Animal Kingdom/Rivers of Light Conundrum

[TwisterMomma]

We will be going to Animal Kingdom for this first time during this trip. We have 5, 3, and 18 month old kids, so burning out is a concern. We are staying at Wilderness Lodge.

We have fastpass reservations going until about 1:15 pm.

We did book a Rivers of Light dining package, but the reservation is at 4:35. I'm trying to look for a later one because that seems so early.

Anyway, I was under the impression that Rivers of Light was earlier, but it appears to be at 9:15 pm. That is later than I really want to be in the parks with my young ones--unless they have had a good rest. However, it seems like getting a rest and being back for the 4:35 reservations is going to be tough.

I haven't heard awesome things about Rivers of Light. Should we just skip? Maybe leave at 3 or 4, let the kids chill, and go somewhere else? Would that give us enough time in the park?

We have a table credit to burn if we pass on Tusker House. I'm trying to think of somewhere else that would be worth it. We don't have a park hopper, so going into Epcot isn't an option for dinner. We are doing a ton of character dining already so we don't really need to do more, though I'm not opposed.

 

[Minnie Mum]

If the kids were older, I'd totally recommend getting a later ADR (or one for lunch) , taking an afternoon break, and then returning for the evening. But I think with your kids ages, it would be too much. Our experiences with our own kids (and now with DGS) is that sufficient sleep and keeping close to normal bedtime hours is key to a happy WDW trip.

If you drop ROL, you could change your ADR for a later TH ADR, or a lunch. Take that afternoon break and then return for some early evening touring or catching some of the live entertainment. If you're going in summer time, it's nice to skip the afternoon heat - the evening is much more bearable.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Our usual schedule with our two year old is 9a to 1p then back in the parks 4p to 9p. Plenty of time for a legit nap in between.

Why not move your morning Fastpasses a bit earlier? Book a 9a, 10a, and 11a Fastpass and use the 11a as early in the window as possible.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Our usual schedule with our two year old is 9a to 1p then back in the parks 4p to 9p. Plenty of time for a legit nap in between.

Why not move your morning Fastpasses a bit earlier? Book a 9a, 10a, and 11a Fastpass and use the 11a as early in the window as possible.

Ditto. Our first visit to WDW was with our 4-and-6-year-olds, and we followed almost an identical schedule: touring rope drop-lunchtime (CS) and 4pm-9pm or so (with a TS dinner), with a lengthy nap break in between. We were even stroller-free, meaning the kids were on their feet during those 5-hour stretches, and they did beautifully. Obviously it depends on whether your kids are good nappers (mine were, so they were getting a solid 90-120 minute nap each afternoon, as were DH and I!)...

 

[TwisterMomma]

I ditched Tusker House and got us a 5:30ish reservation at Sanaa instead. I had forgotten Animal Kingdom Lodge is so close. I think we are going to try and go back to the hotel and rest. It's so hit or miss as to whether or not my kids actually will, though. Hopefully!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I ditched Tusker House and got us a 5:30ish reservation at Sanaa instead. I had forgotten Animal Kingdom Lodge is so close. I think we are going to try and go back to the hotel and rest. It's so hit or miss as to whether or not my kids actually will, though. Hopefully!

Are you renting a car? If not, you haven't really helped yourself. Getting from Wilderness Lodge to Animal Kingdom, then waiting for a bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge for a 5:30 dinner probably isn't any easier than getting from Wilderness Lodge to Animal Kingdom for a 4:35 dinner.

 

[TwisterMomma]

Are you renting a car? If not, you haven't really helped yourself. Getting from Wilderness Lodge to Animal Kingdom, then waiting for a bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge for a 5:30 dinner probably isn't any easier than getting from Wilderness Lodge to Animal Kingdom for a 4:35 dinner.

No, we aren't. I'm hoping to get a later reservation for Sanaa, but we will just have to see what comes up. I'm thinking we will ditch the park earlier than 1:30 and try and get rest time in, then have dinner, do a few things and maybe Rivers of Light if we happen to be holding out til that late. Or if the kids are doing okay, we will hang out in the park til 5, go have dinner, and then go home for an early bedtime.

 

[carriebeth]

Is this a first trip for your children? I know some families like to go back and nap but we always found it unnecessary and more of a time consuming hassle. I have 8 children and have gone with newborns, babies, toddlers, preschoolers etc. It always worked for us just to let the kids that need naps nap in a stroller while the rest of the family continued on in the parks. Knowing little ones will nap at about 1:00 for an hour I would schedule things in that time that they wouldn't miss out on like rides they were too small for. We are rope drop to close and my kids are happy to do it. They would actually be highly upset if they knew we were leaving a park for the day when it wasn't yet closed. If you have gone before, then you might know your kids will burn out...but if not and they are real go getters normally, DIsney excitement and fun will probably fuel them even more so and doing long days without breaks won't be a problem at all.