Is AKL worth a visit if we're not staying there?

[gilesdad]

We'll be staying at Fort Wilderness during the week following Thanksgiving. We'll have a couple off days to just hang out at the campground, ride monorails, and visit other resort areas. Is there much to see at other resort areas if you're not staying at that resort? I read something about night vision goggles at Animal Kingdom resort but I've never been there and don't even know if you can view animals from a "just visiting" point of view.
I know there is a ton of stuff to do at Fort Wilderness campground, even if just visiting from another resort. (sorry, first trip and I'm trying to learn as much as I can)

 

[BethC1952]

We love visiting AKL, even though we've never stayed there. The CM's in the animal viewing area love talking about their animals, and will answer all of your questions. We've watched feeding time several times. There were never any other guests watching, so we could ask all the questions we wanted to. It's a beautiful place to walk around.

The resorts should be decorated for Christmas by the time you arrive. It's always a pleasure to wander around and just admire the decorations!

While you're at Fort Wilderness, don't miss the Petting Zoo (even if you don't have kids).

 

[Tikiman]

It is a must do but make a reservation at either Boma or Jiko to get in. They will check you at the gate and unless the policy changed they would not let you in (even with a temporary pass) unless you were a guest or had a reservation. If we don’t stay there we do visit it every time we go to WDW.

 

[Eeyore2003]

I think the decorations, esp. at AK, GF, and WL are stunning. At AK you can walk to the back and see the animals from a little viewing area.

 

[Pyrotechnics Man]

Really cool resort. I wasn't too crazy about it until we stayed there on DD's first trip (deluxe savanah view!). It is definitely worth a visit...good view of the savanah on the back side of the lobby. If you get a chance, eat at Boma...GREAT DESSERTS!!

 

[kutchyone]

All the resorts are worth a visit. Turn it into a dining experience, Jiko provided us with one of our best meals this past June. I have heard that Boma was very good for a buffet also. I think you will enjoy it.

 

[YCFAN]

You can always catch a bus from one of the parks to AKL and just walk around the lobby. I'd suggest having dinner at either Boma or Jiko, both of which are worth a visit. While you're making plans......plan a dinner at either the Poly or GF and catch Wishes from the beach afterwards along with the Electrical Water Pageant. That's a special way the view the fireworks that I think you would enjoy too.

 

[dixiedizfan]

You DO NOT need a dinner reservation at AKL just to visit there. For one thing, you can hop on any AKL bus and go there. We decided to check out AKL on the day we left WDW. We drive right on in, parked in their parking lot, and strolled around. And yes, it is worth a look, if only to see if you want to stay there in the future.

 

[Lewisc]

AKL is no longer a "closed" resort. You can get at least a 3 hour parking pass even if you tell the guard you just want to look around.

 

[henrylovespooh]

Absolutely worth a visit. We make an ADr for Boma for dinner, then get there an hour before. We check out the animal viewing areas and then after dinner, we go sit out on a stone balcony off of a wing in the back of the hotel where we watch animals while sitting on rocking chairs.

I hope to stay there soon,but until then we will definitely visit.

 

[graygables]

I agree that it is worth a visit, especially at Christmas time! My only problem is that once I'm there, I don't want to leave! Beautiful resort to just walk around and see the art and the animals. Spend some time visting w/ the CMs...they *love* to talk about their homes.

 

[clkelley]

We NEVER let a visit go by without having breakfast at Boma!!!!!!

We also then walk around the grounds and check out the animal habitats and have a sit down near the pool. (We never use the pool, just the tables near the pool bar).

Carol