AKL animals sightings ??

[4 mickey]

Hi
I'm so excited we'll be going at AKL end nov early december .
I know of the contruction due to DVC We took a standard room but I'm wondering can we see the animals in the observatory ( main floor ) ??
The purpose of this resort is aminly the animals you can observe .
What do you think ? Any of you that came back and can give me feedback ?
Don't get me wrong that resort is simply gorgeous but for the $$ I'd like to see animals .
Would you go ? or go elsewere ??
Thanks

 

[las3888]

There are all kinds of spots and niches to watch animals all over the resort, not necessarily the main area. Just down the hall from wherever your room is, you will probably have a viewing area with chairs. The construction is not supposed to affect the animals or where they are, etc. so you should be doing great. I love the resort...it is great Disney magic, with the added attraction of seeing the animals. I would stay put....Good luck!

 

[4 mickey]

Thanks
I was hoping that it wouldnt affect the animals ...
Thats a good news ,

 

[Chrisypoo]

There are lots of seating areas, both inside and out, where you can watch the animals. We were there last November and there were a few outside areas (that had built in binoculars and rocking chairs) where I never saw anyone. At night, they also have night vision goggle viewing which was really cool. Check the even board near the front desk for a schedule...there is tons of stuff to do.

 

[pixiesnake]

I don't know about construction affecting the animals, but if you are worried about seeing animals even though you are only in standard room don't worry. You won't have the luxury of sitting on your own balcony and watching animals but there are plenty of places for you to see the animals. As mentioned, there are many different sitting areas overlooking the savanahs that you can enjoy. Also, a really good place to go to see them is the stairs that are outside the building - I guess they are fire exits. Go to the end of any hallway and look for an exit door. Go out the door and you are on an outside staircase and many of them overlook the savanahs. The neat thing is you can go up and down the stairs to get an unobstructed view. I spent several hours one day wandering all the hallways going out those doors and saw some amazing sights and got some great pictures. Enjoy!

 

[amycishere]

I don't know about construction affecting the animals, but if you are worried about seeing animals even though you are only in standard room don't worry. You won't have the luxury of sitting on your own balcony and watching animals but there are plenty of places for you to see the animals. As mentioned, there are many different sitting areas overlooking the savanahs that you can enjoy. Also, a really good place to go to see them is the stairs that are outside the building - I guess they are fire exits. Go to the end of any hallway and look for an exit door. Go out the door and you are on an outside staircase and many of them overlook the savanahs. The neat thing is you can go up and down the stairs to get an unobstructed view. I spent several hours one day wandering all the hallways going out those doors and saw some amazing sights and got some great pictures. Enjoy!

Are there great views outside without going up and down stairs? I in a wheelchair and am unable to walk so I wouldn't be able to do that.

 

[pixiesnake]

Are there great views outside without going up and down stairs? I in a wheelchair and am unable to walk so I wouldn't be able to do that.

There are plenty of "official" viewing areas that are wheelchair friendly. If you wanted to try these "unofficial" ones you could maybe take the elevator to the 3rd floor or so, go to the end of the hallways and out the door. There is a concrete area (landing) on each level that you should have enough room with your wheelchair. The only problem is that you never know what you'll see from that level. Sometimes I would have to go up or down because the view on that level was blocked by a tree or something. If you're worried about it, then stick to the official overlooks. If you are feeling adventurous, bored, or want the exercise (its a long way down to the end of the hallways), then take a trip. You might see a tree or you might see something special.

 

[SueM in MN]

There are plenty of "official" viewing areas that are wheelchair friendly. .

What exactly you can see from each one depends on which animals have chosen to come around to that part of the building. But the official viewing areas are very nice and very accessible. They are mostly like big roofed porches with open areas where you could park a wheelchair, as well as having rocking chairs and other seats.

 

[amycishere]

There are plenty of "official" viewing areas that are wheelchair friendly. If you wanted to try these "unofficial" ones you could maybe take the elevator to the 3rd floor or so, go to the end of the hallways and out the door. There is a concrete area (landing) on each level that you should have enough room with your wheelchair. The only problem is that you never know what you'll see from that level. Sometimes I would have to go up or down because the view on that level was blocked by a tree or something. If you're worried about it, then stick to the official overlooks. If you are feeling adventurous, bored, or want the exercise (its a long way down to the end of the hallways), then take a trip. You might see a tree or you might see something special.

You are so very knowledgeable! Thank you! Is there a list of all these unofficial places somewhere?