Originally Posted By Labuda "don't tell Labuda then (I think she's the big DAK fan?)" hehehe Yeah, Lulu, that's me! I LOVE DAK! Like Russ said, it's possible to spend an entire day there just looking at the animals and soaking up the atmosphere. As for lunch at DAK, I'd recommend Tusker House - yeah, it's counter service, but just about the best counter service you'll find in a theme park. Just plan on an early lunch (around 11 or so), and then dinner at Boma maybe around 6 or 7 that day. Plus, when you're at DAKL, stop in the gift shop - they've got some GREAT non-generic stuff there. And, if you see a gentleman wearing a Sage name tag, tell him Iggie says hi. Friend of mine from another site that is about a 15-year CM - once of the nicest fellows you could ever meet!
Originally Posted By CMDad Ann - I am with you about DAK being a great park. I will be at DAKL from 12/25 to 12/31 --- will look for your friend.
Originally Posted By elene We found the buses to be great EXCEPT when you have to get from another resort back to your resort. We had the dining plan last time we went so we always finished by eating at one of the resorts (and we were staying at the Pop Century so you know we weren't eating dinner there!) Some of the resorts (like the Polynisian(spelling?) had other activities (a pig roast) and we just happened to finish dinner at the same time so the bus ride was a mess. They probably had 5 buses worth of people and 1 bus finally came. We were supposed to go to Downtown Disney so that we could catch a bus there to go back to Pop Century. Lucky for us, there were so many people from the Pop Century at the pig roast that the bus driver actually stopped at the Pop Century before going to Downtown Disney so we really lucked out. We had difficulty every night getting from where we ate back to the hotel. The Downtown Disney buses get pretty full in the late evenings. It is also worth noting that there are no buses from the parks to Downtown Disney (at least we didn't see them). We always took a bus to a seemingly uncrowded resorts(like Saratoga Springs) then waited there for a bus to Downtown Disney. At least then the ride was very nice and not hectic.
Originally Posted By Crazy4WDW The first time I visited AK I absolutely hated it. LOL! I believe it was really hot that day and crowded. I was miserable. The next time I visited the park it was a cool day with no crowds. I loved it! In fact, now it's one of my favs. Next Wednesday AK is open late for EMH. I can't wait to see the park at night. From what I've read the park is really pretty at night with the cool lighting, etc.
Originally Posted By nate5881 Crazy4WDW, I had a very similiar experience. My first trip to the AK left me very disappointed. It was hot, the park was crowded and it didn't seem like there was much worth doing. After going back this fall I've done a 180 in my attitude toward the park. If you can get there on a cooler day and hit some short lines it's great. The bug's life show is really cute, Tarzan rocks is great (especially the aerial parts), the safari is always fun, and there are a lot of other fun and informative activities to do at the park as well. I'm going to be back in Orlando over the MLK holiday weekend and DAK is definetely on my list of things to do, I'm a little disappointed that I'll be about a week too early for the Passholder Previews but maybe I'll get lucky... Hope you guys all enjoy your trips.
Originally Posted By Crazy4WDW I was hoping to get down for passholder previews for Everest. However, I already made plans to come down on 1/4 until 1/8. I don't think two trips in one month is in my budget! LOL! I really, really wish Disney would have published the passholder preview weekend dates sooner. I would have certainly waited and come down for that! Ahhhhh!!
Originally Posted By Kylesmom I'm actually bummed about the AP preview. It's not practical for me to have one, I just can't afford airfare for 2 from AZ often enough to be worth my while. So, I'll be at the park during the preview, won't be able to ride and have to deal with the extra crowds at AK. grrr
