[DereksMom713]

I've done lots of research and am planning my trip for May. According to the "Unofficial Guide...," there are less attractions in AK than other parks and arrival after 3 pm is ideal for avoiding crowds. I plan on arriving earlier though. So, I'm hoping that a first-timer like myself (and family) will be able to tour AK between 1 and 6 pm. Keep in mind that I'm going in May. And, May has a crowd level, on average, of about 5 (out of 10), according to the "Unoffical Guide...." Also, I won't have Park Hopper tickets.

What do you all think?

P.S. I keep referencing the "...Guide..." because I used it last year when the park was CROWDED and managed to avoid lines and ease my way through everything at Magic Kingdom. I now swear by it.

[ddoll]

the only thing to remember now is Expedition Everest is now open and it's the newest, hottest ride at WDW. That has increased the attendance at that park recently, also the new Nemo show is just opening too. So the book was probably printed before those two new things. What would have only taken a few hours before will now take longer.

Just keep that in mind.

[alandjen]

The AK is quite spread out and requires alot of walking. Also, something like the Safari takes up a bit of time, even without any lines. Finally, if you want to catch the live shows, make sure they're still running later in the day.

[catfish1999]

It is possible, but you will most likely have to give up some attractions. Decide which you just can't skip and pass on the rest.
As for me, I'm not a big parade fan, so parade time is perfect for hitting the major rides. It's all a matter of preference. There's no right or wrong.
Just don't skip Everest...that would be WRONG!

[DereksMom713]

Originally Posted by catfish1999

It is possible, but you will most likely have to give up some attractions. Decide which you just can't skip and pass on the rest.
As for me, I'm not a big parade fan, so parade time is perfect for hitting the major rides. It's all a matter of preference. There's no right or wrong.
Just don't skip Everest...that would be WRONG!

LOL! Thanks. I prefer to take in all things that rate highly with the "Unofficial Guide." So, with that said, I think I'll choose another day to visit AK. I'd rather visit just about everything to decide whether it is or isn't worth it for my next trip.

And ddoll, I use their web site. So, I'm hoping that all their info. is up-to-date.

Thanks everyone.

[woohoo]

we count it as a half day park as we skip the camp and some of the other things. We just do what we like about the park and then leave-

[chastmastr]

Originally Posted by DereksMom713

According to the "Unofficial Guide...," there are less attractions in AK than other parks and arrival after 3 pm is ideal for avoiding crowds.

I'm astonished. Fewer rides and shows, yes. But definitely not a do-in-a-day, much less do-in-an-afternoon park. There's so much to see and do it's amazing. And arrival after 3 gives perilously little time, as the park closes so much earlier than the others (though if you have Extra Magic Hours in the evening then it can be open till as late as 8 PM, I believe, and it's deeply beautiful to see it at twilight as those nature-inspired lights come on all over the park, which you don't get to see otherwise). It's a fantastic place to just wander around and drink in the atmosphere and see all the animules even if you don't get on a single ride or watch an official show. We could spend all day there just doing that.

David

[MerlinMatt]

We've never spent an entire day at AK. We tried doing it late in the afternoon in Dec 2004 and that was a mistake... we missed all the shows..

In May, it'll be a different story because it'll be open later and not quite so cold.

I think that if you could get there closer to noon and have someone in your party run to get FastPasses for either EE or Kilimanjaro Safari, you might be able to get done with everything and be able to see the parade as well.

[DereksMom713]

So unrelated to the thread I've created, but how do I begin a "My Disney Countdown?"

[DereksMom713]

Originally Posted by chastmastr

I'm astonished. Fewer rides and shows, yes. But definitely not a do-in-a-day, much less do-in-an-afternoon park. There's so much to see and do it's amazing. And arrival after 3 gives perilously little time, as the park closes so much earlier than the others (though if you have Extra Magic Hours in the evening then it can be open till as late as 8 PM, I believe, and it's deeply beautiful to see it at twilight as those nature-inspired lights come on all over the park, which you don't get to see otherwise). It's a fantastic place to just wander around and drink in the atmosphere and see all the animules even if you don't get on a single ride or watch an official show. We could spend all day there just doing that.

David

chastmastr, I'm sorry to have offended you. LOL! Although, this thread was created to ask for help from experts, like yourself, so I could find out if a shortened day at AK is even possible. But, now that I know, I'll choose another day to explore AK.

[daisyd]

DereksMom, you have to have 100 posts before you can add a counter (I believe--someone will correct me if I am wrong )

You can put in your signature when you are going if you like ! Somehting like "Our first trip May 2007" or whatever you like

About AK, my family made our first WDW trip jsut last October. We planned on a half day at AK, and WE WERE SO SORRY We LOVED the park and could have easily spent the whole day there. Something odd happened while we were there--the safari was closed AND EE closed as my DH was waiting in line for it But even with the two biggest attractions shut down our family had a fantastic time and were just absorbed by the atmosphere of the park. I'd suggest an entire day
We'll plan a whole day next trip, and maybe another 1/2 day, too.

[chastmastr]

Originally Posted by DereksMom713

chastmastr, I'm sorry to have offended you.

Oh Heavens, no, I'm not offended at all and in any case it's the Unofficial Guide people who astonish me. I'm a bit sad that they are (apparently) measuring the parks by (apparently) numbers of rides and shows rather than less quantifiable things like "soaking up atmosphere" and "drinking in the experience," because I would say in one sense there is less to "do" at AK than at other parks, but in many other ways more to experience than the others. (MGM is the same way for me. There are fun rides and shows there, but mainly it's the experience of hanging around in Art Deco 1930s/40s Hollywood that I like about it.)

David

[DereksMom713]

Oh no chastmastr, I don't want to get anyone over at the "Unofficial Guide..." in trouble. LOL!

Seriously, I took all the information they provided and drew my own conclusions. They have an extensive write-up on AK and what there is to do there. They detail how family-friendly the park is and why. But, I focused on one sentence which stated that there are less attractions than the other parks. I took that sentence and ran with it.

[InHouseMouse]

We haven't been to that park before but I would think that you need at least a full day.

wow I have a lot of posting before I get to 100.. I want to start a count down also...

[DisneyTeacher]

AK is a half day park for us but we don't plan to do all of it, we have a few favorites and that's it.