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KennythePirate’s Fastpass+ enabled Animal Kingdom Touring Plan for any 8:00 AM opening or 8:00 AM Extra Magic Hour

KennythePirate’s Fastpass+ enabled Animal Kingdom Touring Plan for any 8:00 AM opening or 8:00 AM Extra Magic Hour


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KennythePirate’s Fastpass+ enabled Animal Kingdom Touring Plan for any 8:00 AM opening or 8:00 AM Extra Magic Hour

Attractions Characters Entertainment Hours
Menus Touring Plans    

Updated 3/8/15 A good touring plan for Animal Kingdom can often begin with a the choice of the day you plan to visit for your tour.  If you are planning to go to Animal Kingdom on an Extra Magic Hour day, you are choosing the absolute worst day to visit.  With this plan, you’ll avoid waiting in lines, even with the park being at its busiest.

I recommend that you arrive 15-30 minutes before this park opening.  If you arrive and see the turnstiles already full, you might want to use the Rainforest Cafe entrance.

ktp iconThis plan was designed to be able to see all the major shows, ride every ride and meet every character in one day from 8:00 to 5:00 PM without much backtracking or rushing around.  Because you are using the Extra Magic Hour or regular 8:00 AM opening, you’ll have time to re-ride Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, Primeval Whirl and Triceratop Spin without using Fastpass+ for them.  If the park closes at 6:00 PM or later, you could easily re-ride Kilimanjaro Safaris just before closing to get a different experience.  There is usually no wait before closing.

What should I do about Kali River Rapids?

If you choose to ride Kali River Rapids, you might want to consider bringing a change of clothing along.  Ponchos don’t help very much on this ride!  There are free lockers available to store your valuables and change of clothing.  Your shoes will get soaked, so you might consider wearing flip flops on this ride.

Why is Kilimanjaro Safaris first on the list?  

Because the animals are moving about and eating early in the day and you’ll get to save your Fastpass for another attraction.  The worst time to ride the Safaris truck is mid-day because it’s hot and the animals are sedentary and hidden in the shade.

If you aren’t using FP+ for Finding Nemo the Musical, you should plan to arrive 15 to 30 minutes early.

If you aren’t using FP+ for Festival of the Lion King, you should arrive 30-45 minutes early.

Animal Kingdom Character Location Map KennythePirate

Guests are allowed to choose any 3 of the following attractions:

Kiosks Locations:

  • Creature Comforts – outside the store
  • Across from Disney Outfitters – outside the store
  • Across from Flights of Wonder
  • Kali River Rapids
  • Primeval Whirl

Reserve Fastpass+ for the following:

  • Meet Mickey and Minnie – 11:30 am range
  • Festival of the Lion King – 2:00 pm show
  • Kali River Rapids – 4:30 pm

Other Fastpass+ options:

  • Dinosuar
  • Expedition Everest
KennythePirate’s Fastpass+ enabled Animal Kingdom Touring Plan for any 8:00 AM opening or 8:00 AM Extra Magic Hour
Location Selection Time
Africa RIDE:  Kilimanjaro Safaris.  Head immediately to Kilimajaro Safaris and you’ll see the animals when they are the most active. 8:00-8:30 AM
Asia RIDE:  Expedition Everest  8:40-8:55
Re-ride Expedition Everest or head on to Dinosaur
Dinoland RIDE:  Dinosaur.  9:05-9:20
Dinoland RIDE:  Primeval Whirl 9:20-9:30
Dinoland RIDE:  Triceratop Spin 9:30-9:40
Dinoland MEET:  Goofy and Pluto Arrive 9:50 AM
Dinoland MEET:  Donald Duck
Dinoland The Boneyard – let your kids burn off some steam while you take a break.
Theater in the Wild WATCH:   Finding Nemo the Musical.  If you chose to use your FP+ for Finding Nemo the Musical, you’ll find the return time to be 12:40 to 12:55 11:00-11:40 (arrive early 10:45am)
Discovery Island MEET:  Mickey and Minnie  11:30 to 12:30 PM FP+
It’s Tough be a Bug MEET:  Dug and Russell 
Discovery Island WATCH:  It’s Tough to Be a Bug. Watch the 3D show or do some shopping. Caution, young children may be scared by It’s Tough to be a Bug.
Discovery Island Grab some lunch.  I really enjoy the Flame Tree BBQ, Anandapur Local Foods Cafe and Yak and Yeti
Discovery Island MEET:  Dasiy Duck
Harambe Theater WATCH: Festival of the Lion King
(the show is exactly the same as the old one, but the new theater is creating longer lines that there used to be. Use FP+ or arrive 30 minutes early.
2:00-2:30 PM (Use FP+)
Africa RIDE:  Wildlife Express Train
Conservation Station MEET:  Chip n Dale
Station MEET:  Rafiki
Conservation Station Conservation Station and Petting Zoo Spend about 30 minutes
Africa RIDE:  Wildlife Express Train
Discovery Island Trail MEET:  Pocahontas 3:30 PM meet
Asia WATCH:  Flights of Wonder 3:45-4:15 PM
Asia MEET:  Baloo and King Louie
Asia RIDE:  Kali River Rapids  Ride if you desire. By arriving around closing time you will experience a ZERO wait time. Leave your valuables in a free locker and bring a change of clothes 4:30 PM or later FP+
Asia Maharajah Jungle Trek and take in the DJ Anaan or Chakranadi show and get a snack.
Dinoland Dinoland Dance Party.  The dance party lasts from 20 to 25 minutes, but you can enjoy it for as little or as much as you desire. Check schedule
Optional attractions
Burudika Band
Chakranadi
DiVine
DJ Anaan
GiTar Dan
Tam Tams of Harambe
Viva Gaia

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Corrie

Saturday 14th of March 2015

If trying to take advantage of AM EMH, should I drive my car to AK or take buses from CSR?

kennythepirate

Saturday 14th of March 2015

Either would be fine. Just plan to leave your resort an hour early to be safe.

Renee

Tuesday 15th of July 2014

I have been researching how to plan my visit for each park for about 6 months. Your site and one other have the most information and I have decided to combine them for my trip. However, you say extra morning hour day is the worst time to go and the other site says people "think" it will be busier so it's the best time to go. Can you offer any further thought/opinion on why extra morning hour day is good or bad? Trying to make the decision. Thanks for all you do!

kennythepirate

Tuesday 15th of July 2014

The issues with extra magic hours are increased crowds and many families don't actually wake up early enough to take part in it fully. If the park opens at 8:00am, your family will need to awaken at around 6:00am to dress, eat and travel to a park. The actual Extra Magic hour does help with touring, but may be outweighed by the crowds that come later. If you follow this plan, you'll have a great time though.

Cat

Friday 11th of July 2014

2 Quick questions: We are going in Oct, so the park is closing at 5. Do you think the Dance party will change hours again for the fall? If not, would the 5pm party just not happen?

Also, is there anyattraction we can eat our lunch during? Like grab food at flame tree and eat it while watching Flight of Wonder?

Thanks!

kennythepirate

Friday 11th of July 2014

They offered in the morning when the park closed at 5pm earlier this year. Yes, you can eat at Flights of Wonder, but not the other big shows.

Amanda

Thursday 26th of June 2014

isnt the parade extinct now??

kennythepirate

Monday 30th of June 2014

I just completed a complete rebuild of this plan. Hope it helps!

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