Thanks, Nana! Our 2008 WDW trip report - updated 6/8 with AK PP photos About This Page:

[B.M.]

Wow, EE sounds really fun and scary in the dark, I hope we get to try it for ourselves! Can't wait to hear more!

[disneydani]

What a great evening at AK EMH....I am hoping to experience it on our next trip; the park looks particularly beautiful as dusk was falling over.

danielle

[piratefreak]

Amazing pictures of the tree. How neat to see AK in the dark, we have yet to do that. Can't believe how empty is was...almost like the park to yourself. Can't wait to hear more.

[carters_mom]

Wow! AK looks very empty for sure
Looks like so much fun! I'm hoping that my mom will give EE a try with me, but she is a timid 50yr old that hasn't ridden a roller coaster in like twenty years If not I'll just have to go alone

[mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince]

Originally Posted by carters_mom

Wow! AK looks very empty for sure
Looks like so much fun! I'm hoping that my mom will give EE a try with me, but she is a timid 50yr old that hasn't ridden a roller coaster in like twenty years If not I'll just have to go alone

Oh,definitely go alone. On this last trip, I went alone (well, actually with a stranger!) three times. If you have to choose between skipping the ride or going alone, I'd totally go alone!

I know what you mean about moms. Mine said the Barnstormer is more her style!

[BelmontBelle]

I EE at night too, it's awesome! I can't believe how empty the park is we've been to AK twice for EEMH and it hasn't emptied out like that either time. Lucky for you!

[Colexis Mom]

Great pictures of AK at night!

[DyanKJ130]

WOW, Beth!! Looks like you have the whole park to yourselves!! AK is very cool at night! Can't wait to hear what happens next

[tammyd_rn]

Another great update. Seeing AK empty like that is a rarity.

[disney_duke]

Thanks for sharing those nighttime pictures! I've often wondered what it looks like. Totally looking forward to our evening EMH in September!!!

[mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince]

It was just before 9 p.m. so we knew if we wanted to get to Kali River Rapids, we had to hurry. It was not a must-do attraction for us, but we figured if we timed it right, we could do it at the end of the night and not worry about walking around in wet clothes. I had been on Kali in September, so I knew how soaked you can get on this ride! The girls seemed up for it, and Rick did, too, so we made a mad dash to Kali once we were done with EE. There were no CMs in sight when we arrived at the queue, so we weren’t even sure the ride was still running. I told Rick to go ahead anyway, figuring they would send him back if they weren’t able to ride. We were just going to sit near the entrance and wait, but then a CM came along and directed us to the bridge where you can see the rafts go by (and squirt the riders, as well!)

Here we are, waiting for the Kali riders!

There must have been several rafts worth of riders ahead of my group, because we waited quite a while. Lots of rafts also went by with no one riding them! Finally, I saw them! Rick is on the far side, and the girls are to his right.



Now they're on the right side.

Once I saw them coming, I will admit to squirting them as they went by. At least, I tried to squirt them, but it was so dark, I couldn't see any water coming out. I didn't know if I had succeeded until I saw my family:

While they weren't as wet as I had been when I rode on it, they were wet enough to wish I'd brought a change of clothes. I did have their jackets with me, however, so we found a nearby restroom, where they took off their shirts and put their jackets on.
Three cast members were standing outside the bathrooms, waiting for us to head out. We were the last people in this area of the park, and they had to "lock up" after us, so to speak. They assured us there was no rush, but we got out of there pretty quickly, anyway.


Time to go!

I took a few photos of the Tree of Life all lit up, but at the time I couldn't really tell if they were any good or not. They're not, but at least you get the general idea!




One last shot of an empty park:


Good-bye, Animal Kingdom!


We got right on a bus and took it to the Poly instead of the TTC. Rick thought it would be a quicker walk from the GCH, but I thought it would be a longer bus ride. We were both right. It had taken 15 minutes from the TTC to AK; it was a 22 minute ride from AK to the Poly. I believe it is because we stopped at the Contemporary first. I think we all collapsed into bed and went right to sleep! We had plans for the Studios and Epcot in the morning!

Notes from my Passporter:
The weather today was another beautiful day.
The best thing today was having breakfast with Hugh and his family.
The worst thing today was having to miss parts of the Nemo musical to take the girls to the bathroom.
The funniest thing today was waking Kate up to meet Pooh.
Today we tried Pizzafari and pm EMH at AK and the result was a really nice CS meal in a cool air conditioned spot, and AK is a lot of fun at night!
The most magical moment was riding EE in the first row, and again in the dark.

[Colexis Mom]

How great to have AK all to yourselves Great night!!

[jackandjennasmom]

I love your pictures of the tree. We haven't really taken our kids up close to it yet,they were pretty young the last time we were in AK,but I am looking forward to it on our 2009 trip. DS will just be turning 6 and DD will be almost 4.

[Dee161]

Such a great trip report. I can't wait to find out about your day at the Studios.

[clio]

I'm finally caught up. I can't believe how empty Animal Kingdom was at night. It's been years since we took the paths around the Tree of Life. You pictures of the carvings are wonderful.
Liz