Animal Kingdom Lodge Opinions

[Roy Disney]

Thinking of staying here in January.
Currently have reservations at the BC. Was hoping for a 25% discount for deluxe hotels but was disappointed to find out that now the discount on Deluxe hotels varies.
The BC and Poly only have a 10% discount but the Yacht Club, Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom have a 25% discount for the same time period.

We can save $800 by staying at the AKL.

We've only visited it once 3 years ago when we went to Boma for BF. It was very good.

We've stayed at the Poly, BC, WL, POR, CB, & CS.
How does the AKL compare ?

I know it's a deluxe but the room square footage for a standard room is 344, less than the BC and Poly.

We would stay at the Yacht Club or WL but they both will be under construction.

Could you give me your opinions on anything you can think of ?
Was rooms refurbished recently ?
What's the best section of hotel to request ?
How are all the restaurants and food places ?
I heard the lighting is very low. Is the bathroom area low lit too ?

Thank you

 

[wdwrich]

We had previously stayed at Poly, CR, POR, Coronado, SOG, OKW and YC before staying at AKL (Jambo) renting DVC points this past December. I have to say that AKL is now our top pick (Poly was our previous favorite). The low lighting wasn't a problem- I actually think the impression of low lighting is partially due to the color palette of the rooms. Our room was in great shape, and the food places we've tried (Boma and Mara) are fine. Can't wait to go back!

 

[Roy Disney]

We had previously stayed at Poly, CR, POR, Coronado, SOG, OKW and YC before staying at AKL (Jambo) renting DVC points this past December. I have to say that AKL is now our top pick (Poly was our previous favorite). The low lighting wasn't a problem- I actually think the impression of low lighting is partially due to the color palette of the rooms. Our room was in great shape, and the food places we've tried (Boma and Mara) are fine. Can't wait to go back!

Thank you.
Was the room refurbished recently ?

 

[wdwrich]

Thank you.
Was the room refurbished recently ?

I'm not sure, but as I mentioned, our room was in great shape (bedding, carpets, bathroom, etc.)

 

[ASMwishes]

Animal Kingdom is our favorite resort!! We are going back in May, I'm sure you'll love it there!!!

 

[ELSA711]

It was beautiful. DH and I stayed there for our anniversary. I love the theme and an animal lover so to me it was a dream come true. Beautiful lobby, lounge, pool and wonderful food. Our trip was cut short but can't wait to try to get back there with the kids.

 

[mickeynut1]

We love AKL and have had 2 great stays there. The lobby/atmosphere is beautiful and we love Boma for dinner (haven't tried breakfast yet). Since you've already stayed at the BC, I'd switch and try AKL. Good luck.

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

We have stayed at AKL many times and LOVE it! The atmosphere is so relaxed and after a long day at the parks, you almost forget you are in Disney. Highly recommend

 

[Ralphmiller007]

My husband and I stayed AKL CL in May, and my friends and I are going back in December for a girl's trip. I'm not sure if you have children or their ages...the bus ride to Magic Kingdom did seem a little bit long late at night when we were overly tired. On our girl's trip we will probably just Uber from an MK resort back to AKL. Otherwise bus service was not an issue our entire trip. I (obviously) love AKL, and the last night of our stay we added on a night in a Standard room. Our standard room had a very nice partial savannah view, we loved it as much as the CL room. The rooms ARE somewhat tight, but we do not spend much time in the room...most of the room time was spent on the balcony! We tried Boma and the Mara, as well as the pool bar. All were fine. I enjoyed Boma's breakfast more than their dinner. We're looking forward to trying Jiko in December. They have a nice pool, not anywhere close to SAB, but that might not be as big of a deal in January? I will say, my husband was not nearly the Disney lover that I am, but AKL converted him. Most days he would hang out at the hotel pool while I went to the parks, then we would go together to the parks in the evenings. It worked out great! Whatever it takes to get back to the World!

 

[lahobbs4]

Adding to previous replies, the balcony is much larger than Beach Club

 

[Roy Disney]

Thanks everyone for the responses.
We have stayed at the BC a few times before but not in recent years because of the cost.
We will have our car with us, so buses will not be an issue.
I like the BC because we can walk to EPCOT and take the boat to the Studios.
But we will have our car, so we could just drive to EPCOT and the Studios.

Any recommendations on room requests ?
Would like to stay as close to the lobby as possible.
Are there any standard rooms with a Savannah view ?

 

[Ralphmiller007]

We had room 3112, if you look it up on touring plans it looks like all you can see is fences, but it was actually pretty awesome for a standard view. It was literally 3 doors up the ostrich trail from the lobby, same floor as the lobby. If you looked right or even straight ahead, yes there were fences/overlooks/other rooms. But the night we were there a lot of animals came down into that little corner, and looking left you could see an expanse of the savannah. I thought it was pretty good for standard view. Do a search on touring plans for standard view rooms, see if you can find something you like. It looks like the first three rooms from the lobby on ostrich trail are classified as standard view

*It also looks like there are many rooms on Kudu trail that are the same way, just have those fences/"people pens" below them so they are technically only standard view. Definitely check out the room finder on Touring Plans.

 

[ELSA711]

I think we were in the same room 3112 behind the lobby desk, wow - what views for a standard room

 

[Roy Disney]

Thanks Ralph. I will check out the touring plans.

 

[Willbegone]

We LOVE AKL. We stayed club level 2x and my kids are hooked. IT is a beautiful resort. I found no issues with lighting at all. To us it was very relaxing after a day in the bright Florida sun. The Mara, the QS location at AKL, is small but we really enjoyed the food there and they have zebra domes in there.

 

[Roy Disney]

Thanks Willbegone.

I forgot to mention we need a standard room with a queen and a bunk bed.
Does anyone know if there are standard rooms with that configuration ?

 

[Ralphmiller007]

The room finder on touring plans has one room with that configuration...room 4230. The only other rooms listed with that configuration are savannah view rooms. I don't know that the room finder is always 100% accurate, but those rooms look scarce. I think bunk beds might be a bookable category, as well.

 

[gwynne]

Thanks Willbegone.

I forgot to mention we need a standard room with a queen and a bunk bed.
Does anyone know if there are standard rooms with that configuration ?

The rooms with bunk beds are a separate booking category that you have to pay extra for vs a standard 2 queen room.

 

[Roy Disney]

The room finder on touring plans has one room with that configuration...room 4230. The only other rooms listed with that configuration are savannah view rooms. I don't know that the room finder is always 100% accurate, but those rooms look scarce. I think bunk beds might be a bookable category, as well.

Thanks Ralph.

 

[Roy Disney]

The rooms with bunk beds are a separate booking category that you have to pay extra for vs a standard 2 queen room.

Really ? The 1st person I called told me she couldn't find any standard view rooms with that configuration but when I called back another person told me there were rooms with that configuration.