AK - First Timer Tips?

[Nathalia Santosa-Smith]

What would you recommend or suggest for a family of 4 with boys age 5 and 9 to not miss at AK.
TIA

 

[siskaren]

Do you mean AK (Animal Kingdom) or AKL (Animal Kingdom Lodge)? I realize this is the Resorts forum, but some people do post in the wrong forum.

 

[cassie58]

Yes, let us know if u want info. on Animal Kingdom park or the Animal Kingdom Lodge resort, then we can give you must-dos for your family!

 

[Nathalia Santosa-Smith]

I apologize for the confusion. I'm a newbie.. I meant AKL Animal Kingdom Lodge. We are going to stay at Kidani. We also are planning to go to Animal Kingdom too.
Any tips and tricks would certainly helps.. Thank you so very much!

 

[rwdavis2]

Just go to the AKL site or google it. There's nothing hidden or off the beaten path you can't find out on your own.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

We LOVE AKL!! I would say the biggest not to miss with small kids that not a lot of people know about are the activities offered around the resort for kids. Many of them pass out a bead that is unique to the activity. they are strung onto a cord for the kids. The CM's make a big deal of the kids collecting these beads and if they can get the full set in a week it makes up to a nice souvenir to take home. Some are simple games or demonstrations, but others are neat hands on like helping make enrichment toys for the animals at the lodge. DD still has hers from our last trip. We put it on a key ring. For us, Sanaa is also a not to miss. If you and your kids like Indian food, then you will probably love it too. The spice plate is definitely reasonable enough for kids who like those kinds of foods, and they do offer standard kid fare too. If you are going in warm weather, the pool at Kidani is also a not to miss. The splash area for kids is expansive and there is a nice pool slide.

 

[BuzzyBelle]

We LOVE AKL!! I would say the biggest not to miss with small kids that not a lot of people know about are the activities offered around the resort for kids. Many of them pass out a bead that is unique to the activity. they are strung onto a cord for the kids. The CM's make a big deal of the kids collecting these beads and if they can get the full set in a week it makes up to a nice souvenir to take home. Some are simple games or demonstrations, but others are neat hands on like helping make enrichment toys for the animals at the lodge. DD still has hers from our last trip. We put it on a key ring. For us, Sanaa is also a not to miss. If you and your kids like Indian food, then you will probably love it too. The spice plate is definitely reasonable enough for kids who like those kinds of foods, and they do offer standard kid fare too. If you are going in warm weather, the pool at Kidani is also a not to miss. The splash area for kids is expansive and there is a nice pool slide.

All of this! My kids loved doing the activities and I'm really glad we took the time. The restaurants are all good including the counter service The Mara. Make sure to take time to just watch the animals. I was surprised at how special we all found it to observe them wandering around outside!

 

[cassie58]

At the lodge as PP mentioned if you have time at the resort, there are great kids activities. DD also did the activity where they made animal feeders, for giraffes in her case. Then when you see the giraffes eating later, they know they helped make those! Also they had some where you learned African drumming, cookie making, and animal tracking. You collect beads as mentioned. And of course lots of animal viewing around the lodge - you can see really cool interactions, like when we saw one of the hogs go after a giraffe, and the giraffe got down in his face and chased him off ! We had a savannah view room there for 2 days, and did not want to leave our balcony, with giraffes and zebras right in your "backyard"! Can't wait to surprise my DD again with 1 nt. when we go next week! We will wake up Christmas Eve to that view!

At the park, you want to go on the Safari of course, and the Lion King show is spectacular. There are also two trails that go up close by the Tree of Life, but they are not well marked. We found them our 2nd trip thanks to a person on here! You get to see the carvings up close, and there are animals along the trail to see as well. One starts near where the old FP machine used to be for the "Tough to be a Bug" movie. You can always ask a CM if you can't find it. Then there is a second one that goes around the other side. (By the way do not recommend the bug movie - your boys may like it, but it is a 3D one that has you feeling like things are crawling and the smell of stink bugs, etc. - just an FYI!). Also look for Devine, a woman dressed completely in vines that moves and poses, and you could miss her if you are not paying attention. She is sometimes in the Oasis in the morning as you walk in, but you could also check the Times Guide for the park that day, or ask a CM where she might be.

Also an FYI on the Dinosaur ride - dark, very loud, with large animatronic dinosaurs that roar in your face, and very jerky. Preview it on youtube if your boys might be interested - sounds cool, but can be scary. Food wise, Flame Tree BBQ is a great quick service and you can sit behind it down by the water where it is shaded with a great view of Everest( just watch the birds, they can get aggressive about your food). For a sit down meal, Tusker House is fun, with Mickey and the gang in Safari gear. Brft is a buffet of mostly usual items and a few African, lunch is more African themed, so it depends on your tastes.