Shopping at AKL??

[Winnie Pooh Fan]

We are planning a quick weekend trip to WDW in December for Xmas shopping.

I have heard that the AKL gift shop is one of the largest of the resorts. Does this shop have a selction of the items from the shops in AK???

We want to check out AKL for a possible 2005 visit anyway so we could take care of two things at once.

Since the trip is so short we are trying to budget our time wisely and wasn't sure if this would work or if we would have to go into AK itself.

BTW - What I am looking for is the stuff from the African store that sells the carvings, drums, pottery, jewlry, ect.

Thank you all for any help.

 

[mrsmom]

I was shopping there last yr and yes, they have want you are looking for, I am staying at the resort next month for the first time and i can't wait. I love to shop there.
Kim

 

[GEM]

Yep. It's an awesome shop! They have tons of neat African stuff, and plenty of standard Disney stuff as well.

If you have time, make plans to eat at Jiko or Boma while you're there!

 

[#1hockeymom]

One warning:

Shopping at Zawadi Market Place is highly addictive! You'll be in there ofr 10 minutes the first time, 20 the second, next you'll leave your kids at Arusha Rock to go for an hour, and finally you'll end up purchasing something EVERYTIME you take the shortcut through from the bus stop!

Seriously, it is one of my favorite shopping venues!

 

[MickeyMac]

LOL Hockeymom is right! It's highly addicting to the point where you start revamping entire rooms in your house to accomodate the decor!

They have all sorts of neat animal themed and carved woodwork. The artwork there is really amazing. They also have artist demonstrations - call ahead before you go to see if there are any in residence that week.

 

[Mommaof3]

For those that have been there, Can you think of items in the $10 and under range that or Disney or AKL themed that would be good for concierge to buy as surprises for my children? DD is 17, DS is 12 and last DS is 12 also. Any suggestions?


Thanks all you shoppers!
Melissa

 

[KevinFSU]

My office here at home is decorated in an African theme. I've bough quite a few items from the shop to decorate it. I've bought two face masks, two animal masks, 3 tribe men carvings, and a giraffe. My office is painted a maroon/dark red type color and I have a black border at the top with elephants, cheetahs, and zebras on it. The furniture is a dark cherry. The colors of the items I've bought go together absolutely fantastic with everything else.

 

[Harambe]

We have an African room, too! On our last day at AKL, we bought masks, bowls, carvings, etc. and had it all shipped home so we wouldn't have to carry it all on the plane. Everything came wrapped tightly in bubble wrap and in perfect condition.

Wish I thought of that on a previous trip! I dragged a lion wind chime from the shop in Harambe village all the way home, carrying it like a baby!

 

[s&k'smom]

Oh great now I'm going to get addicted to another Disney store! Off to AKL in Oct.

 

[MickeyMac]

LOL - you seriously will.

I like the carved boxes for teens, or perhaps some of the musical instruments. They have some wonderful carved animals for little money for young kids. My son bought a bunch of them but outgrew them so we use them as tic tac toe pieces.

There is a zebra mask lamp I'm dying for - it would look soooo cool on my side table. Plus, have you guys seen the artistic renditions of the Lion King stuff for sale at Disneystore.com? The mirror is fabulous.

 

[#1hockeymom]

Hi, my name is Debbie, and my french country/victorian living room now has a major African influence. I am so glad I am not alone!

 

[disneyworld!]

thanks very much for letting me know this!!!! my whole apartment is done in "animal Kingdom" safari theme, it all started with my priceless "Tree of Life" cell I bought at the Animal Kingdom opening!!! I will now have to move to a bigger place!

 

[Winnie Pooh Fan]

You guys are awesome!!! Thank you so much for the info. With extremely limited time (quick weekend trip) we are trying to plan out our "shopping attack" to make the most of our time.

BTW - Does anyone know the opening/closing time for this shop (Fri-Sun) during December???

Thank yo all for the help!!!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I've really enjoyed my AKL beach towel this summer. It brings back so many great memories.

Lori

 

[KevinFSU]

I also forgot that I bought one of the canes there as well.

I believe they close at 11:00pm. Not sure if they close earlier on Sunday. We were just there a few weeks ago on a Saturday and ended up not eating at Boma until about 8:40pm. We were there for awhile eating. I shopped at Zawadi after that, so I'm fairly certain it was an 11:00pm closing.