AKL... what to do at the resort?

[gigi1313]

if we opt to spend a non-park day at AKL... what is there to do... being that it's not on the water, i am guessing no water mice... are there activities or things to do besides pool/game room?

 

[2x_dis_dad]

Animal watching...

 

[Keokagal]

Chefs tour.

 

[buckeye]

If you have kids, the Hidden Mickey hunt is fun. The Mickeys are not that easy, so older kids (like my husband...) have a lot of fun trying to find them.

 

[HopperFan]

Yes, the swimming and pool games, and gameroom. You are correct, no water activities like boats. My kids also enjoyed going all over the hotel pin trading with the CMs, there seemed to be a large number of CMs with pins to trade with. The also have many of the activities hosted by students from countries in Africa. They are very interesting and always willing to talk to you about where they are from.

~ Build an African Bead Necklace by participating in Flamingo Feedings, Animal Tracking, Junior Researcher, Music of the Savanna, and Games with Savanna Guides.

~ Also have: Horticulture activity, Culinary Tour of Africa, Cookie Decorating, Spirit of Africa Art Tour (art exhibited all over hotel), African Folktales around the Firepit, Animal Viewsing with Night Vision (if you have night vision on your video camera it works too), African Safari with Medallion Crayon rubbings, Pool Activities, African Games and Crafts.

The gift shop is great and has all kinds of African items to look at and on one of our stays had teens from Africa actually making beautiful natural art. The restaurants are awesome and BOMA especially would be a good thing to PS on a hotel day. There are lots of different spaces to view animals from, some with chairs & lenses. The art and artifacts are also spread all over hotel, so it is fun just to explore.

 

[gigi1313]

wow! that's quite the list! thank you!!

we've been practicing looking for hidden mickeys here at home, so that should be fun for us... i did not realize there were public animal viewing areas... and there is also a kids' club, yes?

 

[beth_cam]

yes there is a kids club. Are the other activities free to resort guests?

 

[HopperFan]

Yes on the Kid's Club, I forgot, we didn't use it.

No charge on the activities. They are all printed on the back of your map you get at check-in. The is an information board in the lobby by the bell stand and by BOMA. It will post all the times for everything. We couldn't even do them all there was so many.

Yes there are many public viewing areas of the animals. The main one is Arusha Rock off the lobby on the Arusha Savanna. Guides are out there and that is where the firepit is located. There are spots past the pool where you can observe the Uzima Savanna. If you go to the Sunset overlook off the lobby you see the Sunset Savanna. Walk up and down the halls and there are glass windows and a few porches with chairs where you can sit and watch the animals. While we loved our savanna view room, they are not necessary to see the animals.

 

[snowwite]

We did this last year. We started with breakfast at Boma,kids activity in room off lobby,then we went to pool and playground,then kids activity by Flamingos then we went inside to Boma to decorate large animal sugar cookies,then to watch animals eat,then to arcade then to another animal activity,then to store to buy more beads to add to the bracelets(kids earn beads with every activity and a large toem bead last day),then to lunch at Mara then to pool,then nap,then to fireplace for story,then to Boma for supper and Arusha rock after dark to see animals with night vision goggles.We had a full day and didnt even get to the spa or kids club.

 

[HopperFan]

Sounds like you all had an awesome day ! A real memory maker

 

[gigi1313]

wow! that does sound like a fun full day!

now, excuse my ignorance, but is there a spa *at* AKL?!

 

[va32h]

We loved our stay at AKL - my kids participated in all the bead activities; and we found that pretty much anytime you wandered into the lobby, there was something going on. One day it was a display of fossils, animal bones, ostrich eggs (and my son's favorite), elephant poop!

The pool is nice too - and even in early December, the weather was nice enough for swimming.

 

[snowwite]

Yes.We there is a spa where you can have massage etc.I think it was called Uzima spa? There was a club for kids too near the arcade. We are going back 4/15 if we can all get better by then.We need pixie dust!

 

[gigi1313]

thanks! i have to check out the spa services... are they listed online anywhere? maybe a manicure for dd and a massage for me while dh/ds go swimming or to the gameroom... how cool would that be?!

 

[beth_cam]

they have a "my first facial" for girls. i thought it was 12 and up but i just found something that said 10-14. I thought it might be something fun to do with my daughter...but mine isnt old enough yet, something to look forward to.

 

[kimmar067]

...the pool area, keeping walking to your right. The spa is located "behind" the water slide.... We also like to chat with the CM's who were out by the viewing areas, especially behind the pool and flamingo area!

 

[gigi1313]

ooh, dd would *love* that!

 

[beth_cam]

check out this link
http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/resorts/aklodge/rec.htm

 

[skiwee1]

thanks! i have to check out the spa services... are they listed online anywhere? maybe a manicure for dd and a massage for me while dh/ds go swimming or to the gameroom... how cool would that be?!

Are you actually staying at the AKL during your day off from the parks? By your signature it doesn't look like you have decided. If you don't stay there them I'm sure you know you cannot use the pool.

 

[snowwite]

Here is what I was able to find on it:

Zahanati Fitness Center is open from 6:00am to 9:00pm at no additional charge to Animal Kingdom Lodge guests 14 and over. Those 14-17 must be accompanied by parent or guardian. Guests of other resorts may use the fitness center for $12 per day, based on availability. The purchase of a spa treatment includes use of the adjacent fitness center for the day of treatment.

The Fitness Center is open 6am to 9pm (as of 7/04) and spa treatment hours are 8:00am to 7:00pm, by appointment. Treatments will include: Massage Therapy: Swedish, Sports, Aromatherapy; Body Treatments: Journey Rejuvenation, Paraffin Body Basque, Aromatherapy massage and masque; and Facials: European Aromatherapy, Gentleman's, My First Facial (10-14 years).

I think you might need to schedule an appointment but it didnt seem busy when we were there.When the pool area ran out of towels a CM sent me in there to grab one and there was only a CM inside.

We are going the 15th. I wish we were there now!