First visit to AKL - please share your thoughts!

[a Really Bad Egg]

Greetings. We just booked a 7 night stay at AKL for 7/26-8/2. Please give me your insight, thoughts, tips, etc. for this resort.

We've read the reviews, FAQs and everything else we can get our hands on.

But we know that you guys know all the best secrets about the 'World' so if you have anything to offer on AKL, we'd appreciate your thoughts.

TIA

 

[ciera321]

This is such a beautiful resort. We had a savanah view, but also spent a lot of time at all the different viewing areas throughout the resort. The pool is really nice, but the slide is a bit short... Be sure and do some of the activities offered like story telling and cookie decorating for the kids. Both Boma and Jiko are wonderful restaurants and are both on our must do list even if we don't stay at AKL. Some say that the rooms are too dark, but we feel that it just adds to the theming. Take a good part of one day to just be at the resort enjoying all the art, animals and informative guides. You will love it!!!

 

[colleen costello]

My family loves "Hidden Mickeys." When you check in and enter the main building, you go in through a little entry -- there are two sets of doors. When you enter the first doors, on your right is a beautiful jaguar done in mosaic tiles. Look in the center of his body for some tiles that form the head and ears of Mickey!

Don't miss BOMA for dinner. It's our favorite and we go every trip. The desserts alone are worth the visit.

Make time to go out at night and use the night-vision goggles to see the savannah if they are offering this. My kids still talk about it. It's free!

Have fun.

 

[eclectics]

My 1st trip to AKL is coming up also! Sept. 4 -14. Very interested to see how you folks enjoyed it. Can't wait!

 

[erinch]

We'll be there July 30 - August 6.
Do you have a desperately cool 17 yo or a chatty, friendly 9 yo? If so, we'll probably see you.

My favorite was sitting on the balcony watching the bongo--which I didn't know what those were till we went.

The kids ate at Mara one night and DH and I went to Jiko, which was magical.

Ask the CMs about their countries.

 

[cyansmom]

My family loved this resort! All 3 of my sons enjoyed every aspect of the resort. They would go and use the night vision binoculars to watch the animals at night. We stayed on the concierge level so we could attend the sunrise safari. They had amazing food every day in the lounge.

The room was roomy enough for the 5 of us (queen bed + bunk bed a've nd day bed). We ate at Boma one night and the food was great! (little sweet but liked the fact that we were able to taste a different culture). I liked the ambiance of the hotel...would definitely go back.

There is a big laundry room and a video arcade for the kids (with good games I've been told by my DS15).

We stayed at OKW and AKL and we really loved AKL!

hope this helps...you can pm me if you have ??

 

[fortizsyr]

We have stayed twice at the AKL. You wil immensely enjoy it! We did!

You wil not regret it!

 

[mpbs]

My family loves this resort, if you can get a savannah room. Boma has great food, and the food court is also very nice. I also was very happy with the bus system. We were there 7/04, and I cannot think of one bad experience- Have a great time.

 

[littlebigdog]

This is one of our favorite resorts! My son loves the story telling around the fire pit.

 

[Nik's Mom]

The best decision we made was staying at AKL. We spent hours sitting on our balcony watching the animals! I loved walking around and exploring something new, like interesting architecture or that pretty area just outside of Jiko. It's a quiet little pond with trickling water. Great opportunity for pictures there. Then there's the flamingo feeding just past the pool area. I miss AKL!

 

[scriv2]

We also loved AKL. We had a poolview and really enjoyed it. The lobby is so beautiful and Boma's is excellent! My husband doesn't want to go anywhere else.

 

[JenLynn]

We were there for 10 days and loved it! It was amazing to sit out on the balcony and see giraffes, gazelles, and ankole cattle just walking along! There was even a Bongo that would hide under the bottom balconies. My children and I loved it! The pool was very nice and the children loved the slide. The Mara was an average counter service restaurant. We went to Boma and I am glad we tried it (though I did not personally enjoy the food). The overall ambviance of the hotel is amazing. The children did a few of the activities (cookie decorating, paper doll making) and loved them.

Have fun!

 

[laurabelle]

I hope you have a great time! I booked a last minute add on day at AKL for this Saturday. My first time there and first time at the Beach Club!

 

[zakatak]

Definitely do the Culinary Tour if they are still offering it. Look on the activities board to the right of the Bell Stand. It is usually in the afternoons sometime between 3:30pm and 4pm. Check the day for the specific time.

This tour takes you through Jiko, Victoria Falls and Boma and explains the different cultures and food influences that Disney brought into AKL. You also get to try some free samples, including the Dip Appetizer from Jiko (yum) and soup & zebra domes from BOMA!

This is a very informative and yummy tour. And it's free.