HELP! first night ps/activity panic

[cheesehead]

I would love any opinions about what I should plan...

My DH and I will arrive at AKL around 1pm. We plan to spend most of the afternoon enjoying the pool, being alone :wink: , and admiring the lodge and animals. Here is where I am stuck...our 90 days is today and I need to make my PS for the first night. I am not sure what to plan that first night...we don't want to use our park hoppers for just a few hours. I considered Pleasure Island, but I think we want to have a more romantic, relaxing first night. Then I thought maybe we should go over to the Poly for dinner (we have never been there). Or maybe to California Grill at Contemporary? Would be be able to see fireworks from anywhere without a park admission? Or maybe the Boardwalk for dinner and a stroll? Or should we just stay at AKL for the evening activities and eat dinner at Boma's or Jiko?

In the past, our first night is a given...we always start the vacation with at dinner at Chef Mickey's. Now that I can't count on that, I am getting overwhelmed! I am so confused as what to pick for our first night! I feel the pressure since I want that first evening to be extra special. What would YOU do if you had an evening with only non-park options?

[sandar]

hi cheesehead,

My vote would be to spend your afternoon and evening at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

I've not yet stayed there but I've been amazed at the list of activities scheduled each day. Times and activities may have changed since the list I saw was posted over at Passporter, but I'm going to schedule your afternoon for you based on that list. Ha!

Here's my plan for your afternoon and evening:

1:00 - check in, be swept off to your room, unpack, change into your swim things, and put on the first thick layer of sunscreen.

early afternoon- swim, laze, lounge, sunbathe, swim some more. Enjoy something chilly from the poolside bar. Be happy you're in a place where the sun is hot and the water's cool.

late afternoon - :flowers:

6:30 - dinner at Jiko. If you like steak, order the fillet with macaroni and cheese. If you drink wine, ask the server to recommend one of the many fine South African wines offered. Linger over a fabulous dessert.

8:30 - If it's still offered, take the Cultural Safari (a tour of the AKL).

10:00 - If you're not too tired, go on the Night Vision Tracking tour of the animals.

Have fun deciding!

Sandi

[LisaS]

Hi cheesehead - I have never stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, but my first instinct was just like Sandi's. Of course, because I don't know it, I could never have given you the great detailed advice she did!! But, I think a nice relaxing day and evening are a wonderful way to start out your vacation. Everyone writes so highly of the beauty of the lodge and the wonderful food at Jiko, so I say, take advantage of it before diving into the busy days that will surely follow. What Sandi outlined above sounds very appealing and I will be checking out the lodge this summer when we visit WDW!! Whatever you decide, enjoy!

[Tagrel]

oooo, if it was just Kristen and I then it would have to be the day at AKL as you said, and then off to the California Grill for dinner. Then you can watch Wishes from the deck right there on the 15th? floor. THAT would be awesome. :)

[disneyfanatic]

How about dinner at O'hana's? The food is awesome and if you are lucky enough to get a seat by the window, the view is breathtaking. You can head down to the beach and relax and watch Wishes and the Electric Water Pagent. In fact, we are doing the exact same thing on our first day though we are staying at WL. Poly is beautiful to walk around and enjoy the grounds, etc.

[MissBianca]

I have stayed at the AKL and it was so wonderful I didn't want to leave even to go to the parks my first day! There is so much to do and see there. And if you are adventurous diners, I recommend Jiko VERY highly. It has a romantic atmosphere and delicious food and wine.

Another thing you might consider is a massage at the mini-spa at the AKL. You can feel totally pampered at the AKL :D

[MargaretJ]

I love AKL, we stayed there the last 2 summers. It is such a beautiful resort that you can spend the entire day there. They have lots of activities, catch the storytelling at night if you can. Very cool. They also have night vision goggles with a guide onhand at night. Spend some time talking to the CM's there very informative, lots of artificats throughout also. I would suggest dinner at either Jiko or Boma for your first night. I am not a very adventurous eater & I loved both of these places. Enjoy!

[VillianGirl]

I stayed at AKL three trips ago. If I were to stay there again I would definitely stay put that first night. You have what IMHO are two of the best resturants in all of Mousedom right there at AKL - Boma and Jiko. Also the pool area is nice and there is just so much to see.

I agree that going to Chef Mickey's is a great first night activity but it is sort of a long hike from AKL to the Contemporary.

I really like both Ohana and Kona at the Poly, but I would suggest doing those later in your trip on whatever day you do MK.

When we were there 2001 they had African storytelling around the campfire in the evenings. It was a lot of fun. You might want to look into that for a first night activity too.

[Sheryl]

I think the itinerary that Sandar made up for you sounds excellent! Sounds like a perfect time to me!

:mickeyWalk: Sheryl :minnie:

[WillCAD]

When you said you were going to spend a relaxing afternoon at AKL, enjoying the pool, my first instinct was to say "Eat at Boma! Best prime rib anywhere at WDW!" After diner at Boma, you can step right out onto the savana for some night-time storytelling, animal viewing, or just a pleasant walk in the moonlight.

Then you mentioned possibly eating at California Grill and watching fireworks, and I immediately thought of what Tagrel mentioned: "Eat at CA Grill, then watch Wishes from teh observation deck outside!" The view of Wishes from the ob deck cannot be beat! It is truly magnificent. Then you can walk off your meal by strolling the grounds of Polynesian before catching a bus from TTC back to AKL.