Park Strategies

[Takeitforgranite]

I've always been pretty adamant about getting to parks early. We don't typically make rope drop, but we are there within 15 minutes. In 5 trips, I have seen what can get accomplished when you get there early as well as the disaster that is getting there after 10:00.

I am in the process of getting my game plan together for May. We always do two parks every day with a break in the middle. We typically end up at MK on most nights, with one night at HS. Rarely do we go to EPCOT or AK for the night session.

I've heard some things about AK not being crowded at all late in the day, and I think it's an opportunity wasted if some of you can confirm that. I typically like to go there in the mornings because the animals are more active, but if the crowds are thin, we can make return trip for afternoon rides.

 

[SAV]

I love being at AK later in the day. The last trip(June 2012) we went on Dinosaur 4 times in a row because there was little to no line for it. Got off, around, back through and on. We did a similar thing with EE within the last half hour of the park being open. Got off, around and back on. We wanted to ride in the front car so we could see Epcot and had to wait one person to do that. It did rain earlier that day around parade time, so that may have assisted with the park being a little more empty that day. But we usually do the same thing with similar crowd levels.

 

[Duckberg]

We were at AK a number of weeks ago & found being there first thing in the AM, the animals were out in force! When we left AK later the park crowds were now out in force, reducing the enjoyment factor

 

[Takeitforgranite]

Duck,
What time did you leave and what time did the park close that day?

I always remeber AK closing no later than 7:00 and at 5:00 in the offseason. Looking at May, it's open until at least 7:00 every day.

 

[Figgy1]

Riding KS right at rope drop is best for seeing the most animals. That being said the crowds always seem to thin after 1pm or so. Maybe do one rope drop and one afternoon if you can.

 

[KCheatle]

Unfortunately, we never stay late at AK. Usually, we're there pretty close to rope drop and hit up KS right away. After that, we do KRR, EE, Nemo, lunch, IABL, and then we're out... So, we're usually done with every thing we want to do before the parade comes.

I can see how the crowds would naturally thin out in the later afternoon because most people realize the park closes earlier than other parks. Also, there aren't really any popular TS dinner restaurants at AK. So, I'm sure many people have dining reservations to get to elsewhere and head out ~4 to make it.

 

[tmstephe]

Last time we were at AK (June '13) we actually made it a full day park. We took our time meandering on the trails and really enjoying the ambiance of the park. We ate a leisurely lunch, did some shopping, watched shows and hit all the rides we wanted. We left around 6:30 pm and the park was definitely less than 50% full. Not ghost town empty, but I would say "comfortably full", if that makes sense.

 

[bigorangeandy]

We usually will leave in the late afternoon, but not always. The crowds do get less after the parade (which is going away after your trip), from my memory. Some of the things we enjoy is taking the MJT and PFET, they are not real crowded at any time, and a good way to see lots of animals. The least crowded I have ever been at AK was a morning EMH, the park was almost empty at opening. We rode EE 4 times with no wait, while my daughter went a several more.

 

[Takeitforgranite]

I've never really seen a real bad crowd at AK. Kali and Safari get long in the middle of the day, but know this and always got FPs accordingly. Since those are gone, we will just have to get there for morning EM and hit it one late afternoon.

I am still trying to decide how to play my FP+ strategy since we have to spend them at one park each day. I prefer to save them for our afternoon park.