AKL in the winter months??

Suzanne74

DIS Veteran
Joined
May 28, 2004
Messages
2,933
I was wondering what others thought about staying at AKL savannah view during the winter?? The days are shorter so the viewing times for animals is really decreased at night and wouldn't it be really dark out of your balcony? Also the parks close earlier and what do you do since the resort is sorta all alone??? I really really want to try this resort but I am sorta thinking I should bypass it for my early Dec trip and wait until we are there during the spring forward months?

Is there anyone out there who liked AKL better during the winter months - maybe sway me to change my mind ;) ???
 
Hi

We have stayed there in the winter and loved it. They have the fire pits in the back and in the lobbies and tell stories, or you can just sit in the rocking chairs and relax with a drink, although a lot of times in December its usually warm enough to swim in the evenings...but the weather can go either way. I loved sitting out on the balcony at night, I found the animals to be active till really late at nite, and it was beautiful to see them in the moonlight. Another cool think about AKL is the atmosphere...when we went we were down in the lobby around 11-12 at nite with some other guests making our own art souvenirs with charcoal and artist paper....you just put your paper over the floor where there are scenes of animals or art that you like and rub the charcoal (or black crayon) on top and it comes out really nice. I am one of those geeks :bitelip: that stays in resorts that go along with the season it goes with...for example Wilderness Lodge is a fall/winter resort, Polynesian - spring summer, Contemporary - Any time its my fav, Caribbean beach - spring summer, yacht club - summer, and AKL to me is perfect for fall and winter, although I would stay there any time as well.
 
I've been there in November, January, April, and July. I think my favorite time to enjoy the resort to its fullest was actually January and November. Yes, the park closes earlier, but this also means you spend more time at your resort and in your room. The animals seem more active in the cooler months and there seems to always be a show outside your balcony. The AKL savannahs have artificial moonlight shining into them so you aren't looking at a pitch black area. We never minded the parks closing so early knowing we were going back "home" to our next entertainment.

Debbie
 
We stayed at AKL this past January and loved it. I think no matter when you go you will still enjoy it because the resort is so fantastic. Yes the parks close earlier but we still never got in until about 10 pm. The animals are still active and there was still much to see. The possible downside is that you might want to use the pool since the weather is more brisk but there were still quite a few people at the pool.
 

We stayed in Nov and LOVED it. It was the perfect timing for us. Yes the parks close earlier but the aren't as crowded so you move through things faster. The weather is perfect we swam everyday. As for the animals it's a great way to wake up in the morning. We actually slept w/ our heads at the foot of the bed so when we woke up we could see the animals. And at night it's beautiful you will really enjoy it. You can see some of the animals at night we had a family of zebras that slept under a tree near our room. It's a fun and entertaining game to see who can find the animals at night. Trust me you'll love it. It's very relaxing and beautiful.
 














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