AK Tips

[Cinderbell18]

I'm writing my own guide book for my friends going to WDW in April and I have only gone to AK once and I'm not a big fan of it. But they might be so I don't want to discourage them from trying it out! Does anyone have some good tips for AK? Favorite rides, best times to hit what, good shows.. etc, etc!

Thanks! :wink:

[stateguybrian]

Hit KS at opening!!!!!!!!! The lines are less and the animals are more active.

[Alexander]

I just posted this in another thread:

We also go to Kilimanjaro Safari, get a fastpass (even though there is absolutely no line) and head directly to Dinosaur. We ride there, because there is no line when the park first opens. Then we do all of dinoland, make a bathroom stop, and are just in time to get to KS with our FP. We are usually near the end of the hour of our FP, but we walk right onto that ride too.

Flame Tree BBQ has good lunches and a great little out-of-the-way area with tables. Go all the way down the path behind the restaurant. Many have a view of the water. Very peaceful and quiet.

The Lion King show is fabulous! It there is only time for one show, this should be the one you see.

Tarzan Rocks is extremely, extremely loud. I don't even take my son there without earplugs.

If visiting with children, don't go the the boneyard until you are ready to commit a good amount of time there. They have the playground and dig site. It gets very hot in there too.

They have a meal package. Mickeymac can give the details, but it's something like get a meal, then later you can get another drink and an ice cream I think.

Take time to look at the carvings in the Tree of Life. It is simply amazing.

Bug's Life is great, but very, very scary for young children. If you are claustorphobic (sp) be warned that the entrance is kind of cramped and feels like it's underground. I don't like the entrance to this one at all!

There are usually several character meet and greets around the park. This park usually seems to have the shortest lines to see characters.

I could go on and on, but I'll let someone else put in their two cents worth.

[Deb]

Just to add to Alexander's excellent info, here's my :twocents: extra.

If possible get there early. This park opens earlier than the others, because early morning is the best time to see the animals awake and moving! Later on in the hot Florida sun they can get a little snoozy. So, head to KS first and get a great view. And as you leave, take time to see the gorillas there on the Pangani trail. They're fun and fascinating to watch. I would also try to get to the Maharajah Jungle Trek in Asia before it's too late on the day. The tigers are wonderful when they're running around playing. Of course they're still magnificent when they're lounging around like a tabbycat.

Camp Minnie-Mickey is a great place to see and be photographed with the characters - I have some of my best pics from here. Mickey looks particularly fetching in his safari outfit! Just make sure you don't go as the Lion King show is finishing, that seems to be the only time it gets really busy there as it's close by. Of course, the Lion King is an absolute must, whatever age you are.

Do Dinosaur at some point in the day, may need to be on a fastpass. It's a bit gairy though!

Go to Rafiki's Planet Watch, especially if you have little kids. It's a nice rest from the bustle and heat of the park for a little while, and the train ride is cute.

The parade here is bright, colourful and fun - don't miss it! Although that tune will be whizzing around your head for days afterwards! It's usually late in the afternoon, about 4pm, and the park closes soon after that usually.

The Rainforest Cafe does great fresh fruit smoothies if you just want to sit up at the bar for half an hour to catch your breath in the middle of the day.

Take time in this park to notice the animals and their behaviour, it amazes me how many people forget this is ANIMAL Kingdom! A lot of the magic of this park is about that. And finally, take time to sit and watch the world go by from time to time. Harambe is a good place to do this. Chat to the CM's, they are often from the countries represented in AK and can enrich your experience with information and insights from there.

:wave:

[rogers6madhouse]

[QUOTE=Alexander]I just posted this in another thread:



They have a meal package. Mickeymac can give the details, but it's something like get a meal, then later you can get another drink and an ice cream I think.


Where is this meal package thing

Is it still available:whistle: :confused: :) :blush:

[AlecK]

It's still listed here (http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/menuakmpc.html) in the menus. Maybe someone who has used it recently could confirm it's availability.

[AliLouise1974]

I agree with last post of taking time. I have seen people rushing from one attraction to the other and then they wonder why they have finished early. This park is all about the atmosphere I love it. It is a refreshing change/contrast from the other parks and really pretty. Even standing by the river for a while is nice.

May do this first day as from jet lag we will be awake early and tired late. This will be ideal wont it. Was trying to think what would be a good thing to do first day. :) Think I just made my mind up.

Agree Lion King is brilliant. Very talented cast.

[kazzaqld]

I agree with last post of taking time. I have seen people rushing from one attraction to the other and then they wonder why they have finished early. This park is all about the atmosphere I love it. It is a refreshing change/contrast from the other parks and really pretty. Even standing by the river for a while is nice.

May do this first day as from jet lag we will be awake early and tired late. This will be ideal wont it. Was trying to think what would be a good thing to do first day. :) Think I just made my mind up.

Agree Lion King is brilliant. Very talented cast.
We are doing AK on our 2nd day - have quiet day planned for the first day - it is also EMH in the morning which I figured would be good - oh I so can't wait... http://www.wdisneyw.com/ubb/smile.gif

[miraclemoments]

WOW! Some great tips in this thread...I'm making notes!!!

Here's my contribution...

Over the last couple of years we have found a system that works *great* for our family. We always view the afternoon parade from nearby the sign that points the way to Camp Minnie Mickey. The parade starts at 4:00, and if you watch the parade, turn, and head straight back to the theatre, you can catch the 4:45 showing of the Festival of the Lion King. What a FANTABULOUS way to end the afternoon! We arrive just as the doors are opening and into the theatre we go...by the time the show is over the park is (usually) closing, so we stroll back up to the entrance and make our exit...makes for a very enjoyable afternoon.

The only other advice I have is to echo what others have said, don't rush this park...enjoy it for what it is...a lovely oasis.

[benjones70]

Make sure you seen the Lion King show, I'm a coaster fan and hated all the shows, didn't even want to go to the Lion King, but it was fantastic.

I cried!!

[candyland]

Cinderbell - I would love to hear some of you Disney advice. You are very close in age to one of my daughter and we are going the end of the month. If you can think of anything we should do that she would especially enjoy, any tips or advice, I'd love to hear them!

(you can email or pm me if you think of anything)

[Rowanhawk]

Flights of Wonder show is a must, free flying birds is something everyone should experience. That and Lion King are my "must see"s suggestions for shows.

Conservation Station has animal shows as well where you can catch training sessions or get the opportunity to talk to a keeper. It also has the animal hospital where you can sometimes catch the vets in action at the viewing window. This can be interesting for kids and adults alike.

This park is about nature, it's meant to be experienced at a slower pace. I have spent 20+ minutes watching the gorillas or tigers alone and 30+ minutes in the aviary(s). You can see some amazing things if you take the time, and there are generally cast members to answer questions or a keeper doing rounds that might provide a one time experience. KS is better at cooler hours like in the AM but there are also times that I have gone on it in the afternoon when the elephants have been bathing or I have caught a glimpse of one of the baby elephants. If you have the time and the lines aren't too long you might want to consider going a couple times.

[Belle230]

Get there really early and check out everything. Get a park map too because it is so big and spread out. I went once and I didn't even go to Dinoland because I forgot it was there and I didn't see it!:wink:

[plutomad]

Hi just a quick tip (or 2!!) dont go when you are jetlaggged!! when myself and family went last year we were so tired from our flight the evening before we walked straight past the tree of life, we looked at it but that was it:rotfl: Also wear a poncho/waterproof clothing on the water rapids, i did'nt and i would of been dryer if i just jumped into a swimming pool! :laughat: :doh: i was so wet even my knickers were wet!!! i had to go back to the hotel and get changed! my bus driver (disney transport) just looked at me so i did not sit on his seats!!!!:rotfl: Otherwise i can't remember much

[tweenie123]

We always try to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris just before the park closes, the lines are usually non-existent and there are usually plenty of animals to see as it's much cooler.
Catherine

[lindsayuk]

Definately head for KS as soon as the park opens, theres no need to check a map everyone will be heading there anyway. We went straight on this and saw a lot of the animals (no giraffes though :confused:) when we came off this we got a fast pass to return an hour later which we did, and by then all the animals were hiding, we had sat on the left side of the vehicle on our 2nd journey as we'd been on the right the 1st time and most animals were to the right. unfortunately there were few animals to b seen on either side. Aim to get a seat on the left and if you can't then ask to wait to go on the next truck instead.

We did the walks, a couple of times for the Gorillas, amazing animals!! Dinoasur is really good but you probably will need a fast pass. Didn't try the rapids as we'd gotten soaked the day before at IOA. Would try them next time though, can't wait for Expedition Everest to open, looks like it might be good!