Animal Kingdom Lodge

[Miffy2003]

We have decided to book AKL for the first night of our upcoming trip.

As we will only be there from about five o'clock in the evening until we check out the next day we won't have lots of time, but could you tell me what you think are don't miss things there? It will be me, DH and our 2 DDs who will be 9 & 6. The 9 year old is a huge animal fan and very keen on conservation.

I'm thinking we want to have a dip in the pool, have tea at Boma and of course explore the lodge and see the animals.

I would love to hear from anyone that has stayed there or is going to stay there and knows all about it

Thanks!

Karen

 

[maleficent_man]

Cool!

As you know, I'm going to be staying here in the summer - here is some info I have found:

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/aklss.htm

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_akl.htm

http://www.wdwmagic.com/ak_lodge_preview_weekend.htm

http://www.intercot.com/resorts/disney/aklodge/default.asp - tour info - There is a Lodge tour every afternoon at 3:30pm

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/aklodge/index.htm

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...d=AnimalKingdomLodgeResortLandingPage&count=1

====================
ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE -Info from www.allearsnet.com
====================

Finally, there's the Animal Kingdom Lodge. This place is chock full of little touches that you might take for granted and walk by -- we could almost dedicate a whole article to this resort alone.

Start with the impressive lobby. Just take your time examining the hand-carved furnishings, African art and the giant fireplace. (Remind you of the Wilderness Lodge? You bet. Same architect!) Among the artworks you'll observe are: a Guro mask from the Ivory Coast, that is part animal with horns yet has the face of a human; an elephant mask with a chicken-feathered cape that illustrates the power of animals and the power of man; the 16-foot tall, 8-foot wide Igbo Ijele (pronounced e-bo e-gelay) mask, created by the Igbo people of Nigeria specifically for export to represent all aspects of the Igbo life -- no other Ijele is known to exist outside of Igbo land.

If this art inspires you, make the time to browse the traditional textiles and basketry, along with books on African
arts and crafts, on sale in the Zawadi Marketplace.

When you're at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, it's impossible to overlook the main attraction -- the animals roaming freely on the 33 acres of savanna. But you might pass up a few of the viewing spots beyond the obvious ones. The Sunset Overlook is a fabulous place to watch for animals, but you could also walk down some of the other hallways, where you'll find large windows looking out onto animal areas. On the ground level, there's an additional pathway leading to more viewing just beyond the Arusha Rock -- there's often a Cast Member on hand to help you spot and identify the animals.

If you stop in the Sunset Overlook room, be sure to study the artifacts in the cases and shadowboxes on the wall. This is a quiet spot for reflecting, and it's also the spot where rainy day children's activities are held -- don't miss it!

Because the Animal Kingdom Lodge is such an unusual resort, it seems to have more than its share of special programs for guests, adult and children alike. In the past, they have held flamingo feedings, animal tracking and
horticulture programs, art and culinary tours, a "cultural safari," and have even had special nighttime animal viewings with night vision equipment. Be sure to ask at Guest Services about special activities and programs that may be offered during your stay.

And don't miss what's easily the most overlooked attraction at the Lodge -- the staff. Many of the Cast Members here are natives of Africa, or have lived there, and they are storehouses of knowledge about the differences in cultures, as well as the animals. There are many formal opportunities for hearing from the staff, such as the nightly storytelling at the Arusha Rock Firepit, but don't hesitate to strike up a casual conversation to find out more about the Lodge itself, and perhaps another part of the world.

 

[Miffy2003]

Wow Nick!! Thanks - that's saved me some work!

Would love to hear from anyone who has stayed here before too.

 

[Bexx]

You're obviously not a planner then, Nick....!?!

Very impressive stuff!!

 

[maleficent_man]

It pays to plan!!

My 'rough' draft plan is currently sitting at 8 pages.....I might post my plan later on to scare everyone as to how much I have planned....

 

[UKDEB]

Karen,

Obviously you've not got a huge amount of time to explore, but I think the girls would probably enjoy the storytelling on the Arusha Savannah. There are around 8-10 rocking chairs around the firepit - not sure how busy it gets.

I can vouch for the enthusiasm of the CMs. Amber will get a lot from staying there by seeking them out - both around the savannahs and in the lodge itself. They're all really keen to talk about the animals and conservation. The Arusha Savannah is the biggest, but try to take a look at them all because they all have different species.

Because I know we're always shattered during the first evening, rather than have dinner at Boma, I would prefer to grab room service or something from Mara and then enjoy breakfast at Boma as soon as they open.

Have you considered Concierge? It's worth considering for several reasons if you can get it for a reasonable price:

* The offerings are worthwhile, especially during the evening - quite a few hot ones based on Boma and Jiko fayre, wine/cocktails, Fru-unch (the tropical juice served at Boma) and milk and cookies at bedtime. It would be a far more relaxed meal option for your first evening;

* It overlooks the lobby and is a nice area. There is a TV/DVDs for the kids;

* There are often CMs around only too keen to impart information and you usually have them all to yourselves;

* If you are staying there on a Monday or Friday evening, you can take the Sunrise Safari. Like Boma, it's a great start to the holiday when you'll be awake at the crack of dawn anyway. Unlike Boma (which you can do anytime) it's only available to Concierge Guests, so it would be a very special treat for Amber.

This is the information from Deb Wills' site about the Safari:

Sunrise Safari Breakfast Adventure is available to concierge guests only. The tour, along the safari ride path, lasts about 45 minutes and includes multiple stops so that you can stand up and take many pictures. Each of the animals along the way is described in great detail, since there is plenty of time. The Adventure is available on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

After the Safari, you go to Tusker House for a breakfast buffet which includes both standard American and African items. Each person also gets a FastPass to Kilimanjaro Safari to experience it "the regular way".

Bill Leska writes: We just returned from a six night stay at AKL, where we did the Sunrise Safari twice. It was that great! Here are a couple of updates you may want to consider:

The price is now just a shade less than $50 per person, including tax. (Our total for three people was $149.xx.) The fact sheet says it's $39.95. It leaves the AKL at 7:30, not 6:30 as shown. (I imagine that this would probably vary with season, the park's opening time, etc., but for our trip, it left at 7:30.)

The fact sheet said that there was a limit of 28 persons. This wasn't the case for either of our safaris. One of them had 55 people and the other had about 50. However, there does appear to be a limit to the number of people: We went on the safari on a Saturday and like it so much, we booked it again for the following Tuesday. As the Concierge was setting things up, he mentioned that it looked good, because there wasn't anyone on the waiting list. (Having a waiting list indicates to me that there is a limit of some kind.)

As I mentioned, we had a great time on the safari and would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who enjoys the Animal Kingdom's Kilimanjaro Safari. The Sunrise Safaris were the highlight of our trip. (7/04)

The group leaves AKL at 6:30am and you are transported to the Animal Kingdom's Kilimanjaro Safari area.

It can be booked up to 90 days out, by contacting AKL concierge directly (once you have your room reservation).

 

[rosiejo]

Wow - thanks maleficent_man i think I'll check out those pages too. I've pretty much scavenged the net for theme park info at the moment which I'm trying to cross reference and pull together so that I can give it to the rest of my travelling party - unfortunately finding out about the AKL is low on the priority list as only me and the DH2B will be staying there! This gives me an excuse to start reading up sooner :0)

 

[Miffy2003]

Hmmm......concierge

The problem is Deb, if I try it I might like it too much

I hadn't thought of this but I see where you are coming from.

Jon won't thank you for this advice you know

 

[carolfoy]

sounds amazing. can guests at other resort hotels i.e. the ASMo enjoy this stuff? (obviously not the concierge bits) but can we just go there for a wander around?

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Karen, AKL is just awesome It truly is like being in the middle of an African game reserve. The pool is a lovely area, with a great slide for children (and us adults - in fact, I'm sure I went on it more than Katie did ).

I agree with Deb - the rocking chairs and the storytelling is magical.

Do you have a savannah view room? If so, spend time sitting on your balcony watching the animals all around you. If not, enjoy them down on the savannah - there are different areas to watch and there are even "night vision" binoculars available to use.

We didn't eat in Mara, but did enjoy one ouf best onsite breakfasts in Boma. They serve al the traditional American all-you-can-stuff-type buffets, together with some more interesting African fayre which we thoroughly enjoyed. And the fruit punch is to die for. Try and ask for a table near the pool - there is a little stream which trickles down to the pool and sit near here for atmosphere.

Their gift shop is worth spending time in, if you love shopping They have loads of African originals. Last time we were there, there was an African wood carver in the shop showing how to carve animals.

The whole place is worth a wander around. Each floor has different art and sculptures, the same as the main atrium/lobby area.

Enjoy

 

[maleficent_man]

Yeah anyone can go and have a look around, book tables in the restaraunts etc - if you drive there, you'll be given a temporary parking pass for three hours or so.

 

[carolfoy]

THanks, will definately make a trip over there do you know if we can go and use their pool?

 

[UKDEB]

THanks, will definately make a trip over there do you know if we can go and use their pool?

Pool-hopping isn't permitted at Disney (it is at Universal Resorts), other than for DVC guests who can use all but Stormalong Bay at the Yacht & Beach Club.

 

[psharrock]

Debbie,

Just to clarify

DVC Members cannot pool hop to AKL - extract from DVC website :-

Pool hopping is not available at Uzima Pool at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Stormalong Bay at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts

Paul

 

[Miffy2003]

Great! Thanks for your views everyone - I am really excited now!!

I have not booked yet. Have looked at Concierge (thanks, Deb ) but I think we will go with a non Concierge room.

Bearing in mind we'll only be at the resort for a few hours - and we'll be tired from the trip out that day - is it worth paying extra for Savannah view? I think personally I'd be happy with non special view as it looks like we can enjoy the animals from various vantage points at the resort.

What do you think?

 

[UKDEB]

Debbie,

Just to clarify

DVC Members cannot pool hop to AKL - extract from DVC website :-

Pool hopping is not available at Uzima Pool at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Stormalong Bay at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts

Paul

Oops! Thanks, Paul.

Karen - I really think not. We were so cream-crackered when we arrived that we really did not make the most of our savannah view the first night.

 

[TartanFan]

AKL's my favourite resort (sor far!). If you're only going to be there 1 night I wouldn't spend the extra for a savannah view coz in my experience, when I hit the room on the first night, I just want to crash! I would do as someone else suggested and have a light meal from the Mara, hang out in the lobby and check out the artefacts for a while, catch the storyteller on Arusha Rock, talk to the CM's at the overlook then maybe some swimming and a beverage or two at the pool bar. A good night's sleep then an early breakfast at Boma (probably VERY early as that time difference kicks in! I've had many an early morning conversation with other early birds at 6.00am on the patio area outside of the Mara with my coffee!)

(PS - Not to raise any false expectations, but I'm 3 for 3 on upgrades from standard view at AKL, always unsolicited. Twice to pool view (both times in December) and once to savannah last August. So pixie dust can happen!)

 

[Clare D]

Miffy great thread you have saved me a job as we are there for 4 nights in October.
We have booked through Virgin and they had to ask Disney for a Savanah room as they only had standard rooms left. Thankfully this has been granted but I agree that you will be so tired when you get there you may not get the benefit of the room.
I have read on the site that they do tend to upgrade more than other deluxe hotels so you could always put a call into the hotel direct before you go. I didn't want to risk it though due to DS(2).
cLARE

 

[Cyrano]

Karen
what a great thread.
I'm starting to research for our first planned trip. If all goes well looking at 2006/07.
AKL has always appealed as I think it would make a stay at WDW very special.

Reid

 

[maleficent_man]

(PS - Not to raise any false expectations, but I'm 3 for 3 on upgrades from standard view at AKL, always unsolicited. Twice to pool view (both times in December) and once to savannah last August. So pixie dust can happen!)[/QUOTE]

Too late - you've already raised mine!! I'm always curious about asking for upgrades - I'd quite like it - but don't want to end up paying for it!

Nick