AKL Activities

[slkant]

We will be staying at AKL and would like to enjoy the hotel as much as possible during our stay. I have a list of some of the activities: flamingo feedings at the Flamingo Pond, animal tracking at Arusha Rock, Music of the Savanna in the Sunset Lounge, wildlife games in the Sunset Lounge, African games and crafts on the Uzima Pool Deck, cultural safari in the Sunset Lounge, culinary tour, animal viewing with Night Vision , Adventure Camp for children 6-14 that includes ostrich egg painting, private lodge tour and lunch overlooking the savanna, and Cookie decorating at Boma.

Some activities are very straightforward, such as flamingo feeding and cookie decorating. But I'd love a better description of some of the activities. If you have participated in any of them and can tell me more, please do! Thanks.

 

[El Tel]

Subscribing - I'm interested too.

 

[TiffinyKC]

Me three...this is info I would love to have.

 

[cjsmom5]

Tracking at Arusha Rock...they take a stuffed animal and place a "homing device' for a better word (I'm not technical) and hide it. Then they give the kids the device which allows them to "track" the animals since they don't know where it was hid. At the end they give them a bead.

Music - In the sunset lounge, as kids come in they get to pick an instrument. When they start they tell some type of story (I think) and the kids play the different instruments (depending on the story ) when they show a certain thing in the story. By the end of it, everyone is playing their instrument at about the same time. Lots of fun and they encourage adults to get involved when there aren't enough kids.

Wildlife games -- Kids come in there are pages of animals lying on the floor upside down so kids can't see them. They explain that each card is an animal and that the person who is "it" will pick one. They put it on the person's back and show the rest of the group. The person that is it is given a piece of paper that has a picture of about 16 animals and their names under it...it is in color and has detail. Then the person that is it gets to ask questons that are yes and no (leader helps) such as "Do I have feathers?" The group answers yes or no based on the question. It is a process of elimination and a neat game for kids.

Animal nigh vision - this is for everyone. At night you can go to the end of the viewing area of Arusha rock and they have night vision binocs you use to look through and see the animals. It is cool.

Have not been on the cultural safari or culinary tour -- I believe they are more older kids and adult oriented. I think I read the culinary tour takes you through the Boma kitchen and tells you about the types of food. The cultural safari takes you throughout the hotel telling you about the art and the culture of Africa. My DS nor DH were interested.

Have not done the crafts and games by the pool.

 

[Northstar]

Adding to cjsmom's account:

Did poolside crafts/activities once in 2004 and once in 2005. First time, craft involving cutting out/pasting cool poolside outfit on a pre-cut out paper doll. Second time, mostly older kids, they had a plant/animal (not the wildlife on the savannahs... things like bees and lizards) checklist to complete around the pool area, with some conservation message.

Flamingo feeding: instruction with a flamingo and a pelican puppet on how these two birds feed. Then kids use a comb (to feed like a flamingo) and a net (to feed like a pelican) to get plastic fish and glitter krill from a little wading pool.

 

[bugbugmom]

We participated the African Rag Doll activites. DD11 and DS5 both enjoyed it. It was $14 which included the outfit (from what I can remember) .

 

[slkant]

Thanks so much for the explanations! Somehow I forgot to ask about the African storytelling by the firepit. What types of stories are told? Is it fun for both children and adults? I also forgot to ask about the primal parade. Is there anything else we should make an effort to do, besides, of course, viewing animals

 

[Elfstar]

The culinary tour starts off in Jiko, with an explanation of the decor and the firepit cooking. Then a chef goes into more detail about the cooking and menus than the initial guide did, and there is an appetizer tasting. After that, the tour moves on to Boma for a description of many of the dishes served and their origin. It was very nice, and we'll probably do it a second time when we go back.

 

[slkant]

Adding to cjsmom's account:

Flamingo feeding: instruction with a flamingo and a pelican puppet on how these two birds feed. Then kids use a comb (to feed like a flamingo) and a net (to feed like a pelican) to get plastic fish and glitter krill from a little wading pool.

Do they also really feed flamingos, which is what I thought this activity was?

 

[cjsmom5]

The kids do not feed the flamingos but the guide stands in the flamingo pond and does feed the birds while the kids watch.

We haven't participated in the parade but did watch. The kids got to pick an instrument in the gift shop and they paraded around the giftshop and I think the lobby playing the instruments, etc. It wasn't anything my DS (then 6 & 7) was interested in doing. He thought it was silly but there were many kids really enjoying themselves. I think it depends on the kids.

Have not made it to storytelling yet. Sorry I can't help.

 

[John's Mom]

We have been to the storytelling three times. I guess it depends upon the CM as to what type of story they tell. Twice the CM told a story for young children and talked to them on their level. Once the CM told a story that I thought everyone enjoyed. He also talked about his home and life in South Africa. He also answered questions.

 

[Abra Cat]

Does anyone know the current schedule for the culinary tour? My daughter and I had a great time doing it last year, and are both looking forward to it on our trip next week. Thanks.

 

[slkant]

Thanks to everyone who has shared information on this thread. It will help us know what to expect and which things we don't want to miss.

 

[erinch]

We watched kids do a bird feeder painting craft activity (cost somewhere between 10 and 15 dollars, I think). Basically the same as any time you've done it in scouts, etc, but with some examples of african symbols to look at.

My DD participated in pool games one time, which was pretty much relay races with noodles and teams of kids.

 

[slkant]

After some good responses, I'm compiling th informmation into a list. There are some activities where I would love more input or have questions about. When the list is complete, I will post it so that the information can be cut/pasted into a document for easy printing. So whenever you go to AKL, all you'll need to do is take a copy of the list and pencil in current times when you get there.

What does the horticulture activity involve (and can't they find a better name to make it sound more exciting--just kidding)?

Is animal tracking an ongoing activity where you need to be there the whole time or can you drop in during the time period and still do the activity?

What type of medallions are part of that activity?

How long is the art tour?

What happens at the Garden Safari?

So far I have these sample crafts: bird houses, paper dolls, African rag dolls, etc. Any others?

How long does the culinary tour last?

I have a little bit about the firepit storytelling, but welcome more information.

I've heard from an AKL CM that Music of the Savannah is at 8 pm but each time I've seen it listed on DIS boards the time was 5. Is 8 pm a new time?

What is the Cultural Safari and how long is it?

Can adults observe the children's activities?

Which activities can both children and adults participate in?

Has anyone done the Adventure Camp?

Feel free to share experiences about any of the activities at AKL, even if they aren't part of my list of follow up questions. Thanks.

 

[SuAnne]

We did the Culinary Tour a couple of weeks agao. It was at 4:00pm. We were the only two who were there so we had a private tour. it was fabulous!

 

[TONNIE]

we did the culinary tour and it lasted 45 mins. We were the only two and it was a great experience. They no longer do doll making and no one showed up for the art tour. You really have to check the boards by bell services the events change.

 

[slkant]

we did the culinary tour and it lasted 45 mins. We were the only two and it was a great experience. They no longer do doll making and no one showed up for the art tour. You really have to check the boards by bell services the events change.

Thanks. It's nice to know how long things last so that we can figure out how to fit in various activities. It will be our first trip to Disney, so we will have a lot to do.

 

[TaraPA]

How much is the culinary tour & can kids participate? This is an excellent thread. I think I might have to schedule a day to stay at AKL instead of visiting the parks! These are great ideas for travel days when you have half a day to spend at the resort before/after your flight.

 

[lkaanda]

I am so glad someone mentioned these activities. I never knew they existed. What great extras for the kids to do at the hotel, especially if the weather is not good. We were thinking of staying here or WL and this might help us decide. Thanks for the info!