TimNDansMom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2000
- Messages
- 3,093
July 23
I had already decided that on this trip we would take it at a more leisurely pace, so the next day, Monday, we decided to do a bit of shopping. Tim needed a new pair of sandals, so I had DH drop the kids and I off at Belz Outlet Mall for 2 hours while he went to his favourite Edwin Watts Golf clearance center. Having never gone to Belz before, it took time to find our way around the various sections. I couldnt find any sandals for Tim that he liked and before we knew it, DH was back to pick us up at the appointed spot. He then dropped us off at DTD and went off to buy the $99.00 Summer Golf Pass that Disney was offering and get in a game of golf before dark. The kids and I stopped in at Ghirardellis for an ice cream cone and then boarded the bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge.
I felt like we were entering another world, as we drove up to the bus stop at AKL and as we walked towards to entrance, I noted the beautiful gardens and of particular interest to me were the different varieties of ornamental grasses they contained. My initial impression as we entered the lobby through the sliding doors, was of entering a slightly smaller version of Wilderness Lodge, there was that same dark woody feel. Although I have never stayed there, I love the atmosphere of WL and I felt the same way with AKL. I was instantly struck by the amount of detail there is in everything. I think I just stood there in awe trying to take it all in. It was very quiet and there was a sense of peacefulness all around. My eyes were drawn immediately to the warrior shield and spear chandeliers that hung from the thatch-roof ceiling. It was hard not to notice the huge arched vine covered window at the back of the Lobby that looks out over the fire pit seating area and Arusha Rock Savanna Overlook. Overlooking the lobby, which I learned was on the 3rd floor, are 3 floors of accommodations and there is an impressive suspension bridge that spans the lobby on the 5th level. The 6th floor is Concierge. That first visit, we walked around the lobby a bit, studying the African artifacts and admiring the architecture then headed down a cascade of stairs at the back of the lobby to another seating area of high backed chairs and out through doors at the base of the huge window. This led us past another seating area around a large fire pit to the Savanna viewing area at Arusha Rock. Here, we discovered a flock of pelicans quite close to the fence and some gazelles grazing in the distance. It was very peaceful and we stood there for quite a while watching the antics of pelican hierarchy. We then went back inside and found our way down another level to where the Boma and Jiko restaurants were located. We poked our heads in to see the chefs getting things ready for the evenings meals. We had planned to have a late lunch at Mara (the food court) and to get there you have to take a covered walk outside, passing around Bomas windows. I had a Tandoori Chicken pizza, Dan had a pepperoni pizza and Tim had a bacon double cheeseburger. The food court is not as big as at the other resorts and even though it was not busy, we decided to eat outside at the tables on the patio as the day was somewhat overcast. This section of the hotel is where the arcade, the large zero-entry pool, pool bar, wading pool, playground, fitness center and the two spas are located and we discovered later that behind these is another savanna viewing area. When we were finished, we went back up to the Lobby level and relaxed for a while in one of the several comfortable sitting areas. A group of people gathered and we soon learned that they were new Cast Members of some sort, being given the grand tour. Before we left, we spent some considerable time in the Zawadi Gift Shop admiring the authentic African handicrafts. It was hard to tear ourselves away, but finally we got back on a bus and made our circuitous way back to CSR. Little did I know, then, that we would end up staying at AKL!
When we got back to CSR I gave the kids some money for the arcade and went and bought some postcards and stamps. I decided to go to the coffee bar at the Pepper Market for a cappuccino and pastry, while writing my postcards. When I got back to the room the kids were watching TV and DH had returned from golfing. After a while, DH and I went back over to the Pepper Market for a late snack at the coffee bar. We took the long way back to the room, around Lago Dorado. It was a beautiful night. Then it was off to bed as the kids and I were going to early entry at EPCOT the next day.
I had already decided that on this trip we would take it at a more leisurely pace, so the next day, Monday, we decided to do a bit of shopping. Tim needed a new pair of sandals, so I had DH drop the kids and I off at Belz Outlet Mall for 2 hours while he went to his favourite Edwin Watts Golf clearance center. Having never gone to Belz before, it took time to find our way around the various sections. I couldnt find any sandals for Tim that he liked and before we knew it, DH was back to pick us up at the appointed spot. He then dropped us off at DTD and went off to buy the $99.00 Summer Golf Pass that Disney was offering and get in a game of golf before dark. The kids and I stopped in at Ghirardellis for an ice cream cone and then boarded the bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge.
I felt like we were entering another world, as we drove up to the bus stop at AKL and as we walked towards to entrance, I noted the beautiful gardens and of particular interest to me were the different varieties of ornamental grasses they contained. My initial impression as we entered the lobby through the sliding doors, was of entering a slightly smaller version of Wilderness Lodge, there was that same dark woody feel. Although I have never stayed there, I love the atmosphere of WL and I felt the same way with AKL. I was instantly struck by the amount of detail there is in everything. I think I just stood there in awe trying to take it all in. It was very quiet and there was a sense of peacefulness all around. My eyes were drawn immediately to the warrior shield and spear chandeliers that hung from the thatch-roof ceiling. It was hard not to notice the huge arched vine covered window at the back of the Lobby that looks out over the fire pit seating area and Arusha Rock Savanna Overlook. Overlooking the lobby, which I learned was on the 3rd floor, are 3 floors of accommodations and there is an impressive suspension bridge that spans the lobby on the 5th level. The 6th floor is Concierge. That first visit, we walked around the lobby a bit, studying the African artifacts and admiring the architecture then headed down a cascade of stairs at the back of the lobby to another seating area of high backed chairs and out through doors at the base of the huge window. This led us past another seating area around a large fire pit to the Savanna viewing area at Arusha Rock. Here, we discovered a flock of pelicans quite close to the fence and some gazelles grazing in the distance. It was very peaceful and we stood there for quite a while watching the antics of pelican hierarchy. We then went back inside and found our way down another level to where the Boma and Jiko restaurants were located. We poked our heads in to see the chefs getting things ready for the evenings meals. We had planned to have a late lunch at Mara (the food court) and to get there you have to take a covered walk outside, passing around Bomas windows. I had a Tandoori Chicken pizza, Dan had a pepperoni pizza and Tim had a bacon double cheeseburger. The food court is not as big as at the other resorts and even though it was not busy, we decided to eat outside at the tables on the patio as the day was somewhat overcast. This section of the hotel is where the arcade, the large zero-entry pool, pool bar, wading pool, playground, fitness center and the two spas are located and we discovered later that behind these is another savanna viewing area. When we were finished, we went back up to the Lobby level and relaxed for a while in one of the several comfortable sitting areas. A group of people gathered and we soon learned that they were new Cast Members of some sort, being given the grand tour. Before we left, we spent some considerable time in the Zawadi Gift Shop admiring the authentic African handicrafts. It was hard to tear ourselves away, but finally we got back on a bus and made our circuitous way back to CSR. Little did I know, then, that we would end up staying at AKL!
When we got back to CSR I gave the kids some money for the arcade and went and bought some postcards and stamps. I decided to go to the coffee bar at the Pepper Market for a cappuccino and pastry, while writing my postcards. When I got back to the room the kids were watching TV and DH had returned from golfing. After a while, DH and I went back over to the Pepper Market for a late snack at the coffee bar. We took the long way back to the room, around Lago Dorado. It was a beautiful night. Then it was off to bed as the kids and I were going to early entry at EPCOT the next day.
I can't wait to see AKL when we visit in December, your description of it sounds just beautiful!!
