Little Known Facts/Offerings at WDW Resorts

[westjones]

The Kitchen Sink at Beaches and Cream is a memory in the making!
The entertainment on the Boardwalk at night can be so much fun to watch.

Debra

 

[Targsmom]

Sending a package of goodies to ones self before arriving at your resort.

Hi! I'm New!

My partner and I are going to WDW in December.. how does one send a package in advance? It would be a Fun Surprise!

 

[CinderellaIam]

Hi! I'm New!

My partner and I are going to WDW in December.. how does one send a package in advance? It would be a Fun Surprise!

Address the package to your resort and include the name that is on the reservation with your arrival date. Be sure to ship it with enough time to get there before you do. Upon check in ask if there is a package for you, they should tell you yes. When you get to your room call bell services and have it delivered. Enjoy!

Oh, and

 

[bradk]

I've never stayed there or witness this, but I've heard at AKL they have a kids parade every few hours?

there's one organized parade by the gift shop, around 8 pm, each night. that's the only one i know of. they have several activities throughout the day for the kids though like medallion rubbing.

 

[heatherlynn444]

as someone mentioned in a post, the piano player in the GF lobby switches off with the band in the evenings. you can also purchase the piano music at the sandy cove gift shop at the GF.

we love to watch wishes from the outside tables in front of gasparillas. usually not a lot of people there (in my experience)

 

[kk8273]

Being the flag family at WL (ask at check in)

Getting a wooden nickel at WL's WCC

Getting a second fast pass for another ride an hour later after you got your previous one.

Using a FP the same day- but after the time limit has passed.

Sending a package of goodies to ones self before arriving at your resort.

(maybe not all resort related ...sorry)

What do you mean, using a fastpass after the time has expired? Can you do that?

 

[bradk]

after the return window has closed, yes, normally.

 

[wendypooh]

Here are some activities at AKL - *** Please check the Activities Board in the Lobby for correct days/times!!!!!

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

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.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

Two cars from Walt Disney's personal backyard railroad, the Carolwood Pacific, are on display in the Iron Spike Room at the Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.

The Igbo Ijele, a 16 foot tall ceremonial African mask that stands in the lobby of the Animal Kingdom Lodge, is the only Ijele known to exist outside of Africa.

The Swan and Dolphin Resorts were designed to have a monorail track run through them. The square black areas on the outside of the hotels mark where the openings were meant to be.

*Brian*

 

[dturner]

Two cars from Walt Disney's personal backyard railroad, the Carolwood Pacific, are on display in the Iron Spike Room at the Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.

The Igbo Ijele, a 16 foot tall ceremonial African mask that stands in the lobby of the Animal Kingdom Lodge, is the only Ijele known to exist outside of Africa.

The Swan and Dolphin Resorts were designed to have a monorail track run through them. The square black areas on the outside of the hotels mark where the openings were meant to be.

*Brian*

That's interesting! I remember back in the 80's - one of the Communicore' in EPCOT had this map that showed where FUTURE monorails were going to be built. They never did any of that - I guess it was too expensive.

 

[bellebud]

akl is worth an afternoon visit no matter where you're staying...

we loved the hidden mickey hunt at the akl (ask the front desk for a sheet).

nighttime viewing binoculars at AKL.

we were lucky enough to have a balcony outside the feeding barn at akl... the cm's bang on the side of the barn w/ big wooden poles, and the giraffes come to eat! i thought that was very cool to watch! they were like my dogs at home hearing the clanging of their dinner bowls!

just wondering around this resort is a special treat - so much to see!

I read this idea here... for lunch or dinner one day, leave whatever park you're at and hop on the first resort bus that comes that you've never stayed at. it's fun to leave it up to chance, and to have lunch at and check out a new resort.

grabbing a snack and drink and going on the people mover at MK for a break.

eating lunch at 11:30am in the parks... there's nothing as magical as totally missing the crowds!

 

[bradk]

the swan/dolphin monorail thing is a rumor with no apparent basis other than boat captains like to repeat it. the naysayers remark that the black square (which even if the rumor were true, would serve no purpose but to memorialize something that never will be) is in the style of the architect, Michael Graves (and after viewing a few of his buildings, this is certainly possible). also reportedly the squares are not only too large for a monorail station, but are too high as well.

also, the railroad cars are at the VWL but recently on the magic of our steam trains tour, we were told diane disney may relocate them to california (i think)

 

[LucyMEWS]

Cool thread

 

[amycishere]

Here are some activities at AKL - *** Please check the Activities Board in the Lobby for correct days/times!!!!!

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

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.

Thanks so much!!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

There are a few great ideas here that I will definitely be using this summer!

Thanks!

 

[siouxi31]

What do you mean, using a fastpass after the time has expired? Can you do that?

Well, you used to be able to do that. During our April trip, we went to Soarin' to use our expired fast passes and they wouldn't accept them. That is first time in past few years where my expired fast passes were not accepted.

I believe it's up to the Cast Member whether to accept them or not.

 

[lifeisgood]

getting a pin to wear on a special occasion "Happy B-day"
raising the WL flag (you get a free concierge breakfast w/it!)
making adr's 180 days out...lots of time to think about what i will be eating
smores dessert at Le Cellier...yummy!!!!
walking the boardwalk to Epcot
having everyone call my daughters "Princess" and watching their eyes light up!!
Fireworks cruise w/family
Pirates cruise for kids
getting off at swan/dolphin dock and getting a free treat..depending on what is happening there (ice pops, water...)

 

[dizneyluv]

This is great, and when used with Fast Pass you blaze through all the big attractions.

There is a list of rides that have "rider switch" passes, the disney people at the Fast Pass lines at the ride have them in their pockets.

I found the list in one of my books, UG or the Passport.

When you go to ride with your fast pass just ask for a rider switch. The person who has the child to young to ride waits and when their done you use your rider switch along with up to 2 people in your party in the Fast Pass line.

We used it extensively (coordinated with Fast Pass) on our two trips. Ds was too little to ride so we all switched off. Part of the party always rode twice in a row.