New, and fantastic)
10.) Dinosaur

Might not seem like too much to do, but remember the extra time for stopping to look at animals along the path, queues, shows take quite a while (not only the actual show but you need to get there ahead of time... especially Nemo: at least 30-45 for the show), and the walking trails take a while too depending on how long you stop for each animal.

Like I said, if I were you... I would forget Coral Reef, and just enjoy your entire day at DAK, then maybe do Rainforest on your way out. Because if you're running from ride to ride, you're simply doing this park wrong. You really need to take your time and take it all in to truly appreciate it.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

If you don't need to see *every* show, you can easily be done by noon, provided you get there at park opening.

When the park opens at 9, go right to EE. Get a Fastpass. If you're one of the first, your Fastpass return time will be in about an hour. While you wait, head over to Kiliminjaro Safaris and ride standby. The wait shouldn't be more than 10 minutes or so at this point. After your ride, if you have time, head over to Dinosaur. Because of its remote location, no one really makes it back there until lunchtime. The line should be minimal. Then head back to EE and use your Fastpass. After your ride, it should be time to head over to the first Festival of the Lion King show. The first show is not usually crowded, so don't worry about needing to arrive early. When that gets out, you could pop over to see the new Nemo show. Their first show should be going in at that point.

At that point, you've hit what I think are the "biggies." Depending on the weather, you may want to get wet and do Kali River Rapids. You should also try to hit up the bird show (which is surprisingly VERY entertaining), Tough to be a Bug, and a trip to Conservation Station. You should have no trouble accomplishing this.

I would leave after the 3:00 parade, which is quite good.

 

[sbkline]

If you don't need to see *every* show, you can easily be done by noon, provided you get there at park opening.

When the park opens at 9, go right to EE. Get a Fastpass. If you're one of the first, your Fastpass return time will be in about an hour. While you wait, head over to Kilimjaro Safaris and ride standby. The wait shouldn't be more than 10 minutes or so at this point. After your ride, if you have time, heas over to Dinosaur. Because of its remote location, no one really makes it back there until lunchtime. The line should be minimal. Then head back to EE and use your Fastpass. After you ride, it should be time to head over to the first Festival of the Lion King show. The first show is not usually crowded, so don't worry about needing to arrive early. When that gets out, you could pop over to see the new Nemo show. Their first show should be going in at that point.

At that point, you've hit what I think are the "biggies." Depending on the weather, you may want to get wet and do Kali River Rapids. You should also try to hit up the bird show (which is surrisingly VERY entertaining), Tough to be a Bug, and a trip to Conservation Station. You should have no trouble accomplishing this.

I would leave after the 3:00 parade, which is quite good.

I didn't know there was a 3:00 parade. All I saw was the Jammin' Jungle Parade at 4:00. Maybe I'll check the WDW website again in case they've updated it or something.

 

[sbkline]

Like I said, if I were you... I would forget Coral Reef, and just enjoy your entire day at DAK, then maybe do Rainforest on your way out. Because if you're running from ride to ride, you're simply doing this park wrong. You really need to take your time and take it all in to truly appreciate it.

Like I said, I want to go home knowing that I finally tried this place, especially not knowing how soon I will be back, even if I don't like it. And it's also not just about doing Coral Reef, but also about spending more time at EPCOT that evening. The thing about me (although not my wife, LOL), is that I am full of energy. I can get to MK at open and spend the whole day, until 11 PM and still have plenty of energy left. I'm a very "go go go" person when it comes to vacations and theme parks and, quite honestly, as much as I may plan or intend to, it's very hard for me to just take it slow. I'm always ready to do the next thing and move, move, move. :lol:

 

[dvcnut39]

Our biggest complaint about WDW is DAK. We still don't feel as though it should be considered a completed park. We are always in and out in less than three hours. If you look at my profile and where it asks "favorite park", mine states "not Animal Kingdom".

 

[sbkline]

Ya, we did it in 3 or 4 hours last time, as well. But like I said, we skipped most of the shows. A couple things that we did the year before, like Tough to be a bug and Flights of Wonder, we skipped for lack of interest and eagerness to get to MK, and we did Dinosaur (which I somehow totally overlooked the year before) as well as the other rides in DinoLand, as well as Kali River Rapids, the conservation train thing, the safaris and, I think, those trails.

 

[GymLeaderPhil]

Being an EMH Evening might make the park a bit crowded, but arriving at opening should be fine.

Follow Nick_A's tour plan, but stop to enjoy other minor headliners. You should be out by 3pm no problem.

 

[davidpw97]

I think it can easily be done by then. Since you have been to the park before I would just try to hit the things you haven't done and not worry so much about the things you have already seen. Here is how I would plan things. Go straight to EE as Nick said earlier, but I wouldn't worry about getting fastpasses, I'd just go ahead and get on the ride and ride it a couple times before it gets busy that way you don't have to worry about coming back later. Plus EE and the Safari aren't very close together and if you are trying to take things a little slow, it would be quite a hike to go to EE and then over to the Safari and then back to EE. After riding EE a couple times I would cross the bridge to dinoland and either ride Dinosaur or get in line for the first Nemo show. I think the first Nemo was at 10 when I was there in December but it could be different now. After nemo I would ride Dinosaur if thats something you want to do, or head towards the Safari or Lion king. I would save Tough to be a Bug for on the way out of the park since it is somewhat towards the exit.

 

[CThaddeus]

It all depends on your attitude toward the Park. I think it's definitely a full day Park, plus a few more hours (if they stayed open later than five...like, say, until eightish I'd call it a one-dayer) of another day, but I'm one of those types that tries to hit everything. As it was in December I was there the whole day (open to close) and still had to sacrifice Festival of the Lion King, Kilamanjaro Safaris, Flights of Wonder, and It's Tough to be a Bug (I see it all the time at California Adventure). But I was really taking my time this trip, trying to do more than just rush through the highlights. I strolled leisurely through Maharajah Jungle Trek, Rafiki's Planet Watch, etc. and I had a much better time than some of my previous visits. I doubt I'll do Kali, or Triceratop Spin, or Primeval Whirl again but everything else? Absolutely. I wish I had gone back for another half day to cover the rest (I've done them before, but they're well worth doing every time). If I could afford it, I'd probably make it a two day Park and spend more time enjoying the flora and fauna. But then I'd also make Epcot and Magic Kingdom three dayers, and Disney-MGM two, with one day for each water Park, and a few extra just to do whatever. When I hit the lottery I never play, I'll be able to afford that kind of trip.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

On our last trip we took our time and covered the entire park in two visits - this includes Everest and Yhe Lion King on more than one occasion per day. AK seems to offer so much more than when we were there in 2003.
It can still be done in a day - including the parade

 

[paul436]

Because if you're running from ride to ride, you're simply doing this park wrong. You really need to take your time and take it all in to truly appreciate it.

I agree whole heartedly with you on this. There is so much at AK to see but can easily be passed by if one chooses to do so. I compare it somewhat to a day at the zoo. Many zoos do not have many (if any) rides or attractions but I can still spend an entire day there. I can spend quite a bit of time just meandering through the Tree of Life area.

 

[H20Babie]

Follow Nick_A's tour plan, but stop to enjoy other minor headliners. You should be out by 3pm no problem.

Touringplans.com also has a great set of itineraries, especially for DAK. In fact, I believe the one I used with my DS on our last trip, had us out by 4-4:30 pm, which included the must do attractions and must-see shows.

 

[eroyee]

:wave: Myself, I would skip conservation station for something else. get a map and co-ordinate the rides and attractions that are together. Like, go from EE to Nemo show to Flights of wonder, etc. By then you will probably have to get some kind of fastpass for KS but its worth it. We used to be in and out by 12 but its gotten a little better lately. I think 4:00 should be easy. dont re-do things that you have already seen and dont really care to see again. have a magical trip.

 

[maharet97a]

Keep in mind also the amount of time seeing Finding Nemo The Musical will take up. You need to be waiting at least an hour before the show starts. We were there 45 min early on Sat afternoon and were in the very back. At least we got a seat. They were squeezing people in to standing room only and that's not something you want to be doing with small kids. Then the show itself is over 40 minutes long. But as others have said, if there are things that you're willing to skip and if you use your fastpasses, you should have no problem being out of there on time.

 

[GymLeaderPhil]

Touringplans.com also has a great set of itineraries, especially for DAK. In fact, I believe the one I used with my DS on our last trip, had us out by 4-4:30 pm, which included the must do attractions and must-see shows.

The thing that the main itinerary for AK is that they have priorities over rides than seeing the animals. It can't be said enough that the animals are much more active and apparent during the first few hours of the park. TouringPlans.com has you hitting Dinoland and Asia, disregarding almost anything involving real animals till afternoon/evening. If you want a balanced mix (or will not be in the park during the later times) here's what I've done with my family/friends:

-At park opening have your group go directly to Kilimanjaro Safari while the most adept person skips off to Everest for Fastpasses.
-Meet up at KS and use the standby line.
-Hit Pangani Forest Exploration Trail if you wish.
-Trek back towards Asia use the standby for Kali River Rapids.
-Walk the Maharajah Jungle Trek.
-By this time your Fastpass for Everest should be ready, use it.
-Wait for Nemo. Have someone obtain a Fastpass for Dinosaur.
-See Nemo.
-Get a FP for Primeval Whirl, ride Triceratop Spin if you want.
-Eat lunch.
-Ride Dinosaur.
-Ride Primeval Whirl.
-See Festival of the Lion King.
-See It's Tough To Be A Bug.
-Since ITTBAB exits to Flights of Wonder you might want to do that next or kill some time on the Discovery Island Trails/Maharajah Jungle Trek.

As much as I do not like hitting Festival of the Lion King towards the more crowded portion of the day, I would not trade it for Nemo. I also don't like how Triceratop Spin is usually towards the more peak period because it's a slow loader. Now if your party really wants to ride it that could be the first thing you do in the park then hit Everest for a FP, Safari, and so-on.

 

[mgraef]

You can easily get through AK early if you want. Start at EE, then the safari, then whatever else you feel like (if you are interested in those rides). Pre kids we were done by about noon. With kids meant more shows and sitting down to eat. We went til about 3 from the open.

A big factor is my kids loved the bone yard and spent more than an hour in there. Felt no need to rush them.

mg

 

[DisneyMarg]

:wave: Myself, I would skip conservation station for something else. get a map and co-ordinate the rides and attractions that are together. Like, go from EE to Nemo show to Flights of wonder, etc. By then you will probably have to get some kind of fastpass for KS but its worth it. We used to be in and out by 12 but its gotten a little better lately. I think 4:00 should be easy. dont re-do things that you have already seen and dont really care to see again. have a magical trip.

I heartily second this. The one time we went there was only one way in and one way out - the train... which broke down. We got stuck there for about 2 hrs. When the train was finally running again there was a mob of hot, tired, angry, thirsty people to get back to civilization - not a happy experience. I'd skip this.

I think it's doable to see the park before 4:30, if you follow the good suggestions given above about arriving early and hitting the highlights shows. I don't know about the time you will be there, but every time I've been recently the park closed at 5:00 anyway, so leaving at 4:00 or 4:30 isn't that early.

 

[sbkline]

I think it's doable to see the park before 4:30, if you follow the good suggestions given above about arriving early and hitting the highlights shows. I don't know about the time you will be there, but every time I've been recently the park closed at 5:00 anyway, so leaving at 4:00 or 4:30 isn't that early.

That particular day (April 25), it closes at 6 PM, I believe. My biggest concern is the Jammin' Jungle Parade which, I think, isn't until 4 PM. I have major doubts that I can see the whole parade, then get out of the park and over to EPCOT in time for my 5:40 ADR at Coral Reef. Like I said, Coral Reef is a good experience or not, I have always wanted to try it and don't want to go home again without doing so, so I definitely want to stick with it. However, I am calling pretty much everyday to see if there have been any cancellations for a later time, like 6-7 PM. The lady today told me that most cancellations occur much closer to the date, rather than farther out, so hopefully I'll have better luck as we get closer.

 

[raven]

I've never stayed in AK past 3PM because I always finished everything way before then. Of corse my trips are always in May and September.