AKL,OK tell me all!!

[poohlover]

OK, we will be at AKL over Thaqnksgiving week. I will be arriving first with the younger 3 of our 6 kids. My hubby nad the older 3 will come down on Wed.

What are the best room locations? Floors to be on to view the animals?

What are some special things to do with the kids there?

How about the spa, my 16 and 14 yr old DD are interested in what they could have done?

Thanks for all ideas.

 

[tileman]

We stayed there last yr on mothers day and stayed on the Zebra Trail 3rd floor about 3/4 the way down.

It was great like in the 6-7 am times the animals were out and about and it was nice right around bed time to set out there and look at the lodge & animals at night makes a nice end to a long day in the parks.

What are some special things to do with the kids there?

There was a story telling out by the fire pit I beleave.

We were there about a month after they opened.

Have a fun time & take lots of pic's

Ron.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Animal Kingdom Lodge is so beautiful and unique - I hope you have a great time.

We also were on Zebra Trail, second floor, which we enjoyed as although you won't see as far, you are very close to the animals. I don't have the room number handy but we were at the end of the first block of rooms from the lobby. I don't think I'd want to go any more toward the lobby but from where we were through the next couple of blocks would be awesome as there's a watering hole in that area.

We were fortunate to see lots of animals. If you haven't seen these already here's some of our pics. Some were taken with a zoom but some obviously weren't as you can see bits of a person or balcony in them.

Don't know anything about a spa, maybe someone else can help with that.

http://stoneofark.com/dianne/page1.htm

 

[Poohshoney]

Hi Poohlover (great name!)

We were there in May and it really is a beautiful hotel. Our room was 2501 which we thought was perfect. We'd recommend being either to the left or right of Arusha Rock - I think they're the main savannahs - about half way down the length, not too near the lobby should give you a great view! We watched the animals every morning when we were getting ready and they were there to welcome us back from the parks. We had giraffe, zebra, ankole cattle, gemsboks, elands, gemsboks and wildebeest. We were pleased because we got a second floor room as we wanted to be closer to the animals. Some people like rooms higher up because then you can see further but you do risk some of the view being obscured by the trees.

Ask for a list of hidden Mickeys when you check in. They'll also give you a list of the activities available - it's on the back of the map. Ours included cookie decorating, pelican feedings, a lodge tour, junior researcher (don't know what that is, sorry), recreational activities in the lobby, storytelling at the Firepit, games with savannah guides, cultural safari, horticultural show and tell, track the animals, flamingo feeding and poolside activities.

Fell free to pm me if you'd like to know anything else. Have a GREAT time!

 

[lizzie64]

Thanks so much for your pictures Dianne. They are wonderful and get me so excited. My 3 year old is going to flip out when he see this place. We also have a savannah room booked.

 

[Poohshoney]

I've just noticed - there's a massage & fitness centre and a spa, both near the swimming pool

 

[DisneyMim]

As everyone else has said AKL is a great resort. We have stayed there 2X, our last time just this April for a week. Both times we stayed on the Kudu Trail, overlooking Arusha Savannah. We were on the third floor both times and really liked this location. We had bunkbeds which my kids really enjoyed, so if you want them ask in advance. We loved watching the animals from our balcony and saw many different kinds. Also be sure to walk around the resort and view the animals from all the different areas. We liked the Mara food court, and loved Boma's. We had breakfast and dinner there and plan to go back for dinner on our next trip next week. The whole atmosphere of the resort is really beautiful, we fell in love with this resort and hope you have as good a time.

Have a Wonderful Vacation!!!

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

You're welcome. Have a great trip. My kids loved it there!

 

[BraveLT]

We just returned Monday, as everyone else has already said, it is fantastic. As far as the health club, my son(15) worked out for length of stay for $35, for a family it was $50 or daily you can go for $15 per day. I believe that pricing is accurate. Have a great time. By the way, we were on Zebra trail, savannah view upgraded from a std. Great cast member at the front desk made our stay very special.

 

[TNMomof3]

Dianne,

Your pictures did the trick for me! We have reserved a standard view room for Oct., but I think I'm going to call and change is to savannah view after seeing your pictures. Thanks for sharing them

Alicia

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Hi TNMomof3,

You're welcome. Hope you see lots of animals. The savannah room I thought was especially nice for us as my kids are small. Easier to let them play in the room while we relax and watch the animals than having to keep up with them, and keep them well behaved, in public areas.

I know there are some people who have said they didn't see a lot of animals from their savannah rooms but we had a great view. Really liked the second floor, zebra trail.

Have a wonderful trip

 

[corvair]

Dianne, your pictures are great. They are the best I have seen. We stayed at WL last trip. MY DD would love this. My other DD loves the pool. Do you know where we could have pool veiw and veiw of animals from our balony? My little DD needs near the pool, the other will want to look at the animal. I loved your pics of HRH. We are also thinking of going there too. Any info will be very helpful .... thanks...corvair amy

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Hi corvair,

Thanks! We were so busy taking pictures of the animals we forgot to take any of the room at AKL

Although I believe I've read a post where someone said they could see some giraffe beyond the pool from a pool view room, I think really you'll have to make a choice between the two. Here's a link to a map of the animal kingdom lodge

http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/aklmap.html

we were in 2421, facing the arusha savannah but as you can see it wasn't far to the pool from this location either. I thought it was a pretty convenient place to be.

The Hard Rock Hotel was great too, we booked a pool view room and ended up with a great one. I've been told they aren't all that good but again we loved ours. I've been pretty lucky with rooms - hope that holds out.

I'm sure whatever you decide you'll have a great time.

Take care!