Animal Kingdom Opening

[bigcatholicj]

I'll be going to animal kingdom in August and i was wondering how early i should get there to see the opening ceremony. I have heard two different things about what happens...one person told me rafiki comes out and Awakens the park....then i've also heard that minnie and goofy come around on a truck and mickey is by the tree.....when and where should i be to see whatever happens? Thanks!

 

[kirst_al UK]

We was there about a month ago and it was Goofy and Minnie on a truck that opened the park !!
Kx

 

[brkgnews]

I believe there are two different opening ceremonies... first is the "awakening" that you mentioned, outside the very front of the park (before you hit the turnstiles). And a second one right in front of the first good view you get of the tree of life (discovery island, right at the tip board). That one serves as the "rope drop" for the park and features Mickey and Minnie on the big truck.

At least that has been my experience.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

When we were there last August we managed to get up in time to see the park opening. We queued at the turnstiles and then headed towards the Tree of Life. Goofy and Minnie appeared with the truck and then Mickey appeared over by the Tree. There was no sign of Rafiki though :shrug:

 

[JDM]

We also saw the Minnie/Goofy truck opening on our trip in April.

We got there about 8:40 or so, they let people into the park a few minutes later and then bunched us up on the path to Discovery Island. We were very far back and couldn't see or hear much. (Which really was no big deal to us)

If you'd like to get closer, I would recommend getting there no later than 8:30, possibly even 8 if you REALLY want to see it and don't mind waiting.

(Note this recommendation is based on a Late April crowd level)

 

[k.hunter30]

We saw the truck on a Monday in May. It was a morning magic hour day.

 

[miles1]

Is it me, or does anyone else find the opening at AK more chaotic than the other parks? It seems like no one knows where the lines are, the turnstiles are understaffed, and it's not as well controlled.