Akl

[carolina_yankee]

Dirk............ Thanks!!!! He LOVES animals, just this morning on the way to school, he had to point out every animal he saw........

I appreciate all the info!!! Thanks Everyone!!

Oops, after checking the AK section of the WDW site, tours are limited to age 16 and over. However affection station and Habitat Habit in Rafkiki's Planet Watch in Animal Kingdom should give good interaction with animals, plus a neat train ride to get there from a 5 y.o's perspective.

Dirk

 

[wendypooh]

Dirk.........

Thanks for the info............. it stinks though........ that we can't do the Sunrise Safari.......... Concierge is just a little too pricey for me!!!! Oh well, I'm sure he'll get his fill of the animals. We are planning on spending one day at AK, that and the AKL, he should get to see plenty of them. He's already wanting me to make sure he'll get the nightvision goggles!!! I do appreciate the help.

Thanks

 

[Merylj]

We loved AKL, we too were on the Zebra Trail overlooking the savannah. We especially asked for this location on check in and the CM was happy to oblige!
Some people say go for a high floor, though the Bellman said to us the lower floors are better as you get to see under the canopies of the trees.
There were always animals to see, though if you don`t have a sanannah view room there are plenty of area`s to view the animals.
Jiko and Boma are excellent places to eat and the food at the Mara is fine with a nice outdoor seating area as well as interior seating.
AKL is a very special place to stay - have a great time.

 

[Kuzco]

Have a great time. I am sure you will love AKL. I have stayed there twice, and loved both trips.

I agree with one of the previous posters -- I think Mara is one of the best quick service locations at the Resorts. It has plenty of room and a lot to offer.

Have a great trip! You deserve it.

 

[wendypooh]

Thanks everyone, we are looking forward to it. Now if we could just hurry up with Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years............ Sheesh!!! LOL

 

[k&a&c'smom]

wendypooh - AKL is our very favorite resort in WDW! You and your famiy are gonna have a great trip!

I have stayed on the 2nd, the 4th and the 6th floors, and we really enjoyed the 2nd floor the best. You are closer to the animals, so you get a more up-close view. On the upper floors, you get a broader, more panaramic view. And, we recently stayed in a std. room and still had a wonderful time! We looked over Jiko and Boma, and to our right you could see the pool area through the trees - great for the price!

There are so many wonderful activities at this resort - cultural & art tours for the adults, and cookie decorating, pelican feedings, pool games, night vision, etc. for the little guy. And don't miss the storytelling at Arusha Rock!*events & times change seasonally, so look for these activities on the board in the lobby, or ask at the front desk*

Remember that not all animals are on every savannah, for instance, Zebra are only on the Arusha Savannah, Kudu are only on the Uzima and Ostrich are only on the Sunset Savannah. Giraffe are on all three.

We most enjoyed our room on the Arusha Savannah, Zebra Trail, room #2437 - we were directly across the hall from the vending/ice machines and elevator to the pool, Mara, laundry. However, if walking a few extra steps is not an issue for you(I have a bad ankle) you might prefer to be a little farther out on the Trail, to get a better view.*the rooms closer to the lobby are somewhat obscured by Arusha Rock.* #1hockeymom swears by the rooms at the very ends of the trails, although you have a little hike from the lobby, she says the views there are spectacular!

HTH!

 

[wendypooh]

Thank You so much. That's what I'm wanting to know..... I'd like to "ask" for a certain area..... and perhaps we'll be lucky enough to get it!!! My DS is so excited about it, we've been letting him help in the planning!! I did read where someone else had said the lower level rooms were better for seeing the animals........ that is good. I'd like to be close to the elevators, but how is the noise level?? I've heard that at Pop, where we'll be for the first 2 nights, it's very loud. I'm just hoping for a NON smoking, bunk bed room, with a balcony....... and some type of view.......... if possible......... am I asking for too much??

I also appreciate the info on the cookie decorating, DS would love that!!! Do you know if they roast marshmallows??? I think I read somewhere that someplace does that?? I've read so much the last few days, my brain is not functioning properly!!!! LOL

Again, I appreciate all the help, you guys are wonderful.

I just want this trip to be wonderful for my DH, he needs a lot of pixiedust sprinkled on him!!!

Anyway.............. Thanks a lot for the info!!!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Don't worry, you absolutely are not asking too much!! Most people have a fairly detailed request list for AKL as it has so many different areas to choose from. Of course, your requests are never guaranteed*unless for health reasons* but here is how I word my requests: "non-smoking, Arusha Savannah, Zebra Trail, lower floor near the lobby." Or it could be "non-smoking, bunk-beds, Arusha Savannah, Zebra Trail, near the end of the Trail." It all depends on what is the most important to you. I wouldn't worry about "balcony" being one of your requests, as all rooms at AKL have balconies. Just pick the savannah you are most interested in, where you would like to be*close to lobby, close to elevator, or close to the end of the trail* and include your non-smoking, bunk bed requests. I try to list my requests in the order that I most want them - since I have asthma, non-smoking always has to be first! - and then go from there.*I'm assuming you have booked a savannah view room, otherwise your view requests need to be different - if you have booked a std. room, these rooms do not face the savannahs.* Don't hesitate to discuss your requests with your cm at check-in, they are always ready to help make your trip magical!

You really should go to allearsnet.com and look under "accommodations" - go to AKL, choose "photos" and click on the map for AKL. This will give you a good idea of where the savannahs are and how the resort is laid out.

I know many people have mentioned hearing a lot of traffic noise near the elevators, but we have never had that problem. The only time we have had a noise problem was when we stayed at the BC, we were right next to a mousekeeping supply room. Every morning about 5 am we would hear banging and rattling of carts, etc.! We never needed an alarm clock, LOL!

I've never seen anyone roast marshmallows at AKL, not to say they don't, just never witnessed it myself! And, I've never seen it on the list of activities on any of our trips there. You are probably thinking of WL/Ft. Wilderness, they do the outdoor movie, campfire and marshmallow roasting there in the evenings.

I hope you and your family have the vacation of your dreams, you certainly deserve it!

 

[Camping Griswalds]

The more I read about AKL the more I want to stay there!

 

[kimmar067]

I just bumped my "JAMBO! Just back...." thread and posted a pic that you may wanna take a look-see at....

 

[wendypooh]

k&a&c'smom --- Thank YOU so much for the info!!! I appreciate it very much. You are right, the marshmallow thing is at Ft. Wilderness.......... I'm glad to hear about the noise issue, we were at POFQ last year, and the same thing happened to us........ we were near the mousekeeping area, and well, it wasn't very good!!! LOL
I'd rather avoid that this time. I"ve been reading that POP is very loud as well, I'm hoping for the best though. DS really wants to stay there...... he has got to see the potato head!!!??? But, the trip is for him right????? Again, Thank you for the info, it is very helpful.


Kimmar........... off to look at that pic. right now!!!! Thanks

 

[kimmar067]

Kimmar........... off to look at that pic. right now!!!! Thanks

If ya have any questions, give me a holler...

 

[Deweysgirl]

We were in Room 2562. It was a standard savannah view room with bunkbeds and an awesome view! I loved this room, the animals were so close, we almost felt like we could reach out and touch them! My girls could lay on top bunk and watch the animals go by. I do believe all of the rooms have a balcony. This is on Zebra trail overlooking Uzima. I know you all surely do deserve this trip and kudos to your DH for his hard work and perserverence in NOLA. Have fun!!