AKL for little ones?

[GoingtoWDWagain]

Hi, planning our annual trip to WDW and interested in staying at the AKL for the very first time. We are a family of 5 and have two small very picky eaters, do the restaurant/food court have a variety to offer little ones? Would you recommend this resort for a 3 and 11 year old? Pool, beach and water activities are also important in our decision.

Thanks in advance for any information you can provide me with.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Absolutely! There's a baby pool for your three year old and a great themed pool right next to it for your eleven year old. There's a very cute playground that my three year old loved to play on (he's now five, but we went there a couple times when he was three). AKL is my son's favorite resort, and we've been to the Swan, Yacht Club, Beach club, Boardwalk, GF, Wilderness Lodge, Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans FQ, so that's say a lot! He adores looking at the animals, especially when the giraffes are being fed near the pool area. The Mara has lots of great selections...some more unusual fare like African stew and lots of typical kids choices like pizza, burgers and chicken fingers. On another post I stated that my favorites are the inexpensive prime rib sandwiches and the yogurt parfaits. My son had pizza at Jiko that he liked. The whole atmosphere at AKL is really fun. He also likes to shop in the store there (for toys, of course!) and likes the bridge across the fifth floor. There is an arcade for older kids and a fire pit where storytellers talk around it in the evenings. Lots of great stuff at AKL

 

[Samsma]

I would definitely request a room on the same wing as the pool. We had a great location in this area, but it can be a long walk to the food court and pool otherwise. There is also a laundry room on the first floor near the pool.

 

[tinkerbeth]

Hiya,

Our ds2 last summer LOVED AKL and can't wait to go back. He loved looking at the animals, talking to the guides, learning about 'poachers', and the pool is zero entry so we played a lot in the very shallow bit. We also LOVED LOVED LOVED Boma and I would almost make a trip back just to eat there! You will love it. Have fun.

 

[5kwallace]

We stayed at the AKL in December 2004 with our 3 year old. This was our favorite resort. My DS loved the pool and the water slide. The Mara Food Court was great. We had a standard room on the 5th floor that overlooked the pool area. It was convenient to the elevators, pool, playground, gift shop and lobby. We had no problem with the bus service. We would stay here again. :jumping4: :jumping4: :jumping4:

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I forgot to mention that there is no beach or water activites at AKL, but you have the animal activities, like the viewing and lessons from CMs. The pool is great, however and has zero entry. It looks like an aquatic "oasis" in the middle of the landscaping. Very nice.

 

[akghutton]

Our 4 and 1 year olds loved it so much, we have added two days at AKL to our next trip, when they will be 5 and 2. My DS (4) said that he loves AKL so much that he wants to live there

 

[s&k'smom]

We were there last year on the 5th floor facing the pool and the kids loved it. The food shop was very good and had quite a bit to offer. Boma was heavenly they even had mac/cheese and french fries. The resort was warm and friendly and the pool area a blast. We thoroughly enjoyed it and I highly recommend it.

 

[Selket]

My kids loved the AKL but eating at Mara was a challenge - as it would be any fast food type place in all of WDW. They don't like hamburgers, chicken fingers or the mac N cheese they served and they won't eat french fries so that didn't leave much that they'd eat from Mara. They like pasta, rice, hotdogs, fresh fruit & yogurt (mara has that). We kept a cooler in our room with some things they like (cold cuts, cheeses) and some crackers and things they'll eat and lunchables. Now you'll have a fridge so that would be easy.

Have fun!