A big thanks to everyone who has contributed information!
As I noted earlier in the thread, I've been taking notes on all of the responses so that I could prepare a summary of the activities for easy reference. Here is what I have so far, complied from this thread as well as the official and unofficial AKL FAQ threads.
If anything has anything else to add, please do. I have descriptions of most things, but there are still some places that could use a bit of elaboration (especially garden safari, adventure camp, cultural safari, horticulture activity). I would also love to add approximate times to be set aside for each activity.
Animal Kingdom Lodge Activities
This is an example of activities. Times may vary. Activities will be posted in lobby. (Listed times are from 9/9/06.)
Children can collect beads for certain activities. The beads look like ladybugs, giraffes, pink flamingo balls, etc. and can be collected on a string necklace. After completing all bead activities, children get a totem pole bead.
Horticulture Activity - Arusha Rock (9:00 am , Every Wednesday)
Flamingo Activity - Flamingo Pond (9:30 am, Every day) Bead activity
This activity starts by teaching the children how flamingos and pelicans eat. The kids are divided into two groups and take turns with their make believe pelicans and flamingos eating food in tiny pools. Everyone has a turn. Following this, everyone gathers around the flamingo pond as a cast member feeds the flamingos. It is fun to watch! There is usually a science experiment that the kids are encouraged to help out with during this time. While this is for children, adults also learn something from watching and listening! Anyone may ask questions and the handler/feeders will be happy to answer. Do not miss!
Animal Tracking Activity - Arusha Rock (11:00 am 1:30 pm, Every day) Bead Activity
A tracking device is placed in a stuffed animal and kids must try to find the animal.
Medallion Rubbing Lobby (12:30 pm, Every day)
Kids make crayon rubbings of the large medallion on the lobby floor.
Cookie Decorating - Boma Restaurant (1:00 pm, Every day)
Garden Safari - Flamingo Pond (2:00 - 4:30pm, Every day) Bead Activity
Spirit of Africa Art Tour - Oguns Firepit (2:30 pm, Every day)
Tour of the hotel and artwork.
African Games or Crafts - Uzima Pool Deck (3:00 pm, Every day)
The activities vary and might include making bird houses, paper dolls, African rag dolls, etc. A small fee may be involved.
Culinary Tour of Africa - Jiko Podium (4:00 pm, Mon, Tues, Wed; 3:45, Fri, Sat, Sun)
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 origins. Very nice. Do early in trip. Approximately 45 minutes.
Family Fun and Games -Contact lifeguard for location (4:00 and 6:00 pm)
Pool games, relay races, treasure hunt, etc.
Music of the Savannah - Sunset Savannah Lounge (5:00 pm, Every day) Bead Activity
Kids pick a musical instrument. A storyteller tells a story, and each child plays his or her instrument at certain parts. By the end, all the instruments are usually playing at the same time. Adults may participate if there are not enough children. Lots of fun.
Wildlife Games - Sunset Savannah Lounge (6:30 pm, Every day) Bead Activity
There are pages of animals lying on the floor upside down so kids cant see them. The leader explains that each card is an animal and that the person who is it will pick one. They put it on the persons 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...it is in color and has detail. Then the person that is it gets to ask questions 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.
African Folktales - Arusha Rock Firepit (7:30 pm, Every day)
This activity takes place around the Arusha firepit. Stories vary and may be geared towards children or both children and adults depending on the storyteller. Storyteller may also let participants ask questions about life in Africa. Very interesting and entertaining.
Primal Parade - Zawadi Marketplace (7:50 pm, Every day)
Kids select a musical instrument and parade around the lobby.
Cultural Safari - Sunset Lounge (8:30 pm, Every day)
Animal Viewing With Night Vision - Uzima Savannah (9:00 11:00 pm, Every day)
DO THIS! Take a few minutes out of your vacation some evening. First look out onto the dark savannah. Of course you see nothing. Look through the night vision goggles, and the savannah comes to life!
Ceramics Class - Simba's Clubhouse (12:00 pm 2:00 pm, Tues, Thurs)
All ages welcome. There is a fee for the activity (no price was listed)
Adventure Camp (10:00am-2:00pm, Saturdays)
For ages 6-14. Cost is $70.00 . Includes private safari, lunch, ostrich egg painting.
Hidden Mickeys (on your own)
In the main entrance to the lobby between the outer and inner doors is a mural on the wall of a large creature. One of the spots on it is Mickey Mouse.
Enter the lobby and look at the 2nd chandelier on the right side. The light is made up of objects that look like shields. One of the shields has a pattern of circles running up its center. The second from the bottom circle is a hidden Mickey.
On the wall in Rock formation on the staircase leading from Lobby to Boma Restaurant.
On any of the floor except for 1 and 6, there and big wooden poles that keep the floor up. There are three poles with create a great Mickey Mouse picture.
On the back of the rocks that support the slide for the swimming pool are two Mickey's. Both are about 3 feet off of the ground.
Look at the bedspreads.
