So I'm now thinking of AKL stay after Dream
 

has anyone been? Worth the extra price for a Savanna view? I really like the option of the bunk beds. Most rooms I've been looking at have 2 queen or 2 double beds which would mean DD and I in one and DH and DS in the other, it works but not always my favorite arrangement! What about the safari? Is it hard to get reservations for it?

We can only do WDW after the cruise due to our schedules so is there enough to do there for the day we arrive? I don't think I want to do a park the day we get off the ship so I'm hoping for a relaxing day at AKL and then the safari and dinner that night. Opinions?

Thanks in advance for any input!

We stayed at AKL once. The resort is gorgeous, lots of resort activities, the grounds with the animals are amazing. The buffet is fabulous. Whenever we are at WDW, we eat at AKL's Boma, no matter where we are staying.

I don't stay at AKL anymore because I am a parks guy. As soon as my eyes open in the morning, time to shower and get to the parks. When the park closes and they start a security sweep, I reluctantly head back to the hotel. Because I don't take advantage of the resort's amenities, it does not make sense to pay for the extra amenities.

It sounds like you will be able to enjoy everything AKL has to offer, so I would definitely stay there. When it comes to the premiere resorts at WDW, I think AKL is the best.

We have stayed at AKL twice. One at Jambo and once at Kidani. Had a 1BR with Savannah view at Kidani and a regular view with bunk beds at Jambo. Had a fantastic time at both. I loved the savannah view though. I couldn't wait to get out of bed in the morning to see what animals were outside. We had 2 Ankole cattle that would sit in the same spot every day.. My DH and I named them Fred and Bob and they were there every morning when we woke up. Now when we go back to WDW and do the safari at AK I still look for them haha! I'm the type of person that LOVES a view.. No matter where I stay, the first thing I do is open the curtains and look outside. My sister couldn't care less. If you are like me, book the Savannah view!

I too love a view so you have sold me on the Savannah view!

I'll let you know if we happen to see Fred and Bob! ;)

The one and only time we were at WDW we were like you, complete park openers and closers. I had planned on breaks back where we were staying but it never happened. That's why I was a bit hesitant to book such a nice place but we will for sure hang out at AKL that first day so I hopefully it will be worth it. Plus, after this trip, I don't know if we'll ever afford to come back so we might as well go all out, right! :thumbsup2

Is there a safari offered from resort?

Yes, the Waynama Safari and dinner tour is for guest staying at the resort.

AKV is amazing! It's worth every penny for the Savannah view. :thumbsup2 It my favorite of our DVC stays with a close second to the THV at SSR. We've stayed both Kidani and Jambo and we prefer Kidani. Totally get the SV, you won't regret it.

We've never done the safari as we felt its not really necessary. You won't believe the amount of animals you'll see from your balcony.

My BF and I argue over this. He loves AKL for the Savannah view, I would rather be nearer the parks. AKL just seems so far from everything on the buses. However if you are not a get out of bed, hit the parks until they shut kind of person, AKL would be awesome. You really can't get waking up and looking out over the savannah! (IMO, it's not worth staying there at all without the Savannah view...)

We stayed at AKL after our cruise and went on the Sunrise Safari. That was awesome. The catch is that it only runs on Sunday and Thursday mornings and it is only open to concierge guests. However, concierge is almost the same price as a savanna view (at least it was when we went).

The sunrise safari was absolutely great. You get a behind the scenes tour of Animal Kingdom, a 45 minute Kilimanjaro Safari ride with an awesome guide, and a huge breakfast. We loved it.

This is my concern as well. DS might need a mid-day nap, and I've heard that the buses could take an hour to get back to AKL? I don't need to do parks sun-up to sun-down, but don't want to lose hours of the day just getting to and from the parks and resorts.

We're with you, OP, we'll be doing a couple/few days at WDW after the cruise, mostly just to see Magic Kingdom and some Epcot time for DH and I. We have been thinking about Contemporary, just for the ease of getting to and from MK, but the pricing . . .

I'm not sure if you've said when you're sailing, but there are often deals for the resorts. Room-only discounts are available, but it seems like they may be phasing out free dining deals in favor of discounted "stay, play and dine" vacation packages. For our September cruise/stay, some people have already reported receiving PINs, and historically sales would be released in early March for our dates. Just a heads-up to check on the resorts board to look for discounts ;)

I'm so confused by the PINs. Does everyone get them or just a select few? Our cruise is 4 nights starting 12/22 so we would be checking in at AKL on 12/26. Any chance for discounts/sales that soon after Christmas? Should I wait to book or just do it now? We just decided to book the cruise and there were only verandah rooms left so I don't even want to know how much more we ended up paying booking so late! I had no idea that 10 1/2 months out was too late lol!

If you are worried about DS needing a nap I would not stay at AKL. The last time we stayed there it took almost an hour to get to the park. The monorail is so much easier for certain parks.

Okay, we are doing the Dream in August and my wife has always wanted to stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I was thinking of surprising the rest of the family and booking the Lodge via buying some points from a DVC owner.

I have a couple questions

1- My 2 children Boy 16 girl 12 will not share a bed, nor should they have to at those ages. What room should I ask for with a Savannah view that will fit our needs?

2- A friend of mine who bought the DVC at the new Contemporary towers said people have told me that some Savannah View rooms at the AKL can make you feel like you are staying at the zoo with th smell, true/false?

I can't answer number 2 for you but one of the many reasons we are looking at AKL is that they do have rooms with a bunk bed. I too have a girl and a boy and there is no way they would ever agree to share a bed!