AKL suggestions

[jolene63]

I just booked a short stay at WDW for July. Our last day we are going to move to AKL and have a resort day. Other than the pool and animal watching, what other free activities are there? I'm hoping there will be enough to keep us busy for the entire day. I have a 9 and 12 year old. I would love any suggestions you might have. Thanks!

 

[amym2]

We stayed at AKV when our kids were 10 and 12 and they loved it! We didn't spend a full day at the resort, but we would easily have been able to. We did participate in the drumming in the area with the chairs one evening, and that was fun. I could have spent all day just sitting on the rocking chairs overlooking the savanna, but of course the kids wouldn't go for that! Are you planning to eat meals at AKL/AKV? We love Boma and Sanaa! I think we did spend a little bit of time in the community hall, so you could always go in there to play video games or board games or do a craft.

 

[monorailmom]

Don't miss trying out the night vision goggles in the evenings. (ask when you arrive about locations and times, it can vary depending on weather and time of year). This is complimentary, and if you take the time to speak with the CM, you will learn so much! We truly enjoyed not only seeing the animals after dark, but all of the things we learned about living in Africa from the CM who was hosting that evening.

The restaurants at AKL also host a free tour some afternoons. They let you tour the kitchens with them and even get to sample a few things. Ask at the desk when you check in for days and times.

Go to Kidani Village and check out the many works of art around the resort.They are stunning to look at, and almost all tell a story. Again, the CM's are more than happy to explain everything. This is probably my favorite resort! Enjoy!

 

[MonaMN]

Here is a sample of activities, if it is helpful:

http://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/resorts/wdw/pdf/AKLCalendar.pdf

 

[Mrs.HelenParr]

"Don't miss trying out the night vision goggles in the evenings. (ask when you arrive about locations and times, it can vary depending on weather and time of year). This is complimentary, and if you take the time to speak with the CM, you will learn so much!"

Are the night vision goggles complimentary? I thought you had to pay extra for them. Or is that just the evening safari?
Large family staying at Kidani for the first time in June--we are SO excited! I've been trying to learn more about KV and thought the night stuff was an extra fee.

(Also--sorry if I don't format the above quote correctly. Still learning!)

 

[nj disney family]

The night vision goggles they have outside the back of the lobby are free. There are only a few, so it's usually one per family and there may be a short wait. My kids love the kidani community room, and of course roasting marshmallows by the pool.

 

[kreckl]

pool movie at jambo pool at night, marshmallow roasting, campfire stories ( our favorite!) talks in room off the lobby, crafts in lobby for kids...

 

[Mrs.HelenParr]

The night vision goggles they have outside the back of the lobby are free. There are only a few, so it's usually one per family and there may be a short wait. My kids love the kidani community room, and of course roasting marshmallows by the pool.

Awesome! Thank you!

 

[cassie58]

It depends on what your kids are into, but my DD who was 10 at the time, was very into her animals, and it was her dream to stay at AKL, and were able to do 2 nts. through a DVC friend at the end of the trip as a surprise for the kids(and now she only wants to stay there, but luckily understands budgets!). We were able to spend a day at the resort, and she did several activities, including making an animal feeder that they were going to take out to hang(for giraffes) after we were done, the African drumming that PP mentioned, decorating a cookie down at Boma, and animal tracking. We also stopped over for pin trading time right before we left the next day. We only spent one nt. at the end of our trip this in Dec., so didn't have time, but she is now 12, and would have done more. And we could both do animal watching all day, there is always something new happening as animals come and go. At the Arusha Rock outside the lobby, we saw giraffes up really close, and even saw some red hogs getting in their business, and the giraffes not having any of it! We also donkeys(burros?) chasing each other around playing "tag" in the back. The guides tell you info. about them in each spot. Have fun!

 

[jolene63]

It depends on what your kids are into, but my DD who was 10 at the time, was very into her animals, and it was her dream to stay at AKL, and were able to do 2 nts. through a DVC friend at the end of the trip as a surprise for the kids(and now she only wants to stay there, but luckily understands budgets!). We were able to spend a day at the resort, and she did several activities, including making an animal feeder that they were going to take out to hang(for giraffes) after we were done, the African drumming that PP mentioned, decorating a cookie down at Boma, and animal tracking. We also stopped over for pin trading time right before we left the next day. We only spent one nt. at the end of our trip this in Dec., so didn't have time, but she is now 12, and would have done more. And we could both do animal watching all day, there is always something new happening as animals come and go. At the Arusha Rock outside the lobby, we saw giraffes up really close, and even saw some red hogs getting in their business, and the giraffes not having any of it! We also donkeys(burros?) chasing each other around playing "tag" in the back. The guides tell you info. about them in each spot. Have fun!

All of these things sound like so much fun. We are surprising our kids with the night at AKL too. Actually, the whole trip is a surprise. We are staying at All Star Sports the first few nights to save money and so the kids can check off another resort. They want to stay at all of them at some point. After our trip in December to BWV, we will have tried six new resorts in 17 months. You can definitely say we are a little obsessed with Disney this year.

 

[POTCfan]

I know it's kind of being in the right place at the right time, but my daughter and I were doing the night viewing of the animals at Kidani and a longhorn cattle (forget the proper name) chased an entire herd of zebra towards the viewing area. There was quite a bit of adrenaline seeing all the zebra running at us, but definitely a highlight. Take advantage of anything your kids might be interested in. We also really love the pool at Kidani, and that is open to anyone at AKL.

 

[DisneyDiana]

At 9 am you can feed the flamingos behind the Jambo House pool. They are crazy loud, my son loved it. Don't miss the night vision goggles!

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

All of these things sound like so much fun. We are surprising our kids with the night at AKL too. Actually, the whole trip is a surprise. We are staying at All Star Sports the first few nights to save money and so the kids can check off another resort. They want to stay at all of them at some point. After our trip in December to BWV, we will have tried six new resorts in 17 months. You can definitely say we are a little obsessed with Disney this year.

You sound so much like our family! We are also trying to stay at all of the resorts- and by this September we will have stayed at seven in 15 months (AKL, POFQ, POP, YC, BI, CBR, and ASSports (really hate the abbreviation for that one)).

We also have a split stay booked for July - for several nights at ASSports and then moving on to AKL.

This will make our third stay at AKL. As much as we want to stay at the other resorts, we keep going back to AKL for its value and beauty.

To the OP, in addition to all of the above suggestions, I would say to have a lunch or dinner at Sanaa. It is one of my DD(9)'s favorite restaurants and it is a must do for us at every trip- whether or not we are staying at AKL. They have a complimentary restaurant tour that your kids may or may not be interested in.

I second POTCfan's tip to check out the Kidani pool. My kids like the pool at AKL, but they love the one at Kidani. It has a very well done splash area- and it was less crowded. We went there last July on a morning when it was lightly raining/drizzling and practically had the pool all to ourselves. It was so much fun. Kids played all morning. You can walk or take the shuttle from AKL. We found the shuttle very convenient.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I know it's kind of being in the right place at the right time, but my daughter and I were doing the night viewing of the animals at Kidani and a longhorn cattle (forget the proper name) chased an entire herd of zebra towards the viewing area. There was quite a bit of adrenaline seeing all the zebra running at us, but definitely a highlight. Take advantage of anything your kids might be interested in. We also really love the pool at Kidani, and that is open to anyone at AKL.

Ankole cattle.