AKL refrigerator and pool (but not at the same time)

[cancilla]

We'll be staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for the first time next year and I have two questions:

1) Our travel agent said that we don't have to request a refrigerator because all AKL rooms have them. Can someone confirm that this is true? It's kinda important for us.

2) Can someone tell me what the hours are on the pool? I'd like to go for a swim at the end of the day and we might be getting back to the room a bit late some nights (as you can imagine).

Thanks bunches!

--Dominick

 

[wdwhooked]

hi we just returned and Yes there is a refrigerator in the room and you do not have to request it. we used it alot, and the pool is 24hours, however the lifeguards go off duty at around 10:00pm the pool is very nice one of the best we have used in WDW
any more ??? just ask

 

[cancilla]

Wow -- thanks for the quick answers!

I'll take you up on your offer to answer more questions...

On the first morning of our stay we want to check out the buffet and then go to AK. What time do you think we should make a breakfast reservation for if we want to get to AK around its opening time? I'm assuming a reservation for breakfast is a good idea, yes?

Also, we'll be traveling with our eight-year-old son. I've heard that the hotel has storytelling. Do you know if there are any other kid-oriented activities offered?

Big thanks again!

--Dominick (who may have even more questions later <G>)

 

[sjw4870]

Wow -- thanks for the quick answers!

I'll take you up on your offer to answer more questions...

On the first morning of our stay we want to check out the buffet and then go to AK. What time do you think we should make a breakfast reservation for if we want to get to AK around its opening time? I'm assuming a reservation for breakfast is a good idea, yes?

Also, we'll be traveling with our eight-year-old son. I've heard that the hotel has storytelling. Do you know if there are any other kid-oriented activities offered?

Big thanks again!

--Dominick (who may have even more questions later <G>)

It never hurts to have a ADR, but in all the times I've stayed at AKL if you arrive right around opening (between 7:30 and 8:00) you won't need one. If I recall, dinner is always much more crowded than breakfask (but I'm usually gone from the hotel by 9-ish!).

AKL has quite a few activities. There is an activities board posted near the stairway at Boma and another one near the Bell Stand. They have lots of activities for both kids and adults. I've done almost all of them. They have kids cookie decorating at Boma (haven't done this); storytelling by the fire, pool games, flamingo feeding, african cultural discussions and a culinary tour of both Boma and Jiko (excellent if you are a food lover). The ones I've listed seem to be daily events that don't change too often. You'll also get a list of special events at check-in.

 

[johnsonet]

Re. The Pool: please keep in mind that the slide closes when the lifeguards leave. usually around 10pm.

 

[Jo-Jo21]

What we usually do is make an ADR for the first seating at Donald's Breakfastosaurus inside AK. The buses from AKL start running early enough or if you have a car just drive over. It is a great buffet character breakfast with Donald, Mikey, Goofy and Pluto. We've always found the food to be good and the character interaction great. With this stategy, you should be finished with your breakfast just as the park opens - but you'll already be inside and able to do the whole Dinoland section with no wait at all.

 

[cancilla]

Neat tip about Breakfastosaurus! We'd actually been thinking of doing just as you suggested but didn't want to spend a lot of time at a character breakfast when we could be seeing AK. But if I understand you correctly, the breakfast starts before the rest of the park opens -- is that correct?

Thanks again to everyone for the tips!

--Dominick

 

[HappyDwarf]

We had 8:00 seating for Donald's Breakfast, and the park did not open until 9:00. Although some people tried to go out into the park itself before 9:00, a CM held everyone back until he received notice of the "official" opening. One disadvantage was that it took us a little bit longer to reach the Safari than it did for those just entering the park. However, if you wish to stay in Dinoland a bit, you have the advantage. Since we were at 8:00, we were in during the first seating, so we saw the characters first and then were able to have a nice and calm breakfast.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

All 3 of our rooms over the past few months have had refrigerators.

There are folks in the pool into the wee hours of the morning. Dh did laundry around 2 am (Not by choice!! He had to wait in a lengthy line to use them.) and said there were still a fair number of people swimming. (Note: This was at the end of May. The resort was COMPLETELY full at this point.)

Boma has never been all that busy during the breakfast hours during any of our visits (even over Memorial Weekend!!!!). Still, I make ADR's just in case. I've scheduled Breakfastosaurus at 8 on a non-EMH day in October. While you don't get to see much of the park during your walk to the restaurant, it's nice to be inside it before the big crowds.

 

[cancilla]

This was at the end of May. The resort was COMPLETELY full at this point.

We're actually going the first week of May next year. Is the place going to be crammed, do you think?

--Dominick

 

[wdwhooked]

Hi, the AKL might be booked in May however we were there this July 4th and it was booked but it did not seem to crowded, the way the resort is laid out and the fact the pool and lobby area is so large and that there are 3 restaurant to eat in the people are spread out.
As far as your Breakfast ? I would make a res for Boma , you never know by next May how many people will be eating there for breakfast , it is getting to be a popular place to eat and just visit. Also AK park opens at 9 so if you eat when Boma opens you should be able to make it to AK in time for their opening. And for your son they do have many activities for him. We have a DD 9 and DS 14, they both love AKL and it is now their Favorite resort, the pool and Animal viewing alone make this a great place for kids. Any thing else just ask. ????

 

[Zandy595]

I'm a deluxe resort newbie. I'm used to hauling our luggage from our car to our room at the value resorts. How does it work at AKL?

 

[HopperFan]

Each of our stays we pulled up and let bell services load on a cart and take to our room. As soon as we checked in they were there to take us to our room. Well worth the tip.

Leaving - never wanted to wait until someone was available, so we each grabbed our bags (sometimes an extra trip for a couple of us) and took them to the car ourselves. We've always had parking very close to front door.

 

[leanne11]

my kids didn't like boma at all and for the price i would do a char. brkfst, busses are good , pool seemed to be closed alot for us, rain and storms, but make sure you find a easy way to get to the pool, we walked through the lobby and all around to the pool for the first few days until we found an elevator that was near simba's club and laundry room that took us right to our floor.
luggage, we take it in ourself, always do,,there is a long ramp that leads to the parking lot and we just roll it down there, also a big drop off spot at the lobby..wait till you smell BOMA, was to exotic for us but the smell envelops? the entire lobby and what a lobby it is.........

 

[jcemom]

My entire family loved Boma's breakfast. We also thought Donald's was good as far as the food, the character interaction left a bit to be desired though. We would (and will) return to both of them.

I hope you enjoy AKL as much as we did!