Animal Kingdom Lodge is unbelievable...

[Marseeya]

I'm so glad to hear you had such a great experience at AKL! We loved it so much that we'll probably never even try another resort (it was our first). So quiet and relaxing... we just loved it.

However, I wasn't all that thrilled with the Mara. The AFrican stew was really good, but other than that, I felt like it was in a dungeon and didn't like the rest of the food.

 

[marj70]

You guys are SO making me want to switch! I've always dreamed of staying there. I keep reminding myself of the cost difference, but somehow I keep reading posts about AKL, looking at pictures, etc. Finally I decided that IF a discount or dining or ANY type of deal came out before I had to forfeit my 30 day deposit at SoG I would switch. Somehow the criteria for switching keeps becoming lower and lower...

I just can't stomach the idea of paying rack for AKL over $99 a night at SoG (or $106 if my DH goes up a rank before our trip). Plus I want the dining package, another reason I'd love to stay there. If there was ANY kind of deal I probably could talk myself into it.

Are there ever any worthwhile AAA packages for AKL? (I'd have to join AAA first, but if it were worth it.)

(By the way, I do love Shades of Green. Great place to stay.)

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Thanks for sharing your review. The DH and I are looking forward to AKL, as well as their restaurants.

Hey! We check in the same day as you. We're very excited, having never been there before. DSis and DD are absolute animal lovers so this should be great for them. DS loves the look of the pool and the idea of bunk beds! Hopefully everyone will be happy!

See you there!!

 

[alwayspooh]

Thank you for the great report. With a little pixie dust my way I hope to be staying there Oct 2006. I have always wanted to stay there and with all the greats reviews from other postings along with yours it is just reassuring me that my choice is still a great one.

 

[deefranco]

Thanks for the review of AKL...we will be there in 3 weeks!! We are soo excited. I have read a lot of the posts about AKL and have been a little nervous. Then I read the ones like yours and I know we'll have a great time. I have to trust my decisions. We have a standard room, and hoping they will atleast upgrade us to savannah view. I'll pay for it if I have to, but a free upgrade would be sweet. Again, thanks!! I'll post a review when we return.

 

[WDWBetsy]

Hey! We check in the same day as you. We're very excited, having never been there before. DSis and DD are absolute animal lovers so this should be great for them. DS loves the look of the pool and the idea of bunk beds! Hopefully everyone will be happy!

See you there!!

Hope your family has a wonderful time!

 

[YCFAN]

We're sticking with the YC for the majority of our next trip because we love the resort and it's location but I have wanted to try AKL for sometime now so we decided to spend the last three days of our vacation at AKL. That solves the transportation (bus) issue since we'll be saving AK park for those last days. I can't wait. I already love the restaurants there. The resort seems to be so relaxing and that's one of the things I look for in my choice of hotels.

 

[WDW LOVR]

WDW LOVR I can totally understand about that long walk. The first time I stayed there we were on Kudu Trail and our walk was VERY long. I don't mind walking in general but it did seem a bit much. We couldn't just "nip down" to Mara or the pool, for example ... At least now there are coffee makers in the rooms so you can have your coffee without walking a mile to get it And I now always request Zebra Trail so that I'm on the other side of the resort.
Concerning the bus ride, IMO it's not bad. It's so nice to go directly from AKL to the park you're headed to. When we stay at GF we have to stop at the Contemporary and Poly on our way back from MGM, for example. No huge deal - but it's nice to go "direct".
The bus ride from AKL to MK is the longest: 18-20 minutes. But MGM and Epcot seemed to be only about 8-10 minutes. Same as GF to MGM or AK...
Anyway, maybe you'll give it another chance someday. However, your favorite is one of mine as well. The Boardwalk ROCKS!

That's one of the best things about the Boardwalk. You walk to Epcot and either walk or boat to MGM. Nothing against the buses, they do a good job (most of the time) at moving massive numbers of people, but after a long day at a park a nice walk back to your resort is the best.

 

[Stitches]

So glad to hear about your wonderful stay!

 

[Harambe]

Glad you had fun! We will be checking in on Sunday!!! Can't wait to see our giraffes - DS named them Moe, Larry, and Shemp!