Staying off property but want to visit AKL for lunch - The DIS Discussion Forums

HarMinnie · 01-18-2013, 10:38 AM

We are staying off property for this quick trip but plan to have an early lunch at AKL and walk around in hopes of getting to see a few animals.

Can you recommend places to view animals that are accessible to the general public?

Recommendations for a quick lunch?

Thanks.

minnie mum · 01-18-2013, 10:43 AM

You have 2 choices for a lunch at AKL. The Mara is the counter service place at Jambo House. While you can't see the animals from the restaurant, if you go out the back of the lobby (take the stairs down) there are marked viewing places there. Just ask a CM for directions if you need to.

At Kidani Village (the DVC sister) is Sanna TS restaurant. One of our very favourite places to go. I would recommend that you get an ADR. It has views of one of the savannahs so you should be able to see animals (you can request a window table, but may or may not be able to get one). I think there are also outside viewing areas. Again, just ask a CM for directions.

HarMinnie · 01-18-2013, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minnie mum

You have 2 choices for a lunch at AKL. The Mara is the counter service place at Jambo House. While you can't see the animals from the restaurant, if you go out the back of the lobby (take the stairs down) there are marked viewing places there. Just ask a CM for directions if you need to.

At Kidani Village (the DVC sister) is Sanna TS restaurant. One of our very favourite places to go. I would recommend that you get an ADR. It has views of one of the savannahs so you should be able to see animals (you can request a window table, but may or may not be able to get one). I think there are also outside viewing areas. Again, just ask a CM for directions.

I can always count on friendly help quickly! thank you

stargazertechie · 01-18-2013, 11:23 AM

I agree if you want a good meal to go to Sanaa! The CMs on the grounds are always incredibly helpful when it comes to spotting animals.

bethclayton · 01-18-2013, 05:17 PM

it would be hard to explain exactly where the overlooks are, but if you google akl map you will see them marked on there. two are right off the lobby- one is straight back and the other is to the left of it. there is another one off of the pool area near one of the hot tubs. there are other overlooks from within the building that i do not see marked on a map. the cm's will definitely help direct you.

i have never eaten at sanaa but have heard great things about it. for a quick counter service meal, we love mara and ate there almost every day of our stay there.

ExpatDisneyLover · 01-18-2013, 06:06 PM

I would definitely recommend Sanaa

and visit the two overlook areas at both Kidani Village and Jambo House. Plus if you want to relax in a rocking chair there are lots of other overlooks throughout the Lodge. Also there are some flamingos in an area near the pool at Jambo House.

cleophus12 · 01-18-2013, 06:33 PM

I haven't eaten at Sanaa for lunch, but our dinner there was outstanding. We did get a window table and sat there through a thunderstorm. The animals began running for cover and ran right by us! It was fabulous! And so was the food. AKL is one of our favorite places for passing free time whether we eat there or not. There are a number of places where you can view the animals easily, and as PPs have said, CMs are more than willing to talk to you about the animals. And staying there is paradise! Our favorite WDW resort. Feels like a world away.

HarMinnie · 01-19-2013, 02:23 PM

Thanks for the suggestion. I found this map http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/aklmap.htm. I am sure the CMs will also help direct us. I think we will try The Mara since we only have a short time.

bethclayton · 01-19-2013, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarMinnie

Thanks for the suggestion. I found this map http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/aklmap.htm. I am sure the CMs will also help direct us. I think we will try The Mara since we only have a short time.

yep, that's the one. i think if you don't have a ton of time, you will probably be satisfied with just the ones on the map plus the flamingoes near the pool. if you will really be short on time, you might want to look at the mara's menu ahead of time since some of their food is not the usual, familiar stuff (although they have some of that, too).

shelbikans · 01-19-2013, 03:25 PM

I would recommend going to Sanaa at Kidani Village. If you go here you must get the bread sampler with the accompiaments. It's delicious! In this resturant if you get the right seat you have a view of the savannah. Once you're done eating there are many overlooks outside of the lobby you can view the animals all having comfortable rocking chairs.

01-18-2013, 10:38 AM	#1
HarMinnie Earning My Ears Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Clemmons, NC Posts: 45	Staying off property but want to visit AKL for lunch We are staying off property for this quick trip but plan to have an early lunch at AKL and walk around in hopes of getting to see a few animals. Can you recommend places to view animals that are accessible to the general public? Recommendations for a quick lunch? Thanks. __________________ ______________________ Me , DH , DS (11) , DS (8) CR 1979, CSR 1999, CR 2005, ASMu 2009

01-18-2013, 11:23 AM	#4
stargazertechie Toy Story Midway Maniac Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5,415	I agree if you want a good meal to go to Sanaa! The CMs on the grounds are always incredibly helpful when it comes to spotting animals. __________________ 11 Trips total including POFQ, ASMU, CBR, AKL, WL, POP, and a trip to Disneyland! Currently booked at POP and BCV Thinking about buying pins from ebay and getting into pin trading? PLEASE READ THIS FIRST!

01-18-2013, 05:17 PM	#5
bethclayton DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 574	it would be hard to explain exactly where the overlooks are, but if you google akl map you will see them marked on there. two are right off the lobby- one is straight back and the other is to the left of it. there is another one off of the pool area near one of the hot tubs. there are other overlooks from within the building that i do not see marked on a map. the cm's will definitely help direct you. i have never eaten at sanaa but have heard great things about it. for a quick counter service meal, we love mara and ate there almost every day of our stay there. __________________ Me DH DS (11) DD (13) CBR May 2006~POP Dec 2007~AKL Jan 2009~GF RPC March 2010~GF/ Poly CL Dec 2010~GF RPC April 2012

01-18-2013, 06:06 PM	#6
ExpatDisneyLover DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Orlando and headed back overseas every now and again Posts: 1,759	I would definitely recommend Sanaa and visit the two overlook areas at both Kidani Village and Jambo House. Plus if you want to relax in a rocking chair there are lots of other overlooks throughout the Lodge. Also there are some flamingos in an area near the pool at Jambo House. __________________ Jill February 2011 Disneyland Paris First Dream Castle Trip Report http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2641414 November 2010 Disneyland Paris Magic Circus Hotel Third Solo Trip Reporthttp://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2554325 June 2010 Disneyland Paris Magic Circus Hotel Second Solo Trip Reporthttp://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2476348 March 2010 Disneyland Paris Hotel Santa Fe First Solo Trip Reporthttp://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2419270 2009 WDW POR Trip Report http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2220476 1984 DL * 1986 WDW * 1994 Euro Disney * 1996 WDW * 2009 WDW POR * March 2010 DLRP Santa Fe * June 2010 DLRP Magic Circus * November 2010 DLRP Magic Circus * February 2011 DLRP Dream Castle * May 2011 WDW Sheraton Vistana / Hilton Bonnet Creek * September 2011 WDW Night of Joy Hilton DTD * March 2012 WDW Pop * April 2012 WDW AKL * May 2012 WDW SSR *

01-18-2013, 06:33 PM	#7
cleophus12 DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 680	easily accessible I haven't eaten at Sanaa for lunch, but our dinner there was outstanding. We did get a window table and sat there through a thunderstorm. The animals began running for cover and ran right by us! It was fabulous! And so was the food. AKL is one of our favorite places for passing free time whether we eat there or not. There are a number of places where you can view the animals easily, and as PPs have said, CMs are more than willing to talk to you about the animals. And staying there is paradise! Our favorite WDW resort. Feels like a world away.

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01-18-2013, 10:43 AM	#2
minnie mum Unapologetic Disney Fan(atic) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: WAY too far north Posts: 8,129	You have 2 choices for a lunch at AKL. The Mara is the counter service place at Jambo House. While you can't see the animals from the restaurant, if you go out the back of the lobby (take the stairs down) there are marked viewing places there. Just ask a CM for directions if you need to. At Kidani Village (the DVC sister) is Sanna TS restaurant. One of our very favourite places to go. I would recommend that you get an ADR. It has views of one of the savannahs so you should be able to see animals (you can request a window table, but may or may not be able to get one). I think there are also outside viewing areas. Again, just ask a CM for directions.

01-19-2013, 02:23 PM	#8
HarMinnie Earning My Ears Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Clemmons, NC Posts: 45	found the map Thanks for the suggestion. I found this map http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/aklmap.htm. I am sure the CMs will also help direct us. I think we will try The Mara since we only have a short time. __________________ ______________________ Me , DH , DS (11) , DS (8) CR 1979, CSR 1999, CR 2005, ASMu 2009

01-19-2013, 03:25 PM	#10
shelbikans Earning My Ears Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 10	I would recommend going to Sanaa at Kidani Village. If you go here you must get the bread sampler with the accompiaments. It's delicious! In this resturant if you get the right seat you have a view of the savannah. Once you're done eating there are many overlooks outside of the lobby you can view the animals all having comfortable rocking chairs.

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