making good time at Animal Kingdom

[terriebari]

Hi,

I have never been to the animal kingdom. Can anyone offer up some hints- we need to try to see as much as possible by early evening, so that we can head over to Epcot. What's the best starting point?

thanks
terrie

[JuniorMickey]

Get there at opening. Remember that AK generally closes long before the other parks. With one exception I've never seen it close later than 7. Most days it is 5 or 6.

Do not miss the Lion King show. It is the best thing at AK IMHO

[OKWTink]

This park is a park of taking it easy, taking it slowly (as slowly as your schedule permits). It is a park of incredible detail and has gifts to offer the patient. Such is the way of wildlife, eh?

The Safari is nice, as is the Pangani Forest Trail and the Maharaja Jungle Trek. I like to Fast Pass the Safari, walk the Pangani while waiting for the FP, do the safari, and then head to Asia.

Rafiki's Planet Watch/Conservation Station is a nice interlude, particularly if you have little ones who might like to pet a goat, but you could forego this and not miss out on too much.

Dinosaur is an intense attraction, so be forewarned!

Fast pass what you can and take it slow and easy as much as you can. You should be able to see the vast majority of what the park has to offer if you get there at, or just before opening and plan on staying until after the parade.

If you get there a bit before opening you will be able to enjoy the "Awakening Ceremony!"

[Vikki]

We did AK in high season with few problems, the only thing that we had to really use FP for was the rapids and the spinny rollercoaster thing (forgot its name!). We tended to do the safari first thing.

[terriebari]

thanks, that is so helpful! We won't have any kids with us, so that might help a bit

[Futureimagineer]

okay AK was fun.. hit Kali River Rapids EARLY or FP it.. Dinosaur is mega intense and scary and the dinosaur comes RIGHT at you so be forewarned. Don't miss the lion king show and be sure to stop for ice cream by the new attraction during a tarzan rocks show b/c you can have your ice cream and listen to the music from the show.. it's nice. And the safari rocks! We saw so many animals including a lion, elephants... we saw everything it was amazing

[tajainaz]

Follow everyone's advice. Just don't miss The Lion King show. It's incredible! :)

[miraclemoments]

Over the last couple of years we have found a system that works *great* for our family. We always view the 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.

[marivigi]

ummm.. well, apart from the Lion King Show.... I would not miss ITS TOUGH TO BE A BUG!

Vikki is referring to Primeral Whirl, and its also very nice.

:)

[Futureimagineer]

I love its tough to be a bug

[mickeycrazy]

Depending on what time of year you are going...We went last week and everyone made a beeline for the Safari so we went the other way & hit Dinosaur, Primeval whirl, Tough to be a Bug, and walked on to all of them with no wait. If you do this though you will probably need to get a fastpass for the Safari as it is probably the most popular. Another great place to watch the parade is by the gate to Africa. It is where the parade starts & right after it passes you can go on the safari while everyone else is finishing watching the parade. But I do love BT idea of doing Fesitval of Lion King last. Great idea!