Do you see animals when it's cold?

[Carol1973]

I'm taking my DD and her family to WDW in January. My grandsons asked if we could stay at AKL. We usually stay at a value but I'm willing to splurge for these little guys (ages 3 and 5). My concern is whether the animals will be roaming around if it is cold, which it has been in January the last few years. What has been your experience? Are certain times of the day better than others? Would it be better to just stay at Pop and save AKL for another trip?

 

[Carol1973]

I'm bumping this up to the top to see if anyone can answer this for me.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

We did two Christmases ago and it was pretty cold that year, actually very cold.

 

[dvcHammer]

A few years ago it was at or below freezing a few days we were there in January and they animals were not even brought out, much less moving around. (it even sleeted one day)

Once it got sunny and above 60 degrees the Savannah was back to normal.

 

[Carol1973]

Thanks for your response. I think I'll hold off on my splurge for a visit when we know for sure it will be warm.

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

Yes - went at the beginning of December last year and saw quite a few! Have fun!

 

[KS Dis Mom]

We stayed at AKL last year (Savannah View) the week after Thanksgiving. It was very warm the first few days we were there and their was a lot of animal activity. A cold front moved in (freeze warnings) and while some of the animals did go back to their barns, their was still activity. Even with it being cold we did see a variety of animals outside our window, different viewing areas around AKL and even at night with the night vision viewing.

The animals decided where they want to go.

 

[sndral]

We were there for 10 days overlooking the Uzima Savannah early last December. It was freezing, plants had protective tarps at other resorts, I wore gloves and warm hats, etc.. The animals were out. They go into their barns once in the morning for food, but otherwise are out on the Savannahs. Uzima and Arusha share one barn, so they couldn't 'keep them in' if they wanted to. Our guide on our Wanyama safari did say that the red river hogs are housed inside (in a seperate place) if it gets cold - but that was the only animal she mentioned in response to another guest's query. We saw zebras and giraffes and other critters every day and night from our balcony. It is a lovely resort, but savannah view rooms are pricey - if you decide to stay with a value resort perhaps to make the GSs happy you can schedule a meal during daylight hours at Sanaa which overlooks sunset savannah?

 

[DWDude]

We have been there several years during late Dec/Jan and it all depends on the year and week your're there. But even one day when the temps were in the 40s/50s we still saw animals. But the best part of the day was in the warm yak and yeti with a tody.

 

[nkereina]

We've found the animals to be most active during the morning - 9am-ish. We would love to stay at AKL but are hesitant to pay the money because we like to do rope drop at the parks. We'd most likely be in our room around 5-7pm, and the animals are usually brought in around then.

 

[sndral]

We'd most likely be in our room around 5-7pm, and the animals are usually brought in around then.

Curious were you got this information from, as it's not what I was told by our guide on the safari (they go to the barn in the morning to be fed, but are otherwise out on their savannah) nor is it what I have observed in my 2 stays @ AKL - but I've not been there since 12/10 and maybe things have changed?

 

[hintofspy]

We stayed Savannah view at AKL-KV this past January, when it was pretty cold, and we saw tons of animals at all hours of the day. The cattle were even out chilling on our side sleeping a few nights in a row (which surprised me, since on previous visits, they tended to stick to the far stretches of the savannahs at night). They will probably gravitate towards sunny spots, and they always go where their food is placed that day, which varies day to day by animal. You'll be fine.

 

[disnut8]

This isn't the Lodge but it's the closest thing to it. I went to Animal Kingdom in January of one year, it was pouring down rain, temps were in the 30s, it was a horrible touring day but we did it anyway. Did the Safari and saw just about every single animal out there.

Animals don't know or care about temps or forecasts. They live on instinct and you can never predict them. Us humans can learn alot from other animals. We think waaaaaayyyyyyyyy too much. And then think about thinking.

 

[gardenia]

We stayed Savannah view at AKL-KV this past January, when it was pretty cold, and we saw tons of animals at all hours of the day. The cattle were even out chilling on our side sleeping a few nights in a row (which surprised me, since on previous visits, they tended to stick to the far stretches of the savannahs at night). They will probably gravitate towards sunny spots, and they always go where their food is placed that day, which varies day to day by animal. You'll be fine.

I have to agree with hintofspy, we stayed in January and saw LOTS of animal activity, but particularly just before sunset. Regardless of the temperature. The animals mostly have "coats" and aren't that leery of the weather!

 

[nkereina]

Curious were you got this information from, as it's not what I was told by our guide on the safari (they go to the barn in the morning to be fed, but are otherwise out on their savannah) nor is it what I have observed in my 2 stays @ AKL - but I've not been there since 12/10 and maybe things have changed?

They said on the train out to Rafiki's Planet Watch that AK closes earlier than the other parks because they begin the process of herding the animals in for the night after it closes, which takes about 3 hours to complete. We travel in September when AK usually closes at 5, so we figured that by 8, all the animals would be in for the night.

 

[bumbershoot]

We were there mid December last year when it was sooooooo cold, under 30 some mornings, and there were animals on the savannah.

 

[sndral]

We've found the animals to be most active during the morning - 9am-ish. We would love to stay at AKL but are hesitant to pay the money because we like to do rope drop at the parks. We'd most likely be in our room around 5-7pm, and the animals are usually brought in around then.

They said on the train out to Rafiki's Planet Watch that AK closes earlier than the other parks because they begin the process of herding the animals in for the night after it closes, which takes about 3 hours to complete. We travel in September when AK usually closes at 5, so we figured that by 8, all the animals would be in for the night.

OIC, we are talking about 2 different things, I've seen the animals at AK park being put away (well being gone late in the day and being told they are in for the night.)
AKL leaves their animals out all night on the savannah that they live on, in fact they have night vision goggles out by the pool every night for guests to view the animals.