AKL What to do on a non park day?

[denisenh]

We are staying 2 nights at AKL (first time) , savannah view. (This WDW stay is squeezed in.) Our older daughter and her SO are getting LOS parkhoppers because they can handle 3 days of parkhopping and have not been to WDW in years, actually I don't think that our daughters SO has been at all, and DD stopped vacationing with us at 16 years old so its been 7 years since she has been to WDW. They are very excited to come along with us.)
I have gone back and forth trying to decide if we, me, DH, and DD's 8 and 11 should get PH's too but really, our kids wouldn't do well with that and we will probably do the MK on our full day at AKL.
I figured that we could arrive at WDW early, and get our older daughter and her SO parkhoppers of some kind (stars and stripes if available, as he is in the airforce, or any kind, doesn't matter as we are paying anyway) so that they can get an early start.
I think that we can be considered a resort guest on checkin and departure days?
I just want to make the best of our time at AKL. So, we will have the 1/2 day or so on checkin and departure, plus the eve after MK closes on our full day there.
DD's want to go to the kids club, thanks to a post I saw here and showed to them. I have never taken a vacation in which my kids weren't with me 24/7 so I am nervous about that but may try it. That could be interesting. Anyway...
What would be some things to do esp. at AKL on our down time? TIA for any tips.

 

[MsLefty]

It seems that there is always something going on at AKL that you can do. We never got much down time and now we're regretting all we missed at AKL. We plan on going back and scheduling down days next time. Two of the things I REALLY wanted to do were the Storytelling around the fire pit and the Culinary Safari around the lodge. Both looked very interesting. We went to the night vision animal viewing every night. That was cool! Just wandering around the resort, looking at the three savannas takes time. The pool is very nice. It's open 24 hours, although it's not guarded that entire time. The jacuzzis are open pretty late too. There will be plenty for you to do, trust me!

 

[jcemom]

Here's what I noticed posted on the board this morning: cookie decorating, flamingo feeding, firepit storytelling, cultural safari, animal night-viewing, something about beads and a necklace, art tour, family fun and games at the pool. There was more, but I can't remember it all. It certainly seemed like enough to keep you busy for a full day if you combined that with swimming and just walking around to view the animals on the savannahs, not to mention the gift shop and a meal at Boma...LOL Hope that helps!

 

[#1hockeymom]

You could spend HOURS in the gift shop, alone! There were many times we'd duck in the gift shop in order to get a closer look at an item or two, only to wander out much much later, heavily laden with bags, yet a much lighter wallet! LOL There are so many planned activities there, and plenty to find to do on your own. You might want more than one day to spend exploring!

 

[Harambe]

I'm with MsLefty! We also couldn't fit in the Storytelling out by the fire pit, and we are kicking ourselves! DH and I had the kids in Simba's Cubhouse one night also. We grabbed food from Mara (to counteract the expense of the Cubhouse!) and went up to our room to enjoy our balcony (!) then we went to the bar for a drink. I asked them for a beeper, just in case, and knew I could be there in a flash if the kids needed me. They didn't and had a wonderful time there!

 

[denisenh]

Storytelling around the fire pit and the Culinary Safari

cookie decorating, flamingo feeding, firepit storytelling, cultural safari, animal night-viewing, something about beads and a necklace, art tour, family fun and games at the pool.

Do I need to sign up for these? Do any of these fill up quick? I don't want to miss something because I am not in the know. Is the culinary safari going restaurant to restaurant with a group?

#1hockeymom sounds like you are a fun person to shop with! I will do the "closer look shuffle" too. shhh...don't tell DH LOL

We grabbed food from Mara (to counteract the expense of the Cubhouse!) and went up to our room to enjoy our balcony (!) then we went to the bar for a drink. I asked them for a beeper, just in case, and knew I could be there in a flash if the kids needed me.

That sounds awesome. I want to do that! Do I need to register the kids ahead?
I am so excited for this trip!

 

[MsLefty]

I can't answer accurately since I never got to do these things (next time, I swear!) but I believe you just show up at the time posted and have fun! I know that they have these enormous rocking chairs by the fire pit to sit in, but there seemed to be only about 10 or so, so if you wanted to sit in one, I'd get there early. I read that you do get to sample items from the restaurant for the culinary tour, but don't hold me to that. I did walk by as they were doing part of the cultural tour... that looked interesting too. So much to do at AKL!! It's interesting to just wander around the resort looking at all the African artifacts and reading about them. Remember to touch the door when you leave the front entrance. It brings you good fortune!

 

[#1hockeymom]

I believe most of the activities you just show up for! There is a Bboard by bell services in the lobby, and another one between Jiko and Boma by the elevators. We did go to the story telling after dinner one night and it was nice! We also had a different CM come up to the concierge lounge one evening and tell the kids who were there a different story. I believe this was very impromtu and I think he was practicing his "craft" for the big show by the firepit. He read wonderfully and had the kids enthralled! I enjoyed sitting back and listening, too!

My mother and I watched the flamingo feeding in November, as that is her favorite bird of all time. They tell all about the birds, their eating habits and their regular routines. Before they fed the flamingoes and the birds near them they had kids' science experiment set up on different beak styles and their feeding habits. They called up different children to try it out, then showed how the real birds were able to gather their breakfast!

DS felt too old for cookie decorating, but did do the animal trivia at the last minute when we walked past it near the kiddie pool one night.

There is just so much to do at AKL. We still missed most of the activities and we had planned to do many of them!

Denisenh>> My "shopping" was made even more fun knowing that DH was far far away in Michigan holding the fort down, while DS and I played for the week!

Ms. Lefty>> I didn't know about the touching the door trick! I guess I must have touched it my first trip in November when I took my mother, as I have been blessed with multiple Disney trips ever since!

Happy Planning!
Debbie

 

[denisenh]

Thank you all for the tips! I will try anything and the kids are at an age, or maybe its their personalities, but they enjoy "kid stuff" and the older group things too. I am trying to imagine what is in store and I just can't, but our stay is coming up quick!

 

[poohlover]

Last Thanksgiving 3 of my kids LOVED the storytelling around the fire pit! You do need to get there early if you want a rocking chair, other wise people just strolled in at different times.

My kids also loved just walking around & speaking to the CM's about the animals. We found out that the "big horned bulls" ( can't remember what they are called) are really just cows, very gentle & used as dowry in Africa!!

There is also a hidden Mickey challenge. My kids loved trying to find them all. They never did get to all of them...I also wish we had more "down time" but it gave them something to do. WE have 6 kids so it ended up being a contest of boys VS girls! They had a ball with it. I think if you do get all of them you turn in the sheet & get a "prize".

 

[Gillian]

There are very nice changing facilities by the AKL pool, too, if you don't have a room yet and want to go swimming. I loved the music and found it wonderfully relaxing!