Planning our visit to Animal Kingdom.

[Nostromo]

The one park in WDW that nobody in our big group visiting Orlando in Spring 2004 has seen is Animal Kingdom. We want to do it real justice this time. We will be going in the post-Easter low season of late April, but the day will be a SUNDAY (cannot be helped). We will make an early start (is arriving at 0830 at the gates OK?) and have allowed about 1 hour for a lunchtime break. Considering all this, can we finish by 4:30pm? We have plans for a night out that same evening and want to be back in our villa (nearby) not later than 5pm to get a bit of rest first.

[DMC]

Hi Nostromo

I am sure that there will be something for everyone at Animal Kingdom.

It is not as big or as busy as the other Disney Parks and therefore you should be able to see everything within your time frame.

It is a very good idea to do what you are doing, namely getting there when the park opens and if I were you I would start at the far end of the Park on the Safari Ride.

This can get very busy and the animals are most active first thing in the morning, on the 4 times we have been to AK we have always started at this end and have been able to go on the ride "back to back" at least 3 times in around 40 mins. As the ride is a living attraction each time you go on it there is something different to see.

Around the Safari area there are various walks that take you past other animals and are well worth a wander through.

Then work you way back through the park towards the entrance, stopping off at the Tree of Life and its a Bugs Life.

Don't forget the River Rapids Ride / The Dinosaur Ride / the Lion King Show and the Parade.

Although there is only the 2 of us, we manage to go on most rides at least once or twice each visit and still have time in hand to get over to one of the other Disney Parks by mid afternoon.

It may take you longer as you have a larger party, we think that AK is great, it is more relaxed than the other Parks.:D

I am sure that you will all have a great time.

DMC

[mikewj]

Have to agree with DMC. If you want to see any of the animals you have to do the safari and any of the nature walks early.

I've never known Animal Kingdom to be too busy, so you should be able to get everything done in the time you've given yourself.

However, you may want to check on the parade times as they change dramatically in the low season and although we've never seen it, its supposed to be one of the best.

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

I'd agree about the parade - make sure you stand by the bridge to Africa and you get to see the parade twice as it starts and finished in the same place (near the entrance to the Kilimanjaro Safari's ride). Not many people realise this and there aree hardly any crowds when the parade comes back a second time and you can get some great photos with no people in the way [msnsmile2]

[Nostromo]

OK, thanks people.