Animal Kingdom Lodge Review?

[mickiecake]

I'm looking for a thorough review on the AKL. Would love a link!! TIA!

 

[DizneyNutz]

But have you looked at the AKL thread. It has over 10,000 posts? Here it is for your reading pleasure. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=752192

 

[mickiecake]

But have you looked at the AKL thread. It has over 10,000 posts?

OMG 10,000 posts.. my brain would overheat trying to find what I needed..

What I was hoping to locate was a great detailed review, from check in to check out. The rooms, the lobby, the Mousekeeping, service, views, activities, restaurants.. you know, the kind of OCD report I will probably end up writing upon my return.

Don't get me wrong, I have of course persued the JAMBO! thread. But I was looking for a more cohesive account.

 

[DizneyNutz]

about reading ALL OF THAT POST! So since I can't help (never stayed at AKL) with info on the AKL I would next suggest that you ask more specific questions about the AKL rather than asking a broad question hoping to get all of yours answers at once. Just doesn't seem to work very well for any question from what I have seen. Be specific in your questions and you will get more assistance. Sorry I couldn't help, but hope the advice does

 

[Kae]

We stayed there is past May. We were lucky enough to be upgraded to a savanna view. I took a big chance I was hoping for an upgrade to a pool view but as I said we got very lucky. We were in a Zebra Trail room Uzima Savanna same level as the lobby. We had great views, 3 Giraffes all the time-Huey, Dewey & Louie plus lots of other animals. From check into check out we had great service. There was so many activities from cookie decorating, music, tracking a stuffed Donald to night vision googles. We wish we would have skipped TL and spent more time at the resort. Pool was nice. Pop has a better Food Court but Mara was fine Boma we like but next time Jiko will be a must. Rooms are nice we have stayed at WL twice so the room are the same accept for decorating. We love having everything in one building like WL. Bus service was good we do not have a car.

Would we stay there again oh yes, Next time I would like to stay at the Contemporary or the Beach Club but only because I want to try different resorts.

Kae

 

[Dis Ohana]

There was an updated AKL thread started not too long ago, it's pretty much the same info as the Jambo thread, but a little more updated and condensed. Oddly enough, it's not a sticky at the top and I can't even seem to find it anymore .

If you do have some time, try to skim the Jambo thread. There is so much information there. I'd suggest posting any specific questions you have on that thread, the regular posters are very knowledgable about the resort and extremely helpful.

 

[raven69david]

AKL is one awesome resort. We stayed there for Magical Beginnings last year and we're hooked. We're going back in 18 days (fingers crossed cuz dd3 has developed a virus and hope it will go away by trip time, if not, canceling) and we cannot wait. Even DD3 is eager to return. She loved it as there was so much for her to see and do. There are lots of activities which you will receive a sheet at check-in that will contain these activities.

The lodge itself is gorgeous and very beautifully decorated. Lots of authentic african items scattered throughout the resort. There are even CM's from Africa that will give you a history about the items being displayed. The lobby will take your breath away. It's totally awesome and the smells from the burning spices that fill the air in the lobby will get stuck in your brain; that will make you want to return as soon as you leave the resort.

The animals are all visible in the savannah at the rear of the lodge. They have binoculars that you can use to get close ups of the animals. You can even do that night vision viewing in the evening with a cool pair of night vision goggles. .

I'm too excited about returning in 18 days.

I pray that DD3 is cured of whatever is ailing her so that we can have a worry-free vacation. Anyone reading this, i'd appreciate a little prayer for her to get better. She's NEVER sick and now she's got something that hasn't gone away in 16 days. She has had a fever of 100-102 and all tests (urine and blood) have come back negative. So we're going to pedi. today to see what we can do to resolve this.

 

[mickiecake]

about reading ALL OF THAT POST! So since I can't help (never stayed at AKL) with info on the AKL I would next suggest that you ask more specific questions about the AKL rather than asking a broad question hoping to get all of yours answers at once. Just doesn't seem to work very well for any question from what I have seen. Be specific in your questions and you will get more assistance. Sorry I couldn't help, but hope the advice does

Thanks for your advice .. I didn't want anyone to go out of their way, I just was hoping someone knew of a trip report or review online, so I could go check in out, that's all.

I have def. been asking a question here and there, esp b4 I booked AKL.

Thank you SO much for the replies, you guys. They were really helpful!!!
I also did go to the JAMBO! thread and waded through about 25 pages last night . I love the thread, but, like any converstion on the Net or in life, it winds a confusing path of actual "information" about the resort.

THANK YOU, my computer friends!!

 

[pwrflpills]

I'll try to sum up my stay.
Hotel - The exterior is very impressive and neat to look at. The hotel is not very "Disney", but still very interesting and heavily themed.
Check in - was a challenge. We had reserved a king bed (I know it's never guaranteed, but this was our "big" vacation of the year, so it was important) - we held our ground and after what seemed like 10 minutes of staring at the computer screen the clerk said she was going to be in trouble, but she got us a king bed. She must have bumped someone else.
Room - We were on Zebra Trail, Sunset Savannah and were not impressed. We were above one of those fenced in concrete areas, so animals never got near our room. On top of that the only animals we saw were 2 giraffes for about 15 minutes when they were led to our area to be fed and then quickly wandered away. That said, try your best to get Arusha Savannah. We had lots of towel animals and the room was nicely appointed with plenty of room for 2-3 people.
Pool - only ate a sandwich there (we're from Florida, so pool time isn't on the Disney schedule). It was a very nice area with the zero-entry for little kids and plenty of lifeguards.
Mara - some interesting options, but too expensive! Ah Disney, you got us again...
Boma - some VERY interesting options and quite good, but again, $25/pp for dinner when we were there a year ago. It kills me to pay that much for a buffet outside of Las Vegas.
Jiko - kicking myself for not going there. We had our big (and I mean BIG) dinner at Bistro de Paris, so Jiko unfortunately exceeded our budget.
Misc - The African staff at the savannah were very friendly and that area is a neat little exhibit. We wish we could have done a campfire. Avoid the Casablanca Moroccan beer. It's basically an $8 Budweiser. Transportation isn't bad, but we frequently had to wait quite a while for the bus headed to our destination to show up. It's covered and dedicated, so it could be worse. All in all, AKL is just a little too far from the Disney action for me. I would much prefer an EPCOT resort or something on Bay Lake for more of a Disney feel and to be closer to the action.
Check out - can't remember! We must have used express check out and I don't remember any bogus charges or anything like that.

 

[grannyminnie]

raven69david, here's hoping your daughter gets over whatever it is she is being bothered by!!! I know the feeling you're having...last year at this time, I was sweating bullets because our trip was in danger because of my DH's illness. In the end, I did have to cancel, but we ended up making it up at the beginning of Feb. I know it wouldn't be quite the same, without the decorations, tho, for your family.
Good luck! Keep us posted..

 

[mickiecake]

I'm too excited about returning in 18 days.

I pray that DD3 is cured of whatever is ailing her so that we can have a worry-free vacation. Anyone reading this, i'd appreciate a little prayer for her to get better. She's NEVER sick and now she's got something that hasn't gone away in 16 days. She has had a fever of 100-102 and all tests (urine and blood) have come back negative. So we're going to pedi. today to see what we can do to resolve this.

I hope she gets better!! Since you have 18 (now 17) days to go, that is usually more than enough time for a virus to clear up. Here's some pixie dustixiedust: !

 

[SeaSpray]

We stayed at AKL last year and LOVED it!

Here's a link to the web page I created about our stay there, including my comments and pictures: http://www.brownfamilyvacations.com/html/AKL comments.htm

Enjoy!


P.S. If you click the link below in my signature it'll take you to my main web page, then you can click on the link to "Disney World trips" to get to links to my other resort pages.

 

[BoosGram]

We stayed at AKL last year and LOVED it!

Here's a link to the web page I created about our stay there, including my comments and pictures: http://www.brownfamilyvacations.com/html/AKL comments.htm

Enjoy!

Just wanted to thank you for taking the time to post your comments and pictures of AKL. They were great! Hope you're feeling better (RA).

 

[Flossbolna]

I wrote a review on the Jambo thread (which I can only recommend, its a bunch of friendly AKL lovers) and put it into a seperate thread afterwards, it's here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1484743

Also, I started to collect the pictures and reports found on the over 600 pages long Jambo thread. I am up to page 200 at the moment and posted my results here: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21825897&postcount=10064

This should give you some material to work from

And please, write a review and post some pictures after you return, it's always great to hear from AKL! Bat before that: have a wonderful trip!!

 

[raven69david]

Thanks everyone for your kind words. DD's virus has ended as quickly as it began. 16 days of the virus was enough for the virus and decided to leave; thank goodness! Her temp is back to normal and she's at 100% (even when she's sick she's always asymptomatic).


17 days to go!

 

[grannyminnie]

Thanks everyone for your kind words. DD's virus has ended as quickly as it began. 16 days of the virus was enough for the virus and decided to leave; thank goodness! Her temp is back to normal and she's at 100% (even when she's sick she's always asymptomatic).


17 days to go!

Great! Sixteen days sure is a long time to endure a virus...did you ever get a diagnosis? Just wondering, because little kids usually bounce back quickly.
Have fun!!! And we look forward to your trip report.

 

[raven69david]

Great! Sixteen days sure is a long time to endure a virus...did you ever get a diagnosis? Just wondering, because little kids usually bounce back quickly.
Have fun!!! And we look forward to your trip report.

The diagnosis was a general virus; they did not narrow down as to which virus it was. When she went to ER on 11/15/07, her white blood cell count was at 17k which indicated a virus. Yesterday, her WBCC was 10k, which is normal. She hasn't had a lick of fever since yesterday and the doctor says she's 95% in the clear. Her body should still be adjusting to returning back to normal. Pedi said viruses are unpredictable and you just have to wait them out. We did everything correctly, which helped in making her as comfortable as possible during this ordeal. Since she's always so active, she never shows signs of being sick. At 103, she's running around and playing/joking around as normal . The only place public she had been 2 days prior to being sick was Chuck E. Cheese. Needless to say, we're not going back there until after we return from our trip. Those places are a big disease playground and we always keep her hands as clean as possible, but you can't keep them clean 100% of the time.

 

[newjmom]

We just returned 11/8. I liked AKL but did not love it. I think it really depends what kind of hotel you are looking for. To me it did not feel "deluxe" The rooms were smaller than a standard hotel room. I do feel it serves a great option for people looking for a quieter, calmer hotel. You do get a break from the 24/7 Disney excitement IMHO making it easier to relax at the hotel. Transportation was great considering the location but taking a bus is a hike so we did not feel it was worth coming back to the hotel for a break midday.

Check in: A bit of a hassle. You have to be persistent and know your options. On check in I was told they were near capacity and there were no available upgrades. We paid for a pool view bunk room. Had I not been on these boards I would not have known I paid extra for the pool views and bunks. Our first room had a view of a tree. I walked back to CS (long trek) and got a second room (2 long trips to CS since keys did not work 1st time) and got a view of an even bigger tree. I was told someone would call me from "the back", I waited and waited by myself, did not know where my family was at this point, noone called, I finally called and the FOURTH person finally helped me get a room with a decesnt view. I never would have been so adament had I not known I was paying extra for this view. It took me an hour to get an acceptable room. IMHO standard pool view rooms are going to be an obstructed view. To look at a tree, to me, is nothing but a standard view and you should not be charged more for it, or have to request 3x to be moved to a room without a tree blocking it. DVC has taken over the 4th and fifth floors, leaving only 2nd and 3rd floor pool view rooms available to the general public, which rooms are the exact level of the upper tree branches.

Mara-the food was good but not alot of variety. Also, the line tended to be slow, making it hard to get your food and keep your kids in tow. Boma, we had a very long wait even with ADR. Was probably my least favourite restaurant of the trip and we were on DDP.

Housekeeping was great, we had the same housekeeper everyday, she left lots of soap and towles and once in a while a towel animal.

Pool was perfect for my kids 2,5,7. They loved the slide and all were able to ride it. My kids loved the hot tubs too but they are set apart from the pool so you cannot watch both of your kids if one wants to go in the pool and one wants to go in the hottub. It did get cool so they used the hot tub more than usual.

Kids Activities-we were not impressed with, Most of them only lasted 10 minutes, other than the ceramics which we paid $20 (x3 kids) extra to do. We also were late to 2 different activities by 10 minutes and they were over when we got there.

I did enjoy our stay and am glad we stayed here, I just like trying new hotels and want a little bit more of the Disney theme next time. I also think the other Deluxe hotels offer more for the extra $$ (this is just my opinion). IMHO AKL is more appropriate and geared more towards adults.

It is beautiful and you will enjoy it! Have Fun!