Resort day at AKL...

[rentayenta]

Hi all. DH and I will be flying in on a red-eye from LAX to MCO, non-stop, landing at 6:30 am (but it'll feel like 3:30 am as we are West Coast) and are thinking about having a resort day. I am guessing we will arrive to AKL about 8:00 am from MCO but really have no idea how long it'll take.

Our villa may not be ready until 4 pm which leaves a lot of time to chill at the resort. We have APs and could
go into the parks but right now are leaning towards a resort day.

How would you spend your day at AKL?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Activities in the Community room? The community room has a huge balcony for watching animals. Swimming? Have you ever had Lunch with an Animal Keeper at Saana? I have done that 3 times over the years.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

September will be my first stay at AKL, but I have visited a few times.

I would claim a pool day, as long as the weather is nice. And of course there is always animal watching.

But honestly? With APs, I would head for a park.

We arrive around noonish, after a 7 hour drive and a one hour time change and head head out to the parks. I guess the excitement is enough to keep us going. We do tend to have a short day and we certainly don't stay for the fireworks, but we do spend at least some time at a park.

 

[rentayenta]

Activities in the Community room? The community room has a huge balcony for watching animals. Swimming? Have you ever had Lunch with an Animal Keeper at Saana? I have done that 3 times over the years.

We haven't. We also haven't been to WDW in 6 years. So much has changed. Thank you, I will look into that lunch.

 

[rentayenta]

September will be my first stay at AKL, but I have visited a few times.

I would claim a pool day, as long as the weather is nice. And of course there is always animal watching.

But honestly? With APs, I would head for a park.

We arrive around noonish, after a 7 hour drive and a one hour time change and head head out to the parks. I guess the excitement is enough to keep us going. We do tend to have a short day and we certainly don't stay for the fireworks, but we do spend at least some time at a park.

We will be there in August so it'll be warm; unsure about rain that time of the year. I was thinking the pool too; I could lay by the pool all day, DH gets a little antsy though.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

We will be there in August so it'll be warm; unsure about rain that time of the year. I was thinking the pool too; I could lay by the pool all day, DH gets a little antsy though.

So, since you are there so early, head to a park. Stay just a couple of hours, then back to the resort for lunch and the pool. Maybe you will be lucky and have a "room ready" text by then.

And of course there are animal observation places that are inside. So, find a comfortable chair and gaze out on the savanna in air conditioned comfort.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

We were at AKL last weekend and there are a ton of activities, check the calendar of what's offered on your check in day. When we did a resort day it was a Sunday so not a ton of activities but there were still things going on. We did a brief demo with our kids on some fossils, African artifacts in the lobby. Unplanned but it was starting when we walked by. We also had a schedule that housekeeping left with us but if you can't get in your room, as the front desk. There is also a bulletin board outside Boma and in other areas around the resort. I would hit the pool, do some animal watching and eat and maybe see about one activity if it interests you. Hopefully your room will be ready earlier so you can relax some. Just be aware some of the activities for kids are a fee too. If you aren't too concerned with jet lag, I would hit a park for a little bit especially if you are getting in that early. The resort doesn't take that long to explore and depending on the length of your stay, if you have a resort/rest day planned already, you might not enjoy it if you've seen all AKL has to offer on Day 1.

 

[kniquy]

I would just stroll over to AK park in the morning for a couple of hours (short bus ride so it wouldn't take too long to get back if you get your room ready) and then maybe plan for lunch back at the resort (Sanna or boma, I think jiko is just dinner. Although the Mara quick service gets great reviews so that is an option too) and pool time just lounging, as I am sure you will be exhausted, until your room is ready. I would probably feel like walking around somewhere vs just hanging around the resort trying not to fall asleep on a rock by the savanna.

Pick your 3 FP if you can do those rides and get out as the park can get very busy around noon time.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We will be there in August so it'll be warm; unsure about rain that time of the year. I was thinking the pool too; I could lay by the pool all day, DH gets a little antsy though.

I would pack a day bag with your swim suits and a change of clothes. Have breakfast at Boma (or Mara if you don't want to make an ADR) and head over to AKL for as long as you are up to it. When you get tired and the temps start rising, head back over to AKL to rest at the pool, have some lunch and check out the resort activities.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I would pack a day bag with your swim suits and a change of clothes. Have breakfast at Boma (or Mara if you don't want to make an ADR) and head over to AKL for as long as you are up to it. When you get tired and the temps start rising, head back over to AKL to rest at the pool, have some lunch and check out the resort activities.

Ooooh, breakfast at Boma. Yes.

It is a must do for us, now. We tend to book it for brunch, eating right before they close. But they are open early for those that want breakfast at breakfast time.

 

[Best Aunt]

This will give you an idea of the activities at the resort:

http://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/resorts/wdw/pdf/AKLCalendar.pdf

 

[rentayenta]

So, since you are there so early, head to a park. Stay just a couple of hours, then back to the resort for lunch and the pool. Maybe you will be lucky and have a "room ready" text by then.

And of course there are animal observation places that are inside. So, find a comfortable chair and gaze out on the savanna in air conditioned comfort.

Lunch and the pool sounds wonderful. I guess we can book FPs just in case. Thank you.

We were at AKL last weekend and there are a ton of activities, check the calendar of what's offered on your check in day. When we did a resort day it was a Sunday so not a ton of activities but there were still things going on. We did a brief demo with our kids on some fossils, African artifacts in the lobby. Unplanned but it was starting when we walked by. We also had a schedule that housekeeping left with us but if you can't get in your room, as the front desk. There is also a bulletin board outside Boma and in other areas around the resort. I would hit the pool, do some animal watching and eat and maybe see about one activity if it interests you. Hopefully your room will be ready earlier so you can relax some. Just be aware some of the activities for kids are a fee too. If you aren't too concerned with jet lag, I would hit a park for a little bit especially if you are getting in that early. The resort doesn't take that long to explore and depending on the length of your stay, if you have a resort/rest day planned already, you might not enjoy it if you've seen all AKL has to offer on Day 1.

We are there 5 nights, 5 1/2 days. We have APs so can do the parks as much or as little. DH is a CM at the GCH at the Disneyland Resort so we may have a blocked day to content with at DHS. We were planning on one full day at each park and arrival day would be our pool day. Hoping our room is ready earlier too.

I would just stroll over to AK park in the morning for a couple of hours (short bus ride so it wouldn't take too long to get back if you get your room ready) and then maybe plan for lunch back at the resort (Sanna or boma, I think jiko is just dinner. Although the Mara quick service gets great reviews so that is an option too) and pool time just lounging, as I am sure you will be exhausted, until your room is ready. I would probably feel like walking around somewhere vs just hanging around the resort trying not to fall asleep on a rock by the savanna.

Pick your 3 FP if you can do those rides and get out as the park can get very busy around noon time.

We are doing Jiko that evening for dinner. I can't wait, the menu looks incredible. DH has been to Africa a few times and part of the reason we chose AKV.

I think we will choose 3 FP to be safe. The park, at least part day, seems to be the way to go.

Ooooh, breakfast at Boma. Yes.

It is a must do for us, now. We tend to book it for brunch, eating right before they close. But they are open early for those that want breakfast at breakfast time.

We haven't done breakfast there just dinner and it was fantastic!

This will give you an idea of the activities at the resort:

http://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/resorts/wdw/pdf/AKLCalendar.pdf

Thank you, thank you! That is very helpful.