Animal Kingdom Lodge - night vision goggles

ericpabear · Post by **ericpabear** » Sep Sun 09, 2007 11:03 am

I just saw a show about Walt Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. We are going to be staying there the first week of February so I was very interested in what they were saying. It said night vision goggles are available for guest staying at the lodge. Any one know anything about this? Today is Sunday, so no one is available at the DVC to answer my questions. But I guarantee, I will call on Monday.

Post by **js3901** » Sep Sun 09, 2007 1:51 pm

I have heard of night vision goggles being available for some of the guests staying there (I'm sure not all). I would think that it's available for those with the savannah view and on the concierge level, and maybe the DVC members...

jcodirewolf · Post by **jcodirewolf** » Sep Sun 09, 2007 5:40 pm

As I recall it's a program/tour (I don't think they just hand out Night Vision Goggles, atleast every time I've visited the AKL I've never seen them.) I would call the AKL Itinerary Planning Office 407-938-4755.

I also recall reading somewhere that the Concierge level lounge has a few pair. But it may just be that being on the Concierge level you can just get into the tour.

johno

Hypermommy · Post by **Hypermommy** » Sep Sun 09, 2007 6:16 pm

I heard that they were avilable for all, even resort visitors. Anyone know for sure? It's one of the things I'm planning to do in December, but only if it's avaiable for guests of other resorts as I'll be staying at the Pop

jcodirewolf · Post by **jcodirewolf** » Sep Mon 10, 2007 7:32 am

Hyper I would call the same number I gave above, the AKL IPO. They will know. Most places I've seen it written up where they talk about specifics (ie trip reports, lodge reviews) it's a tour.

From- All Ears Net

Any special programs?
Yes, there are a number of special programs offered throughout the day at AKL. Be sure to ask for a list when you check-in to the hotel. A sampling of the recent programs offered at the resort (all programs subject to change without notice):

...
--animal viewing with Night Vision

johno

QuickGold · Post by **QuickGold** » Sep Mon 10, 2007 8:43 am

I've done it twice before. You basically show up and share the goggles with whomever else decided to come out that night. It's fun, but both times the animals didn't really come out so it was tough to see much (eventually a Kudo came out to be seen) but not exactly like you see on National Geographic Channel. But it is free!

ericpabear · Post by **ericpabear** » Sep Mon 10, 2007 6:25 pm

It is a sure thing. I called the DVC. The cast member said, it is free to anyone staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Not just DVC members. First come first served, no reserveing. You go to the animal viewing area behind the main pool. There you will find a cast member handing out night vision goggles from 9pm to 11pm.
Cool, very cool!

KAJUNKING · Post by **KAJUNKING** » Sep Mon 10, 2007 6:42 pm

ericpabear wrote:It is a sure thing. I called the DVC. The cast member said, it is free to anyone staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Not just DVC members. First come first served, no reserveing. You go to the animal viewing area behind the main pool. There you will find a cast member handing out night vision goggles from 9pm to 11pm.
Cool, very cool!

you would think there wouldnt be a whole lot of animals roaming around that late

jcodirewolf · Post by **jcodirewolf** » Sep Mon 10, 2007 8:34 pm

ericpabear wrote:It is a sure thing. I called the DVC. The cast member said, it is free to anyone staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Not just DVC members. First come first served, no reserveing. You go to the animal viewing area behind the main pool. There you will find a cast member handing out night vision goggles from 9pm to 11pm.
Cool, very cool!

I don't think anyone said it was DVC only. I am kinda surprised you don't have to sign up for it. But then it does solve the problem of people signing up and not showing up.

johno

QuickGold · Post by **QuickGold** » Sep Tue 11, 2007 9:25 am

You can do the Nightvision without staying at AKL. I showed up one night when I was staying off site.

chefbuns · Post by **chefbuns** » Sep Wed 12, 2007 10:02 am

That sounds like it would be fun. I can't wait to try it when we go.

Post by **Dr. Ravenscroft** » Sep Wed 12, 2007 3:32 pm

I wonder which Generation of goggles they have, Generation I, II, III, IV, or current military V?

ericpabear · Post by **ericpabear** » Feb Tue 26, 2008 9:58 pm

Found the night vision goggles. The line was too long, so we passed it up. We over heard some people say that there was nothing out there, so we felt better about not waiting in line.

Captain Schnemo · Post by **Captain Schnemo** » Feb Thu 28, 2008 5:34 am

They aren't exactly "goggles". More like a night vision "telescope" with only one eyepiece.

When I was there, there was only one instrument that was passed around a smallish crowd, with a ranger there to explain what you were looking at (and, of course, to make sure no one walked off with the scope).

I also saw nothing but a single kudu. Maybe someone kicks him in the butt offstage when no one else is wandering around out there...

I had better luck at the sunset viewing area (which has artificial moonlight even late at night), where I saw several giraffes and several other animals moving in the distance that I couldn't make out clearly. It was actually more pleasant that the night vision area, since there was no crowd.

I was also kinda bummed to find out that they don't have the program at the Wilderness Lodge where a ranger brought out a small animal, told you interesting facts about it, and let the kids pet it. At least, that's what they told me at the front desk. Since no one there had any idea what I was talking about, I was reasonably convinced that they don't do it any more, but I would have preferred a proper confirmation with someone who knew about the old program saying that it wasn't around any more.