Animal Kingdom-- How long do you stay?

[MKforReal]

I won't have any children with me and I don't think ill be going to the dino Part, except maybe dinosaur. I only have the safari, exp. everest, and kali rapids in mind to go on. A couple shows, but that's it. Maybe some of the trails. I'm feeling like this might be a half day park? Am I underestimating here? How long do you usually stay? I know there are restaurants but I am a picky eater so I wasn't planning on eating there.

 

[Glasgow]

We normally stay all day but we're likely in the minority, i know. We like museums so we enjoy stopping to enjoy all of the intricate details of the park. I totally understand when there are complaints re: content, though, as AK has a relative lack of attractions. I guess it all comes down to what you're looking for.

 

[LucyK]

We normally stay all day but we're likely in the minority, i know. We like museums so we enjoy stopping to enjoy all of the itricate details of the park. I totally understand when there are complaints re: content, though, as AK has a relative lack of attractions. I guess it all comes down to what you're looking for.

Same here, I can fill an entire day at AK just looking at the details and riding one or two rides.

AK is my favorite park just as it is, although if your priority is rides, I guess you can be done around 12PM if you arrive at rope drop. You'll have to skip one of the shows, I'd personally skip ITTBAB but if you're going during the refurb of FOTLK, the choice is already made up for you.

 

[MKforReal]

I'm pretty sure FOTLK will be back up by then. I have never ever been to AK so I might be underestimating. I do love animals and the trails.do sound great...

 

[deanaandrich]

We stay all day. It's so relaxing just sitting on a bench and watching the animals. Take your time. There's much more to do- no kids needed.

 

[alissafalco]

You also have to factor in that this park closes early. When we went it closed at 5 and we did not have enough time to do everything.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Lately the park has been closing at 8pm so I take the advantage and go later in the day as many guest are leaving and I have to say that the park looks much more Mysterious in the dark which makes it more thrilling..Everest at Night you can't really see too much which makes it better and it's really neat to see the park lit up.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

We usually do 10 or 11 to 5. If you hit EE and Safari early, you won't hit long waits. My advice is usually to do this on a Sunday since it tends to be less crowded on the weekends (Oddly enough, this park is most crowded middle of the week) and hit MK EMH if you're a resort guest, or hit Epcot afterward.

 

[cfry06]

I. Love. AK. But with that being said, normally we check out mid-afternoon - for we have a toddler and nap times are key. But if he wasn't with us, we would absolutely take our time admiring details, having a drink at the Dawa Bar, etc. I find the atmosphere and entertainment very relaxing and fun.

Our last trip we actually went to AK at 6pm one night bc it was open until 8. It was completely a ghost town, and so, so beautiful! If you haven't seen the tree of life lit up at night, ridden Everest in the dark, or witnessed some of the details of the lands specially lit up - I 125% recommend it! It really was pretty, and my husband had a hay-day taking pictures.

If you did just want to just hit attractions and head out - I'd say you could probably be out by 1 pm if you are at the park by rope drop. Depending on time of yr that is. One more note - if you've never checked out Rafiki's planet watch, I would suggest checking it out quick. Our last trip they had a female lion in the medical station and it was fascinating to watch the procedure. Never know what animal exam you may come upon.

 

[R W B]

We're not early risers so we get there about 11-12 and leave about 5-6 depending on closing time. I really do like this park too so I could spend a whole day there with ease. I like the food options too.

 

[CP_alum08]

You can easily spend an entire day but it's a much different type of day than the other parks. AK is a very good "stop and smell the roses" type park.

 

[Andrew C]

We're not early risers so we get there about 11-12 and leave about 5-6 depending on closing time. I really do like this park too so I could spend a whole day there with ease. I like the food options too.

Yes, food is good.

Tusker House = my favorite buffet.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I do the exhibits, nature trails and the ToL gardens. And Everest and the Safari. I love all of this, but there is not a lot of it. I do think DAK offers some of the finest eateries, with great settings.


Alas, half the ToL gardens have been closed, the other half might be devoid of animals soon. For me DAK is getting less interesting, not more. I don't care for movie tie-ins in this park or glow-with-the-show-fests.

 

[LostPrincessKarleigh]

Usually, we get there early before the lines, hit up rides, break for lunch and exploration, catch FOTLK and leave for an afternoon break. Since FOTLK won't be performing on our next trip cry we will probably go see Nemo. I think if we didn't get to AK for morning EMH or rope drop, we would spend more time just for lines.

 

[disneypearl]

We stay all day. It's a great park to take your time and enjoy the details. I love FOTLK and see it a couple times in one day. If it's open when you're there, make sure to schedule that it. It's amazing. ITTBAB is also a can't miss for me. The animal trails are great too.

 

[bethymouse]

We do early mornings, and get out by around 12. We ride the safari, Everest, see It's Tough to Be a Bug, ride KRRapids, Dinosaur, meet n greet some characters sometimes, see the trails, and take the train over to Rafiki's Planet Watch. It all depends on what we fell like seeing/doing. We've seen Nemo and FOTLK, so the boys aren't interested in seeing it again. Usually a 1/2 day for us, but we can make it a whole day if Mommy insists.

 

[James122]

Since we're not morning people, we usually get there around 12-1 and usually stay till early evening. I think I'm actually in the minority in that I don't really care for FOTLK, but we usually make it a point to do the Nemo musical, as well as Jammin' Jungle, Everest, the Safari, and the Tree of Life Gardens.

Sometimes if we feel like it we'll do Dinosaur or Primeval Whirl, but neither are must-ride attractions to us.

 

[disney4life2008]

I normally arrive at opening and out by noon-ish. I can only look at the animals so much before its get boring. When the AK is open later - I tend to spend more time there - I love the park at night. Boy do I miss evening EMHs here.

 

[Mouse_Trap]

The only way its a half day park is if you go on a slow day and literally run between the major attractions.

It's the wrong approach for this park, take your time to take in the surroundings.
Sure it could do with a couple of extra rides, hopefully Avatarland will address this (though I do wish it wasn't Avatar).

If you can do EE, Dinosaur, Nemo, Kali, Safari, IABL and FOTLK (if reopened) in half a day not to mention lunch etc then that's pretty amazing. Certainly EE and Safari are worth re-rides at different times of the day. Definitely check out the trails too.

I would say that it's a very tiring park though, especially on a very hot day. I can see that you may have seen everything by late afternoon, if that's the case then park hop if you have a hopper or head over to Downtown Disney. If your on-site then maybe its a chance to check out the amenities there or if off-site then maybe some shopping a nice evening meal.

 

[officialtom]

We normally get there around 10 and spend most of the day there. We usually go for a late supper at Boma at AKL afterwards -- truly an incredible experience; our favourite restaurant at Disney!