AKL? -- I'm all EARS!

[CaseyJr]

We're staying at AKL for the first time 5/24-6/4. I've been catching a few posts that mention little bits & pieces of "AKL trivia" from you who are frequent guests there. I'd really like to hear the low-down on all the neat things we can look forward to -- the kind of things you don't read about in travel books or on web sites, but you only know about because YOU EXPERIENCED IT YOURSELVES!!

Some "for examples:"

1) how are the different room areas named and/or themed?
2) more about the in-resort activities (cookie decorating, kiddie parades, etc.)
3) and little-known secrets or helpful hints; things not-to-be-missed

.... just whatever neat things (or not so neat, as the case may be...) you can think of that might help make ours (and other DISers who've never been to AKL) a magical visit!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

We're staying at AKL for the first time 5/24-6/4. I've been catching a few posts that mention little bits & pieces of "AKL trivia" from you who are frequent guests there. I'd really like to hear the low-down on all the neat things we can look forward to -- the kind of things you don't read about in travel books or on web sites, but you only know about because YOU EXPERIENCED IT YOURSELVES!!

Some "for examples:"

1) how are the different room areas named and/or themed?
2) more about the in-resort activities (cookie decorating, kiddie parades, etc.)
3) and little-known secrets or helpful hints; things not-to-be-missed

.... just whatever neat things (or not so neat, as the case may be...) you can think of that might help make ours (and other DISers who've never been to AKL) a magical visit!

I've stayed in AKL four times, and all of our room themes were the same...the lovely, subdued African decor that I'm going to venture is the same in all the rooms--at least it's never differed for us. As far as category--there's just standard, pool view, savannah, deluxe savannah, deluxe pool view, and some suites..and of course, concierge (which feature the deluxe rooms which you can also book w/o concierge). There are two main trails and three different savannahs. We've only had the Arusha savannah (deluxe/ reg and concierge) and the pool view. All offered great views.

My favorite places around the resort is
1. The bridge across the fifth floor over the lobby--you'll see what I mean
2. The rocking chairs...esp. at night when the view of the lobby all lit up is gorgeous...and there is a campire and animals sleeping nearby--it's so peaceful
3. One of the jacuzzis is kind of shrouded by some bushes, very relaxing
4. The viewing areas...all over the resort...are usually uncrowded and I love to watch the sunset from the sunset view room
5. I love refilling my refillable mug (bought new each time! ) with caffeine free diet coke at the Mara, which is a special rarity around WDW

 

[adrianna_sarah]

We are going for the first time this Christmas! Here are a few of the sites that I've been whetting my appetite on recently. All have great photos to get you even more in the mood. Hope you have a great time!

http://www.wdwmagic.com/ak_lodge.htm

http://www.wdwmagic.com/ak_lodge_preview_weekend.htm

http://allearsnet.com/acc/aklss.htm

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

There is a daily activities board. Make sure you check it everyday. I saw 2 but there may be more. One is in the lobby near the front door and the second is near the restrooms by Boma.
Also, make sure to ask the different cast members, gift shop employees, etc. if there is anything else happening while you are there.
We enjoyed the storytelling at the firepit at 7:30 at night. We really enjoyed sitting in the rocking chairs listening to the stories. If you want a chair get there early.
Enjoy!!

 

[golfgal]

We will be there during part of your stay. I am getting very excited! It is our first trip to AKL (well, Disney in general for the kids-DH and I were at Epcot, DTD and PI for a work trip several years ago).

 

[Leota]

We have only been once (4/21- 4/24) But, we discovered the neatest animals on the Sunset Savannah. Even if your room isn't on Sunset, check out the observation area for it. They have Red River Hogs. I have never seen these delightful little guys anywhere else before. Apparently, they are very rare in captivity. Only 48 in North America. They have LOADS of personality.

I wish I had done more at the resort itself, but we were so enthralled by our Savannah view, we didn't leave the balcony very often to do anything else!

 

[barblue]

This was posted on the "activities board" at AKL, but don't miss the night-time animal viewings. On certain nights they post CMs at the end of Arusha rock with night-vision goggles. The goggles were fantastic and it is really neat to see the animals move around in the dark.

There's a great little nook past the check-in desk that overlooks the Sunset Savannah (the nook is at the back left of the lobby if you're facing away from the main entrance). The Sunset Savannah giraffes are fed right by that area, and the nook has a balcony so you can see the giraffes from inside or out. When we were there in March the giraffes ambled over every day around 3:25 - and were fed right outside at 3:30/4:00. The nook is a cozy place to relax at night too.

The rocking chairs at the campfire are a lovely way to end the day.

Oh, and have fun with the hidden Mickeys at the resort! We loved trying to find them - ask for a "hint sheet" when you check in. We were, however, a little embarassed when a 10 yr old at the pool pointed one out to us...considering "us" are mid-20s and had been looking for that darn Mickey for a while...

 

[LisaS]

Ask at the front desk, or press the "Animal Info" button on your room phone, to find out about the feeding schedule for each savannah. They feed the animals several times a day on each savannah. All of the animals congregate in the feeding area when the food trucks arrive so it's a great way to see a lot of animals all in one place.

 

[CaseyJr]

This is going to be so much fun!

barblue, a friend told me about the night-time viewings and said that was the neatest thing! We'll be sure to watch for that!
http://www.disboards.com/member.php?u=80659

 

[CaseyJr]

Where is the bus stop located?

Are there any arcade games on-site?

...locations of vending machines (Coke or Pepsi??)?

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

The bus stops are to the left after you come out of the main entrance. They are down past the gift shop.
There is an arcade down by the pool area.
I'm sure there had to have been vending machines..........maybe by the bus stops.......I think they were Coke machines. Maybe someone else can help with that. Unless I'm looking for them I have a tendency not to notice them.

 

[leanne11]

but try and find a different way to the pool, we walked down 2 complete halls and took an elevator that snuck right down to the laundry room, the kids club and right outside was the pool, just ask,this is a great shortcut where mara is and the great bathroom/changing areas for the pool. it makes it quicker in the morning gather everything for all day, find that elevator and ride down to mara get a quick brkfst, put swimsuits in a locker and mugs from brkfst to use later that night, through the lobby to the busses,and when you come back at night change into suits down by the pool and that's it...yes vending and ice machines are everywhere...

 

[BigOnDis]

Ask one of the cast members about viewing the animals at night through the night vision goggles

 

[CaseyJr]

All of your replies are going into my "data -base" for future reference!

I can't wait!

Oh, and our ME tags came today!!

 

[Nik's Mom]

We were at AKL last week and loved it! I was on the zebra trail overlooking the Urusha savanah. We used the elevator 1/2 way down the hall to get to Mara, the laundry and the pool. It was a great short cut for us. Also, just outside of the the arcade in the afternoon, there was a craft table set up. It seemed like every day was a new craft, and it was never crowded!
We had a great time at AKL. Be sure to try the paw print brownies! Yum!