Akl

[brycedisney]

Hey! Last summer my family and I visited WDW for I believe the 18 or 19 time (at least for myself). Well we always stay at Carribean Beah..its the best. Well whenever a new resort opens we like to go check it out..so we took a day and went over to animal kingdom lodge and had lunch and just checked out the resort. i really like it ..it had a really good theme and the food court and restaurants are very nice. The only thing that I noticed was that U can barley ever see the animals we stood and looked for a while but didn't c many animals. All in all I liked the resort.
just wanted to tell u all what I thought of it.
:slurp: :wave: :sohappy:

 

[Bryy2001]

Bryce, where are you at in Wisconsin?? Just askin' cuz I've been to Disney 18 times and am originally from Poynette, which is a little town like 25 minutes north of Madison. Never been to AKL, but from what I hear it is quite an amazing place, won a few awards not too long ago either, that's strange that you didn't see many animals, usually people don't have any problem spotting the animals on the savannah, maybe it was feeding time.

 

[WDWspider]

Best to see the animals first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon (one of the great things about staying here is to get up early go out on the balcony and watch all the animals before heading out for the day. The Night Vision goggles demonstration held certain nights is a cool way to see them as well.

 

[rosie.ca]

I LOVE THAT HOTEL...WHISH I COULD STAY THERE... SIGH ... BUT I DIDN'T SEE ANY ANIMALS WHEN I VISITED... BUT THEN AGAIN IT WAS RAINING AND AT NIGHT .... aghhh cap locks?...too lazy to retype... my head hurts.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Did you look at all three savanah's? Since there are three different Savannah's, they can close one for cleaning and animal care. If you only looked at one Savannah and didn't see animals, it is very possible that it was the time of day when that Savannah closes.

 

[WDWspider]

Originally posted by DisneyInsider
Did you look at all three savanah's? Since there are three different Savannah's, they can close one for cleaning and animal care. If you only looked at one Savannah and didn't see animals, it is very possible that it was the time of day when that Savannah closes.

Yes, very true, and there are different animals in each. Plus the flamingos close to the pool. :animwink:

 

[AkiraRaptor]

Yes, time of day makes a difference to what you'll see.

The animals are called back in during the day for care/feeding/etc. I've also been told by some of the caretakers that they also do other things in any 1 of the 3 savannas as well, like cleaning up the area, fixing things, etc.

The best times are the morning, and any time after late afternoon. Also, some savanna's animals are just eaiser to spot. Some have smaller birds and mamals that can be difficult to spot if they are sleeping or hiding way in the back.

Remember, the area out the back of the lobby is just one of the savannas, you have to walk about some to see the rest. There is a good place right off the front desk, and you'll have to travel down the hallways to the the third.

Have fun!

 

[Eljay]

You Want Animals?

AKL is a magical place! Just back from my 4th stay there. Last Monday morning at 6:45, I peeked out of my curtains to see how the weather was & there was a beautiful giraffe drinking from the water hole right outside my window! Later that morning, there were 4 giraffes, 2 Thompson's gazelles, 2 nyala & many large beautiful birds all at the same time outside my window on the savannah. What an incredible way to start your day!

 

[BRER STITCH]

Do they have an animal guide in the rooms with names and pictures so you know which animals you are seeing?? (Like the ones posted on the safari vehicles?)

 

[Eljay]

They sure do. You gotta go, it's the coolest place.

 

[BRER STITCH]

WOOHOO!!!!!!

We're booked for July!

:sohappy:

 

[KathyG/poohbear]

I am just back from Disney...we stayed at the Poly. I would never again stay at the AKL. It is too far away and there are transportation problems. If you want to see the animals, stay one or two nights but I love being able to see the Castle. It makes it seem like you are spending the night in the parks. If I can't stay at one of the MK hotels from now on I will stay off property. Just my 2 cents.

PS: If you want to be close to the animals, don't stay concierge. Our room was in a cove where the other rooms that are farther out from the main lodge are closer to the animals.

 

[AkiraRaptor]

Animal Guide

Here's the guide they put in your room. (Side 1)

 

[AkiraRaptor]

continued

Guide continued (Side 2)

 

[AkiraRaptor]

Ok, and here's was our view from our concierge room. This was a typical day for us, with exception of the day it rained.

This was the first week of October 2002.

 

[AkiraRaptor]

... and another

another picture...

 

[AkiraRaptor]

...last one

Ok, one last picture. As you can see, the view of the animals can be good. This is not to say that some, like poohbear can't have problems. I'm really sory she had so many troubles on here trip.

But I've been there twice, and both times were great, and we are planning an October 2003 trip right now...and were staying at AKL once again.

We both just love this place, couldn't care less about the monorail, or being on it. We take our time getting to the parks in the morning. And the only time we rush is if we have a PS or tour to get to.

So for us, AKL is just perfect.

Ok...here's the last picture...

 

[Eljay]

Beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing them & the animal spotting guide. I see now that it was Bongo that we saw, not Nyala. Must have gotten that from the Kilimanjaro Safari.
After 4 stays at the AKL, I'm surprized to hear about transportation problems. They have dedicated busses that whisk you to & from the parks. I never had a long wait for them.
AKL is a very unique place, maybe not for everyone. I just got back from a stay there with a friend that didn't really care much for the theme or the decor. It's certainly worth a try just for the experience, the smells (wood & spice), & the sounds (soft drumming & soothing African music).

 

[brycedisney]

Hey Bryy2001 sorry I'm getting back so late....I live in Appleton its just South of Green Bay

 

[BRER STITCH]

Hey AKIRARAPTOR! :wave:

Thanks for posting the Aniimal Guide and the pics!

We are going with two other friends in July and staying at AKL for the first time! I can't wait!

:sohappy: