What sort of kids' activities are currently offered at Animal Kingdom Lodge?

[Bonacker]

Could anyone please give me an idea of what resort-based activities are currently being offered at Animal Kingdom Lodge? The Disney website itself doesn't go into detail (beyond mentioning the evening kids club, the outdoor movies, the fire pit, and the arcade games).

I understand they offer things like games by the pool, and organized crafts for kids? Do they do African-culture games or activities with kids? (We'll be at AKL in January. Would this sort of activity schedule be pared back in the off-season, when we're there?)

THANK YOU!

PS: I found an brochure from maybe five years ago, online, giving a daily AKL activity schedule, but it's so old that it doesn't quite seem so relevant.

 

[flinkerfrosch]

AKL is my fav resort! We just got back from there a few weeks ago

My boys ages 3 & 6 had a great time doing some the activities offered. From when I was there (Oct) this is some of the activities they participated in.
*Pool party (it started everyday at 3pm-4pm)
*Pool games- the games started at 1pm everyday until 3pm
*Yes, they do have an arcade
*They do offer roasting of marshmellows out back in the pit around 6pm (at least this was the time they did in Oct)
*Coloring (tracing) on the floor in the lobby at the entrance. I often walked by kids sitting with CM's and tracing objects from the designs in the floor. I think some of them may have been hidden Mickey's. My kids didn't do it, so I'm not 100% sure
*Night vision goggles to see the animals
And many more..we didn't do everything, so maybe someone else can chime in
Enjoy your vacation!!

 

[Bonacker]

Cool! Thank you so much. I think the kids are going to enjoy the resort part of our vacation as much as the parks. I really appreciate it that you took the time to reply.

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

The night vision goggles are my sons favorite!!! I have to admit I kind of like trying them out too! Lol. Only problem is IMO is the time it's offered makes it hard to get there to enjoy them. I think it ends at 9p and most of the time we are still in the parks or making it home at that time. But regardless, definitely worth making time to try.

 

[bjakmom]

We just returned from a long weekend at Jambo House (I've said since they opened that I so wish I lived close enough to this resort to just go and spend weekends - I wouldn't leave - love it!)

Anyway, here's the activities list from our week (11/7-11): They will give you a sheet of all the resort activities for your week at check in.

Jambo - 1:00 Uzima Pool Party:
2:00 Wildlife Games
At 2:30/3:00 and 3:30 there is a different game/activity for each day ie chalk art/poolside craft/bingo/what's in ur beach bag? etc
5 PM Campfire at Arusha Savanna Overlook
7 PM Movie at the back of Uzima pool

Kidani is the same basic schedule and times for pool party, campfire, movie etc.

Cultural Immersions:
9:30-11 African Wonders *B*(Bead activity for ages 4 and up)/Kidani
12:30 Medallion Rubbing/Jambo
2 PM African Face Painting @ Mara Dining Room/Jambo
3 Pin Trading at Zawadi Marketplace/Jambo
4 Cultural Tour of Sanaa Restaurant/Kidani
4 African Inspired, Disney Designed/ Kidani - Adult
5:15 Music of the Savanna/ Jambo/ *B*
6 Drum Cafe / Kidani Libruary
6:30 African Folktales/ Jambo @ savanna overlook firepit
6:30 African Journey/ Kidani Library - Adult
7:30 Cultural Safari/ Jambo
8:15 "Primal Parade" - Jambo Zawadi Marketplace (kids parade)

Animal Programs
8:30AM and 9PM Meet a Savanna Guide - Jambo Arusha Overlook & Kidani Overlook
9 AM Flamingo Activity/ Jambo Flamingo pond *B*
10AM - 11 Animal Tracking/ Jambo Arusha Overlook *B*
11:30 Animal Enrichment/ Kidani Lobby on Sun/Tues/Thu and Jambo Lobby on Mon/Weds/Fri *B*
2 PM Wildlife Game/ Jambo pool deck *B*
2:30 PM Have You Heard?/ Kidani pool deck *B*
5:30PM - 7 Bio Blocks/ Kidani Overlook *B*
Sundown- 9:30 PM Night Vision Animal Viewing/ Jambo House Uzima Overlook & Kidani Rock Overlook

Also:
1:00 PM Cookie Decorating @ Boma
1:30 PM Inkoma @ Mara (stamp/drawing activity)

In the *B* Bead activities the kids earn little clay beads for each one completed and lace them on a twine-like string that they can wear from a clip or make into a wrist band (nice souvenir).

Over the years we have found the AKLodge CMs visiting from Africa to be the BEST!! - they are so wonderful with the kids and so great about sharing their culture. I don't know if they still do this, but several years ago they carried little cards from their own countries they would give the kids if they asked for them - my DNeph was doing a school study of Africa that year and they were so excited to help him understand what languages they speak in their different countries, their customs, etc - they are wonderful young people to learn from. Enjoy!!

 

[buzznina]

AKL has great kids activities, you can get an idea from AKL Novembers activities list.
http://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/resorts/wdw/pdf/AKLCalendar.pdf

 

[Magalex]

Great description of activities. We are planning an extended Disney vacation which will have two young girls under 8 in the party. Are there extra fees for these activities or they available to all AKL guests?

 

[buzznina]

Great description of activities. We are planning an extended Disney vacation which will have two young girls under 8 in the party. Are there extra fees for these activities or they available to all AKL guests?

The ceramics, t-shirt or jewelry activities has a fee. I believe the ceramic activity we had to pay for the ceramic piece, that our DD wanted to paint, like $3 to $6 depending on the piece and they supplied the paint and then you would come back later to pick up the finish product after they bake it in their oven.

 

[Bonacker]

Wow, what fantastic information! Thanks so much for posting all of this, you guys! Really appreciate the help and advice.

(We're at AKL Jambo for four nights, then five nights at Poly. Totally going hog-wild with the planning, and expect to have several "Resort Days.")

 

[Bonacker]

PS: bjakmom . . . you are awesome for typing all that out! we are excited, and send thanks.