Going to Orlando in August Need recommendations

[Lovinglife_30]

Hi,
I am going to Orlando with my family youngest is a teenager. We will be staying at Summer Bay. We plan to go to Animal Kingdom one day, we have never been so looking for tips. Also Gator World and ??? I have combed the forums, just want then to have a great time at animal kingdom. We went to Universal last year and it was just so so. Any tips would be helpful.

 

[suzanne]

Animal Kingdom in August will be very hot and humid. Take rain ponchos that can fit in your backpack or bag for those unexpected rain showers. Also take a portable water bottle that you can refill at the water fountains in the parks. Bottled water is expensive. Remember to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen. Animal Kingdom is laid out in a way that you will do a lot of walking to see it all. Plan on being there for several hours. I liked Animal Kingdom, but my favorite parks are Magic Kingdom and MGM Studios. Feel they have more to see and do for all ages. I've never been to Gator World so can't help you there. Word of caution: only buy your tickets either online thru the parks websites or at the gate. There are a lot of ticket scams in Orlando. Hope this helps.
Suzanne

 

[bbodb1]

Part of what might help to make a better recommendation would be for you to tell us more about why you found Universal just so so. Did your party visit both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure?

And Suzanne is spot on correct about the heat and humidity of August.

 

[elaine]

Make sure to buy tickets in advance and make fast passes at 30 days out. As you are offsite, Pandora flight of passage might not be available (on-site gets 60 day fp). If you go by 9:30 am, just wait in line for safari. We use fp for kali rapids midday Everest and dinosaur and you might get pandora river ride. If so then ditch dinosaur and wait in line for dinosaur in early am before going to safari or later in evening. Get in line 15 minutes before closing to ride flight of passage. All of my teens and dh think it’s the best ride in Wdw. Everest has a secret single rider entrance by the gift shop so you can ride again if anyone wants to. The train to veterinary hospital is god to do after safari. No fp needed and usually no line. The shows Nemo and lion king are great. No need for fp. Save for mid afternoon when it’s hot.

 

[Talent312]

Definitely get Fast Passes at 30 days out. Prolly no Flight of Passage.
But do get 'em for Na'vi River Journey, River Rapids, and Safari.
Sign up for a Disney account and be online at 7am ET.

Lunch at Rainforest Cafe would be a treat, but I also like Yak & Yeti.

Wear breathable hats, and douse yourself with water once an hour.

.

 

[Sea Six]

If you're there for the animals try to get a fast pass for the Kilimanjaro Safari. The main thrill rides are Expedition Everest, Avatar Flight of Passage, Dinosaur, then the lesser Na'vi River Journey, and the video It's Tough to be a Bug. Get what you can and wait for the rest! Also see the Lion King show, but don't waste a fast pass on it. There are many seats in this theater. My favorite drink in all of Disney is back there by the safari ride - it's called "LOST ON SAFARI". For dinner, try TIFFIN'S, near the entrance to Avatar!

Also, don't wear cotton tees in August. Go to a place like West Marine (or .com) and get some technical wear (like UNDER ARMOR) that will wick your sweat and evaporate it to cool you down. If you wear cotton you will feel like you have a wet towel on you all day. Don't do it.

 

[bbodb1]

Definitely get Fast Passes at 30 days out. Prolly no Flight of Passage.
But do get 'em for Na'vi River Journey, River Rapids, and Safari.
Sign up for a Disney account and be online at 7am ET.

Lunch at Rainforest Cafe would be a treat, but I also like Yak & Yeti.

Wear breathable hats, and douse yourself with water once an hour.

.

hour?

Minute!

 

[bbodb1]

If you're there for the animals try to get a fast pass for the Kilimanjaro Safari. The main thrill rides are Expedition Everest, Avatar Flight of Passage, Dinosaur, then the lesser Na'vi River Journey, and the video It's Tough to be a Bug. Get what you can and wait for the rest! Also see the Lion King show, but don't waste a fast pass on it. There are many seats in this theater. My favorite drink in all of Disney is back there by the safari ride - it's called "LOST ON SAFARI". For dinner, try TIFFIN'S, near the entrance to Avatar!

Also, don't wear cotton tees in August. Go to a place like West Marine (or .com) and get some technical wear that will wick your sweat and evaporate it to cool you down. If you wear cotton you will feel like you have a wet towel on you all day. Don't do it.

Remember : cotton kills!

 

[Sea Six]

Absofreakinlutely! Under Armor for the win!

 

[elaine]

Likely no need for fp for safari if you get in line by 9:30 am. At summer bay, you’re close enough to go back via sherbeth road for a midday swim if akv is open later at night to return.

 

[silentg]

It’s Gatorland in Kissimmee

 

[islandog]

We went to Gator Land about 10 years ago. Woo that smell!! It is not a very exciting place unless you really like gators and wrestling (they are always walking down my drive way and I am afraid they will eat my dog so I am not a big fan.) We did an air boat ride several years ago and that was fun. Eat at Hash a Gogo near Bass Pro. It is an experience.

 

[Luanne]

This is not in Orlando, but if you have the time and inclination, Kennedy Space Center is fascinating.

 

[Lovinglife_30]

Animal Kingdom in August will be very hot and humid. Take rain ponchos that can fit in your backpack or bag for those unexpected rain showers. Also take a portable water bottle that you can refill at the water fountains in the parks. Bottled water is expensive. Remember to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen. Animal Kingdom is laid out in a way that you will do a lot of walking to see it all. Plan on being there for several hours. I liked Animal Kingdom, but my favorite parks are Magic Kingdom and MGM Studios. Feel they have more to see and do for all ages. I've never been to Gator World so can't help you there. Word of caution: only buy your tickets either online thru the parks websites or at the gate. There are a lot of ticket scams in Orlando. Hope this helps.
Suzanne

Thanks Suzanne for the suggestions.

 

[Lovinglife_30]

Part of what might help to make a better recommendation would be for you to tell us more about why you found Universal just so so. Did your party visit both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure?

And Suzanne is spot on correct about the heat and humidity of August.

Universal was so so, because we did not plan ahead and the lines were like 2 hours long.

 

[Lovinglife_30]

Thanks for the recommendations. I appreciate them. We unfortunately have to go in August due to schedules.

 

[Gypsy65]

October or November would be my first suggestion

If the animal thing is more interesting than the parks then you might like BOK Tower. Not too far and although I’m not a animal park guy ( more Daytona bike week type ) I did find it interesting especially if you tour the mansion next door. How it was built way back when and the craftsmanship

https://boktowergardens.org/


And if you have time for a day trip Siesta Key beach. Sand like baby powder

https://www.scgov.net/

 

[Lovinglife_30]

October or November would be my first suggestion

If the animal thing is more interesting than the parks then you might like BOK Tower. Not too far and although I’m not a animal park guy ( more Daytona bike week type ) I did find it interesting especially if you tour the mansion next door. How it was built way back when and the craftsmanship

https://boktowergardens.org/


And if you have time for a day trip Siesta Key beach. Sand like baby powder

https://www.scgov.net/

Oh wow they are beautiful choices. Thanks

 

[Gypsy65]

There are season passes you can get that allow you acces and free parking to many other places like BOK tower such as the Edison Ford estates in Ft Myers FL. As well as other places around the country that might be not much more $$

 

[AnnieBets]

If you don’t mind giving up the shows, which are both excellent, consider the Animal Kingdom after hours instead of one day ticket. About same cost, go at night so cooler, ride lines shorter. Also available at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.

We just did Chip and Dale campfire. At very start, the characters come out and play games with people. Pain to get to, but free and very fun interaction. Can buy s’mores kit or bring your own.

 

[Bunk]

We went to Gatorland in July of 2017. We spent a few hours there and sat through the gator wrestling show. It was ok for a few hours and shows what entertainment was like in Orlando before Disney came in. (Here are some photos of Gatorland). I don't think we'd go back.

For Animal Kingdom, I suggest you get there as early as possible. I believe the animals are more active in the morning. We were in Orlando two weeks ago and went hiking at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, which is about an hour West of Orlando. Hiked for a few hours in this county park (free admission) and saw over 20 gators in the wild, lots of turtles and birds and some snakes. Your son might like that. Try to get there early to better cope with the heat and because the animals are more active.

If you are considering Circle B Bar, I can post some photos. We also went to a Big Cat Sanctuary in Tampa and kayaking on a 8.5 mile trip in Wekiwa Springs, in which you can see turtles, birds, snakes and alligators. (That might be too buggy in August). I can give you more details if you're interested.

 

[louisianab]

https://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/disneys-animal-kingdom-touring-strategy-after-pandora

 

[Lovinglife_30]

View attachment 12189 View attachment 12190 View attachment 12191 View attachment 12192
We went to Gatorland in July of 2017. We spent a few hours there and sat through the gator wrestling show. It was ok for a few hours and shows what entertainment was like in Orlando before Disney came in. (Here are some photos of Gatorland). I don't think we'd go back.

For Animal Kingdom, I suggest you get there as early as possible. I believe the animals are more active in the morning. We were in Orlando two weeks ago and went hiking at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, which is about an hour West of Orlando. Hiked for a few hours in this county park (free admission) and saw over 20 gators in the wild, lots of turtles and birds and some snakes. Your son might like that. Try to get there early to better cope with the heat and because the animals are more active.

If you are considering Circle B Bar, I can post some photos. We also went to a Big Cat Sanctuary in Tampa and kayaking on a 8.5 mile trip in Wekiwa Springs, in which you can see turtles, birds, snakes and alligators. (That might be too buggy in August). I can give you more details if you're interested.

Okay, We will be rethinking Gator World. Not sure I want to see just the animals wrestling for hours. We can't wait to go to Animal Kingdom, thanks for the tips.

 

[Lovinglife_30]

https://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/disneys-animal-kingdom-touring-strategy-after-pandora

Thanks for the link, lots of informative info on there.

 

[Brett]

Okay, We will be rethinking Gator World. Not sure I want to see just the animals wrestling for hours. We can't wait to go to Animal Kingdom, thanks for the tips.

They don't wrestle for hours, it's more like a crocodile dundee /steve Irwin show along with feeding the alligators, birds, zip lines etc.
I went about three years ago and enjoyed it but one time is good enough