Florida - Eastern USA - page 976

Animal Kingdom THEME PARK
MAP
This sometimes surreal blend of African safari, zoo, rides, costumed characters, shows
and dinosaurs establishes its own distinct tone. It's best at animal encounters and shows,
with the 110-acre Kilimanjaro Safaris as its centerpiece. The iconic Tree of Life houses
the fun It's Tough to Be a Bug! show, and Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids
are the top thrill rides.
TICKETS & TIPS
Tickets
Consider buying a ticket that covers more days in the parks than you think you'll
need. It's less expensive per day, and it gives you the freedom to break up time at
the theme parks with downtime in the pool or at low-key attractions beyond
theme-park gates.
You can buy tickets for one park per day, or Park Hopper passes that allow en-
trance to all four parks. Check online for packages, and buy in advance to avoid
lines at the gate. For discounts, check out www.mousesavers.com and
www.undercovertourist.com .
When to Go
Anytime schools are out - during summer and holidays - WDW will be the most
crowded. The least crowded times are January to February, mid-September
through October and early December. Late fall tends to have the best weather; fre-
quent downpours accompany the hot, humid summer months.
On the actual day you go, plan on arriving early so you can see as much of the
park as possible before the midday peak. Consider going back to your hotel for to
recharge around 2:00 or 3:00 pm when it's the hottest and most crowded, then
come back a few hours later and stay till close.
Fast Pass
For the most popular attractions, WDW offers FastPass: a free paper ticket that as-
signs a time for you to return and skip (most of) the mind-numblingly long lines.
Just swipe your park ticket at the automated ticket machine next to the ride (the
park map will tell you which ones offer that option) and come back when it tells you
to. FastPass waits are usually no more than 15 minutes.
The catch? You can only have one (sometimes two, depending on crowd levels)
at a time. Check the bottom of your FastPass to find out when you are eligible to
swipe your card for another FastPass. FastPasses for the most popular attractions