OFFICIAL New Animal Kingdom Experiences UPDATE 5/28: Reports from first night in Post #2

[blackpearl77]

We did ak last night! We did the safari (had fastpass from 8-9) and for in line at 8:15. Actual sunset was during our ride. You could still the animals and they were really close to the truck. And crossing a lot - so much that a pickup truck with cast members were out there trying to move them off the road the trucks were all backed up. Lots of activity. I think if we went any later it would have been too dark. Towards the end it got dark and hard to see. I didn't like the fake sunset it looked more like the trees were on fire! But everyone in the park must have went to jb show since the path leaving safari was completely empty. It was like we were the only ones there! We walked over to the show - you could see if from afar. EE was closed during the show. Then it started up after and broke. We didn't stay for the 10:30 show we left. Saw the tree show on the way out too!

 

[gometros]

We just came back. JB was canceled due to the rain. Had a 9:25 FP for Kilimanjaro Safari. I agree with everybody else's assessment. The sunset look easy too fake and out of place. And while the animals were out, it was too dark to see anything. Pity because the male lion was standing on the top of Pride Rock in perfect silhouette.

 

[maryj11]

We just came back. JB was canceled due to the show. Had a 9:25 FP for Kilimanjaro Safari. I agree with everybody else's assessment. The sunset look easy too fake and out of place. And while the animals were out, it was too dark to see anything. Pity because the male lion was standing on the top of Pride Rock in perfect silhouette.

I'm glad I just changed our safari FP to the 8:20 hoping to go during the real sunset.

 

[beesly]

We just came back. JB was canceled due to the show. Had a 9:25 FP for Kilimanjaro Safari. I agree with everybody else's assessment. The sunset look easy too fake and out of place. And while the animals were out, it was too dark to see anything. Pity because the male lion was standing on the top of Pride Rock in perfect silhouette.

Wait, why was JB canceled?

 

[gometros]

Wait, why was JB canceled?

Sorry. Due to the rain. Stupid autocorrect.

 

[epcotty]

We've delayed yet again Due to the rain, planning next Saturday now. It's been an amazingly rainy and stormy week there according to the forecast

 

[maryj11]

We've delayed yet again Due to the rain, planning next Saturday now. It's been an amazingly rainy and stormy week there according to the forecast

Yes I'm surprised at how many posts I have read that JB was cancelled due to rain. When we have been there it usually rains in the afternoon and nights are dry.

 

[maryj11]

I' am still having trouble planning our AK day . I keep changing the JB show and safari around. Cant decide if we should do the safari at sunset and do the last JB show or do the first JB show and safari at dark after the show. What would any of you do?

 

[iona]

I' am still having trouble planning our AK day . I keep changing the JB show and safari around. Cant decide if we should do the safari at sunset and do the last JB show or do the first JB show and safari at dark after the show. What would any of you do?

I've not been yet but everything I've read suggests that the safari is better at dusk than in the dark so that's our plan.

 

[dis_wifey]

We currently have a FP for the Safari valid from 9:25pm - 10:25pm. There is an available FP for 7:25-8:25. Which would be better?? We also have a FP for the JB first show but I'm indifferent as to whether or not we actually see it.

 

[elle101me]

I' am still having trouble planning our AK day . I keep changing the JB show and safari around. Cant decide if we should do the safari at sunset and do the last JB show or do the first JB show and safari at dark after the show. What would any of you do?

I had the same problem when I chose FP's this morning. I wanted to FP the first JB show but I also wanted a dusk safari. I ended up with the dusk safari and the second JB show. I may try for JB standby for the first show and cancel the FP for the second show.

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

Following. Excellent info. Thanks!

 

[maryj11]

I had the same problem when I chose FP's this morning. I wanted to FP the first JB show but I also wanted a dusk safari. I ended up with the dusk safari and the second JB show. I may try for JB standby for the first show and cancel the FP for the second show.

Thats a good idea maybe the day of we will see if we can get in standby and change the FP for something else.

 

[Rivergirl2005]

We currently have a FP for the Safari valid from 9:25pm - 10:25pm. There is an available FP for 7:25-8:25. Which would be better?? We also have a FP for the JB first show but I'm indifferent as to whether or not we actually see it.

I have mine for 7-8 so we can hit dusk. I would switch because I hear night time is not always that great!

 

[Dave006]

We currently have a FP for the Safari valid from 9:25pm - 10:25pm. There is an available FP for 7:25-8:25. Which would be better?? We also have a FP for the JB first show but I'm indifferent as to whether or not we actually see it.

The 7:25-8:25 PM FP would be much better than 9:25-10:25!

Around the real sunset is the best time to see the most animals other than first thing in the morning. The reason is very simple, the animals have "food" out to draw them along the truck track during these two times. They are very active.

After night fall you will spend most of your time looking at shadows and listening to fake sounds and that Fake Sunset is just "dumb". Sorry but sometimes the truth is just the truth.

Dave

 

[DG-12]

We spoke to our favorite supervisor CM, she helped us book our vacation this time and she always seems to know what's happening and have the inside scoop. She told DH yesterday that when we travel, sept 29, that we should definitely see ROL. She said that they are only tweaking small things now, that the biggest issue has been solved. She also said that since reviews for JB have been so bad, that they are working as fast as they can to get ROL running. I was glad because we are hoping to get to skip JB completely and see ROL!

Gives me hope for the first week in September!

 

[dis_wifey]

The 7:25-8:25 PM FP would be much better than 9:25-10:25!

Around the real sunset is the best time to see the most animals other than first thing in the morning. The reason is very simple, the animals have "food" out to draw them along the truck track during these two times. They are very active.

After night fall you will spend most of your time looking at shadows and listening to fake sounds and that Fake Sunset is just "dumb". Sorry but sometimes the truth is just the truth.

Dave

Thank you for all of the info! I just changed our FP to the earlier time slot!

 

[tinkerhon]

I' am still having trouble planning our AK day . I keep changing the JB show and safari around. Cant decide if we should do the safari at sunset and do the last JB show or do the first JB show and safari at dark after the show. What would any of you do?

Having the same problem !! Our itinerary is basically set, with the exception of our AK day (7/1)
I have the TH package booked with the first JB show ( which I am really not that excited for --- )
We also have a FP for the 2nd show --- I have an 8:15 FP for the safari ---

Problem is that we had our heart set on going back to Sanaa -- !! Our original plans were to do half the day at
AK and then hit Sanaa for dinner --- honestly , the only reason ( other than just seeing AK at night) that I want to stay at AK late right now is for the tree of life ---

Really conflicted right now !!

 

[Blue32]

In thinking about the rain canceling this show....it seems that ROL will likely have the same issues, right? There are still supposed to be some performers on floats. It seems some guests may be in for disappointment as the weather may ruin their chance to see AK's "real" night time show!

 

[maryj11]

The 7:25-8:25 PM FP would be much better than 9:25-10:25!

Around the real sunset is the best time to see the most animals other than first thing in the morning. The reason is very simple, the animals have "food" out to draw them along the truck track during these two times. They are very active.

After night fall you will spend most of your time looking at shadows and listening to fake sounds and that Fake Sunset is just "dumb". Sorry but sometimes the truth is just the truth.

Dave

Thanks for the info. I'm glad we switched to the actual sunset time instead of the one they try to create. I'm excited about seeing the animals as the sun goes down. The safari is one of my favorite things at Disney.