Optimize Your Fastpass at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom

FastPass is absolutely necessary at Walt DisneyDistribution is to the left of the entrance so you will
World's Animal Kingdom theme park. It is the homehave to walk slightly against traffic to get there.
of Disney's best roller coaster, Expedition Everest, itsI highly recommend that you get your FastPass first,
scariest ride, Dinosaur, and an African Safari. With soand then head directly across the park to Africa and
much to do and see, you'll want to spend as littlethe Kilimanjaro Safari. This is a must see attraction
time on line as possible, and FastPass can help you doand although it also is a FastPass attraction you must
it. Throw in a little advanced planning, and you'll notsee it in the morning, when the animals are most
only go on all the major rides several times, but you'llactive and virtually all visible. If you're in a group, give
also have time to spare to check out the minorone person everyone's park tickets and send him/her
attractions and take in a show or two.to Everest to get the FastPasses while everyone
Next time you go to the Animal Kingdom, here's howelse heads to the Safari entrance. Have the group
to optimize your FastPass.wait in the boarding area, where there is plenty of
First, you need to have a plan. The night before youroom to step aside and let others pass.
go to the Animal Kingdom, pick up a park map inIf you are at the Animal Kingdom just for Expedition
your resort hotel lobby to familiarize yourself withEverest, get your FastPass and head directly into the
the rides and their locations. Then ask yourself:Stand By entrance. You might be able to get a 2nd
- Do I want to go on Expedition Everest? (of courseride in before your FastPass return time. As long as
you do!)you're waiting, I highly recommend asking for a front
- Do I want to ride it more than once?seat. The view from the top of Everest is
- What other attractions do I want to go on in thatspectacular and you can see several of the other
park?parks and resort areas.
- What's the best way to get there from ExpeditionOnce the Safari ends, head over to Everest, outrun
Everest?the Yeti and get another FastPass for later. This will
- If traveling with a group (family) will everyone begive you time to either take a dip in the Kali River
going on the same ride(s)?Rapids (and YOU WILL GET WET) or go over to
Answer these questions and your plan will be in place.Camp Minnie-Mickey for character photos and
Then you'll see how easy it is to go from oneautographs. Depending on the return time of the
attraction to another with minimal time waiting on line.FastPass, try to catch The Festival of The Lion King
Expedition Everest is a combination Space Mountainwhich is an outstanding live show, in Camp Minnie
(it's partly in the dark), the Rock 'n' Rollercoaster (it'sMickey.
fast), and the Tower of Terror (it drops steeply andOn your way back to Everest for your second
goes backwards). Throw in a 22 ft tall Yeti and you'llencounter with the Yeti, pass through DinoLand USA
know why once the park opens, everyone heads toand pick up a FastPass for either Dinosaur (an
Asia (the section of the park where Everest isawesomely scary journey back 65 million years to
located).save the last dinosaur) or Primeval Whirl. Primeval
Like Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom opens theWhirl is a un relatively unknown gem of a
main gates prior its scheduled opening. Everyone isrollercoaster. The car will first travel as a normal
then stopped at the bridge to Discovery Island,coaster car, then it 'unlocks' and spins (whirls actually)
where the park is actually opened by Mickey, Minnieso that you spin as you go up, down, and around the
and Goofy. Try to get as close to the front astracks. It is highly entertaining and you will laugh
possible. Once over the main bridge and ontohysterically as you spin and squish into each other.
Discovery Island, the vast majority of the crowd willThis is a ride you definitely want to try before lunch.
follow the Cast Members (who walk slowly and youAfter your second race past the Yeti, you've now
are not permitted to run past them, this preventsbeen on every major attraction in the park (grab
pushing shoving, falling and getting hurt) and headanother FastPass for Everest) then head for lunch (I
right, around the Island towards Asia. Instead, take alove he flaming Tree Barbecue). You now have your
quick right towards Dinoland. As soon as you crossafternoon open to shop, catch some shows (Finding
the bridge into Dinoland (before you get into theNemo is a Broadway quality show) or take in a few
Boneyard, check your map) take a quick left andmore FastPass rides.
follow the path along the Discovery River towardsAlthough there is a lot of walking involved as you
Finding Nemo - The Musical. Pass Nemo and headcriss cross the Animal Kingdom theme park, by the
towards the bridge to Asia where you will probablytime lunch rolls around you'll have done more in one
encounter a different set of Cast Members whomorning than you could have done in an entire day
make sure no one is running. Expedition Everest willwithout the FastPass.
be in front of you on the right. The FastPass