[alextina]

Hi all,

I am looking for some advice from some experienced AK visitors. I have read in several places that AK is really only a half day park. I have never been before and am currently finalizing all of my plans, if AK is really only a half day park then I would like to plan on going in the morning and have something else planned for the afternoon.


***Note: We are traveling with my DD who is 19 months old so we won't be doing Dinosaur or KRR and very possible will go ahead and skip It's tough to be a bug for fear of disturbing other viewers (I am not sure how easy it is to get out of the theater if the show scares her).

Thanks all advice is appreciated
:)

[Willbegone]

Hey! We went in March with 2 yearl old DD and we stayed from Early Entry opening to closing and didn't see everything. We had lunch Rainforest Cafe. We missed alot. The parade is GREAT and I highly recommend it your DD will love it. Also be sure not to miss Legend of the Lion King best show at Disney IMHO.

It just depends on you if it is 1/2 day or full day and on the waits. You could easily hit everything you want to do and be done by lunch. But you could be real leisurely like us and do alot of browsing and take all day. Have fun!

[alextina]

Thanks for the advice! I prefer the leisurely approach myself.

[goofygal1975]

I always say I'm only going to stay at AK for half a day. But then I get there, and we end up staying until at least 4pm, or real close to closing time. We have 2 shows that are must see, Tarzan Rocks and Festival of the Lion King. It can be done in half a day, if you only do certain things. But if you have the time, I say see as much as you can and stay until closing (or close to it anyways!). Then you still have the evening free for another park or DTD or just resting and relaxing at your resort!

[DisneyRobin]

You can do AK in a half day but why rush? If you want to see all the show (Lion King, Tarzan, Bugs Life) it will take you half a day to just do the shows. There are not that many rides at AK but they ones they have are very popular. We go on KS at least two times every visit and Dinosaur in Dinoland USA is a MUST SEE! AK opens earlier then the other parks and the animals are usually more active in the morning (or on cooler days).

[bobmouse65]

Hi DisneyRobin,

I have done AK in a half day but I usually go back later in the week. On my next trip I am making AK a full day park. Taking it easy and strolling a bit.

Bobºoº

[jewelmick]

We plan on visiting AK our last day. Hit it EE and stay as long as we feel like....just find shady spots to rest.

DD will be 9m and have yet to find anything to scare her, wonder if she will be ok in Bug's? Is it easy to leave if she gets spooked?

Last time we went it was only adults and we were able to see everything before 2pm, but lines were not long.

[mickeysaver]

I was really disappointed that I had believed all the half day talk. We where at WDW in September last year and by the time we finally did visit AK, it was too late to do much more time there. If you love to see wild animals in amazingly beautiful habitats, like to see Disney Characters, like to see some of Disney's best shows, or even like to just kick back and shop, then this is a whole day park for you. I always tell people with kids a little older that if your kid likes Animal Planet, then they will have to love the AK park. The place is just awesome. I walked around just astounded by the work that Disney had done making such a spectacular place for these animals to call home. Mickey

[disneycouple30]

It depends on the crowd and the weather. The problem with AK is that with all the woods around it, the heat builds up quite abit during the warmer or hot months and it hard to get a breeze in there. We have done it in 5 hrs and we have taken all day.

But if you are spending just one day to see it and not going back later then it will take most of the day. I suggest getting there around 9:00 am if you are going to take the whole day tour.

The shows are great, make sure you see Mother Pocahontas show. Your DD will love the animals. For a break in the day go to Flaming Tree BBQ for a lunch stop and head down by the lake behind the place and enjoy the shade and the breeze (only place to find one) while you eat and your DD enjoy the birds and fishes. It a great spot for the young one to take a nap.

If you do eat at the Rainforest Cafe be sure you don't get a table directly in front of the Apes or Elephants, the noise is loud.

[ssn]

As far as the Rainforest Cafe goes - we went to our local Rainforest with 2 yr old DD. She loves (or should I say loved) monkeys and elephants so we thought she would love it! She also doesn't scare very easily, but when the place got dark and the thunder came and all the animals started moving and making noise at once she jumped off her seat so fast and clung to me for the whole meal!!! Now whenever we bring up the "monkey restaurant" she says "scary!" My advise is to ask for a table in the middle so you aren't so close to the animals - but it is quite loud.

As far as the rides that you child will be to small to go on, you can do a baby swap with another adult you're with - that's what I'm planning for our upcoming trip! You have to ride alone or with strangers, but at least you don't miss out! Have fun!

[SilentRascal]

In all honesty, Animal Kingdom is still merely a half MORNING park at most. There's a number of attractions and things to see at AK, but not all of them are really worthwhile. The best things the park currently has to offer can be seen within a few hours, then it's best to move back to the other parks.

[rthaler]

We did AK in 3/4 of a day. We left the park about 3PM and went to EPCOT for the remainder. Get there when it opens or EE and do the Safari thingy first and then work your way around the park to the left from there. We saw all the shows, did all the rides and managed to spend a couple hundred dollars shopping to boot. My advice to all men out there is to avoid the pearl place at all costs. Hope this helps.:dazed