AKL in the summer?

[Schmeck]

We were fortunate enough to get a great rate last October for AKL, and now, of course, I'm hooked on this deluxe hotel. I'm trying to squeeze in a trip this summer (if I can get Hubby's OK to take the kids and my cousin without him ) and would love to treat my cousin to the magic of AKL.

But just how hot does it get at this African themed hotel in the summer? When we were there, I noticed that it was warmer outside at this resort than when we transferred over to POR 4 days later (that was a letdown, to go from a deluxe to a moderate ) and I don't think we could handle the extra heat in July. I'm hoping I was just imagining the savannah effect, and that Disney was just excellent at creating a theme!

So those of you who have experienced AKL in the heat of the summer, what do you think? Are the animals still active enough, or are they kept out of the sun for the majority of the day? We saw them at dawn, into breakfast time, then late afternoon into evening in October. I know my youngest daughter would be crushed if she didn't get to see her giraffe friends (she even named them, and was determined that she could tell them apart!)

Schmeck, just laid off from work yesterday, and spending the retirement money before it's even out of the bank...

 

[florida res]

You won't be disappointed going during the summer. I have spent the last 3 4th of July week's split between Yacht club and AKL. Yes, I won't lie, it is VERY hot. But it's no hotter than anywhere else. The pool is perfect to cool you off. The animals are still active even during the day. I love giraffes too and when we checked into our savanah room in the afteroon, there they were, right under our balcony almost!!
We are going again this year, trying concierge this time which from these boards sound absolutely wonderful.
All in all, AKL is great no matter when you go!

 

[Jo-Jo21]

I agree with "florida res", it won't be too hot to enjoy the uniqueness of AKL. We were fortunate enough to spend 9 days there last August. Whenever we went out on our balcony we saw animals. We spent early mornings and evenings at the parks. As for the middle of the day, the pool was the best place to be. To be perfectly honest, AKL is such a delight on its own that there were a few days that we never ventured off the resort. There is wonderful food and my DS (4 at the time) loved Simba's Cub House so much that he begged to go back 2 more times while we were there! The original guilt I felt for leaving him there the first time quickly vanished and DH and I spent the time alone in the hot tub or had a quiet dinner at JIKO. We will definitely go back again - but not until I try a few of the other deluxe resorts - GF is our next stop. Enjoy your trip!

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi there...

We stayed at AKL for 9 nights last August... man was it hot outside!! But AKL has a beautiful, soothing and cool interior.

The animals were out all the time (except when they go to the barns from 12-3pm approximately...)

The savanna was glorious and green because it rained every day for about an hour in the afternoon - just long enough to cool things off for pleasant evenings.

This daily rain did not affect us at all - we try to think of it as Liquid Sunshine and just get on with whatever we are doing.

The rain did affect a lot of guests when we were at Discovery Cove and they cleared the water and cancelled the Dolphin swims becuase of lightning...

We are going back again this August =) and we can't wait!

>>^..^<<

 

[twinmomplus2]

We never thought it was hotter at AKL. In fact I think the darker colors appear cooler, Low lighting to add to the atmoshphere things of that nature. I would go again late August to the hotel. Just not the parks to crowded for me...

 

[Sammie]

actually the resort is probably not any hotter due to the excellent air conditioning and the dark cave like atmosphere I think it presents. Just my opinion, no flames please.

But Animal Kingdom park is hotter than any other park due to the fact that particular area of WDW is hotter. They are not sure why, maybe thermal underground springs but when they did soil tests to determine where to build the park they always got higher temp. readings in that area. They knew this would be good for the animals during the winter months.

So I guess the grounds around the lodge could be hotter. Personally I think in the hot summer all resorts on a large lake or lagoon are cooler or at least appear to be so.

AKL appeals to me in the cooler months it does not appeal to me in the summer, but then neither does WL. I just can not get into a fireplace in July.

 

[Schmeck]

Thanks for the opinions! I think we'll give it a try, if we can get a decent rate. We'd most likely be at the parks all day, even in the noon time heat, so having the animals gone from 12-3 won't be a problem for us.

Schmeck, still in the dreaming stages of the trip...