Just back from AKL - any questions?

[happydays]

We loved it there! Any questions?

 

[cassie]

Isn't it beautiful?? Did you have a savannah view? How about Boma & Jiko's. I loved Boma.

 

[joyful1nh]

We're going again in Nov -- just paid my deposit today!

Which savannah were you on? Do they still have storytelling every night? And how was the bus service?

 

[2batu]

We are staying at AKL, and can't wait to see it! I hope that you had a great time! What animals did you see? Did you have a good view? Did you feel like you were really on safari, or in Africa?

 

[happydays]

Some answers ....

1. We found the bus service at AKL to be excellent! I don't believe that we ever waited more than 10 minutes. The only exception to this was when we left Epcot after Illuminations - and that 25 minute wait was understandable because of the mob.

2. I LOVED Boma - I could live on their soups, bread spreads and salads! My DH was less enthusiastic. He's your basic "kill it and fry it" kind of eater and is not big on unidentifiable spices. We did not plan on going to Jiko's, however, Boma was a little backed up the first night we tried to go with a last minute PS. While we waited, my DH looked over the Jiko menu across the way and was willing to try it as they had immediate seating. It was FANTASTIC. I had the monkfish and he had the chicken. I also had the asparagus soup - which I finished every last drop of. Our server was one of the best I have ever experienced and our 6 and 3 year old kids also enjoyed themselves.
Mara was OK - They have a very good variety of fresh foods. As they are the only restaurant on property open for lunch, it gets very crowded there and the lines get long. However, the CM's there seem to handle it as well as they can given the limitations of the facility.

3. Animals: We were on the Zebra trail #4417. We regularly saw zebra, giraffes, and several "big-horned and little-horned critters". I am too lazy right now to dig out the sheet and look up their names. Mid-day the animals were scarce.

4. Here is a list of the daily activities AKL had while we were there:
9:00am: (Wed only) Horticulture Show and Tell
9:30 am: Track the Animals
10:30am: Flamingo Feedings
11:45am: Recreational Activities at Lobby & Pool
1:00pm: Cookie Decorating at Boma
2:00pm: Pelican Feedings
2:05pm: Recreationa Activities at Lobby & Pool
3:30pm: Lodge Tour
4:00pm: Junior Researcher
5:00pm: Poolside Activities
6:30pm: Storytelling
7:30pm: Games with Savanna Guides
8:30pm: Cultural Safari
10:15pm: Night Vision Tracking

Every last CM we encountered at AKL was great. I think that the only thing I felt negatively about was the laundry. The facilities were clean and well tended to - but it is a bit ridiculous to pay $2.00 for such a short amount of time on a dryer that a small load of t-shirts didn't dry.

 

[Beanie]

I am glad you enjoyed your stay at AKL...I really find it to be a beautiful resort!!

Welcome Home!!

 

[A1A1]

Reading your thread makes me want to go back there. It was a great resort for a "get away from it all" kind of trip.

 

[carriep1657]

Happydays, thanks for sharing the schedule of the days events at AKL. I had no idea there were so many things to do.

We will be staying there for 8 days in November. It looks like I may want to plan to spend one whole day at the resort so that my DD can take advantage of all of these offerings.

 

[glej]

Would you suggest a particular savannah for the best view? What about a particular floor or any other suggestions regarding room location?

Also, I would love to know the time for the evening storytelling.

Thanks so much!

 

[susy]

Just booked it today for Labor Day weekend!
We plan on spending the whole day on Sunday at the resort . I made PS's for Boma's for both dinner and breakfast!
do they give you the list of activities when yuo check in? How long is the storytelling? MY son is only 4. Would he find it boring?

 

[happydays]

When we checked in, we were given a map of the lodge with all of the scheduled activities printed on the back of it.

The storytime lasted a little over 1/2 an hour. There are only about a dozen seats, so I recommend you arrive a little early (10 or 15 minutes). Most of us with little ones, hoisted them on our laps so that more can sit. You may want to budget a little of time to linger afterward and talk to the guides (we made our dinner reservations for 7:30).

It is tough to tell about your little one. They do try to involve the kids and make it somewhat interactive. My 6 year old was very into it and my 3 year old fell asleep in my lap mid-story. However - before he nodded off, he was participating.

Have a GREAT time!

 

[2batu]

Thanks so much for the post happydays! The kids are really looking forward to seeing lots of animals. We just took them to the Washington Zoo, and they were amazed by the zebras, elephants, Pandas and all the other animals too. That schedule of events really helps a lot. We also noticed how the viewing was better at the zoo during morning hours. We're going to get up early a lot and try to see as many animals as we can while at AKL!