3 Families doin' a Surf & Turf Trip! AKL CL & Dream...Good-Byes

[hstrickland]

Animal Kingdom Lodge Review...…kind of

(minus rooms, Club Level, Jiko, Boma, animals….)​

As many of you know, I’ve ALWAYS been very hesitant about staying at the AKL. The main reason….the location….and the transportation options. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a bit of a MK resort snob, and perhaps I need to venture out a bit more….so…that’s exactly what we did, and so glad we did it!!



The landscape is perfectly themed and couldn’t be more perfect for an African setting….the thatched rooftop truly looks genuine. Even up close, you can’t tell it’s faux straw.

If you feel like splurging a bit, or just feel like being lazy while on vacation (that’s me)….use the valet service to park the car. Very easy, and fairly quick….around $12.00 a day.

Once inside, the very hospitable cast members will be more than happy to check you in. I don’t recall ever seeing the check-in super busy. It always appeared that there was an abundance of CMs to assist with guests’ needs.

The pool area is another world in itself….plenty to do, and beautiful scenery to accompany it….

If you’re interested in a workout, you can head down this path to the fitness club. It’s located on the right side of the pool.

Not far from the gym, there’s a hot tub surrounded by beautiful foliage. Unfortunately, the few times I ventured over to take a dip, there were small children playing in it.

I thought this was a neat little area for rooms….kinda tucked away in the corner away from everything.

If the kids get restless and they need to exert some energy, try the playground…..very neat and clean. The few times I passed by, it was empty...

Of course the pool is awesome!!! No complaints here….well….maybe the slide….it’s great for smaller children, but bigger kids like Stephen lose interest fast. It’s too slow.

The baby pool….

So…if the big kids get bored, send them over to the arcade!

It’s actually much better than the GFs, WLs and the Polys….bigger! But not as good as the CRs aracade (the source of this info comes straight from an 11 year old, therefore it must be accurate)

Perhaps you need a few hours to yourself….send the kiddos to Simbas! I believe it’s open from 4pm-12am and around $11 an hour per child. I did go in and look around. My children didn’t seem too interested….Faith said it wasn’t like the Neverland Club at the Poly, and therefore she really didn’t want to go. I’ve heard great and wonderful things about the club, though. The CMs inside were super friendly and answered all my questions.

Thirsty?? Hungry??….head to the Mara.

We never ate anything from here, but did refill our mugs while lounging out by the pool. It did seem a bit chaotic, but it’s a food court so that’s understandable.

Our experience at the AKL was superb!!! From the room and view, to each cast member, the visit was perfect. I’m so very glad we gave it a try and one day might stay there again. If I didn’t have those ridiculous longings for Cinderella Castle and Bay Lake, AKL might be a favorite resort….I just sorta missed my MK area. However….our experience with the Cast Members at AKL far outweigh the CMs we’ve encountered elsewhere….and that’s a fact!




Up next……departing WDW and headin’ to the coast!






​

 

[jennyjinx3]

Thanks for the great overview of AKL...

 

[WDWaddictt]

Sounds awesome...now I can't wait until Feb when we are there. Thanks for the trip report. I can't wait until your review on the Dream, we were on it last year (Oct 2011). Loved it!

 

[debrapagliasotti]

Thanks for the great recap on AKL. We are considering a split stay there now for our trip next Oct (a few nights before WL).

Cant wait for your next updates...dying to hear about the cruise!

 

[RGirl]

So glad you had such a great experience at AKL.

Can't wait for the cruise!!!

Not sure how the pincodes work...it's a secret that everyone would love to know. I usually just save a couple of trips on the Disney website and then we get these emails from Disney Destinations. But be careful....sometimes those codes are at the very bottom and hard to see. OR, you can get the Disney Visa and they'll offer discounts, OR you can wait for the general code (which always appears). Not sure that really answered your question

Yeah, I get the codes too (and have the Disney visa) - just haven't ever gotten one I could use. Was hoping there was another super-secret way to get discounts.

 

[shan23877]

Great review of AKL! I'm like you-always worried about the location and travel time (we're bus users). Sounds like it would certainly be worth it though for the level of service provided.

Gorgeous pictures-you're TRs are so thorough!

I'm so glad that your sister's family made it safely. Those poor kids. But what a welcome! They must have been excited to see the view!

 

[amandaw]

Love the review of AKL! You really covered everything!

 

[hstrickland]

Thanks for the great overview of AKL...

I finally made it to the cruise! Can ya believe it??! Your ticker is getting pretty close!!!! Have you started packing, yet or getting a list put together? Just curious, but does everyone up north travel in August for their vacation??? Seems that way. My sister says that many people in CT go south in August....just wondering

Sounds awesome...now I can't wait until Feb when we are there. Thanks for the trip report. I can't wait until your review on the Dream, we were on it last year (Oct 2011). Loved it!

I don't think you'll be disappointed at all. Are you doing a villa at AKL or Kidani? Hopefully your weather will be better than ours It didn't spoil the trip, though. The Dream is fabulous, isn't it?! We can compare notes

Thanks for the great recap on AKL. We are considering a split stay there now for our trip next Oct (a few nights before WL).

Cant wait for your next updates...dying to hear about the cruise!

That would be a great split! AKL is close to AK and DHS....and WL is by the MK (my very favorite place!!) Bill absolutely LOVES WL and would stay there every visit if I let him. Unfortunately our family is outgrowing the rooms...sleeping on the floor no longer seems appealing to my 3 kids

So glad you had such a great experience at AKL.

Can't wait for the cruise!!!


Yeah, I get the codes too (and have the Disney visa) - just haven't ever gotten one I could use. Was hoping there was another super-secret way to get discounts.

Hmmmm.... guess you can't wait until the last minute to book, either, since you fly and need to buy tickets. I've found that if I don't book a room, that's when I get these codes. OR....you could book a value way in advance, have your 'dream' resort saved on the Disney site for the same time (maybe they'll send you a pin anyway) OR book a value and wait for the general discount to appear (that will happen, ya know) What exactly are you tentatively planning?? Or is this a secret?

Great review of AKL! I'm like you-always worried about the location and travel time (we're bus users). Sounds like it would certainly be worth it though for the level of service provided.

Gorgeous pictures-you're TRs are so thorough!

I'm so glad that your sister's family made it safely. Those poor kids. But what a welcome! They must have been excited to see the view!

Bill thinks the buses are wonderful and absolutely LOVES riding them so for him the transportation was fine. I would consider doing a split stay with AKL and a MK resort. I wasn't crazy about the bus ride from the MK area....a bit lengthy but that's JMO. In the big scheme of things I guess that's a really minor complaint. Even the BC/YC makes me nervous with the whole bus thing....so silly of me, isn't it??

Love the review of AKL! You really covered everything!

Your time is drawing very near!!!! How's the running going? Are you making progress??

 

[Sue M]

Great summary! Your photos are fantastic! Just a few more days for us till we drive under that Welcome Arch.
Told one of my daughters who was not having a good day, once on our drive from Cocoa Beadh pre WDW that - you know how they say WDW is the happiest place on earth? Well, that's cause anyone not happy, gets vaporized when they pass under the Arch other daughter of course erupted in laughter. Now it's the standing joke when we drive under that arch. Ok, get ready to be vaporized if your not happy

Got our pool noodles ready for lots of afternoons floating around the pool . Maybe even take some time to go to the today!

 

[Pinkocto]

Thanks so much for the beautiful pictures! I'm so ready to be back there, almost to the two week mark. it is my absolute favorite resort! I'm going to try the WL next Christmas, so we'll see how I like the close commute to MK. Have never stayed in the MK area yet.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

great update and summary - must have been some early morning photo shoots, not many people in those pictures! I may have to think about staying there now, it will have to be a trip without the 5 of us, so maybe Caleb's mother/son trip (he wants to stay there). I can't imaging my DH on all those theme park bus rides, not a good picture in my head!!!

Now, onto the cruise, can't wait for more! Erin

 

[DisneyDoc5]

you know how they say WDW is the happiest place on earth? Well, that's cause anyone not happy, gets vaporized when they pass under the Arch other daughter of course erupted in laughter. Now it's the standing joke when we drive under that arch. Ok, get ready to be vaporized if your not happy

I love this, I am telling my family this story for the next trip!!! Have a great time at AKL!

 

[WDWaddictt]

I don't think you'll be disappointed at all. Are you doing a villa at AKL or Kidani? Hopefully your weather will be better than ours It didn't spoil the trip, though. The Dream is fabulous, isn't it?! We can compare notes


We are staying at Kidani Village. My only fear is that everything to do is at Jambo. Hopefully we love it.

 

[emma212010]

Great review! I'd love to stay there one day! Maybe just a couple of nights to get the feel and then the rest at a favorite! I love the arcade review! Lol! Sounds very scientifically researched and compared!

 

[hstrickland]

Great summary! Your photos are fantastic! Just a few more days for us till we drive under that Welcome Arch.
Told one of my daughters who was not having a good day, once on our drive from Cocoa Beadh pre WDW that - you know how they say WDW is the happiest place on earth? Well, that's cause anyone not happy, gets vaporized when they pass under the Arch other daughter of course erupted in laughter. Now it's the standing joke when we drive under that arch. Ok, get ready to be vaporized if your not happy

I love this!!! Bill said we'll try it next time we ride under the enfamous sign.

Got our pool noodles ready for lots of afternoons floating around the pool . Maybe even take some time to go to the today!

Hope you made it to the beach! We should have done the same thing...it wasn't too hot here, surprisingly enough. I know you're excited!!! Hope all has gone well in Lauderdale.

Thanks so much for the beautiful pictures! I'm so ready to be back there, almost to the two week mark. it is my absolute favorite resort! I'm going to try the WL next Christmas, so we'll see how I like the close commute to MK. Have never stayed in the MK area yet.

Two weeks is all???!!! It will be here before ya know it! WL at Christmas will be beautiful for sure! I think you'll like the decor, too. Of course it's much different than AKL, but still very inviting with lots of rustic charm.

great update and summary - must have been some early morning photo shoots, not many people in those pictures! I may have to think about staying there now, it will have to be a trip without the 5 of us, so maybe Caleb's mother/son trip (he wants to stay there). I can't imaging my DH on all those theme park bus rides, not a good picture in my head!!!

Now, onto the cruise, can't wait for more! Erin

Early morning....how did you ever guess AKL would be a great resort for yalls mother/son trip. Let me know when you do this....I might have to sneak down there and see yall

Bill and his bus rides.......we joke about it all the time. He's like a stalker on those buses, looking for somebody to chat with! On the way over to the BC, there was standing room only. So...what does Bill do??....stands by the driver and chit-chats the entire ride.

We are staying at Kidani Village. My only fear is that everything to do is at Jambo. Hopefully we love it.

You'll be fine And if you want to go over to Jambo, it's a quick 3 minute ride by the courtesy shuttle. From the reading material that was left in the room, there seems to be some of the same activities at Kidani. It's very quiet at Kidani which is nice...not lots of people roaming around. That could be a big plus!!

Great review! I'd love to stay there one day! Maybe just a couple of nights to get the feel and then the rest at a favorite! I love the arcade review! Lol! Sounds very scientifically researched and compared!

Of course....what 11 year old boy doesn't know his video games?!

 

[WDWaddictt]

You'll be fine And if you want to go over to Jambo, it's a quick 3 minute ride by the courtesy shuttle. From the reading material that was left in the room, there seems to be some of the same activities at Kidani. It's very quiet at Kidani which is nice...not lots of people roaming around. That could be a big plus!!

Sounds great! Thanks!!

 

[RGirl]

Hmmmm.... guess you can't wait until the last minute to book, either, since you fly and need to buy tickets. I've found that if I don't book a room, that's when I get these codes. OR....you could book a value way in advance, have your 'dream' resort saved on the Disney site for the same time (maybe they'll send you a pin anyway) OR book a value and wait for the general discount to appear (that will happen, ya know) What exactly are you tentatively planning?? Or is this a secret?

PTR coming in a week or so - you MUST join in because I need you to help me!!!!!!!!

 

[disney777]

Did you use the new H20 shampoo? I'm assuming they had it at AKL. Doing my packing, and wondering how the shampoo was. The other H20 brand worked fine for me, I'm hoping the new line is as good.
Less than a week now for me. It's going to be a long week at work. But then 2 weeks at AKL. I'm sooo looking forward to it. Your post has been fun to read and kept me in the AKL mode during my wait.

 

[MissPrice]

HI there I've been lurking on your trip report and based on your photos and reviews of AKL, I just switched my reservations from CSR to AKL!!! Granted were not staying club level, but my DH and I have only ever stayed at All Star Music so this should be a great change for us!! I'm really enjoying your trip reports and can't wait to read more. -Amanda

 

[Sue M]

Thanks, yes we did get to the yesterday and was great floating along on the noodles. Got the fat ones .

I'd like to know your thoughts on the new H2o shampoo & conditioner too! The hotel we're at here in Ft Lauderdale has Paul Mitchell products, and after I told our housekeeper that we liked them, she's been leaving 5 of everything every day so I'm stocking up just in case .