Touring Animal Kingdom to best advantage

[Nostromo]

Deapite our 4 previous visits to Orlando, we've never been to Animal Kingdom and so this Spring visit will be groundbreaking. Based on what I've read in the guides and what has been said in these forums, I have tried to draw an itinerary for our visit to the AK, but am running into a few problems.

First off, we'll be going there on SUNDAY, 25th April, the park opening hours on that day being 9am to 5pm. I understand that late April is 'low-season' and that, combined with the fact that Sunday is a non-EMH day for AK might mean moderate crowds (we hope). We aim to get there by 8:45am and hopefully present ourselves at the gates as they open. Then we aim to, in order:

Spend a short time walking through THE OASIS, looking at the small scale flora and fauna.

Then go straight to AFRICA and do the KILIMINJARO SAFARI, PANGANI TRAIL and the rest of it. Also take the train and see RIFIKI'S PLANET WATCH.

(By now it is likely to be around 11am and would that not be the best time to continue into ASIA? I heard a lot of animals take a siesta from late-morning to early afternoon and we would not want to miss out.)

So, I thought that after Africa we could come back and see DISCOVERY ISLAND with its Bug show, carry on into CAMP MINNIE-MICKEY including the Lion King show, tour DINOLAND USA and leave ASIA to the last, at around 2:30pm. That way, we can finish it and try to get good positions for the 4pm parade.

So, my problem is really where to fit-in ASIA. We want to do that 'land' as much justice as Africa and so should we go to Asia at 11 to 11:30am or 2:30 to 3pm?

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

Get a Fastpass for Dinosaur early on too as it's a not to be missed ride and one of our favourites [msnsmile].

[Newhomebuyer]

Animal Kingdom is much smaller than the other parks so a plan is not too essential. The only thing I would plan, is to miss strolling in the oasis and get straight over to Kilimanjaro Safaris. The animals are more active early in the day and you will have plenty of time to stroll round the oasis later. Enjoy taking your time on the trails and don't miss any shows. You will have plenty of time without having a tight itinery.

[neilandkay]

The two shows that we enjoyed the most were the Tarzan show and the Lion King. I would recommend seeing both of them. We only just managed to make it into the last showing of the Lion King.

Also the parade is great. So much different from the other parks - great imagination has been put to work with the floats. I thought they were amazing.

--Kay

[disney dreamin]

We love everything Disney but if you have to give something a miss I would suggest you do not go out to Rifiki'f planet watch. Don't get me wrong, it is worth doing and it is giving out an important message but you have to wait for trains and although it is nice for the kids to pet the animals it can take quite a while.

An absolute must is Bugs Life - you will get a real good look at the tree of life but there is also one part of that ride that I have never forgotten. But then I don't like bugs anyway!!!

One way to get into the park early is to book a character breakfast (Dinosaur Diner I think). We went one day and sat down to eat at 8am. You have to be quick to the buffet to avoid massive queues but you can normally get out just before the park opens and be one of the first on safari.

[Amirah]

We went for the Safari first, watched two street shows in Africa and then we went we took the train ride to Rafiki's Planet Watch (where wer spent most the day)...my husband and our daughter played too long with the farm animals while I sat in the shade, took my shoes off and watched. There is a museum and a bird demostration where the researchers tell you about the animal or birds of the day. We were there between 10:30 am until about 3pm. Time went so fast. That deprived us from getting on the good rides like Dinosaur in which all the fast passes were out for the day. We did catch "It's Tough to be a Bug " though a must see :). Next time we will go to Camp Mickey and Dino Land.

[Nostromo]

Thanks for the tip Amirah. I'll make sure that too much time is not spent at Rifiki's when we go there.

[orlandobabe]

Don't miss Asia-it's fantastic how they have done it.

Re Lion King show-this gets full very quickly. One year we missed it completely as the last show was too full for us to be admitted-so if the park looks busy try to get there for an early show.

Quite often the safari rides are quite empty late on-so that maybe quite a good time to go there.

Out of everything-I would miss Rafiki too.

[chrisj]

were off to london next week to see the Lion King, we did catch the show in AK and I
thought it was fantastic

[kaysvacationvilla]

I would suggest you go to the Safari first!!! Very important as the animals are out and the lines are shorter.

We will be there in April also.

Kay

[george]

My daughter went to London the other week and went to see The Lion King stage show. She said it was fantastic. Coming from her it must be ace.

[Nostromo]

quote:Originally posted by kaysvacationvilla

I would suggest you go to the Safari first!!! Very important as the animals are out and the lines are shorter.

We will be there in April also.

Kay


We WILL go to the Safari right at the beginning at 9am and do rest of Africa and Rifiki immediatly after. By then it might be nearly 11am and so we will then do the other 'rides & shows' lands leaving Asia to the last. Hopefully, we should be able to manage to arrive at the Maharajah Jungle Trek as the very last visit by 3:30pm and catch the animals after their siesta. We can then go back to the 4pm parade.