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

[Tink10]

Thanks So Much Kimmar! I was hoping that someone may know what the locations of the smoking rooms are (wings & floor numbers)

Thanks Again & Happy New Year!

 

[kimmar067]

THIS may come in handy, too:

AKL activities:

Activities at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Horticulture Activity-Arusha Rock @ 9am
Flamingo Feedings-Uzima Savanna @ 9:30am
Spirit of Africa Art Tour-Ogun's Firepit @ 10:30am
Animal Tracking-Arusha Rock @ 11am-2pm
Medallion Crayon Rubbings-Lobby @ 12:30pm
Cookie Decorating-Boma's @ 1pm
Pelican Feedings-Arusha Rock @ 1pm
Pool Activities-Sat thru Wed, Uzima Pool @ 2:15pm
Children's Arts & Crafts ($5)-Thursdays, Kiddie Pool @ 2:15pm
(limited space available)
African Rag Doll Making ($10)-Fridays, Kiddie Pool @ 2:15pm (limited
space available)
Junior Researcher-By flamingo pond at pool @ 3pm
Culinary Tour of Africa-Ogun's Firepit @ 4pm
The Music of the Savanna-Top of Grand Staircase, Lobby @ 5pm
African Games & Crafts-Uzima Pool Deck @ 4:30pm
African Folktales-Arusha Rock Firepit @ 7:30pm
Games with Savanna Guides-Sunset Overlook @ 6:30pm
Cultural Safari-Sunset Overlook @ 8:30pm
Animal Viewing with Night Vision-Far end of Arusha Rock @ 9pm-11pm
(note: we got there right before 11pm and it didn't end while we
were there, about 20 minutes, so I'm assuming they hang out until
people leave?)
Nightly African story-telling outdoors, next to a raging fire.

(PS ~ I'll try to get EXACT locations for ya....)

 

[kimmar067]

....

 

[Tink10]

Wow!

Thanks so much for the list. I was just thinking that I really wanted to spend a bit more time at the resort & was wondering what there was to do.

You're a mind reader!

 

[kimmar067]

Wow!

Thanks so much for the list...You're a mind reader!

I'm a MOM...comes with the job!

 

[kimmar067]

......without eating HERE:

 

[2pirates&2tinks]

I think that the morning safari is offered on Sunday and Thursday for guest staying concierge -- is that correct? I want to know if you stay at the hotel CL for a few nights and then change hotels to another onsite can you book the safari on a day you are not staying at the hotel. For example, can I stay AKL CL Monday and Tuesday and then change to GF and still be able to sign up for the Thursday morning safari?

 

[kimmar067]

I think that the morning safari is offered on Sunday and Thursday for guest staying concierge -- is that correct? I want to know if you stay at the hotel CL for a few nights and then change hotels to another onsite can you book the safari on a day you are not staying at the hotel. For example, can I stay AKL CL Monday and Tuesday and then change to GF and still be able to sign up for the Thursday morning safari?

No. You can only sign up for SS if you are checking IN or checking OUT on one of those days.... sorry!

 

[kimmar067]

....hope you like it!

 

[plutospup]

THIS may come in handy, too:

AKL activities:

Activities at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Culinary Tour of Africa-Ogun's Firepit @ 4pm
QUOTE]


All of the activities are great...especially the Culinary Tour. It includes Jiko, and Boma AND ZEBRA DOMES!!!!!
NOTE: We met outside of Jiko for our tour (week after Thanksgiving). Be sure to check the daily activity listing in the lobby for the time and place of all activities since they do change from time to time.

 

[kimmar067]

THIS may come in handy, too:

AKL activities:

Activities at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Culinary Tour of Africa-Ogun's Firepit @ 4pm

All of the activities are great...especially the Culinary Tour. It includes Jiko, and Boma AND ZEBRA DOMES!!!!!
NOTE: We met outside of Jiko for our tour (week after Thanksgiving). Be sure to check the daily activity listing in the lobby for the time and place of all activities since they do change from time to time.

....plutospup!!

 

[Laurajean1014]

I think that the morning safari is offered on Sunday and Thursday for guest staying concierge -- is that correct? I want to know if you stay at the hotel CL for a few nights and then change hotels to another onsite can you book the safari on a day you are not staying at the hotel. For example, can I stay AKL CL Monday and Tuesday and then change to GF and still be able to sign up for the Thursday morning safari?

We just came back from SS - you must be a CL patron to be eligible for the tour.

It's totally worth it!

 

[kimmar067]

We just came back from SS - you must be a CL patron to be eligible for the tour.

It's totally worth it!

....welcome back! You MUST post a little report here...... [pleeeze!]

 

[Laurajean1014]

Ok, Kimmar067, here it goes.

Got to AKL at noon, went directly up to CL to check in. Room was not ready so we went to Epcot. Came back, room 5227 Arusha Trail was ready and waiting. Great room! Lots of zebra, kudu and giraffes. Took lots of pictures. Ran up to CL to see the eats. Was happy to see wings and chicken tenders to noche on. Went to MK and watched the fireworks while eating ice cream (best thing to do!).

Next morning, got ready for the Sunrise Safari - met everyone at the Sunset Lounge and headed out. Our guide, Mike is a zookeeper and gave us a thorough account of all the animals in their buildings.

We got to Kilamingaro and boarded the jeep. The ride was fantastic. They went nice and slow and allowed us to take tons of pics and videoed the entire trip. No hippos, but the gators were out, flamingos, baboons, rhinos, elephants and yes, the lions.

The male lion was grunting and struting to let everyone know he was awake. The female lion was watching him (giving the male that look that I give my husband when he's acting foolish)!

After the KS, we went to the schoolhouse inside Tusker House and had a bountiful assortment of foods. Everything was excellent! A bit rich, though. The passionfruit juice was delicious and the french toast was excellent. We loved the entire event. Well worth it.

Did the entire AK and then went back to the room and then to the pool. Love the zero entry.....

Then we headed down to Boma for dinner. Wow. What an assortment of everything.

I liked the Mac and cheese and the pasta salad. The desserts were very good, but very filling. THen we headed to Epcot.

We did Soarin' - I never realized that I am a bit "afraid of heights." When I got into the seat and realized no floor (okay) but know front bar, I got scared. But after about 10 seconds after we "took off", I was okay. (I never knew that about myself).

Illuminations was interesting: we sat at the cantina in Mexico and kids tried to sit in front of us. I asked them nicely to move or sit down. However, a small kid was watching the fireworks and the parents were about 10 feet behind him. They were not diciplined enough, and slowly the mom stood in back of the kid and blocked everyone's view. A woman approached the mom and the mom started slurring curses and using a finger gesture to the woman. The mom was out-of-control screaming and yelling. The grandparents had to restrain her. (what a nut).

Next day, got up late - arround 8:00 and went to CL. WE could not find out MVMCP tickets, so Laura at AKL CL helped us. She is/was terrific. Very cordial and very helpful. We headed to MGM and spent the day. We were too late for the Stunt Spectacular (but we will be back in April).

Then we headed to CA Grill for dinner (my favorite). After that, went to MK and did the MVMCP till about 11:30.

NExt morning, we headed to Cindy's Castle for Breakfast with the Princesses. My DS9 was not so thrilled but I was tickled pink. That's a nice Character Breakfast.

Back to AKL, went in the pool, shop the gift shop (got a great AKL towel) and then packed to go home. Before our car picked us up, I went to CL to say goodbye and thank you to Laura. She was the best.

That's it. I hope it wasn't too long.

 

[kimmar067]

Thanks Laura, you made me feel like I was "home" again! Hey, didja get to try the Zebra Domes or the Coconut Tiramisu (MY fave!) ???

(can't wait for pix....)

 

[Laurajean1014]

P.S. We have stayed at AKL before and love the smells, the restaurants and the decor.

Kimmer - I love the pics, makes me a bit homesick though.

I love the lanterns and chandeliers at AKL!

The Christmas tree was beautiful.

We love the room. I think the 3rd floor is the best (we had that last time), but we did enjoy the perks of CL. The Arusha trail is excellent. However, the Sunset trail had the baby giraffe. The giraffe looks big until you see it with it's mama.

 

[kimmar067]

Oh yes, the SMELL!! You havn't lived until you've smelled the AKL lobby!

 

[Laurajean1014]

What's a Zebra Dome? I read the thread before going and someone wrote that Mara had ZD's but we couldn't find them. Is it a dessert? Also, I didn't see the tiramasu, we must have been there on an off night.

Are the zebra domes grayish brown with a chocolate stripe and filled with a truffle and a cake bottom?

We went to Mara for a quick linner (lunch/dinner). It was good.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Oh yes, the SMELL!! You havn't lived until you've smelled the AKL lobby!

The best smell came from below our room. We couldn't figure it out because Jiko and Boma are on the Sunset Trail side, but the smell was driving my DH crazy. He could wait for our 6:30 Jiko ressie, so we went to Boma at 5:15. They took us right away - even after my DS dropped the pager in the pond!

 

[kimmar067]

...They took us right away - even after my DS dropped the pager in the pond!

...ooops!