Animal Kingdom Lodge - Good Service Dog Potty Spots?

[Ms_Butterfly]

I've never stayed at AKL, but am pondering it. How close are any grassy or mulchy areas (that I could use for my service dog to potty on) to building exit doors (considering I want a Savannah View Room)? I can't tell by the maps.

Thanks!

 

[dclfun]

ALK is a bit of a challenge. There is only ONE break area which is to the left of the entrance, as you face the resort, by the short term/disabled parking lot. There is no grass, just mulch and some high plants. Due to the themeing, there is very little grass at this resort and it's all in areas around the pool/dining or by the bus stop which aren't appropriate for a break area. We stay there often though, and don't mind the trek down to the mulch area but it can be a bit of a hike depending on where your room is located. Savannah view rooms are spread throughout the resort so you might want to request one as close to the lobby as possible.---Kathy

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

Thanks!

If I was in a Savannah View Room close to the lobby, approximately how long (in minutes) do you think it would take to walk (at a normal/moderate speed, though I may be slower than that) to the potty spot?

 

[dclfun]

Hmmmm-- If you were in a wing right off the lobby and one of the first rooms, it would take around 3-5 minutes to get down to the break area for someone walking at a regular pace. It also depends on what floor you're on and if you have to wait for an elevator. If you didn't want to worry about elevators, then ask for a third floor room.---Kathy

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

I was going to say, after looking again at the plans, I noticed there is only ONE elevator in each wing! (That's nuts!) In that case, I figured I'd tell them I need to be near the elevator. But, then you just reminded me that the third floor is actually the exit floor (Disney is nuts, LOL!), so I wouldn't even need to be near the elevator if I was on the third floor. I do want a good view, though, so I think I'll still ask to be near the elevator or "third floor" could get me put too close to the lobby . Guess I'll put my SD's house harness on and suffer the walk in order to have a better view.

Thanks for your help!

Oh - and I did end up booking AKL this morning! I love animals.

 

[dclfun]

AKL is my favorite resort and now that we own DVC points there we've used them to stay concierge several times which is all the way on the 6th floor. One thing to note is that the rooms there are virtually sound-proof. Even if you're close to the lobby on the third floor you should have a great view and not hear noise. Ask to be facing the Arusha savannah and you should have a perfect spot!---Kathy

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

That's great that they made the rooms well sound-proofed!

Yeah, I'd love to be on the Zebra Trail side facing the Arusha Savanna.

I don't really like the decor of AKL much (too dark for my personal tastes), but I love animals, so at this price, I'll go with staying there. I don't think it'll become my favorite Deluxe (that belongs to the Poly, though I haven't stayed there in a while for various reasons), but it'll be fun to try it for the animals. And my nice zoom lens on my camera (DSLR) will be perfect for photos (I love taking photos).

 

[videogal1]

I've never stayed at AKL, but am pondering it. How close are any grassy or mulchy areas (that I could use for my service dog to potty on) to building exit doors (considering I want a Savannah View Room)? I can't tell by the maps.

Thanks!

I zoomed Cash down to the parking lot for major potty projects but let him go to the far back side of the landscaped area that parallels the walkway to the busses for any last minute relief breaks before returning from or going to the parks.

 

[dclfun]

Lynda is describing the ONLY grass area which is directly behind the bus stop. Since there were always other guests around, I never let Skye go there but if it had been an emergency we wouldn't have hesitated. She's very good about waiting to relieve herself in a designated area and also doesn't really like to "go" in front of people ( strange but true ) so the parking lot area becomes our station each time we visit and was also the area designated by the CM's. There are lots of tall wispy plants and foliage in that area so sometimes she'll stretch out her leash and I won't see what she's doing- much like an animal in the wild which sure goes along with the AKL themeing!---Kathy

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

I zoomed Cash down to the parking lot for major potty projects but let him go to the far back side of the landscaped area that parallels the walkway to the busses for any last minute relief breaks before returning from or going to the parks.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

and also doesn't really like to "go" in front of people ( strange but true )

She's not the only dog. I've heard of some dogs that are so potty shy they actually don't go anywhere but behind bushes where nobody can see them, LOL!! (These are pets, not SDs.)

Of course, I've also heard of dogs who like to poop ON TOP of bushes, LOL! It takes all kinds....

much like an animal in the wild which sure goes along with the AKL themeing!---Kathy

I guess she likes the themeing, too!

 

[mykidsintow]

We just spent a week at AKL.

I asked at desk about a dog walk and they thought I was insane. They told me anywhere around the pool (yahright). So I asked someone else he said "Anywhere around the parking lots I guess".

Finally I found a manager who also could not tell me the place to go. It was frustrating, but I knew I had previously read on here that there was a designated area.... I don't think I ever found it. I did learn there is someone that AKL that has a hearing dog. So at least I was not questioned at all (as I had previously been at POLY)

For Lucas' big business we were typically at a park or out for the day and I carry bags. So it ended up in a trash can somewhere. For anything else he just picked a bush. I usually walked out front towards the disabled parking or towards the bus. Back behind the benches at the bus stop seemed to be a hit with him since he would hit it as we would leave and come back.

I would say while its doable and we will eventually do it again... its not the easiest place to stay with a service animal. Lucas typically has 3 stops a day. So one going in, one out during the day and one on the way back in. Occasionally he will have a 4th. So it wasn't "bad" I just like offering more than those 3 stops... and it was a lot of work to offer and him just rub his face on a bush, hehehe.

 

[dclfun]

I agree that AKL is probably the most difficult place to stay of all the properties at WDW. There really isn't any grass, and like Beth, I'd never let my dog go around a pool or dining area, or really in an area where other guests gather. The first time we stayed there and were in concierge, I was directed to a cast parking lot area where I was told there was some grass. It was late at night and very dark and I didn't see that there was also lots of sand. I ended up getting my w/c stuck in the sand and was afraid to let Skye go for help as there were CM's exiting in their cars that might not see her. I'd still be out there today if someone hadn't driven by on a pargo and heard me screaming for help. Three men in suits came and dug me out. They were laughing and saying how much fun that was- I was really embarrassed, but also relieved as my vent battery doesn't last forever. Since then we just use the parking lot area. I'm hoping when Kidani is finished that there might be a good place around the DVC building where I'm sure we'll be staying more frequently. At least Skye doesn't go that often- once in the morning, once after her "dinner" which is around 1:30 pm, and once before bed. I offer an area as we're leaving or entering a park too as she'll go if I ask her, even if it's only a few drops it makes me feel better. It's like telling your kids...try and go anyway, even if you don't have to! ---Kathy

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

Yikes, Kathy, that's scary about being stuck at night like that!! I'm glad somebody finally heard you.

Yeah, I figured it'd not be the easiest place to stay, but I want to try AKL just once to see the animals. It is much easier to step onto a balcony to relax at night than to walk from a CBR room near the bus stop all the way back to the beach. (Though at CBR, the potty spot is just outside the room and is private.)

My SD goes potty first thing in the morning (a morning dog - ugh! I'm not a morning person!!), after breakfast, a few times during the day, after dinner (7p or later), and last thing before bed. So, the ones that'll be while we're at AKL instead of the parks will be first in the morning, after breakfast, after dinner, and right before bed.

BTW, are there trash cans near the front areas?

 

[dclfun]

Yes, there are plenty of trash cans as you go back toward the entrance. Be careful heading out to the parking lot. Often it's difficult to use the sidewalk as that's where they unload the DME luggage and a truck sometimes blocks the walkway with the luggage lift, causing you to have to go INTO the port cochere area where cars will be passing through.---Kathy

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

Thanks for the tips, everyone!

 

[disneynewman]

Just wanted to say that our last trip in April was the first with my son's SD and we stayed at OKW. It was great for her, plenty of grassy spots for potty. Also our room was right on the golf course and there was a large strip of grass (not on the actual course) that was great to throw the ball for her and get her some exercise

 

[dclfun]

I just wanted to mention that WDW's policy is that a SD must be on a leash or in a harness at all times, thus not free to run w/in the resort. Even though we know our SD's would return to us in a heartbeat and would not attack or bite a guest, other guests aren't always so sure. For everyone's safety, security, and peace of mind, a leash must be maintained. I know this can be tough, esp. for a dog who is used to having play time. The dog park at Ft. Wilderness is available, but difficult to get to.---Kathy

 

[disneynewman]

oops! Didn't even think of that. Next time I will find an appropriate place to exercise her. She performs much better when she is working if she gets her fun time too.
But none the less OKW is still great for having plenty of potty spots

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

Yeah, somebody said in a previous thread that the Ft. Wilderness kennel has a fenced-in play area for service dogs (different from the dog park for pets in the pet circle of campsites). Also, if you're able (or have somebody who can do it for you), you can loose-leash walk your dog around trails, paths, etc.