AKL & AP I Really Could Use Your Help

[Princess Dad]

I have a standard room with a parking lot view. I do not want to pay the $90 a night extra for a savanah view, as we hopfully will not be in the room much. However, I am now wondering if it is worth the cost of our room ($144 a night AP) to stay at AKL. What are your thoughts? Has anyone stayed in a similiar room and still found the resort worth the money?

Also, on a differnet subject a month or so ago I called in to book an AP room (mentioned above). As you can see they did this over the phone for me. I did not realize until later that they were not suppose to do that under the BR program. Anyway, I just wanted to see if any of you think I will run into any issues at check in. I have already purched non-refundable airfair. I do not think I will run into any problems as long as I have an annual pass by the time I check in, but I want to make sure. I would not think anything would happen as it was Disney's error and I was not aware of the change in the AP program. Any thoughts?

 

[dixipixi]

We were at AKL in June and I also used the AP discount.

I found the resort to be well worth the money spent. We were in a savannah view room.

One thing to note about standard view, I noticed that some of the rooms were in very close proximity to the drive and front entry of the hotel. Some of them were directly in front of the 30 minute parking area (which was always a busy area with cars constantly moving in and out).

I think if I were staying standard view, I would request to be on one of the upper floors. The commotion would probably not be as noticable up there.

I did have my AP at check in, but I was never asked for it. A few days later we moved to the YC and I was asked for it there. So, be prepared!!!

 

[caseih]

We stayed at the AKL in Dec 02. It was great. Beautifully decorated for the holidays. Great b'fast and dinner at Boma. Excellent gift shop there as well. The lobby is awesome, same architect as WL, I believe. Even if you have the standard view room, there are so many places to see the animals. You can walk out into the central outdoor courtyard, you can walk down any of the hallways which have a lot of windows where you can look out over the various savannahs. AKL is very close to AK but farther away from the other theme parks. We found it to be a very unusual, quiet, relaxing, somewhat secluded resort which we would recommend very much. We did have a savannah room, which we enjoyed very much but I wouldn't hesitate to stay in a standard view with a good rate.

 

[Princess Dad]

Thanks for both of your help. Maybe I wil get some other feedback today also.

 

[karebear1]

What dtaes are you going? WE have a lso booked a standard room through BRP, but we're paying $200.00 a night! SOunds like I's like your $144.00!!! We've never stayed at AKL either, but I have a friend that absolutley LOVES it there- and quite honestly, nay deluxe resort at WDW is worth the money you pay.

 

[liamsaunt]

Animal Kingdom lodge is great, and you got a good rate also. I would keep the reservation. The decor is unique and very beautiful. The rooms are relaxing, with muted colors. The on-site restaurants are all good (especially Jiko!), there is a large gift shop stocked with all sorts of interesting items, and a very nice wine bar, Victoria Falls, if you are interested in that.

Even though you have a standard view, you will still see the animals (not from your room of course!) There are windows in the hallways that look out onto the savannah, various viewing stations around the hotel, a walkway that goes out into the savannah with stationary binoculars, and cast members from Africa to tell you about the animals. At night you can borrow night vision goggles here.

The pool is zero entry, large, and well themed. There is a hot tub and a fitness center. There are lots of free activities for the kids too, such as storytelling around the fire pit. The resort does not share buses, and we found the service to be good.

The Animal Kingdom Lodge is great! DH and I will be back there in 50 days. Not that I am counting or anything...

 

[Princess Dad]

Thanks for your help. FYI- I am staying the first week in Dec 2005