JAMBO! The UN-official AKL Thread ~ UPDATED(short film/pg 8 & slideshow/pg 12) Part 2

[wendypooh]

Hi everyone! We do have Character dining planned every day. I'm even willing to pay just so those 2 beautiful kids can have the trip of a lifetime. I'm sure they won't get back to Disney for many, many years. ANY and all suggestions/contacts, etc. for special things at AKL or any of the parks would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help!

Hi Jambo!!!

Sorry to hear about your friend ~~ Thank goodness she has someone like you in her life!!

OK ~~ So, here are a few idea's ----

Arrival Baskets / Bags -- Usually, these are a suprise!! You can make up baskets or bags that the kids get upon arrival. What I and a lot of us do is load them up with goodies for the trip. ( At the bottom I'll give a list of items that are good.) OR You can order an arrival basket from Peggy, she's a DisR that a lot of us use and she makes wonderful baskets!! http://www.peggyssweetsandmore.com/


Specialty cake or dessert ~ You can order a specialty cake from any of the resorts or restaurants. Call the resort or restaurant and ask for dining.

Character Meals ~ You have these already, did you book Chef Mickey's?? IF so, you can order a specialty cake directly with them. **(This is our FAV. character meal).

Resort Activities ~ AKL offers TONS of great activities for the kids. You need to check the activities board in the lobby for exact days and times. **(I'll post the list at the end).

Anyone's B-day?? You can stop by Town Hall and get a "birthday button" all the CM's will acknowledge them all day!

For the girl ~ there is the Bibbidi Bobbiti Boutique at Downtown Disney - she can get the true princess experience!

For the boy ~ there is a "build a pirate" hat location at Downtown Disney - he can build his own pirate hat -- Yo Ho!!

Have a Character Call them before you go...... or while there!!

https://secure.uvoxnetworks.com/wha...0=1&@9=0&@19=66


Any of the cruises from the resorts ~ there are kids cruises from the GF and other resorts, the one from the GF is the pirate cruise, really fun, they search for treasure along the beaches of the seven sea's lagoon, have lunch and get a bag of loot!!! (DS really enjoyed this)

Wake up Tinkerbell ~ NOW before you get excited about this one....... IF they are the first one's in the AM to Tinkerbells Nook, they can wake her up. Even if they aren't, they can still go look inside and maybe see her fly around the room!!! Make sure they look in the keyhole on the desk!!!!

Trading Pins & Lanyards ~~ they have all kinds and are tons of fun!!!

****LIST of ITEMS for Basket/BAG ( YOU obviously don't have to include all of this, these are just ideas.)

Autograph Book
Pen
Mickey Ears - hat
Disney Hats
Plush Mickey & Minnie or Fav. Character
Epcot Passport
Camera
Pressed Penny Book
Disney Dollars
Fanny packs
Pal Mickey
Disney shirts
Disney PJ's
Mister Fan
Lanyard/Pins
Disney Spinners (Light up spinners for nightime)
GOH Badge
Disney Poncho's
Disney Candy
Sunscreen
Swimsuit
Disney Towel
Flip Flops
Binoculars ~ for animal viewing at the lodge!! ( They also have night vision goggles, see activities.)



Activities

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Actvities:
-Horticulture Activity 9:00am Arusha Rock (Every Wednesday)
-Flamingo Activity 9:30am Flamingo Pond (Bead activity)
-Animal Tracking Activity 11:30-1:00pm Arusha Rock (Bead Activity)
-Arts and Crafts With Lifegaruds 12:00pm Uzima Pool Deck
-Medallion Rubbing 12:30pm Lobby
-Cookie Decorating 1:00pm Boma Restaurant
-Spirit of Africa Art Tour 2:30pm Ogun's Firepit
-Garden Safari 2:00-4:30pm (Bead Activity)

Afternoon Activites
-African Games or Crafts 3:00pm Uzima Piool Deck
-Culinary Tour of Africa 4:00pm (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) 3:45 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) Jiko Podium
-Music of the Savannah 5:00pm Sunset Savanah Lounge (Bead Activity)
-Family Fun and Games 6:00pm Contact Lifegaurds for more info
-African Folktales 6:30pm Arusha Rock Firepit
-Wildlife Games 7:15pm Sunset Savanah Lounge (Bead Activity)
-Primal Parade 7:50pm Zawadi Marketplace
-Cultural Safari 8:30pm Sunset Lounge
-Animal Viewing With Night Vision 8:30-11:00pm Uzima Savanah


** Adventure Camp Info **

AKL Adventure Camp...$70 (includes $30 cost of ostrich egg). Children 6-14 will love this interactive adventure. Camp includes real ostrich egg painting, private Lodge tour with special animal viewing, and buffet lunch (not in Boma, but includes sandwiches & wraps) overlooking the Savannah. Currently takes place on Wednesday.


Hope this helps ~~ If anyone has anymore ideas.... please share!!!

 

[newholidayx2]

When do you need to signup for Adventure Camp? How would you get this ostrich egg home? Is it mostly geared towards the 6yrs or mostly towards the older kids?

 

[slkant]

Wendypooh--Thanks for the wonderful list of ways to make a Disney/AKL trip special. I'm planning our trip and trying to make it special for my niece and nephew (ages 4 and 6). I love the list of items to include in a gift basket and the detailed list of activities at AKL and other things to do.

If anyone has done any of the activities, how were they? Does anyone know more about the animal tracking activity, garden safari and wildlife games?

There are so many things to do at Disney that I know we can't do everything. It will be hard to pick and choose. We are planning at least part of a day at each theme park, lots of evening activities, and some "free" time in the afternoon.

Because we have a very late night (Magical Fireworks Voyage Grand Gathering with fireworks at 10 pm) on our first night, we have 9 am reservations for Breakfastosaurus. I know that will give us a later start in the park, but it seems better than kids who didn't get enough sleep. For those who have been before, will we be dealing with a lot more crowds by 10 am? We are going the first week of January.

 

[Disney8704]

The african folktales that happens at 6:30, how long is it and has any one done this? Is it any good?

 

[wendypooh]

When do you need to signup for Adventure Camp? How would you get this ostrich egg home? Is it mostly geared towards the 6yrs or mostly towards the older kids?

We've never done the Adventure Camp. DS (6) is doing it this trip. The CM I spoke to about it said you sign up for it when you arrive. She said it wasn't a widely known activity and does not fill up too fast. However, you can call the resort and inquire as to booking early.

As for the egg, the resort will ship it home for you.

 

[wendypooh]

Wendypooh--Thanks for the wonderful list of ways to make a Disney/AKL trip special. I'm planning our trip and trying to make it special for my niece and nephew (ages 4 and 6). I love the list of items to include in a gift basket and the detailed list of activities at AKL and other things to do.

If anyone has done any of the activities, how were they? Does anyone know more about the animal tracking activity, garden safari and wildlife games?

There are so many things to do at Disney that I know we can't do everything. It will be hard to pick and choose. We are planning at least part of a day at each theme park, lots of evening activities, and some "free" time in the afternoon.

Because we have a very late night (Magical Fireworks Voyage Grand Gathering with fireworks at 10 pm) on our first night, we have 9 am reservations for Breakfastosaurus. I know that will give us a later start in the park, but it seems better than kids who didn't get enough sleep. For those who have been before, will we be dealing with a lot more crowds by 10 am? We are going the first week of January.

Thanks!!! We didn't partake in too many of the activities at the lodge last time, but plan it this trip!!! As for Jan. crowds......... you should be OK, we always go at the end of Jan. first part of Feb. and there are very LOW crowds. I'd only advise you to check for tour groups or the cheerleaders, or baseball groups. This is PRIME time for these groups. I don't know the schedule for the groups, maybe someone has the link, so you can find out who will be there during your trip!!! Don't worry though, you'll be able to see & do everything with ease!!

 

[wendypooh]

The african folktales that happens at 6:30, how long is it and has any one done this? Is it any good?

We didn't get a chance to do this last time, many on here have, they'll come along and answer. BUT, I will advise you to CHECK the Activities Board in the Lobby for Correct TIMES. ( I've heard they change the times of things on occassion.)

 

[kimmar067]

...I just have to download all my assignments on a CD and I can mail my COMPLETED portfolio binder....and I am OFFICIALLY FINISHED!!!! WOOhoo!! [I need a ZEBRA DOME.....]

 

[bigcrit]

...I just have to download all my assignments on a CD and I can mail my COMPLETED portfolio binder....and I am OFFICIALLY FINISHED!!!! WOOhoo!! [I need a ZEBRA DOME.....]

Kimmar - What portfolio? I noticed you have spent some time at the AKL. Any tips for twin 9 year olds at the AKL? Are you from NJ? Do I ask alot of questions....hehe.....

 

[kimmar067]

Kimmar - What portfolio? I noticed you have spent some time at the AKL. Any tips for twin 9 year olds at the AKL? Are you from NJ? Do I ask alot of questions....hehe.....

.... Whoa, slow down there, slugger! I have been working on my Master's Degree and the last item I needed to complete was my portfolio of all the assignments I had worked on for the last 18 months!

As for the twins, there are so many different things to do at the resort - when you check in, just be sure to check out the activity board!

And, YES, I am from NJ....

 

[bigcrit]

.... Whoa, slow down there, slugger! I have been working on my Master's Degree and the last item I needed to complete was my portfolio of all the assignments I had worked on for the last 18 months!

As for the twins, there are so many different things to do at the resort - when you check in, just be sure to check out the activity board!

And, YES, I am from NJ....

In the words of Scooby Doo. Hohehahohehaho!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the tip and hello to my fine neighbor from the north of the great state of NJ.......

 

[slkant]

Does anyone know the latest time you can reserve at Breakfastosaurus? We might want to consider changing out 9 am reservations and treating it more like brunch than breakfast.

 

[Oh_the_anticipation!]

As I've posted earlier about my trip to WDW/AKL in Oct. with my friend from Brasil and her 2 children...Due to her flight schedule, she and the kids will be staying one extra night. The AKL is approx. $250.00 and the All Star Movies approx. $110.00. A substantial savings. Will Disney move guests from one resort to another? Is it free or is there a fee? Her soon to be ex-husband has not offered to give her, or more specifically, the kids one penny for the trip, so she is really a single mother on a tight budget trying to wing this. She absolutely will not let me pay for the one night at the hotel and suggested staying at a cheaper hotel. She wondered about staying at an off property hotel, but I told her that she wouldn't be saving much because she would then have to pay for transportation to the hotel, then pay again to get to the airport. Do you agree?

 

[brookelizabeth]

Reading this thread has become an obsession in my life! I am moving half way across the country on Saturday and still have quite a list of "to do's", yet I find myself on here, reading about AKL and WDW in general, dreaming of my honeymoon trip in October! My fiance and my friends think I have lost it...lol...but going to WDW has been a wish of mine since I was SIX years old!! (and my wonderful fiance is making that wish come true!) Hopefully he catches "the Mickey bug" while we are there because I am already planning our return trips in the back of my mind...

I just want to thank you all for your time to post pictures and share secrets and suggestions!

 

[tinknme]

Wonderful ideas & info Wendy

Hi Jambo!!!

Sorry to hear about your friend ~~ Thank goodness she has someone like you in her life!!

OK ~~ So, here are a few idea's ----

 

[tinknme]

Wonderful

...I just have to download all my assignments on a CD and I can mail my COMPLETED portfolio binder....and I am OFFICIALLY FINISHED!!!! WOOhoo!! [I need a ZEBRA DOME.....]

 

[tinknme]

Breakfast is served till 10:30am.

Does anyone know the latest time you can reserve at Breakfastosaurus? We might want to consider changing out 9 am reservations and treating it more like brunch than breakfast.

 

[brookelizabeth]

kimmar067 CONGRATULATIONS!!! WDW will be an extra-sweet treat this time around!

What is your Masters in?

 

[tinknme]

Yes they will The night before you check out, let them know that you will need your luggage transfered to another resort. When you check out they will take care of everything. When your friend checks in at the next resort her luggage will be waiting for her I agree it would be better for her to stay on property. Also with staying on property she will be able to use Disney transportation to the airport.

As I've posted earlier about my trip to WDW/AKL in Oct. with my friend from Brasil and her 2 children...Due to her flight schedule, she and the kids will be staying one extra night. The AKL is approx. $250.00 and the All Star Movies approx. $110.00. A substantial savings. Will Disney move guests from one resort to another? Is it free or is there a fee? Her soon to be ex-husband has not offered to give her, or more specifically, the kids one penny for the trip, so she is really a single mother on a tight budget trying to wing this. She absolutely will not let me pay for the one night at the hotel and suggested staying at a cheaper hotel. She wondered about staying at an off property hotel, but I told her that she wouldn't be saving much because she would then have to pay for transportation to the hotel, then pay again to get to the airport. Do you agree?

 

[LAWalz23]

Congrats, Kimmar! A Master's degree is a great accomplishment.