Animal kingdom on day or arrival or departure?

[barbie444]

We arrive in Orlando at around 10 am and are staying at Coronado springs. Our plan was to enjoy Disney springs and the hotel for the day and head to animal kingdom on the day of departure. We are taking a 11 pm flight back home. But now my mom is suggesting we go Animal kingdom on day of Arrival since we plan on getting a lightning lane pass. We mainly want the safari and avatar. What do you think any suggestions? It’s just two adults traveling.

 

[Tink_83]

Since you are flying I would put it at the end and not bank on the flight being on time. That's just me, but I've had enough delayed flights over the years that I wouldn't want to deal with the stress of having a LLSP for avatar at a specific time and then missing it and losing the money because of a delay outside my control. Also, since your flight is so late in the evening you could literally spend all day at AK before heading to the airport (or spend a few hours and do Disney springs, check out late, spend a few hours and then head to Disney springs)... But it's not like you have an early flight you are trying make that day.

 

[barbaq24]

It makes sense to do AK at the end of your trip. AK usually closes earlier so any snag you run into getting into MCO will push back your arrival and could make you either miss a LL or a show. You can do a morning at AK, get through everything and confidently wrap up by the afternoon.

 

[Schneewittchen37]

DD and I just got back from a trip to WDW. We did AK on our departure day. Using LLMP and LLSP we were done with all of the rides we wanted to do by about 1:15 pm. We didn't rope drop either. I'd guess we arrived by about 8:45 am. We did Dinosaur, Navi River Journey, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest, Flight of Passage, had a sit down lunch at Rainforest Cafe and grabbed Mickey bars for a snack. Not too shabby.

 

[DWillowBay]

Just something to consider as you make your decision.... It is likely that your room won't be ready that early, so if you decide not to go to AK (which would have been my suggestion), you need to think about what you might do on the first day. Again, just something to consider. Have a great trip!

 

[barbie444]

Since you are flying I would put it at the end and not bank on the flight being on time. That's just me, but I've had enough delayed flights over the years that I wouldn't want to deal with the stress of having a LLSP for avatar at a specific time and then missing it and losing the money because of a delay outside my control. Also, since your flight is so late in the evening you could literally spend all day at AK before heading to the airport (or spend a few hours and do Disney springs, check out late, spend a few hours and then head to Disney springs)... But it's not like you have an early flight you are trying make that day.

We are taking the bright line from miami to Orlando and flying back to miami. Not sure that would make a difference in your answer.

 

[Tink_83]

We are taking the bright line from miami to Orlando and flying back to miami. Not sure that would make a difference in your answer.

Honestly it still wouldn’t change my answer- I’ve had enough trips hit a snag that I wouldn’t want to bank on it for vacation, especially if paying for LLMPs or LLSP. i also don’t fly out of Miami enough to comment on that route, maybe someone else here knows, you can look up the route and see what the percentage of on-time arrivals is if you want to start analyzing it that way.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

We arrive in Orlando at around 10 am and are staying at Coronado springs. Our plan was to enjoy Disney springs and the hotel for the day and head to animal kingdom on the day of departure. We are taking a 11 pm flight back home. But now my mom is suggesting we go Animal kingdom on day of Arrival since we plan on getting a lightning lane pass. We mainly want the safari and avatar. What do you think any suggestions? It’s just two adults traveling.

Sounds like you will get more park time if you do it on the last day.

If you want to get the feeling of AK on your first (or last) day, another option would be to have dinner or other meal at AKL, then spend some time walking around the hotel. The only challenge is the transportation. Via bus, you have to go through DS or a park to get back to Coronado. Paying for transportation is usually easier/faster.

If you are just going to AK on 2nd half of the day on arrival day, and only AK that day, then I personally wouldn't buy LLMP. Late(r) in the day, you probably can get on FoP, and most rides, with a fairly short wait. AK waits drop off as the day progresses. POSTED waits might still be high, but actual waits are almost sure to be much lower than what is posted.

When I go to AK, I sometimes get LLMP, but I almost always pair it with park hopping in the PM to get my money's worth. Mostly, it isn't really needed for AK, except maybe Easter week.

That said, you know you better than I do. On your last morning, you will also need to pack, be out of the room by 11am. That can be tricky if you are pairing that with AK, which opens at 7:30 for onsite guests. Breakfast at most WDW hotels doesn't start until 7am. Starbucks in the park gets fairly long lines.

Much depends on your preferences.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Just FYI, as of 3:45pm today, and remember these are posted waits, so they are prob a bit inflated:

FoP 50, Dino 20 (LL bookable for 4pm), EE 25 (LL bookable w/ return now), Bug - down, Safari 20 (LL bookable w/ return now), Na'vi 60.

 

[elvispursley]

We’ve always found AK to be less crowded in the afternoon. Agree that if you decide to go ion arrival day NOT to purchase any LLs. I’d hit the shows that tend to end early (FOTLK or Nemo) and then the rides. Jump into FoP just before it closes (even if the wait time is “long”, it’s likely inflated).

 

[Ronaldo17]

I would go for day of departure as it's easier to plan IMO.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I would go for day of departure as it's easier to plan IMO.

good point!

Also, if you are going to buy LL for your days, then putting the park days towards the back end = better selection.

If you don't buy LL for AK though, then you could also wait until you are there to decide which day is better for AK. With AK, much depends on the weather.

 

[C.Witch]

When is your trip? Will be be dark by DAK close when you're there? IMO Pandora after dark is NOT to be missed... I'd plan for arrival day for that reason.