What's your AK Stragedy?

[stitchaholic]

I will send you a pm.
THis is where I was a cast member so I think I can help you out a bit

we all want to know the advice

[2MuchWDFun]

Thanks, Joannelet. Our family loves AK (me, DH and college age DS) There really is so much to see.
The most amazing to me are the Tigers. I'm not sure how many people appreciate being able to see these big cats up close (not in cages). Having lived in San Diego for 20 years and going to the fabulous San Diego Zoo and the Wild animal Park five to six times a year,I can count on one hand the number of times we got to see them (usually at a distance, "can you see that brown patch over there in the grass?")

AK has a great mix of rides and nature. Joannelet's and others suggestion of going in a circle is a good one. The key is to slow down, take in the sights and sounds; enjoy a good meal; hold hands with your honey and take a stroll along the many pathways. It's really not all about the rides at this park...although I do love EE, KS, and Dinosaur!

Have fun! Explore!

[Gator]

Oh, yes. I slowed down on my second trip and went and caught Flights of Wonder. It was an incredible show, and I got selected to go on stage for the Owl demonstration. Pretty cool.

[lighteningqueen]

We love it there. There is so many paths and walks that have some really neat animals and facts. Beautiful to take the trail around the tree of life and see all the carvings up close. The shops have the most unusual best gifts and displays inside them and Tusker is a must for starting the day off. Best breakfast in all the parks. Flame tree is the best sitting and enjoying the water while eating . The parade is a not miss we usually spend all day there but the park hours are only 9-5 in Dec so not hard to do. It is the prettiest park that Disney has. I think we will try later oin the day on the safari. The animals are never out in the morning for us and is usually a let down as well as getting a driver that puts the petal to the metal when she drives. We saw nothing last time but our heads bouncing off the roof. I will avoid the women drivers and get a guy who looks as though he enjoys his ride. I am a woman so do not bash me but she was the worst. 31 more days before we land in the Kingdom

[darthmacho]

Everest didn't exist when I last visited, so it was always easy for me. I'd start with K.Safari, do Pangani Trail, and then ride the safari at least one more time before moving on to Asia.

I imagine I'd start with Everest now, or at least get a fastpass asap!

[brownie]

We've always gone right to Kilimanjaro Safaris but that was before Expedition: Everest. We'll have to rethink this strategy the next time we go.

[Suz36]

We love the slow-down approach at AK. We've always gone with the advice to do the safari first, and it's worked well for us. However, on our most recent trip, we happened to get on a late ride, and it was the best ever! We saw lots of animals, and maybe because they were only loading from one station and there were fewer vehicles out, the driver went MUCH slower and even stopped a few times - it was great! Maybe it was just a lucky fluke, but it was a great experience and we'll certainly try that strategy again!

[kemps@wdw]

We usually start @ EE (FP and ride), then work our way around from Asia to Africa. Then Dinoland. Or start in Africa and then to Asia. However you proceed, it's probaby best to do KRR last, as you WILL get wet or SOAKED! And unless you bring a change of clothes (too much trouble), it's not very comfortable walking around in wet clothing (been there...done that).
If you have little ones, take a break @ the Boneyard. TTBAB is a must-do for us. Festival of The Lion King is a wonderful show (arrive about 30 minutes early to get a front row seat and a possible spot in the show). If the centralized fast-pass is up and running, it could be a real time-saver. But, may be just as quick @ the attraction entrance itself. Take time to stroll thru the animal trails for some great photo opps.

[AmandaChan]

DH and I always have a very detailed AK strategy.

First we always show up at this park as soon as it opens. First we go to EE to get a FP (regardless of current wait time) then we go to Kilamanjaro Safari because the line is never too long in the AM and that is when all the animals are out the most -- before it gets too hot outside and they're feeding. All of them are out every single time.

By the time we're done with that we usually do the trails or go to EE depending on what time it is. Usually before we get on EE we get a FP for Dinosaur. It's a really big park and it always feels like you're wondering around but really there isn't a whole lot to do. The two trails, kilamanjaro, EE, Nemo and the lion king, and Bug pretty much makes up a full day for us.

[TheVBs]

We love AK! I have no idea how people do this park in a half day, or even one full day. I imagine you'd be missing out on a lot that way. We actually take two full days for this park. And even then we don't usually get to see everything we would like to!

[DVC2004]

We head straight to EE and ride, and pick up fast passes to ride again later. Then we head to KS. Usually the line is not bad there. Those are the two major things we hit first.

[lighteningqueen]

I too love this park there is so much to see and do here. I think alot of people who don't give it a chance. The run to EE and ride it to death then leave. Thre are so many trails that are beautiful to see and the shops are so different than the other parks. Watching DIvine, Rafikis, its all good there especially breakfast at Tuskers, Those eggs are the best.

[candleshoe]

1) get there 1st thing in am and join the morning rush to the safari.
2) Realize once again that the safari isn't really that great
3) Start to wonder why, exactly, we decided to dedicate one of our vacation days at AK
4) Leave early and hop to EPCOT
5) Vow that this is really really the last time we're going to AK until the kids are old enough to want to go on EE.

[elmjimmlm]

When we were there in August there were FP machines located outside Bugs Life for every major ride in AK...This is a way you can grab your FP sooner and maybe see some bugs and not have to worry about trying to get to the ride you want to get to 1st...We did this and it seems like our day went a lot smoother...

[fanofdisney]

FP machines by Bugs Life for all the major rides? I have not seen or heard this before is it something new they are doing? Will they do it for MLK jr weekend?

[BigThunderFan]

Originally Posted by fanofdisney

FP machines by Bugs Life for all the major rides? I have not seen or heard this before is it something new they are doing? Will they do it for MLK jr weekend?

From what I understood this was something they were testing and has since gone away.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

[passholderryan]

My wife and I find that you have to make a mad-dash for the Dawa Bar by Kilimanjaro Safari and grab some margaritas. That seems to help with the pain of dealing with the crowds and heat.