My DH and I went for our Disneymoon and it was amazing. We went because we both love animals (like your kids) and like a PP said, we aren't one to spend time a lot of time at the resort. However, AKL was the resort to change that!
). I mean, just watching and observing - not a quick 3 minute peek and then on to the next thing. We went in July 2002, so things may have changed, but by the pool there is an area with flamingos and another area with ducks. I kid you not when I say we spent an hour talking with a CM from South Africa named Ettiene. He was so nice and spent close to an hour talking to us about those birds. Never for a minute did he seem like he was getting tired of talking to us (lol) and he seemed genuinely happy to talk to us about the birds.
We too have animal obsessed children, and just stayed at AKL for our last trip. We LOVED it!
If you ask at the front desk, they'll give you a kid's activity schedule for the time of your stay. Different activities occur throughout the day for them to participate in. Some of the activities allow the kids to earn a special bead that they string on twine to create a "memory chain" to remind them of their trip. Our girls loved all of the activities (make an animal feeder, animal trekking, animal bingo, African drumming, station to learn how flamingos eat, etc). There are different activities at Kidani Village that you're also allowed to participate in. We had plenty to do at the main lodge, so never went over to Kidani. I'm one to hit the parks and not spend a lot of time at the resort, but this being our first time to stay deluxe and since AKL had so many activities for the kids, we did allocate some time to let our girls enjoy them. So glad we did!!! Makes you fully enjoy the amenities of the resort and adds to your experience and memories.
There are other activities that don't get you a bead, but still great to do (example: storytelling and cookie decorating--they get a giraffe shaped cookie at Boma and get to decorate it with icing and all kinds of goodies, roasting marshmallows over a fire pit by the animal viewing deck off the main lobby).
They have pool parties every afternoon where they played games and then movies were shown late evenings.
There is a drum/music shaker little parade where they get to choose an instrument and sing an African song in the main lobby each evening (around 8:00 when we were there this summer) that is a fun way to close the evening. The kids get a special certificate afterwards.
Be sure to visit with the cast members. Many are from South Africa and can share so much with you. It really adds to the cultural experience. We loved getting to know them. They added so much to our stay.
Night vision goggles can be used to view the animals at the animal viewing area just off from the pool.
There are several animal viewing areas. Each one will give you a different feel/animal group to look at. Enjoy them all.
If possible, I would book a meal at Boma. Wonderful restaurant and it's nice to experience it since it's right there.
There are two activity guides; make sure you get both. One informs you of the bead activities and is small (size of an index card). The other activity guide informs you of other activities (cookie decorating, etc.).
There's also an animal checklist (in your room or given to you with your packet of info) that tells all the animals at the resort to help you and your kids spot the animals and check off the ones you've seen if you like.
Enjoy your stay! We love AKL!!!!
on here LOL!! So, glad I was able to see your post & these others here as well. SO informative! Thank you so very much!!! 
We too have animal obsessed children, and just stayed at AKL for our last trip. We LOVED it!
Be sure to visit with the cast members. Many are from South Africa and can share so much with you. It really adds to the cultural experience. We loved getting to know them. They added so much to our stay.
Night vision goggles can be used to view the animals at the animal viewing area just off from the pool.
There are several animal viewing areas. Each one will give you a different feel/animal group to look at. Enjoy them all.
If possible, I would book a meal at Boma. Wonderful restaurant and it's nice to experience it since it's right there.
There's also an animal checklist (in your room or given to you with your packet of info) that tells all the animals at the resort to help you and your kids spot the animals and check off the ones you've seen if you like.
Enjoy your stay! We love AKL!!!!
also if you go to the Animal kingdom park bring your animal guide with you so you don't spend a ton of time in the park looking at animals you can see at the Lodge.
The only thing I would add is to be on the lookout for the unannounced little things too; there are museum quality art pieces everywhere and you could easily spend a chunk of time just checking those out! When you're leaving the main doors at Jambo, there's a piece of art you SHOULD touch; look for the placard! At Kidani (and I would go to both places if you can, no matter which one you're staying at, since they both have different things to offer) my daughter and nephew got their hands painted by an artist sitting outside. Frankly, I have to start getting ready for work, or I'd post the pics here; if you're really interested, post or IM me, and I'll try to get the pics up tonight! 
Hi!! I found the thread thanks to you!! So sorry, I had no idea it went through and couldn't figure out how to locate all my threads, thanks you thank you!! Now I'm all like
We don't like buffets so Boma is not for us. We went once and that was enough. Jiko's is better. Saana up at AKV is pretty good too but it can be spicy. We have always enjoyed Mara for QS. Once day at lunch, there was a CM at Mara doing face painting for free. We only saw that one time though but I thought it was nice. 
