What to do at AKL???

[Dawnflower]

I know there is storytelling at AKL can anyone tell me what this is like? are there chairs to sit in? Does it last very long? Is it an informal thing where you can just mosey out and pull up a chair or a specific start and end time?

What type of animal viewing areas are there outside of your rooms? Are there chairs to sit in in these areas or do you stand my the windows? Are they typically crowded?

Are there shaded areas in the pool area? MY DH is rather fair and he likes to sit in the shade and watch the family!

How would you describe the pools? Just 1 large freeform? I heard about a seperate grotto pool, what is that? Is the slide in the large pool?

Are there activities at the pool? are those all day or just certain times of the day? what age is this appropriate for?

What is there near the game room? and is it a good game room? I was hopeing that I could go to the bar and get a drink and still keep an eye towards the game room while DH and DS go play games.

Are there any other activities? I keep seeing things about checking out the other activities but not sure where to look or what they might be or what age they would be appropriate for.

any information you guys have would be awsome! I have never even seen this resort so I am WAY to excited!!

 

[blanq]

Well, I will try to answer some of your questions. Our family stayed at AKL in 5/03.

Storytelling: We did not partake, but I did see the area they have this in. There are large chairs around a fire pit, and it is located as you exit the lodge toward the savannah. It looks casual. I believe they have a specific start/end time, and that the whole thing does not last too long. If I was going to do this, I would be there when it starts. I like hearing a story from beginning to end.

Animal Viewing: There are exits to the savannah from the lobby. The viewing areas are terrific. There are barriers, to separate humans from the animals but you are not looking through glass at the animals. We did not stay in a savannah room, and felt we had ample exposure to the animals via the public viewing areas.

Pool: There is only one main pool, with a nice slide. The pool bar is right next to it. There are plenty of tables with umbrellas for shade. There is a small toddler pool, slightly off the main pool, adjacent to Mara. There were no activites at the pool during our visit.

Arcade: The arcade is near Mara and the pool. It is a nice and large. Our DS was 9 during our visit and he spent a lot of time, and a lot of our money, in the arcade!

Activities: There are daily activities, and they are listed in the newsletter you will get at checkin. We did not get involved in any of them, other than one evening we attended an informal lecture/talk that was given by a young South African CM. He told us a lot about his country, and there was plenty of time for Q&A.

You have good reason to be excited about staying at this resort. It is fantastic, and is our persoanl favorite! Enjoy!

 

[caribear]

There are lots of shady places at the pool with plenty of chairs and there are 2 hot tubs that are tucked away behind some trees. The pool has zero entry and a medium size water slide.

Tons of viewing areas to see the animals. There are two rotunda type areas on the main/lobby level (level 3) with rocking chairs. We loved these areas!! They are to the left and right of Arusha Rock. Another hidden area is also on the lobby level. It is on the left after you pass the front desk/guest services. It looks like a small room with comfy chairs and artifacts, but there is a door that leads outside to a balcony overlooking the Sunset Savannah. We saw lots of giraffe at night from this overlook. We did go out to Arush Rock at night for the night vision viewing, but there were alot of people out there, so we did not get a chance to use the goggles. The animals were pretty close though, so we could see them anyway.

There are about 10 rocking chairs around the storytelling/fire pit. Not sure how crowded this gets as we were at the parks until very late and missed this activity.

When we arrived at AKL we saw a group of children and a CM in the lobby area making medallion rubbings from a relief on the floor. They handed out paper and crayons and you would rub the crayons over the paper with the relief underneath. Very neat looking and the children seemed to enjoy it.

They also have cookie decorating at Boma. I saw some children with giraffe cookies that they had decorated with icing. There are a couple of activities where you "earn" beads to create an african necklace! All of this info is on the Information Board in the Lobby next to the bell stand and another board near Boma. They list all of the weeks activities, so make sure to check it out!

My dh and I are going next weekend for a 2-day trip and look forward to taking the culinary tour!

You will have lots of stuff to do at AKL! I think I could stay there for a couple of days without visiting the parks and have an wonderful time!

 

[Dawnflower]

Thank you all so much for this information, we are planning a couple of resort only days and wanted to know if this was a good idea!! Sounds like we are going to be in heaven!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Dawnflower-I love your threads...we are staying at AKL for the first time in Nov and I get so much info from all the questions you ask!

I have been to the AKL to have drinks at "Victoria Falls" (awesome!) and dinner at Jiko. Jiko is one of the best restaurants at Disney, IMHO! We will be trying Boma this time and I expect to love it from what I see of the menu.

Cari-PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me about this culinary tour? I am a foodie who is depressed I could not get the FL res rate during the F&W festival this year so maybe this culinary tour will make me happy!

 

[caribear]

wildernesslodgelover-
I do not know the specifics about the culinary tour, only that it is called Culinary Tour of Africa and you meet at the Jiko podium. It is a free tour and you get to taste some samples from Jiko and Boma! I have heard that you get to sample some of the soups and the Zebra Domes!! Sounds like a neat Disney "freebie!"

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Thanks for the quick response, cari! OMG...it is free? Now I am REALLY excited!

 

[harlock_jds]

the Culinary Tour of Africa was at 4 pm during my stay (9/19-25) i really wanted to do it but was never at the resort on time

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

That time works great for me! We have a 5 pm res at "Simba's Clubhouse" for my 5 year old DD so DH and I can have some "child free" time having drinks and "alone time" with each other. Then we plan on picking her up at 7 ish for our 8 pm PS at Boma. So I could definitely do the 4 pm time. Does anyone know how long it is? Longer than an hour?

We are really looking forward to hanging out at the AKL on Saturday...pool, drinks, dinner. I can't even tell you how excited I am!

 

[kathymc]

sorry to jump into your post but we just got back a week ago and while I didn't do it - my parents did the culinary tour. It lasted just over an hour. I don't know everything but they talked to some chefs and were told what ingredients are in the buffet food. They got to sample some soups and desserts. She said it was really neat.

my parents spent a lot of downtime at the resort (I had a work conference) and they told me everyday that there were many different activities and games for the kids.

 

[SomeSayImGoofy]

On the second floor there are patios between the buildings with telescopes and about 10 rocking chairs. Very nice anad quiet. I spent many-a-morning there with my Bible while the family was snoozing...

Bring a towel, though, cuz they're usually wet!

Kevin

 

[Kapp]

don't know about or miss the cookie decorating at BOMA but it is a fun activity especially when taking a break in the middle of the day from the parks.

 

[Luvdisney]

Don't forget my favorite thing to do. Look for hidden Mickey's. Go to the front desk and ask for a clue sheet and have fun!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

You guys are GREAT!!! You are getting me so hopped up for this trip!!! My DD will LOVE the cookie decorating, and the culinary tour is PERFECT! We are going to hang out around the hotel...just pop into the parks for a few hours on Fri and a few before leaving Sunday. So Saturday is ALL ABOUT the AKL! Yippee!

 

[ColoradoDis]

This information is great - I love these Boards where we can share so much information.

DD12 and I will be there in just over two weeks for our first trip.

It sounds like so much fun.

 

[Leota]

Great thread!
We have ressies for 3 nights at AKL during our April trip. I had planned those days to be relaxing with lots of resort time. Looks like there will be lots of fun things to do at the resort. We usually spend lots of Park time, but I am under doctor's orders to try to slow down.
The culinary tour is going to be a Must for our family (me, DH & 16 yo DS)

 

[mom2rb]

We are staying at AKL for the last two days of our trip. We got a great AP rate and DH thought the boys would love the view. Now I have even more to look forward to.

 

[musicmom3]

This thread is really getting to me! I currently have WL rez for President's week, was considering saving some money by going to CSR or CBR instead (to offset airplane fare sticker shock), but now I have convinced myself to switch to AKL! Is standard view really okay, do you think? I would love savannah...but don't think it's in the cards. Keep on with this thread. It's great! Thank you!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

musicmom-Well, you can tell by my name what I am going to say...right??? You will NOT be disappointed at the WL. We would be staying there but could not get the low rate there. The WL has better transportation. But the restaurants at the WL are weak (IMHO!) And the AKL restuarants are awesome!

Good luck with whatever you decide!