AKL LITE unofficial FAQ thread#10 - I believe that's known as a 'Jambo Dozen'

[Happy Snowman]

Ok--don't hate me but 170+ pages is a lot to go through

Thinking of a short trip in October. Our last trip was over 10 years ago and so much has changed. We had a People Pen room on our first trip and we actually liked it. We could see the far end of the Arusha and part of the Uzima. I loved having my morning coffee watching the animals so we are leaning toward AKL. Can someone give me a cliff notes version of how the various rooms and villas work now. The villas were not there and the various "houses" now? I think I would like a full Arusha view this time but I'd be ok with the room we had before to-it was more private. We will probably only spend 1 or 2 days in the parks and my daughter, my travel partner, would like to do all things Harry Potter at that other park too--and so would I. Just trying to figure out how to go about reservations and picking rooms (locations, not specific rooms), etc. Do any of the rooms/villas/whatever have kitchenettes or what makes them villas?

 

[eangel12]

Can anyone confirm that this is the correct shipping address for Kidani? Have you shipped to this address successfully? Debating sending diapers, wipes, swim diapers and pull ups down in advance.

Guest Name / Arrival Date ____
c/o Disney Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
3701 Osceola Parkway
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
TEL 407.938.7400

 

[GreyStr0ke]

We have made the switch from a 2br at SSR , to a 2br at WLV, to a 2br AK Kidani Village. I think I can safely say that our group of 8 is finally satisfied with the resort choice. We would have booked AK sooner but none of the two bed room villas were available. Then by luck one popped up for our Food & Wine trip in November and we pounced on the opportunity. Not to mention, the mess at WL with the pool closure was not gonna cut it.

 

[AngiTN]

Wooo Hooo.... this time next week we should be rolling up to AKL on the ME

 

[anjalee6]

Wooo Hooo.... this time next week we should be rolling up to AKL on the ME

Woohoo!

 

[think-like-tink]

We fell in love with AKL. We had a great time, it was all so perfect. Loved the smell of the lobby. Loved the smell of our hallway too. We had lots of animals. We are now DVC members. Wooohoo

 

[rhardy1206]

OMG time is at a stand still!! I just come on here everyday to read new post to get my fix.

Jealous of everyone who I see who will be there over the next couple of weeks! Hope you all have a blast(as if it was impossible not too) and I hope you all post pictures and stories!!

I on the other hand have 11 weeks from tomorrow! Grrrrrrrrr.

Is 78 days away to early to start packing

I mean it is for 10 days in a grand villa so I gots lots of stuff to pack lol.

 

[rhardy1206]

I also wanted to ask any runners about this too. I did see a couple post a couple weeks back about this and can't find them now.

I'm a 6- 10 mile runner but a treadmill is a no-no for me. Can't do it. I would prefer to run around the property if I could. I can go off property if I have too? But I think the scenery at the resort would be better.

Are there walk walkways outside the resort at least a half mile long I could run and maybe just go back and forth? I wouldn't mind some nice scenery along my run as well. I also don't want to be out of place if people don't run outside as well. It would be 7am or earlier runs!


Thanks in advance

 

[MomofDisneyLoversx3]

I also wanted to ask any runners about this too. I did see a couple post a couple weeks back about this and can't find them now.

I'm a 6- 10 mile runner but a treadmill is a no-no for me. Can't do it. I would prefer to run around the property if I could. I can go off property if I have too? But I think the scenery at the resort would be better.

Are there walk walkways outside the resort at least a half mile long I could run and maybe just go back and forth? I wouldn't mind some nice scenery along my run as well. I also don't want to be out of place if people don't run outside as well. It would be 7am or earlier runs!


Thanks in advance

I am not runner (yet my mom keeps signing me up for WDW runs ), however my ex is a runner. He often ran outdoors at AKL and said there is no real "scenic" route. He would run back and forth from Jambo to Kindani. Hope this helps.

 

[kimmar067]

We have made the switch from a 2br at SSR , to a 2br at WLV, to a 2br AK Kidani Village. I think I can safely say that our group of 8 is finally satisfied with the resort choice. We would have booked AK sooner but none of the two bed room villas were available. Then by luck one popped up for our Food & Wine trip in November and we pounced on the opportunity. Not to mention, the mess at WL with the pool closure was not gonna cut it.

....wow, why would they close down a pool during such a busy time of year? I mean, I know that pools need rehab, but my thinking is that most folks going to WDW during F&WF are coming from cooler-weather locations, and therefore would want to use the pool at some point.....lucky for you that you are able to grab rooms at AKL!

 

[kimmar067]

We would like to request Giraffe Trail ground floor to have easy access to the pool and bus stop. I believe I read a long time ago that on the ground floors you could not just walk out to the pool . Where are the exit doors or will we have to walk way down the hall to get out ?

....the main elevators go to the ground floor. When you exit them, you are going towards a set of glass doors, which leads you to the pool area. if you stop before you actually go through those doors, to the left is Boma - to the right, Jiko!

 

[AngiTN]

....wow, why would they close down a pool during such a busy time of year? I mean, I know that pools need rehab, but my thinking is that most folks going to WDW during F&WF are coming from cooler-weather locations, and therefore would want to use the pool at some point.....lucky for you that you are able to grab rooms at AKL!

It's kinda strange they opted to do the pool rehab in the fall instead of the winter. Jan/Feb/Mar it's much more likely to be too cool to swim. In Sept/Oct, it's much more likely to be warm enough to swim. While the weather in either season can go either way it seems like to me you'd go with the odds and do it in the winter.

That said, they are giving folks who do stay at WL during that time access to the quiet pool at WLV, access to the pool at FW and access to the pool at CR. So not all that bad.

 

[sugarbobbin]

Can you guys sell AKL to me? I had to book with a Fall Discount, AKL was the only hotel that had standard rooms discounted. I'm sure it's fantastic, but we were really hoping for Wilderness or Boardwalk. I'm a little uneasy with how far out AKL is in terms of transportation. I did book a dinner at Sanaa for our last night there, which looks really good. We're the type of people that spend at least half the day relaxing at the hotel.

 

[maryj11]

....the main elevators go to the ground floor. When you exit them, you are going towards a set of glass doors, which leads you to the pool area. if you stop before you actually go through those doors, to the left is Boma - to the right, Jiko!

Thank you. Is there an elevator or exit by the fitness center ?

 

[AngiTN]

Can you guys sell AKL to me? I had to book with a Fall Discount, AKL was the only hotel that had standard rooms discounted. I'm sure it's fantastic, but we were really hoping for Wilderness or Boardwalk. I'm a little uneasy with how far out AKL is in terms of transportation. I did book a dinner at Sanaa for our last night there, which looks really good. We're the type of people that spend at least half the day relaxing at the hotel.

If you are the type that spend half the day at the Resort then you should sell yourself on it right there. Not to mention, the overall look of the Resort is the same as WL. They had the same architect. So if you'd be content resting at WL I have to say you will be content resting at AKL too.

Nice benefit to transportation, while yes it's remote, they get their own buses and don't share.

 

[MouseOfGold]

Were staying at AoA LM room for a week and I just added on AKL CL for the end of our trip. Looking forward to experiencing this resort and CL for the first time!

 

[muenginerd]

Question about room types at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

DH and I will be going to AKL for a week at the end of September to celebrate our Honeymoon. We are in an Ashura View room. Of course we would really really want a king bed room. From what I see king beds are as common at AKL. Is there a way I can put in a request for one. Coming from a hotel background I know room types can never be guaranteed, but are there any tips or who we should talk to, to get our request in? Should I even be concerned about this, or is it a non-issue at check-in?

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Question about room types at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

DH and I will be going to AKL for a week at the end of September to celebrate our Honeymoon. We are in an Ashura View room. Of course we would really really want a king bed room. From what I see king beds are as common at AKL. Is there a way I can put in a request for one. Coming from a hotel background I know room types can never be guaranteed, but are there any tips or who we should talk to, to get our request in? Should I even be concerned about this, or is it a non-issue at check-in?

I always book online and then immediately call them directly to request a king bed. You're right, it's not guaranteed. We've always gotten it but we travel in the off-season and it's the only request I make. I don't think there are that many kings available, actually. Once, during a slow week in early November, they had to put us in an ADA accessible room to be able to fulfill the request. I really wish they would let you book King rooms as their own category like other hotels do so we could eliminate this "Will we or won't we?" nonsense that can't be answered until check-in. I would adjust my dates if it meant a guaranteed king bed!

 

[ThePetLady7]

Can you guys sell AKL to me? I had to book with a Fall Discount, AKL was the only hotel that had standard rooms discounted. I'm sure it's fantastic, but we were really hoping for Wilderness or Boardwalk. I'm a little uneasy with how far out AKL is in terms of transportation. I did book a dinner at Sanaa for our last night there, which looks really good. We're the type of people that spend at least half the day relaxing at the hotel.

We just got home last night from our first stay at AKL. I had seen posts from others complaining about transportation there, but our experience was actually quite good. Honestly, I don't think travel times here were any worse than when we'd stayed at WL sharing buses with other MK resorts, or BC sharing with the Epcot resorts. Buses came in a timely manner (except DTD, which I've never had good experiences with), and we only had to stand once at a very busy time of year.

The atmosphere is also incredibly relaxing. Even with a standard view, you will be able to find a spot to sit and watch the animals. The lobby has a very WL feel to it, with lots of cozy places to sit and people watch. AKL is a wonderful place to unwind after a day at the parks.

 

[rhardy1206]

I am not runner (yet my mom keeps signing me up for WDW runs ), however my ex is a runner. He often ran outdoors at AKL and said there is no real "scenic" route. He would run back and forth from Jambo to Kindani. Hope this helps.

Thank you. That's what I was afraid of. That's the 1 thing my In Laws home resort (Beach Club) has over AKL, is the boardwalk which is the best place in Disney for a run because you can go right into ESPN for a beer right after!


I'll figure something out.......Thnak you