A few timing questions

Question

I am going Feb. 20-21, bringing my 84 year old mom (who is very fit and gets around easily). We are staying at Embassy Suites South Buena Vista. I wanted to show her the Animal Kingdom Lodge so the night before we hit the parks I booked a 5:20 Jiko dinner, will arrive early to see the animals and stroll around. Do you think we’d have time to make the 8 pm Cirque show back in Disney Springs? Second, we have a 6:50 Spice Table rez in Epcot and (it’s a Friday night), would we make the 8 pm Disney on Broadway? It’s practically next to the restaurant. I figure we’ll show up early to the dinner and gain some time , I read you can go 20 min. early. Also any other recs of night/evening things to do with my mom, and tips for bringing someone elderly but very mobile. Are lines going to be crazy Feb 20-21? I don’t think Florida schools are off but the northeast (us) generally is!

Answer

Visiting Disney with your mom sounds wonderful! Let’s break down your timing questions first.

For your Animal Kingdom Lodge visit and 5:20 PM Jiko dinner:

Arriving early to stroll and see the animals is perfect. The savanna viewing areas are open most of the day, and a leisurely 45-60 minute walk around the lodge should give you plenty of time to enjoy the animals before dinner.
Jiko dinner usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours depending on pace. If you dine promptly, you could be finishing around 7:15-7:30 PM.
Disney Springs is roughly a 20-25 minute drive from Animal Kingdom Lodge, so realistically you could arrive around 7:50-8:00 PM. The Cirque du Soleil show start time is 8 PM, which makes it very tight—you’d likely miss the beginning. A better approach might be to book a later Cirque show if available, or plan for an earlier dinner at Jiko (e.g., 4:45-5:00 PM) to comfortably make it.

For your Epcot dinner at Spice Road Table at 6:50 PM and the 8 PM Disney on Broadway show:

Since the restaurant is essentially next door, you have an advantage. Dining early, arriving by 6:30-6:40 PM, and keeping the meal moderate in pace will likely allow you to finish by 7:50 PM, giving you a few minutes to walk over to the show.
Going 20 minutes early is smart; this can help you secure good seats without feeling rushed. You should be able to comfortably enjoy the show after dinner if you manage time carefully.

Other evening/night activities suitable for a fit, elderly guest:

Stroll around Disney’s BoardWalk for entertainment, shops, and gentle live music.
Take the Friendship Boats between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a relaxing water ride in the evening.
Consider a dessert cruise or lounge experience at Disney resorts for a quiet evening option.
Watch the fireworks at Magic Kingdom or Epcot from a nearby resort lounge or terrace if walking through the parks seems too tiring.

Regarding crowd levels on February 20-21:

Late February is generally moderate crowd-wise. Florida schools are in session, but northeastern schools are often on winter break around Presidents’ Day (Feb 17-21), which could increase attendance slightly, particularly on Friday.
Expect slightly longer waits in Epcot’s World Showcase in the evening due to local and regional visitors, but Animal Kingdom in the evening is typically less crowded.

Tips for bringing a very mobile but elderly guest:

Bring comfortable walking shoes and consider a lightweight folding chair or mobility scooter if she prefers resting occasionally.
Take advantage of shaded areas, indoor attractions, and table service meals to break up walking and avoid fatigue.
Use the My Disney Experience app to monitor wait times and make last-minute adjustments to plans.
Hydration and snacks are key; carry water and small snacks to keep energy up throughout the day.

Overall, your plan is very doable with careful timing, especially for Epcot. For the Cirque show, consider adjusting dinner or the show timing slightly to avoid a stressful rush.

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