Overwhelmed by the AKL

[Livi'sMom]

OK.... so we were going to go to the Wilderness Lodge, but due to our daughter's interest in the animals we switched to the AKL. Yesterday. After 8 months of planning for one lodge.

So.... now I have 8 weeks to learn what I really need to know about the AKL. The official thread on it is what? 600 pages long? ACK!!! I don't have that kind of time to dedicate to the project.

So, tell me, what does a family of three need to know in order to fully enjoy the AKL? We do know all about the dining options there, having experienced all of them multiple times in the past!

Please.... help a planner out!

 

[outlander]

Gosh, just being there is enjoyment enough I think!

 

[N2THRILLRIDES]

Just go with the flow and enjoy the time you have with your family. It seems from your post that you are a very strategic planner. Relax that is what we attempt to to when we hit the Resort.

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

We booked AKL for a year from now. I just started reading the 600 page thread yesterday...maybe since I have a year it'll be enough time

My mom called me the "Disney Nazi" this past trip. I really only started obsessively planning it in July...just imagine how crazy I'll be with a whole YEAR.

oh, there will be spreadsheets!!

 

[harvardx]

Skim backwards from the last page. Many of your questions should be answered in the last 6 pages - depending on the type of room you have reserved (hopefully) and the exact time you'll be there. I have been planning our [2 Seniors] first trip to WDW and AKL since May - It's a steep roller coaster ride of opinions and attitudes and changes at AKL.
MOST IMPORTANT: A child's enjoyment of AKL and Animal Kingdom seems to me to overcome most of the negativity experienced by some adults.
From what I have read about children's activities at AKL: 1. Change is inevitable and 2. A schedule is available at check-in and apply rule number 1.

 

[SandrainNC]

I agree, just go with the flow!

Some extra things to do:

Talk to the CMs. There was a really nice CM out near the playground (there is an overlook type area there) who told us about the animals and Africa. He was just very nice and interesting. So while my son played on the playground, we talked to him.

The story telling at night. My SIL went to this when we were there.

They have a time at night to go out and look at the animals through special night goggles. We missed this too but wanted to do it (son was too tired).

We just wandered around to the different general observation areas of the hotel to see all of the different animals on the savannahs.

Sandra

 

[Kae]

All I can say is if you have the time spend a whole at the resort, so much to do. Like the other poster said get the times of the activties when you check in it is also on the TV-AKL has it's own resort channel.

Kae

 

[NJBILL]

The pool is great!! My kids loved it..Make sure you allow time to use it.. Zero entry and the largest on Disney property....

 

[pyrxtc]

I stayed ther last december and will be there again in April. Depending on how old your DD is, make sure you walk across the bridge upstairs. My boys thought this was the most fun of everything. I ddin't get to do any of the activities that are there but am hoping to do it next time. they loved looking out the balcony to see the animals and playing on the drums in the store. The pool is a great area and hot tub is secluded but my DS has no fear and jumped in to the middle before I could get there so be careful.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

If you are overwhelmed now...wait til you get there Just kidding! We unfortunately didn't have the time for a lot of the offered activities. We did hear the storyteller...which was fantastic. Afterwards, they took the kids inside and gave them instruments for a parade around the lobby which DD loved. The pool is very kid friendly. DD loved the slide. We added two days to our trip next year in hopes of being able to see/do more of what the lodge offered.

Our room was on the 4th floor, Zebra Trail. We had a great view. Our only issue with it was that they fed the giraffes outside our room every afternoon at about 4-5pm....just when we were trying to get DD motivated to go back to the parks for our dinners ADRs...she never wanted to leave because she wanted to watch the giraffes eat! Our solution...later dinner ADRs next year!

 

[Livi'sMom]

Thanks for all of the advice so far! We always plan a down day to specifically enjoy everything about the resort we are staying at. I'm not obsessive (too much ) about planning, but I want to make sure everyone has a good time and things run well.

We left the room choice up to the fairies.... hopefully they will smile on us and grant us a great room!

I'm hoping for giraffes since my Livi is a huge fan of them.

I'm a little concerned about distances within the resort. She has CP and walks and runs well but tires easily! She's 6 1/2 now and hit 40 lbs and yet.... I think she's almost too heavy for me to carry. My hubby doesn't seem to have problems carrying her, but she won't allow us to use a stroller.... except in the parks. Somehow a Disney stroller is different than a regular one!

We travel well together, but since Disney is an every other year thing for us... I really do a lot of preplanning to make it effortless once we're there. She's going to turn 7 during our trip and I will be ordering a cake for her big day. We need to celebrate!

We start our official countdown calendar on Monday.... I have the Mickey heads ready!

 

[septbaby]

We did the same switch, though I didn't have 8 months logged for WL. We booked pool view vs std, but I doubt that I will request an area of the hotel for us. Some of the activities I have heard about that I hope we get to do:
- culinary tour and kids cookie making
- storytelling and kids parade in lobby
- day and night time animal viewing
- pool and playground time, some organized activities at pool
- dinner at Boma, maybe treat mom to her own nite away at Jiko
- use healthclub including scheduling a massage

Consider Chef Mickey's at some point. My 6yo nephew celebrated his birthday there. They did a singing and napkin waving in his honor (Donald Duck was with us at the time), he got a special laminated placemat to use and take home and he got a cupcake complete with choclate Mickey and candle on top. Every kid I saw in the place was having a fantastic time. That includes while they were in the waiting area too. We only had his bday noted in our ressie, nothing else was needed for these fun extras!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

We loved the lodge. Our favorite things were:
Pool/hot tubs/ playground
savannah out by the pool is very nice
Bead activities: Flamingo feeding was our sons favorite. But the kids earn beads and make an african necklace.
Cookie Decorating
Evening music parade for the kids around the lobby
Sunrise Safari ( it may open up if not full by CL guests ) soooo worth it!!
Check the board in the lobby it lists the daily activities.
Night vision goggles at Arusha Rock
Culinary tour
Night time story telling by the fire pit very fun!!!
This is a wonderful place for families. I hope you enjoy your stay.

 

[Fast Pass]

The best advice I received was from one of the front desk clerks. He said to have at least a half of a day with no appointments or ADRs or anything planned and just explore the lodge.

There is so much more than just the animals. There are the African artifacts and replicas, the storytelling, the children's parade, the fire pit at night, the night viewing, the smell of the lodge, the guides who will tell you about where they live- I could go on and on but the best thing is just take the time to enjoy the resort.

One of the guides actually works on a Wildlife reserve in Africa so she really knows her stuff. She is such a wealth of information!

I know you'll love this place, I know we did!