Just back from AKL - far fewer animals than last visit !(?)

[bjakmom]

Just spent Sat night at AKL - by myself on way back to the airport (the rest of the fam flew home earlier in the week and I went further south to visit friends). The resort is still one of my favorites, but I am surprised by how few animals were on the savannah. Last stay here was late Aug 2003 and there were so many animals out, they were in little 'herds' all over the place, even at night. Once the sun went down, the sounds of frogs, toads, etc filled the air - no night sounds this trip, but maybe that's a seasonal thing. Over a 24 hour period I never saw more than 2 zebras, 2 of the animals with horns (sorry, too tired to pull out my chart!) and 2 giraffes, which never came near my room as they no longer seem to hang the food for them near the watering hole. The animals were out all night, but again, only saw 1 or 2 at a time - many times none at all. When I checked in and sat on my balcony, I immediately changed my plans to go watch Spectro and Wishes - I really love this resort and decided to order room service (and a glass of African wine), relax and enjoy the savannah. Walked down for story time around the fire pit - the CM who ran it was great and very interesting, soaked in the hot tub (powerful jets at a hotel, finally!), had a final rum and tropical juice drink while watching all the kids play in the pool - it was a bit chilly, but I was coming home to 'cold'! In the morning (7 AM) still no animals. I even stopped back to pick up my car and luggage (1:30) - still no animals. Have they permanently decreased the # of animals, or was this a fluke thing?! Had I not been there before when the savannah was full of animals all feeding and interacting, I would definitely wonder why everyone makes such a big deal about the animals!

 

[ScottieDog]

We were at Animal Kingdom last week and wondered what happened to the Gorilla? Did we miss him or is he gone?

Cathryn~

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Dh and I visited AKL in the fall and saw lots of animals at all different hours. I don't know what is up now but am curious. We're planning on taking the kids in May.

 

[LisaC]

Oh no - I am headed to AKL this weekend with my family for the first time. We were really hoping to see alot of animals. I guess I will have to lower my expectations

 

[eelvira]

Please let us know what you find when you return. We are all curious now

Thanks
Eric

 

[scoutsmom99]

Part of it may have to do with the weather? I didn't stay at AKL this past trip, but I did eat at Boma x2 and I was told they were not keeping as many animals out because of the chillier weather conditions (I was at WDW 1/19-1/26)...(same thing at AK the bats were not out there, only 2 gorillas, and a few others I worte down in the notes I can't find!). I was there in October and we saw animals all of the time.

 

[sherry8253]

I blamed our view on lack of animal sightings when we were there last month. We were looking over the Sunset savannah. We saw one giraffe at feeding time one eve, a few birds, on ostrich who was following the feed truck and 2 cattle in the distance. I don't think it was the weather because when we were there in Jan the weather was in the low 80's & high 70's. Plus when we took the safari in the AK, there were tons of animals.

 

[bjakmom]

I know it was not my view - that was perfect and same as last trip - Zebra trail, right in front of the little watering hole - the few animals I did see were because they each eventually wandered over there for a drink (except for the 2 giraffes - I only saw them running in the distance - but how cool is it to watch them gallop full speed ?! - amazing - and one of the reasons I love AKL!). Perhaps it was because the temps were supposedly lower the few days before I arrived, on Sat it was in the 70s, though. I assumed that the animals would prefer the cooler weather, but, being from Africa, maybe not! I'll also be interested in what others find out. I waited to ask the CM on Arusha Rock, but she was having a wonderful, in depth conversation with another couple and I had to leave for the airport at that point.

 

[annf]

it was a bit chilly, but I was coming home to 'cold'! In the morning

Remember, 'chilly' to someone from the northern states is down right cold to us who live here - including the animals. Average night time lows have been low 30's to low 40's for alot of the month. I would have to guess that the handlers don't want to leave sub-tropical animals out in those temps. *I* can't even get my dog to want to go in the yard after 7pm

 

[Disney Fool]

I woundn't panic about the animals. There is a barn they all go to on the property. They are not forced to go out on the Savannah if they don't want to, nor are they forced to come in if they don't want to! (Except of course during a hurricane.) Some may have been moved over to Animal Kingdom temporarily (maybe for breeding?), but I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[rach98n]

We were just there and, I don't know how many animals is a "lot", but we saw as many as we expected. There were definitely times when there were less to see, but generally, especially in the a.m., they were everywhere.

 

[AnnR]

We were just there the end of January. We saw quite a few animals especially around 2 in the afternoon. I saw at least 4 giraffes ,3 zebras, 2 eland, and a couple of the cattle at once. We also saw 3 of some kind of hog. I quite often would stop at the window in our hall and could see animals out. I also saw gazelles in the distance. I don't think there was a time when I looked out on a savannah and didn't at least see some animals in the distance. I ever saw a zebra chasing pea fowl -just for fun! The best overlook is the one outside of the main lobby. I had a standard room so could not see any animals but SUV's from my room!