What to see at AK on a leisurely stroll without worrying about rides?

[MaxSkywalker]

We have an extra day on our trip (hitting MK and HS) where my wife has to be at a conference, so I thought I would take the kids to AK myself (is this crazy?) They're 11, 8, and 5. Since I'm by myself, we're not going to worry about hitting most of the rides - the older boy may do EE by himself, and we'll probably do Na'vi and Kilimanjaro, but mostly we want to just look around, do the walking tours, etc.

What do you recommend/rank as far as shows, tours, non-ride things to do?

 

[Betty Rohrer]

We have an extra day on our trip (hitting MK and HS) where my wife has to be at a conference, so I thought I would take the kids to AK myself (is this crazy?) They're 11, 8, and 5. Since I'm by myself, we're not going to worry about hitting most of the rides - the older boy may do EE by himself, and we'll probably do Na'vi and Kilimanjaro, but mostly we want to just look around, do the walking tours, etc.

What do you recommend/rank as far as shows, tours, non-ride things to do?

you have mentioned the 2 major things I would do but I would ad the Lion King show and the 2 walking trails. make sure you look at the tree from different ways. I know others say to do the puppet show but all my grandkids found boring

 

[nkereina]

I second the Lion King show. I've not done the Nemo show, but I hear Lion King is superior. But without worrying about other rides, you should have time for both. We've done the UP bird show and its not as good as it used to be before they changed it, but still might be worth doing since time allows. Kids would like it.

Other than that, I would take the time do all the walking trails and ride out to Rafiki's Planet Watch, which is something I normally skip due to time constraints.

 

[magsnwonderland]

The older two might really enjoy the new animation experience. My friend's 10 year old LOVED it and it makes a cute souvenir.

 

[cincystamper]

The Nemo show is my favorite show, so I'd advise not missing that one. Stop and enjoy all the animals around! There are often cast members standing near animal habitats that are more than happy to answer questions or share fun facts.

Also, you might want to try the Wilderness Explorer badges. That would give you a really good excuse (and plan) to explore the park...and give you a fun souvenir!

 

[Anthony1971]

Actually the whole park is the attraction the attractions were never meant to be the attractions as Willy Wonka might say....
Everywhere you look including the trail walking in (stop and look for the birds) is an attraction... there are many areas people rush by that actually have animals....
I do not know how well it will work for you with the younger kids but if you sit on some of the benches and look around you will be surprised at what you see....
I did this once so far and that was a cooler day with no kids and ended spending the whole day just looking at different things and finding different types of animals in places you would never think to look....

 

[jina]

stop at the junior ranger station on your way in and pick up a book (or 3- one for each kid), then walk from land to land and do the activities that sound fun. It's a great way to tour the park. Of course, we did that on our last trip with DD8 (as well as another 1/2 day where we were focused on rides) and now we feel we have seen every nook and cranny of AK so we are not going there at all for our next trip.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I'd be sure to walk through the two trails. AS other have said, the Lion King show is always a good time. I never have been able to stay awake through the whole Nemo show. Something about it just doesn't connect with me. Also, the Up bird show is probably skippable, but maybe go see it as a time filler if need be. It used to be so much better before the Up overlay.

 

[2012Figment]

There are some very quiet trails around the base of the Tree of Life. There are some live animal exhibits as well as the many carvings on the Tree

 

[RememberWhoYouAre]

Lion King show is great. We don't care for the Nemo show. Up bird show is boring (old show was so much better).
My 9 yr old loves the dinoland playground!! Also the small petting zoo at Conservation Station. There's a short bird show by the Tree of Life called Winged Encounters, it's pretty cool when the birds fly directly above you. Check times for that, they have it several times a day.
Just looking at all the different animal carvings on the tree can be fun too. I remember there being a large gorilla one in the line for It's Tough To Be A Bug that also makes a great photo op.
The Maharajah Jungle Trek is our favorite animal trail because of the tigers.
One thing that my DS also really enjoys is a very simple thing - tossing pennies into the different waterfalls and water features in Pandora. I'll get 50 cents worth of pennies from a cm and he has a blast with that! lol.

 

[MomOTwins]

I guess I'm sort of confused why you think this is crazy or why you wouldn't be able to do rides, especially since your youngest is 5 so won't be height-restricted out of much. I've solo parented my kids for entire Disney trips--we had a great time, but they probably would have murdered me if I told them no rides!

Don't forget about the carnival in Dino land. It is sort of basic, but fun for kids.

 

[Harambe]

Watch for the dance party in Harambe! Great music, and you can get treats in the area ahead of time. Sit right outside the Dawa bar, or join in the dancing!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Do they still have the climbing ropes, the sand like pit to hunt for dinosaur bones? Our grandchildren loved that area.

 

[Figment Mom]

I spent hours on my last trip sitting in Harambe. There are several different entertainers on or in front of the stage during the day. I especially enjoyed the acrobats.

 

[ariane37]

I spent hours on my last trip sitting in Harambe. There are several different entertainers on or in front of the stage during the day. I especially enjoyed the acrobats.

Definitely watch the acrobats, we watch them every trip and never tire of them! They're fantastic and they involve kids too Same with the Burudika band during the day!

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

Absolutely do It's Tough to be a BUG!!

Personally, I LOVE the live Entertainment that occurs on the streets.

 

[MaxSkywalker]

We'll do Kiliminjaro and Na'vi. We can't do FOP or EE (older boy might do EE himself). Dinosaur is frankly too scary for the 5 year old I think. I'm split on Kali, we'll see about that. Primeval Whirl is shut down I believe. That's about it, right?

 

[Harambe]

Oh, also the little train that goes out to Conservation Station/ Rafiki's Planet Watch. Petting zoo and other fun exhibits. I think you get the train in Africa near the safari.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

You might consider one of the hour long tours. There is one for elephants and one for rhinos. There is an extra cost, but they aren't crazy expensive.

 

[ericar]

The walk from the Tusker House area to Pandora at night is beautiful. There are little lights that look like a million fireflies on the trees. Rushing from ride to ride makes you miss so much.