Hey there Lauren and welcome to planDisney. This is the most magical place on the Internet to find specific answers to your Disney vacation questions. There has been no better experience through the
Enchanting Extras Collection that my family has done than the Wild Africa Trek. My boys were 7 and 11 years old and the best part of the experience was crossing over the suspension bridge and watching the crocodile bask go into a frenzy.
The direct answer to your question is yes, even though you are not staying on property, you may enter
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park early around 8:15 AM in order to be at the
Wild Africa Trek tour location by 8:30 AM. Be sure to have your confirmation email printed and your tour linked to your account in the
My Disney Experience App. The confirmation email will arrive about one week prior to your tour date. Be at the touchpoints to enter Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park by 8:15 AM. If the theme park opens earlier than 8:30 AM you will not be permitted entry before 8:15 AM unless a Cast Member allows you in which is usually not the case.
Tours prefer you show up 15 minutes prior to the start time so 8:30 AM is ample time to check you in and address any unseen issues. Tours run on time. On your way to the tour location, you may be stopped at the Africa Bridge with the rest of the
Early Theme Park Entry Guests until the Africa Cast Members or the tour Cast Members allow you to pass. Sometimes this happens when there are technical issues in the area and they need to hold the crowds.
The confirmation email will contain a lot of information including a contact phone number, dietary requests process, mobility device request, and safety information. Again, be sure to print this out, take a picture of the documents with your phone, and save the email on your phone. You can never have too many backups.
planDisney Pro Tip: Enchanting Extras Collection tours like the Wild Africa Trek may be made 60 days in advance and I suggest you schedule online as soon as 6:00 AM. So, set your alarm!
Lauren, I hope your adventure is as thrilling as ours. When you get done head over to
Nomad Lounge for the best Impossible Sliders and Yucca fries. We eat a lot of plant-based items and the taste is remarkable. Oh, be sure to make room for some
delicious premium churros also on the menu. Yum!
planDisney is here for more tips. Please
write me back directly if you have any follow-up questions.
Enjoy making many Magical Memories.
~Jason