First time to AKL

[FLgirl1203]

Hello All....next weekend we are taking an impromtu trip to AKL...we normally don't stay in the deluxes but at 109/night/standard view for FL residents I couldn't resist.

We will only be there for 3 nights but I would appreciate your recommendations of things to experience when we are there. We have two young boys 4 & 7 and they will love to see the animals from the general viewing areas.

They will also want to ride the monorail to Magic Kingdom. What's the best way to do that....take a bus to the Transportation Center and then monorail over?

Thanks for any suggestions....Beth

 

[vbfamily]

I would suggest asking if there are any upgrades available when you check-in. You never know, they may give you a savannah view room and you could see animals quite frequently. It's a busy time of year, but the worst thing they can do is say no.

I would take a bus to TTC and then take the monorail to MK. If they really want to ride on the monorail, this is a good way to do it. Our kids (4 and 7) really enjoyed riding on the monorail just for fun.

Make sure to ask about cookie decorating at check-in if your kids want to do this.

You shouldn't have any problems viewing the animals from the public viewing areas. Many people spend hours doing this.

 

[FLgirl1203]

VB Family....just wanted to say thanks and GO GREEN..hubby and I are MSU grads...down in south FL now....even got married at MSU chapel! Miss that area....but will only venture back in the summer (cold weather wimp!). Thanks again.

 

[vbfamily]

That's kind of funny, we were married in Florida.

We hope someday we can move back to Florida!!

Have fun at AKL. We'll be there in October and can't wait.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Have a great time.. your kids will enjoy the animals and hopefully it will be nice and warm to swim.

Check out the storytelling around the fire pit in the evenings.. and the night vision goggles... cookie decorating at 1:30pm in Boma and the hidden mickey safari sheet guest services give out.

As for transportation... you could take the 5 minute bus ride to animal kingdom park.. then switch to the bus to the contemporary, or GF or Poly... then take the monorail..

Or you could just hop the bus to magic kingdom and take the monorail from there...

Have a great time

>>^..^<<

 

[susy]

The bus trans from AKL is so nice!

The bus to the MK takes only15 minutes.
You can ride the monorail fro there anytime.

Have fun! AKL is so beautiful!

 

[cottontail]

Hi: That will be a very memorable vacation, the akl is so beautiful and interesting. Great price, and yes ask for the upgrade.

Make sure you get a map and walk around and take a look our all of the viewing areas, as there are different animals on each of the savannahs.

If you end up in an upgraded room, at around 7.00a.m. look out on the savannah and watch the keepers come out in their pickup truck and put the food out. The giraffes usually walk right over to the keepers truck and try to sneak some of their food. We saw a keeper giving the giraffe a big hug from the back of his pickup.
The giraffe food goes up in the trees, and they put ground feeders food on the ground.


We loved it there.

Great giftshop also.

Deb.

 

[Michael623]

I hate to piggy back your thread but ... I'm checking into the AKL tomorrow (can't freakin wait) in a standard room. I hate asking for handouts but would love an upgrade. Do you stand a better chance getting it if you ask or should I just check in and hope for the best?

 

[vbfamily]

Michael623:

Just ask at check-in really nicely-you never know, there may be some kind of upgrade available. Sometimes you'll get a free upgrade and sometimes people are offered an upgrade to concierge for a slightly higher amount of money-not sure how often this happens at AKL, if at all.

Sometimes people check-in and find out they have been upgraded for one reason or another, like if they run out of a certain kind of room or something.

Good luck

 

[erikthewise]

If they say "sorry no upgrades available" you can always say "...I'm willing to pay for it..." (assuming that you are), as if that was what you meant all along.

I don't think you'll regret it.

The suggestion to just take the bus to MK if you want to ride the monorail is a good one.

OR... take the bus to Epcot, then ride that monorail to TTC, then switch to the MK monorail. Early in the day, you have a good chance to ride in the front from Epcot to TTC. Just ask the CM at the top of the stairs.

 

[Michael623]

See that is my dilema, I'm not willing to pay for it. The only reason I decided to go (besides my love of WDW) is because I got a great rate. I don't want to be left with egg on my face.

 

[FLgirl1203]

Just a quick note to say thank you for their comments...I just love these boards....I especially like the night goggle idea...my boys will love that!

 

[JimC]

I consider AKL the best themed resort on property. Don't worry about the room upgrade. Ask if there are any available, but don't worry if you don't get it. It is very nice to have a savannah view room (we did on our 2nd trip and could hardly pull ourselves away). But there are plenty of places throughout the resort to see the savannahs (on every floor there are balconies and viewing areas). Take time to explore the areas around the resort, inside and out. Make sure you go down one level to the walkout and interact with the cast members there. They are from Africa and are very willing to discuss the animals and the cultures of their native lands.

There are lots of neat African art and sculpture throughout the resort. It is just so interesting.

The Mara is great for breakfast. Jiko is a signature restaurant (the head chef is from Artist Point), but is probably going to interest the adults more than the kids. Boma is possibly the best buffet on property, a favorite of kids, but a bit noisy. PS at Boma and Jiko are recommended. We ate early at Jiko so we could enjoy more time with the CMs.

The pool is a zero entry (walk-in) type. There is a slide.