Animal Kingdom Lodge Quick Tips

[copperbrick]

For those who have stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, do you have any quick tips for those who are planning to vacation there?

I'll begin: If you have a room that is waaaaaaay far away from the lobby (ours last year was one of the furthest), you might want to consider renting a locker in the pool area.

Put your refillable mug in the locker along with your bathing suit, whatever. If your ankles swell, put a few plastic bags in the locker as well.

(The mugs are available in The Mara which is located next to the pool area - refill to your hearts delight of soda, coffee, tea, hot cocoa, lemonaide, water, ice . . . and I can't remember what else).

After a long day of touring, it can be wonderful to grab a hot or cold beverage and head to the pool or (my favorite) THE WHIRLPOOL. Oh, my aching feet love that whirlpool! If I'm really sore, I grab my beverage and sit in one of the lounge chairs with plastic bags of ice on my feet and ankles BEFORE I go into the whirlpool. Ahhhhhh, heaven.

A drink from the bar by the pool ain't bad, either! Too bad the refillable mugs don't work there!

The walk back to the room doesn't feel quite as long after this special treatment.

 

[copperbrick]

My daughter reminded me that there is a sheet that gives clues to finding AKL Hidden Mickeys around the lodge.

We had a blast looking for them! By the time we were done, she was in the gift shop buying the book that gives clues for all of WDW.

Mind you, she's in her 20's -- it is fun for "little kids" of all ages.

There a profile of Mickey outside in the big gate that greets you when you exit the lobby to the back. It's definitely worth finding.

Warning, finding Hidden Mickey's can become obsessive. By the time we came home, we were seeing Hidden Mickeys in everything.

 

[copperbrick]

I'll keep posting more as I think of them.

Refillable mugs: Try mixing hot cocoa with your coffee instead of cream (or in addition to cream!) to make a "designer" flavored coffee. Even if you're not a fan of Disney coffee, with the hot cocoa, it's pretty good!

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

My daughter reminded me that there is a sheet that gives clues to finding AKL Hidden Mickeys around the lodge.

We had a blast looking for them! By the time we were done, she was in the gift shop buying the book that gives clues for all of WDW.

Mind you, she's in her 20's -- it is fun for "little kids" of all ages.

There a profile of Mickey outside in the big gate that greets you when you exit the lobby to the back. It's definitely worth finding.

Warning, finding Hidden Mickey's can become obsessive. By the time we came home, we were seeing Hidden Mickey's in everything.

That's so funny syou say that about finding hidden Mickey's everywhere.\I, too, have been seeing them alot since returning from our Aug. trip.

 

[copperbrick]

Packaged alcohol: They sell it both at The Mara and in the gift shop. Mara is just wine, coolers and beer if memory serves. Check BOTH before you buy. As I recall, the prices were better at Mara -- or at least the shelf bottles of wine were. The cold beer, etc. ws probably more.

I didn't notice the bottles of wine for sale until our last day there.

 

[chanti]

oooh good tips... thanks!! I'm looking forward to our holiday in the AKL!!!

 

[miprender]

Keep them coming... I am hoping to stay here for our next trip. We are just waiting until Tuesday when a coworker can book it for us using her points.


How long can you rent the lockers?Do you have to clear them out at the end of the day?

 

[islandtimect]

For those booking a savannah view who wake up early, head to your balcony to watch the animals eating. They are fed early morning. I was awake before 7am and watched zebras, bongo, etc munching away. Everything was so quiet and peaceful.

For really good animal viewing, request a savannah view rm in the middle of the arc on a middle floor.

The talks given by African cultural guides are interesting for adults, but not geared for little ones. They'll be bored.

If you book a 1br villa and have only 1 child with you, they may enjoy the sleeper chair more than the sleeper sofa. Saves the hassle of opening and closing the sofa, plus she felt all cozy and comfy in her chair.

On a rainy or relaxing day, spend time enjoying the beauty of the lobby and resort. Jambo's lobby is my fave (although GF's is a close 2nd) and there's many good photo ops from different angles and levels.

 

[nursekimmy]

I would recommend going to the night viewing of the animals.

My DH and I happened across it one evening while walking around the pool. It was pretty neat. My parents were on vacation with us and we told them about it the next day and of course the next night they were down there.

 

[copperbrick]

AKL has a bulletin board where they post the weekly events. Be sure to find it -- there's cookie decorating, pottery painting, story telling, and at one point during the day they have kids line up in the lobby and march through the lobby beating drums -- very cute!

Last year in the library area there were also cast members daily who would play drums . . . around them were other percussion instruments for kids, parents, anyone to grab and play along. I had a ball watching this last year. I hope they still do it.

 

[copperbrick]

Keep them coming... I am hoping to stay here for our next trip. We are just waiting until Tuesday when a coworker can book it for us using her points.


How long can you rent the lockers?Do you have to clear them out at the end of the day?

You will LOVE it there! Let me say it in advance . . . "Welcome HOME."

That's a good question about the lockers. I never used one overnight and do not remember what the rules may be. Maybe someone else here will know.

 

[copperbrick]

If on your last few days there you are given a sheet that invites you get a discount if you book your next vacation before you end your vacation, put it in the safe or somewhere where you won't lose it.

Last year, I lost mine (eventually found it before I left), and when I asked for another copy, no one in the hotel knew what I was talking about, even housekeeping. Not sure why.

 

[copperbrick]

For those booking a savannah view who wake up early, head to your balcony to watch the animals eating. They are fed early morning. I was awake before 7am and watched zebras, bongo, etc munching away. Everything was so quiet and peaceful.

For really good animal viewing, request a savannah view rm in the middle of the arc on a middle floor.

The talks given by African cultural guides are interesting for adults, but not geared for little ones. They'll be bored.

If you book a 1br villa and have only 1 child with you, they may enjoy the sleeper chair more than the sleeper sofa. Saves the hassle of opening and closing the sofa, plus she felt all cozy and comfy in her chair.

On a rainy or relaxing day, spend time enjoying the beauty of the lobby and resort. Jambo's lobby is my fave (although GF's is a close 2nd) and there's many good photo ops from different angles and levels.

That's a great tip!

And for those reading this who may not have a Savanah view, there are a lot of main level and balcony areas for guests to use for viewing -- the oversized rocking chairs in the all-guest areas are addictive.

Does anyone know what time they feed the animals in the evening?

 

[Momw/aplan]

Great thread!

We're staying at AKL (savannah view) in Nov. Maybe some of you who are coming here to give your quick tips could also help with what I've been wondering about?

Our plan is to eat breakfast out on our balcony while watching the animals every morning, and we can't wait! BUT, from some of the photos I've seen that were taken on various balconies I know that a lot of savannah view rooms look right out onto public sidewalks (viewing areas, like arusha rock), and some look straight across to other balconies. We would really love for our balcony to feel more private than that. I'd like to feel like we are right out on the savannah, just us and the animals, no other people around . Are there any particular rooms we could request that could give us that feeling?

And besides, in addition to wanting that feeling, I also DON'T want to spend my whole vacation with my curtains closed so no one gets a peek at me in my pj's. That would kind of defeat the purpose of paying extra for the view if we couldn't keep the curtains open, you know?

We don't have to have zebras outside our room, so long as there is the chance some giraffes might wander by (and I know from research there are supposed to be at least a few giraffes on all of the savannahs). So it doesn't have to be the biggest savannah.

I don't even think we would mind having a bit of a walk to the pool, lobby, bus stop, etc if only we can get a nice, "private" feeling balcony with our bunkbed room.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[copperbrick]

Great thread!

We're staying at AKL (savannah view) in Nov. Maybe some of you who are coming here to give your quick tips could also help with what I've been wondering about?

Our plan is to eat breakfast out on our balcony while watching the animals every morning, and we can't wait! BUT, from some of the photos I've seen that were taken on various balconies I know that a lot of savannah view rooms look right out onto public sidewalks (viewing areas, like arusha rock), and some look straight across to other balconies. We would really love for our balcony to feel more private than that. I'd like to feel like we are right out on the savannah, just us and the animals, no other people around . Are there any particular rooms we could request that could give us that feeling?

And besides, in addition to wanting that feeling, I also DON'T want to spend my whole vacation with my curtains closed so no one gets a peek at me in my pj's. That would kind of defeat the purpose of paying extra for the view if we couldn't keep the curtains open, you know?

We don't have to have zebras outside our room, so long as there is the chance some giraffes might wander by (and I know from research there are supposed to be at least a few giraffes on all of the savannahs). So it doesn't have to be the biggest savannah.

I don't even think we would mind having a bit of a walk to the pool, lobby, bus stop, etc if only we can get a nice, "private" feeling balcony with our bunkbed room.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

Great questions.

First, I would call Disney Reservations and tell them about your Savannah and breakfast dreams -- ask them to put it in your reservation notes. They will tell you they cannot guarantee anything, but if you have it noted, it might help. I would also call the hotel and lovingly talk to them. They too will tell you they can do nothing, but establishing a relationship never hurts.

Next, close your drapes any time you do not want to be seen. There are cameras EVERYWHERE on property -- animals must be protected -- and if the drapes are open, well, you get it, I'm sure. This one is a must.

You are going to love, love, love AKL.

 

[Momw/aplan]

Great questions.

First, I would call Disney Reservations and tell them about your Savannah and breakfast dreams -- ask them to put it in your reservation notes. They will tell you they cannot guarantee anything, but if you have it noted, it might help. I would also call the hotel and lovingly talk to them. They too will tell you they can do nothing, but establishing a relationship never hurts.

Next, close your drapes any time you do not want to be seen. There are cameras EVERYWHERE on property -- animals must be protected -- and if the drapes are open, well, you get it, I'm sure. This one is a must.

You are going to love, love, love AKL.

Thank you Copperbrick! I'll be sure to call them. and to close the drapes when changing clothes, etc.

I do get why there would be cameras watching the balcony areas (can't say I relish the thought; but I do understand it). Hopefully the cameras aren't set up to look straight into the rooms though?!?

Regardless, security cameras watching out for the animals' well being is one thing; but the idea of looking out my balcony window and actually seeing people see me back? That kind of wigs me out.

 

[copperbrick]

Thank you Copperbrick! I'll be sure to call them. and to close the drapes when changing clothes, etc.

I do get why there would be cameras watching the balcony areas (can't say I relish the thought; but I do understand it). Hopefully the cameras aren't set up to look straight into the rooms though?!?

Regardless, security cameras watching out for the animals' well being is one thing; but the idea of looking out my balcony window and actually seeing people see me back? That kind of wigs me out.

Disney is very up front about it, which I found comforting, maybe you will too. It is indeed all about animal safety:

From a Disney Room Notice: "To assist the animal care staff in maintaining the health and safety of the animals, please do not feed them or drop items into the habitats. Also, please do not attempt to approach or cross the barriers designed for guest and animal safety. If any guest attempts to harm the animals or their habitats, they will be immediately asked to leave the resort. During your stay you may notice cameras in and around the savannas. These cameras are for the protection and safety of our animals. For privacy, please close your drapes."

Source: Allears.net: http://allears.net/acc/faq_akl.htm

I remember I didn't feel at all uncomfortable with this while I was there, if that helps. You do not look out your balcony and see things looking back . . . except the animals, of course. HOWEVER, your post made something else dawn on me (thank you!) . . .

Binoculars! They are a must to pack when you go, by the way.

So, even though Disney may be watching the animals, there's nothing to keep someone with a pair of binoculars from looking at everything, everywhere, which I suppose is true wherever you travel, and of course yet another reason to close the drapes.

 

[Flossbolna]

Our plan is to eat breakfast out on our balcony while watching the animals every morning, and we can't wait! BUT, from some of the photos I've seen that were taken on various balconies I know that a lot of savannah view rooms look right out onto public sidewalks (viewing areas, like arusha rock), and some look straight across to other balconies. We would really love for our balcony to feel more private than that. I'd like to feel like we are right out on the savannah, just us and the animals, no other people around . Are there any particular rooms we could request that could give us that feeling?

I think the most secluded feel would be at the Uzima Savanna. Is you look at this map (courtesy of wdwinfo.com):

it is the area to the right of Zebra trail, above the pool. On the map there isn't any savanna, only text. But there is a small savanna, it's the one you can see from the overlook behind the pool (that's where the night goggles can be used). I have read that many people really liked that area, but it is a bit further away from the lobby, but quite close to the pool. On Arusha savanna (the one in the middle) you will have lots of people in the middle and will look out to another set of hotel rooms. Also on Sunset Savanna you will now see Kidani in the distance. However, I think that Uzima does have "people pens" those are areas close to the buildings that are fenced. They are evacuation areas in case of emergency, so they are generally empty, but if you look straight down, the view is not perfect, but you still can look straight out over the savanna, hope this helps!

 

[patsfan101]

Loving this thread -
We're planning on booking AKL next visit. Still waiting for answer to the question if anyone knows what time they feed the animals in the evening.
LOVE Giraffes!

 

[Momw/aplan]

Thank you both Flossbolna and Copperbrick!
Uzima does look like it might be more secluded. I'll give the resort a call, see what they think about it, and put in my request. I know there's not guarantee we'll get exactly what we're hoping for, but at least it might up our chances to make a request.