AKL for a one yr old and 5 yr old

[Selket]

I have ressies for early May for a standard room at AKL (would love Sav. view but too expensive for us) and now just deciding whether to go or not! I had planned to go in December but thinking it would be nice to use the pools and it would be warm enough in May to do so. One DS is will be 16 months old and the other is 5 when we are there. The little one is not yet walking and I don't know if he will be when we're there. I've read that the pool is zero entry - does this sound good for a pre-walker? (obviously we'd be next to him at all times). My DH will likely spend more time in the hotel with him while my older son and myself visit the parks. Do you think there are enough fun things to do around the hotel for them?

Any other tips/advice for young children at AKL appreciated! This is our 1st trip to WDW with the youngest child and only the 2nd time staying on property - 1st time was at POFQ.

Carol

 

[padisneylover]

Hi Carol,
There is also a wading pool for the little ones seperate from the main pool at AKL plus I noticed that the life guards were supplying or renting life jackets for the little kids. I have no children but this was just something I noticed while staying there. Also, there is a playground at the lodge and plenty of animals to watch and many viewing areas. Hope this helps some.

 

[lucysdad]

We have not stayed at AKL, but there is also a zero entry at the poly pool and judging from our experience there I can say it would be great for a little tyke. He can exercise his little legs in the water while you hold on to his arms. Go. Have a grrreat time. We first took our daughter when she was two. We did the Poly and Wonder cruise package. People said we were foolish because Lucy wouldn't remember it. But we do! The first time she saw Mickey was magical. Make some magical memories for yourself, too!

 

[MinnieGi]

AKL is fabulous for little ones!!

The zero entry pool is wonderful for little ones. My 2yo loved walking up and down in that little area. Plus they have a nice kiddie pool too!

AKL has a nice playground and sand area to play in also. Of course the animal observation areas will keep the kiddies occupied. My DD had fun walking to all the different ones. The Zawadi Marketplace store has fun African inspired instruments that the little ones can try out. DD had a fun time there. Walking around the lobby itself is just fun also.

 

[ROBNLEZ]

We will be at AKL 4/30-5/7.
We also only booked standard view due to price and my son will be 1 and daughter almost 5.
I think the kids will love it. I was wondering if you were using any codes to lower the price. The newest code brings the standard room down to 139.00 plus tax per night but I do not know what the savannah view would be. Let me know what you are paying.

 

[Selket]

We used the new code and got the rate you have of $139 for a standard room (plus tax). The savannah rooms were $75 a night more (with the code) and I'd LOVE to have one but that is too much of a difference for me to justify it. We were also thinking of going the week you're going to be there and might yet if I have to change the dates - but right now we're there the week after (May 4-10) though we overlap for a night. I hope we get to go - we're still trying to decide!

 

[lookingforward]

Selket...you will LOVE this hotel. I went with my daughter who was 3 at the time and she just had the best time. The pool is zero entry and she could walk in till she got to her tummy and run back out again. The life guards provided vests for her use and she even went down the slide with one on. (no cost for these..you just leave your room key with them) Although a savanah room would be wonderful (see if they will upgrade you for free..August is not their busiest time!) you can still find many wonderful and quiet places to sit with your kids and watch the animals. Every day they have kids activities in the lobby...fireside stories, culture arts and crafts, cookie decorating, etc. They have a good cafeteria style restaurant too. Enjoy your trip!

 

[drcmk]

That is a huge price difference between the standard room and the room with a view. Do you think you miss out on a lot in a standard room?

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by Selket
My DH will likely spend more time in the hotel with him while my older son and myself visit the parks.

Carol:

I just wanted to comment on this. There is no reason why you should leave your 16 month old back at the hotel with Dad. He will love the parks and will be able to go on everything that does not have a height requirement. There is really plenty for a toddler can do. In the Magic Kingdom alone there's Winnie the Pooh, Buzz Lightyear, Peter Pan, Dumbo, the carousel, Snow White, Small World, Country Bears, Tiki Room (a bit loud at times), Swiss Robinson Tree House, the Jungle Cruise, the Haunted Mansion, the Riverboat, Tom Sawyer's Island, the People Mover (can't remember the WDW name ). You can also "baby swap" at those attractions that do have a minimum height and your 5 year old will be able to go twice ... once with Mom and once with Dad. Don't leave the kid back at the hotel! He (and your DH) will have a much better time with the rest of the family .

 

[Selket]

Robin,

My DH isn't much of a WDW fan and would probably prefer to hang out at the hotel with the 1 year old than go to the parks - at least to the extent that my 5 yr old and I would want to be in the parks. I'm trying to make it as nice as possible for him with the choice of either staying at the hotel (so I'm picking a nicer hotel) or coming to the parks. I agree that my one yr old should have a great time! We took him to a big outlet mall (one of the "mills" properties) that had all these larger than life cutouts hanging from the ceiling everywhere and he just was beside himself pointing and smiling and talking and looking. He was making passers-by laugh out loud! Of course we hardly noticed the things but from his perspective in the stroller they must have been awesome! I have the feeling that DH will happily come along with us most days/most of the time.

I do want to have this be a relaxing vacation - no getting up early, etc. I want to spend a bit more time at the hotel than usual swimming and hanging out so I hope the AKL will be the perfect choice for that. I wish we could get more mileage out of our park passes but you can't have it both ways!

Carol G.