We were upgraded from Coronado to Animal Kingdom Lodge for free :o

SouthJersey

SouthJersey

DIS Veteran
Joined
Jul 19, 2011
I always read about everyone else lucking into nice free upgrades, but we finally got in on one!
Apparently Coronado was just booked out by a convention, so we got a free upgrade to AKL (standard view) for our visit 12/15 - 12/22.

How do you guys like AKL and is the location decent in terms of driving to the parks? We've never gone to AKL besides for dinner at Jiko.
 
That's great, I love AkL, I hope you will too. Since you have a car, I don't think it is going to make a difference for you. I am not too familiar with parking at Coronado but I think AKL will likely be a longer walk for you but worth it I think.
 
Congrats! You're going to love it at AKL. Even though you're in a standard room, you'll have plenty of opportunities to see the animals around the resort.
 
I really enjoyed AKL and the food court Mara. I didn't spend much time in the pool there but it looked really nice.

I didn't mind the drive to the parks - it didn't feel like it was any longer than any of the other resorts.
 


:yay::yay::yay: LOVE AKL! It's not far, just past the entrance of AK. We don't find the drive to anywhere long.
- Check out the activities boards
- Wander everywhere inside and out
- There are lots of viewing areas, some hidden public balconies
- Two hidden hot tubs and keep going past the one to the left, animal viewing can be had there
- All eats are good there and if a resort day, book Sanaa for early lunch - ask for window seat and more animals
- Talk to the CMs, many are from all over Africa and they are so interesting
- Find out when the African musicians come through and try to catch them

Enjoy your pixie dust!!
 
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AKL is fantastic! I am not sure if it is possible, but usually an upgrade from standard to pool is not very much $. Pool views are amazing, we loved our pool view.
Either way there are plenty of public places to see the animals. Take time to explore the resort and enjoy!
 
What a great upgrade! I have stayed at both resort, I like the pool better at CSR, but the AKL is so amazing and the lobby is stunning.
 


Me too!!! I'm staying at the exact same dates as you are :) They offered me Port Orleans Riverside, French Quarter or the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was a no-brainer. It's our first time staying at a Deluxe resort and we couldn't be more happy about it :) :woohoo: BTW, they offered extra fast passes for each day of our stay, I was wondering if I had to book those or what? haha
 
I also got this upgrade to AKL from CS. I was a little annoyed by this at first because we were booked in a business class room which included continental breakfast and snacks/beverages in the evening plus CS is more centrally located. People have convinced me that moving to AKL is a no brainer and to do it. I also don't like that you can't close off the sink area with doors at AKL like you can at CS. The balcony will be nice though. We have a pool view room, but I'll still be crossing my fingers for a savana view upgrade once we get there. The extra fast passes per person per day is a nice perk too. I realized that there could be a convention at CS when we booked and I was fine with that, but I didn't think that being barred from the food court due to a convention was a possibility. We could have still kept CS and without food cout access. I don't think we would have used the food court much anyway, but it would be nice to have the option and it bugs me that they were taking away a hotel amenity.
 
Zipadeedoda said:
I also got this upgrade to AKL from CS. I was a little annoyed by this at first because we were booked in a business class room which included continental breakfast and snacks/beverages in the evening plus CS is more centrally located. People have convinced me that moving to AKL is a no brainer and to do it. I also don't like that you can't close off the sink area with doors at AKL like you can at CS. The balcony will be nice though. We have a pool view room, but I'll still be crossing my fingers for a savana view upgrade once we get there. The extra fast passes per person per day is a nice perk too. I realized that there could be a convention at CS when we booked and I was fine with that, but I didn't think that being barred from the food court due to a convention was a possibility. We could have still kept CS and without food cout access. I don't think we would have used the food court much anyway, but it would be nice to have the option and it bugs me that they were taking away a hotel amenity.
Click to expand...

Interesting. Did they say if it was just Pepper Market that was closed due to the convention or could you have used Cafe Rix? An upgrade to AKL is great but if Cafe Rix is an option, it would have given me pause. Usually a large convention at the resort means empty pools and park buses during the day!
 
I think just Pepper Market but not 100% sure. Now I am seconding guessing my decision to move to AKL but the switch has already been made.
 
GREAT upgrade!!!! We love AKL, and have stayed there 3 times and are booked for May. The resort is absolutely beautiful, the restaurants are so good, especially Sanna and Jiko, and you can find many places to see the animals. A lot of people say this is such a remote location, but, at most, it adds 5 minutes extra time to a park. Not a big deal at all. Have a great time!!!
 
SouthJersey said:
I always read about everyone else lucking into nice free upgrades, but we finally got in on one!
Apparently Coronado was just booked out by a convention, so we got a free upgrade to AKL (standard view) for our visit 12/15 - 12/22.

How do you guys like AKL and is the location decent in terms of driving to the parks? We've never gone to AKL besides for dinner at Jiko.
Click to expand...

What an awesome upgrade! As others have said, AKL is a beautiful resort with great dining options, a great pool, and lots to see (including several animal viewing areas around the resort). We don't drive to the parks and always use Disney transportation and never had a problem with the buses/distance. AKL is out away from everything, but we've never found it to take more than maybe 5 extra minutes to get around compared to other resorts. Have a great time! :wizard:

Jose Guerrero said:
Me too!!! I'm staying at the exact same dates as you are :) They offered me Port Orleans Riverside, French Quarter or the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was a no-brainer. It's our first time staying at a Deluxe resort and we couldn't be more happy about it :) :woohoo: BTW, they offered extra fast passes for each day of our stay, I was wondering if I had to book those or what? haha
Click to expand...

Congrats, have a great time and enjoy AKL :goodvibes.

Zipadeedoda said:
I also got this upgrade to AKL from CS. I was a little annoyed by this at first because we were booked in a business class room which included continental breakfast and snacks/beverages in the evening plus CS is more centrally located. People have convinced me that moving to AKL is a no brainer and to do it. I also don't like that you can't close off the sink area with doors at AKL like you can at CS. The balcony will be nice though. We have a pool view room, but I'll still be crossing my fingers for a savana view upgrade once we get there. The extra fast passes per person per day is a nice perk too. I realized that there could be a convention at CS when we booked and I was fine with that, but I didn't think that being barred from the food court due to a convention was a possibility. We could have still kept CS and without food cout access. I don't think we would have used the food court much anyway, but it would be nice to have the option and it bugs me that they were taking away a hotel amenity.
Click to expand...

We've never stayed at CSR, but have had 2 great stays at AKL. I hope you have a great time and enjoy the resort :wizard:.
 
Congrats to all on your upgrade. No brainer switch to me. I/m starting to think the refurb might be happening. What section are you booked in?

Jose Guerrero said:
BTW, they offered extra fast passes for each day of our stay, I was wondering if I had to book those or what? haha
Click to expand...

Those extra fast passes can be used in any park and you do not need to book them. Just walk up and tell the CM you want to use your special pass.
 
Really? These extra fast passes don't have to be booked at the 60 day out mark like the other Fast Passes? The extra ones they are giving us are Fast Pass+. Is that the difference? Fast Pass vs. Fast Pass+?
 
Zipadeedoda said:
Really? These extra fast passes don't have to be booked at the 60 day out mark like the other Fast Passes? The extra ones they are giving us are Fast Pass+. Is that the difference? Fast Pass vs. Fast Pass+?
Click to expand...

I also had 3 extra passes per day. They were given to us at check in. We were able to use them on rides that didn't have fast passes available.
 
Is there much outdoor space to walk around at AKL? I have been reading that because of the savana (and you can't walk around on that!) you are mostly just inside the hotel except for the pool area. The grounds of CSR looked pretty and I had read that walking around the property is really nice, especially at night. The rooms themselves at AKL and CSR look pretty much the same with the exception of the small balcony at AKL and CSR has doors that close off the sink area from bed area. There doesn't seem to be anything deluxe about the room. I am second guessing my decision to switch, but it's done now. I just don't feel as excited about being switched to this deluxe resort as I think I should be. I am excited about the extra fast passes though.
 
AKL is an AMAZING resort IMO! Just the ambiance is worth the upgrade - maybe you'll see what I mean when you walk into the lobby - breathtaking is my word for it - but that is how I see it. There are lots of places to walk, view animals, talk with cultural CMs - it is also lovely at night and the pool area is spacious. The restaurants are also really great! Have a great trip!
 
Zipadeedoda said:
I think just Pepper Market but not 100% sure. Now I am seconding guessing my decision to move to AKL but the switch has already been made.
Click to expand...

Don't second guess it. Enjoy the deluxe amenities while paying moderate prices! Plus, there is also construction at CSR. The Casitas quiet pool, gym, and spa are closed and the Ranchos bus stop is closed. May have dodged a bullet!
 
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