AKL animal viewing for non-guests

[TinkTock]

I'm trying to decide where to stay for an upcoming trip. I'll definitely be at one of the Disney resorts. As awesome as staying in a Savannah View room at AKL seems, I'm not sure if it'll be worth the price to me. If I'm staying at another resort and I stop by the AKL, can I still get to Arusha Rock and/or any other animal viewing areas? Can I do the night-vision viewing?

 

[alicia080979]

You shouldn't have any problem doing that. Lots of people go there for dinner and go check out the animals before or after. Disney likes when guests explore other resorts (minus the pools of course). We stayed in a Savannah view last year and loved it. Now this November we are squeezing together another trip and were planning on staying in a moderate but just yesterday I upgraded to AKL standard room and really it isn't costing that much more than our room at the mod. I figure even without the savannah view, there are still viewing windows on the way to the rooms and lots of places to stop and watch the animals.

 

[JKMJ441724]

OP - when is your trip? How many are in your traveling party?

Is it too late to think about renting points from a DVC member? For my family of 4, we could rent points and stay deluxe (in the next-to-lowest-season) for barely more than what a value would cost.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

You most certainly can stop by the AKL and view the animals - explore the resort - there are LOTS of viewing areas - I would go to both Kidani Village as well as AKL for viewing - you can book a meal at Sanaa - get a table by the window and you can view the animals while you eat.

Also I have booked AKL on an AP discount - a good price for a standard room and was upgraded to a Savannah view room - I do recommend staying at AKL if possible - it is a great resort - so check the discounts!

 

[Karabee]

I love visiting AKL when I'm not staying there, so I would have no problem getting a standard room and checking out the animals at the lobby level. Last time, we grabbed a glass of wine and were able to walk out and look at the all the animals around the pool area, and then out through the back doors of the lobby. We spent awhile there and got to learn about the animals and just enjoy the atmosphere I really hope to stay at AKL next year!

 

[Missytara]

There are wonderful views near Sanaa; especially look up to your right when you go out to the fire pit area. There are some rocking chairs looking out onto the Savannah. We had tired younguns' with us last year, but I assume there is a stairway up there somehow.

Enjoy.

 

[spiceycat]

if you want to stay inside - tben you can look out the windows in the hall area - there are several in each hall.

like to eat breakfast at Boma - get there early - then go visit the animals before your meal and after it.

go by the front desk and get a map - the front desk is on the 2nd floor (lobby) - the restuarants are on the first floor

 

[PosadaGirl519]

Careful... once you go deluxe you might never want to go back... We loved AKL and stayed SV. It was awesome during our down time to sit on the balcony and watch the giraffe graze about 20 feet away from us. But yes, you can visit and check out the animals with out actually staying there

 

[Missytara]

My friends had their disneymoon at AKL.

They were right at the point where the animals were let out on the savannah every morning. A cup of joe, a few giraffes and zebras scampered past their resort room every morning. You cannot make this stuff up.

 

[TinkTock]

OP - when is your trip? How many are in your traveling party?

Is it too late to think about renting points from a DVC member? For my family of 4, we could rent points and stay deluxe (in the next-to-lowest-season) for barely more than what a value would cost.

The trip is in mid-December, and there are 2 in my party. I don't know if it's too late to rent from a DVC member, but I think I'll look around here and find out. Thanks for the tip!

Careful... once you go deluxe you might never want to go back... We loved AKL and stayed SV. It was awesome during our down time to sit on the balcony and watch the giraffe graze about 20 feet away from us. But yes, you can visit and check out the animals with out actually staying there

Yes, I do fear I may get spoiled. But I'm willing to take that chance.

Thanks everyone for your quick and informative responses.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The trip is in mid-December, and there are 2 in my party. I don't know if it's too late to rent from a DVC member, but I think I'll look around here and find out. Thanks for the tip!




Yes, I do fear I may get spoiled. But I'm willing to take that chance.

Thanks everyone for your quick and informative responses.

If you are looking for December, you are probably too late. Most members book seven to eleven months out. And for early December or the holiday, 11 months out for sure.