Animal kingdom lodge oct/nov 2016

[royal99]

Hi all.

We looking at animal kingdom lodge for 18 nights in late oct/nov 2016. Four of us 2 x adults, a 2 year old and four year old. Got quoted on disney site £4500, includes 21 day tickets, $200 and DDP ( will do flights separate) which for deluxe disney I think is good.

We were originally going for port orleans which I visited a lot over the years but never done akl. Port orleans is same price but I am edging towards akl due to the animals and the balcony, but I have a few q's:

1. I like the bar area and love music at por , what's the atmosphere like in the evenings at akl?

2. We going to go for basic view but may upgrade on arrival, how much is savannah view upgrade on arrival? Anyone been upgraded for free, if so how did you mention it?

3. How did you find transfer times to parks, like heading to downtown disney in evening or springs as it will be, what was wait time/ transfer time?

Also any other experiences of nov at disney, haloween and Christmas parties and akl would all be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

 

[chmurf]

1. I like the bar area and love music at por , what's the atmosphere like in the evenings at akl?

There are a few activities like night vision googles in the savannah at nightfall ...
even though we didn't stay there, we often ate at Sanaa, Jiko or Boma's, and TBH nothing much is going on.
You'll only be getting Bob Jackson if you go to POR (but you still can go to POR for the evening)

2. We going to go for basic view but may upgrade on arrival, how much is savannah view upgrade on arrival?

it will be whatever difference there is between the price you paid (or the value of the room at check in) and the current price of the savannah view
but you'll have to pay in USD, which may be more expensive than paying in GBP (exchange rate and fees)

Anyone been upgraded for free, if so how did you mention it?

CMs get asked for upgrades all the time. Asking is often the best way to be denied a free upgrade.
Be nice to the CM at check in. Mention any celebration or special event and have it noted on your reservation. Try to look your best at check in.
A free upgrade is offered by the CM, not requested by the guest.

3. How did you find transfer times to parks, like heading to downtown disney in evening or springs as it will be, what was wait time/ transfer time?

at the end of your trip, your overall transfer times will be roughly the same no matter where you stay.
Taking the bus to Disney Springs is equally painful from any resort, so don't let that be a deal breaker.

 

[scoobydooby]

The bar at AKL is nice but not really for toddlers. Then again not is the POR one IMO really. AKL has nothing to rival Bob!!! The overall vibe of the resort is super cool. Fantastic atmosphere. The grounds per se (not withstanding they have animals) are not as beautiful as POR because the area you can actually walk around is nowhere near as big. The transfer times to the parks is fine. Tales of travelling woe are vastly overstated in my view. With one exception. It's a 45 minute ride to Disney Springs in my experience anyway from AKL. Horrible journey. Very efficient buses though overall. You shouldn't expect a free upgrade for something that costs 1k more to book (Savannah view). You may get it but definitely don't think it is likely as it isn't. Personally I would not ask as I think you pay for what you get. I also would not turn down a lovely free upgrade if it was offered. If you want an upgrade do not put in a room request for a room near the lobby as this is likely to be a room with a view of the front of the hotel. These are some if the closest rooms to the lobby and a great location if you don't count the view. There are lots of animal viewing areas at the hotel which are communal and very cool and were not crowded when we used them.

I have stayed at both resorts and at POR multiple times. I love POR but AK is my favourite deluxe. The food court is not as good as POR at all but better than most of the deluxe hotels. The pool at the DVC part of AKL has a fantastic water play area for young children. I actually prefer the main pool at POR though, it's smaller I guess a bit but more imaginative. Not sure if AKL has a cool play gym area like POR as I have only stayed there with a teenager so didn't look.