Visiting AKL as a non-guest

[hodad]

Grandmother, father, 5yo daughter.

On April 30, when we check out of CS and head to an off-site resort, we are considering swimming at the Lost City pool in the morning, then heading over to explore AKL and eat a meal (lunch or early dinner) at Sanaa before heading to the new venue for bedtime. How much is there for us to do, as non-guests, at AKL?

Does this make the most sense? Is there something else we could do on that day (without entering a park) that would be just as fun?

Thanks for your ideas!

 

[tsme]

We went to Saana to eat lunch one day. There wasn't much to do as a nonresort guest, besides look around. You could go to Disney Springs afterwards.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

AKL does have "cultural representatives" from Africa who are happy to tell you about the lifestyle, customs, etc. of their native countries. Perhaps this would be an interesting activity for you?

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

AKL is a beautiful resort to explore, inside and out!
Check when they are doing s'mores the 5 yo may enjoy that. Walk all the outdoor paths along the savannas. Stop and talk to the cast members that are stationed along the paths. Ask them lots of questions where they are from, how they ended up in WDW, what will they be doing when they are back home again, do they see the same animals where they grew up, and what ever else that may interest you. And ask them for their card, it has a map of the area of Africa they are from with their country highlighted. And if you are there for an early dinner and it isn't going to be too long a wait for dark; stay for the night viewing of the animals. There is a station set up with night vision binoculars. As far as I know about the only thing you can not do that resort guest can is swim at the pool!

 

[GrandCalifornian]

We often visit AKL just to walk around and grab something to eat as non-guests of the resort. If you want something lighter or cheapr, Mara is one of the best resort QS locations and offers Zebra Domes as a yummy treat. There are public areas where you can see the animals, and there is a playground area that the 5 year old might enjoy that is within view of some of the animals. It would be easy to spend an hour or two, or maybe longer if you walked over to check out Kidani as well.

If you have more time to kill, you could spend a whole day visiting other Disney resorts by just using Disney transportation. We enjoy exploring the monorail loop and getting off at each resort. You can also take boats from MK or the CR over to Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge. It is a neat free way to get to explore Bay lake. The kids pony rides are near the boat dock at FW, and there is also a playground there and Trail's End is a good BBQ buffet for lunch or dinner, or a traditional breakfast buffet.

Then you can always catch a bus from any resort to Disney Springs and round out the rest of your day there by shopping or enjoying a meal. The hard part might be picking which things to fit into your day.

 

[sndral]

In case you aren't aware, AKL is 2 buildings. Sanaa is in Kidani and you'll see the animals on Sunset savannah from the restaurant. There's also an outdoor overlook. Be sure to also visit Jambo which has a much grander lobby. Out the back of the lobby is the Arusha savannah overlook. Finally go down to the pool and walk around it (to the left) to the Uzima savannah overlook.
There are activities for children - perhaps someone who has children the age of your DD can fill you in on what's open to visitors.

 

[disnut8]

At the "original" Animal Kingdom Lodge lobby area (I get confused with the names now), we got there early go something or were waiting for someone and a nice Cast Member in the lobby said there was a place behind the front desk with some things we might be interested in. She showed us to a section accessible to all but overlooked. It's an open doorway to the right of the check in desks and there was an area behind there with wonderful photos of animals from Africa and a write up of the photographer. My husband and I spent a wonderful half hour there and actually were late to whatever we had planned.

So, I never think there's not enough to do at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Heck - even going into the gift shop is enough to pass quite a bit of time and never buy anything.