AKL Best Viewing

[NADINENURSE]

Staying at AKL 5/20-5/26 for the first time, anyone can help with best times to view the animals, we are going cheap and have a parking lot view so the view will have to be from one of the public areas:eek, best time to go to buffet dinner ? I AM SO EXCITED !! hAVE NEVER STAYED IN akl, WILL FEEL LIKE ROYALTY. Also, do you think a 160 lb child can do the bunk beds, anyone know weight limits for those things, and are they easy to get ? Oh so many questions !!!

 

[MickeyMac]

My son is 13 and 120 and does the bunk bed rather well. DH sleeps on the bottom bunk when we travel there (DD and I share the big bed) and he's quite a bit bigger. Only problem is he hits his head on the top bunk - there is NOT a lot of clearance. LOL! Oh, almost forgot. DH was up on the top bunk, too, goofing around. He didn't break. The thing is wicked solid - wait 'til you see them.

You stand a good chance of being upgraded - they prefer to fill the savannah and pool view rooms first, then the 'parking lot view' (which is also very nice - the landscaping there is exquisite and screens the parking lot across Osceola Parkway very nicely)

Did you request a bunk room in your reservation? We've had one every time we've stayed.

I recommend going early to Boma's. I don't care for the noise factor (I have trouble hearing in there) but it's wonderfully relaxed, yet energetic. Friendly. I *do* recommend, however, that you get a PS if you want to eat there - you might have either a long wait or a late ressie if you show up.

 

[disnaholic]

All of the savanna's are beautiful, but check out Arusha savannah, it is my favorite!! There is a nice viewing area at the walkway to Arusha rock and also a nice viewing deck with some rocking chairs to relax and enjoy the view. You will love AKL, it is awesome!! Have fun!!

 

[trilby]

Hi! You and your family will love the AKL...there is nothing like it. When we stayed there in October 2002, DBF would take a nap each afternoon and I would go off and explore the resort. We were staying in a deluxe pool view room located right over the pool bar (upgraded at check in from standard parking lot view). One of the best animal viewing tips I have is this... there are staircases leading outside at certain intervals along each trail and at the very farthest ends of the building. I would walk down the Zebra trail or Kudu trail until I couldn't go any further and go through the exit door leading outside. Most of the time I was the only person in sight except for a few people you could see out on their balconies every now and then. I got some of the most amazing animal viewing that is available at the resort from these stairways !!! At that time, every afternoon about 2:30 or so, you could see the animals being led back onto the savannas from a fenced in area. Most of the time it was a" parade" with all the wildebeest coming through the gate first, then the zebras, etc.etc This activity can only be seen at the end of the Zebra trail which is the far end of the " horseshoe". If you're confused just look at the AKL map you'll get when you arrive and you'll see what I mean. The kids will love the sights and you'll feel like you're on a private safari!!! Have a great time!!!

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by trilby
At that time, every afternoon about 2:30 or so, you could see the animals being led back onto the savannas from a fenced in area. Most of the time it was a" parade" with all the wildebeest coming through the gate first, then the zebras, etc.etc This activity can only be seen at the end of the Zebra trail which is the far end of the " horseshoe". If you're confused just look at the AKL map you'll get when you arrive and you'll see what I mean. The kids will love the sights and you'll feel like you're on a private safari!!! Have a great time!!!

That is so cool! I need to tell hubby about this so that we can check that out! We know the animals go into the 'barn' during the day for checkups...but we've never seen the parade! heheh

And to NADINENURSE - try to get a spot looking out on the Arusha savannah around 5ish. (Either from Arusha Rock or one of the viewing stations around on the 4th floor. (is it 4th? or 3rd? - maybe 3rd...) That's feeding time!

Arusha savannah is the large one at the top of this map.
http://www.kingdom-travel.com/Resorts/ResortAssets/AKL/AK-MAP.jpeg

ENJOY your stay at AKL!!!

 

[disneychick05]

We will be at AKL 5/25-5/27. These are some great suggestions! I am really excited about our stay after reading this thread! NADINNURSE: maybe we'll see you there!

 

[bobcat]

If you are going to eat at Boma's then try to do the cullinary tour in the afternoon. It is fabulous and you get to sample food from Jiko and Boma. It really made my experience at Boma wonderful and I walked in knowing a little more about the food. The times will be on the back of your resort map when you check in. AKL is fabulous!