Back from AKL (4/30) Any?

[heffalump9]

We had another wonderful stay at AKL. We were upgraded to a savannah room (N/C) upon check in. This is our second stay on the Zebra trail and it was even better then our 2002 trip. Our room was across from a watering hole and right of the people pens on the 3rd floor. We saw animals outside of our balcony all the time (especially early AM & late afternoon near dusk). We came back for breaks several afternoons just to enjoy the animals. There were a group of 4 giraffes, a large number of tommies, 3 Akone cattle, Impala, Crowned cranes, Blesbok and lots of other birds.

The CM's were wonderful especially the one afternoon/evening we got rained out (4/26). There were severe weather warnings that day and we got about 3 1/2 inches of rain with strong winds. The CM's had activities ready for all the kids (musical marches thru the lobby, rubbings, extra story telling around the fire pit).

The Mara had better food service this time, we did notice that they moved many of the prepackaged doughnuts and chips to the Ziawada Market. The Jiko and Boma were great as always (we made PS for each meal and glad we had them, very few walk-ins spots available in the evening).

The bus service was a little slow (15 min waits for non-EMH parks) compared to our last visits, and the bell desk was very busy, being on the lobby level we handled our own luggage this time.

If I can answer any questions, I will try.

 

[poohbear158]

My husband and I will be staying at AKL for the first time this October. I've been debating if I should book the standard view and hope to get upgraded to the Savannah view or just book the Savannah view right away. My husband really want's the Savannah, but the free upgrade would be great!!!

Did you use Magical Express for your trip? That's something else that I'm not sure if I want to use or not. I've heard many no so good things about it from this board. Our plane will arive at 10:30am and since check in isn't until 3pm, I think I should be ok using ME.

 

[eeyore45]

Just would appreciate your experiences with the bus transportation to the various parks...

Love the different reports!!

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

As an AKL veteran (the veteran being you) are there any off the beaten track things at the AKL for my husband and I to try? Were going on our honeymoon there in 3 days!!!!!! ((OKay so were going to the CBR first, then to the AKL b/c it's a split trip but we are psyched!))) We plan on spending a whole day just playing at this resort though so any tips are appreciated! Also, not sure if it matters activity wise but were 23.

 

[SleepingUgly]

Is there a playground at the AKL?

And here's an unusual one -- How is the TV? With small kids, we will probably spend most nights in the room, and I was wondering if we would be able to hook up a DVD player to the TV and watch movies in the room? Do the TV have the hookups in the front?

Glad you had a nice trip. We are leaving this Friday, and I was concerned about what we would do if we were rained out one day. I'm glad to hear that the CMs take care of the guests on such occasions.

Thanks!

 

[blueiis99]

we are going the end of August, and have booked the standard. how did you get your up grade? I am hoping that we can. (I would love for my kids to see the animals for our room)
Did you ask for it, or did they just give it to you? Did you come in early in the morning, afternoon or very late?

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

Is there a playground at the AKL?

And here's an unusual one -- How is the TV? With small kids, we will probably spend most nights in the room, and I was wondering if we would be able to hook up a DVD player to the TV and watch movies in the room? Do the TV have the hookups in the front?

Glad you had a nice trip. We are leaving this Friday, and I was concerned about what we would do if we were rained out one day. I'm glad to hear that the CMs take care of the guests on such occasions.

Thanks!

What we take with us is an adaptor. I am not sure about the AKL and whether their TVs have them or not, but you can buy them at radio shack and they screw into the back of TVs that lack the red, white, and yellow hook ups for DVD players, and the adaptor allows you to use a DVD player then. I think they are around $30-$40?

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Wow! I was at AKL the exact same time as you (April 24-30)! I remember that rainy day - we were at EMH at Animal Kingdom and went on Kali River Rapids four times since we were soaked anyways in the rain!

Did you notice at AKL the night when they cut off the power for maintenace reasons??? I was in the bathroom taking a late shower and boom! Total darkness! But overall, we had a wonderful time at AKL! We were upgraded to a deluxe pool room (and we booked a normal pool view room) so we were very pleased!

 

[PLUTO2]

What are the usual daily activities for children? Thanks

 

[heffalump9]

Hi EEyore45 I think you will be pleased with the bus service since it is dedicated to AKL and doesn't share with any other hotels. AK is the closest park average time 3-5 minutes, next closest is MGM about 10 min., then Epcot 15 min., MK about 20 min and DTD about 30 min. (this one seems longer because of a stops at BB (AM/Afternoons), the Market Place and PI).

Hi Poohbear158 We have been lucky getting free upgrades on our trips to the World, only once have we booked a standard room and been assigned one. If you really want a savannah room and are going to be at the lodge to use it I think I would book it up front, but if you want to take a chance std rooms aren't bad at all. There are so many outlooks all over AKL you won't be more than a few steps from the animals (at many of the outlooks there are nice seating areas). This year we book a std pool view in hopes of getting a savannah and it worked (we had an email code so the pool view was less then a std rate.) ME was not available during our trip. Upon your arrival at AKL your room will probably be ready, we normally take the first flight out of Houston and get to AKL about 11:30am-Noon and the room has always been ready.

Hi DawgpoundAJ,
Best wishes on your upcoming nuptials . I think the AKL is a very romantic place and great for couples. There is plenty to do at the resort, if you have a savannah view I would order room service one morning and get it set up on the balacony and enjoy the animals. You could have a romantic dinner at the Jiko (great food, service, low lighting and a cozy booth). There are two jacuzzis near the Uzima Pool and a wonderful bar for cold frozen drinks. During the afternoon they have a Cultural safari, Spirit of Africa Art tour, Horticulture activity and even a Culinary Tour of Africa, plus in the evening you can enjoy story telling at the Arusha Rock firepit and Night Vision view of the animals. Also don't forget to check out all the outlooks spread thru AKL there are different animal groups at each, plus nice seating areas and cozy rockers. Also in the evening they have an artist that does charactures and some times an artist at the Zawadi Market place (we have gotten serveral beautiful lithos there).

Hi Sleepingugly, I am not sure about hooking up a DVD player but I now the TV's have jacks in front for Video Cameras. Also several of the TV channels run Disney movies (Toy Story, Finding Nemo, etc.), and they have a bed time story channel. There is the Hakuna Matata Playground near the pool area and a great arcade near the Mara.

Hi Blueiis99, we have been lucky getting upgrades and have always been offered them at N/C. We normally are about 11:30am-Noon on Saturdays and our rooms have always been ready.

Hi Pluto2, here are some of the childrens activities cookie decorating @ Boma, building african bead necklaces during guided activities (flamingo feedings, animal tracking, jr researcher, Music of the Savannah and games @ Sunset Overlook), animal viewing with night vision, medallion rubbings, African games and crafts @ pool side.