Animal Kingdom Lodge - worth a visit for non-guest?

[tentaguasu]

I've always been fascinated by the idea of staying at the AKL.... however, no way that fits into my budget at this point.

AK is my favorite park, and I just read that there are viewing areas open to anyone, even if you are not a guest at AKL.

For those who have been to AKL, is it worth taking a jaunt over there just to check out the resort and view the wildlife?

Any thoughts on the best way/time to do this?

Thanks!

 

[chartle]

If you have the time, yes.

You can drive or take a any bus from any park going there. Just realize that if say you park at AK and then take a bus, once AK closes there will be no buses going back to AK at least not with passengers.

 

[disEAR]

Yes! AKL is our favorite. I would go to Animal Kingdom Park. Enjoy the morning, then take the 5 minute bus ride to the Resort for lunch at Boma or Sanaa

 

[disneybliss2]

Maybe you could schedule a meal at Boma, one of their restaurants, for dinner after your AK day. They also have Jiko, but it's much pricier. You could allocate time before or after dinner, or both, to look from the various lookout areas. I wouldn't make a trip over there just for seeing the animals, but it would make sense if you went there for a meal also. If you're not looking for the expense of a buffet meal that Boma offers (we loved it by the way, and it will give you more of the AKL experience in my opinion if you eat there), you could also eat at Mara which is the counter service location there.

Even if you don't eat there, I would visit it after going to AK park one day. It just makes sense because they are so close to one another. I hope you get your dream to stay there one day! It's an amazing resort!

 

[vettegirl]

Yes it is worth going to check out. The lobby is amazing and I love the huge store there!

 

[Eljay]

Yes, absolutely go. Look at the amazing art collection, enjoy the sounds and smells in the lobby area, chat with the charming African CMs, enjoy the savannah views. Before you go, do a little reading about the AKL.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/aklodge/index.htm

 

[Magic3forme]

Yes it is worth going to see. At night they have night vision goggles to see the animals on the savannah.

We just ate at Boma... great place.

 

[anjalee6]

We love AKL. My suggestion would be the same as a pp who said go to AK and then head on over on the bus to check out Boma for lunch or dinner and then walk around the resort. Plenty to see and it's beautiful.

 

[SamSam]

You can also eat at Mara's (fast food court) at Jambo House if that's more in your price range.

In addition to the beautiful lobby area and the animal viewing, the hallways (at each elevator bank area) have wonderful art and photo displays. Every hallway on each floor in any direction! Dh and I love wandering through the hallways to look at the displays.

The same is true of Kidani,

 

[lurkernj]

Boma does lunch? I hadn't realized this! That would be great!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

In addition to the stuff outside, it is actually the second-larges Museum of African Art in the United States (after the Smithsonian). Anything that is behind glass or cannot be reached without a ladder is real. Actually, after the Kadani House (DVC) expansion, Disney donated about $750,000 worth of art to the Smithsonian.

 

[Random Ninja]

When TS Debby canceled our Sea World day, we ended up going to AKL so DN4 could at see some animals. We ended up spending about an hour there but that's only because someone, grandpa, mentioned the M&M store at the mall. I could have spent hours wandering around.

 

[Eljay]

Boma does lunch? I hadn't realized this! That would be great!

No, I don't believe they do, unless it's something very recent.
Breakfast and dinner only, as far as I know.

 

[kelleigh1]

Does anyone have a map of the resort? Specifically I'd be interested in seeing where the viewing areas are. We ate at Boma on our last trip, but I didn't really get to explore and was nervous about wandering too far off and being out of range of our buzzer.

In Oct., we'll be eating at Jiko and I'd love to look around a bit more.

 

[Bev J]

its a beautiful resort. if your eating a meal there also then enjoy looking around. otherwise its time consuming taking a bus from a park to the resort, back to a park. if your planning a down day then go for it.


Posted from Disney Forums Reader for Android

 

[Eljay]

Does anyone have a map of the resort? Specifically I'd be interested in seeing where the viewing areas are. We ate at Boma on our last trip, but I didn't really get to explore and was nervous about wandering too far off and being out of range of our buzzer.

In Oct., we'll be eating at Jiko and I'd love to look around a bit more.

I hope this helps...
http://allears.net/acc/aklmap.jpg

 

[gator girl]

I would recommend visiting during daylight hours so you can see the animals. The African art exhibits are fabulous, and the gift shop is great too.

If, however, you don't need to worry about transferring back via AK, a nighttime visit is also cool. Make sure you enjoy the night-vision-goggle animal viewing. There is usually a firepit outside as well. And Jiko is super-tasty!

Maybe arrive shortly before dusk to see the animals in daylight, then have dinner, then enjoy the nighttime activities. If I was dependent upon Disney transportation I would take a bus to AK in the morning, bus to AKL, then take a taxi directly back to my resort from AKL.

Of course, it would be much easier if you could just drive your own car, and you wouldn't have to worry about whether buses were still going to AK or not.

 

[HelenParr]

Absolutely go!! Totally worth the trip over there. We take the bus from AK, as PPs have said.

Sanaa lunch is good, and you can see the animals from the restaurant. Very cool! But we've also had a great time just grabbing a to go sandwich at Mara and hanging out in the rockers at the fire pit in the lobby, and then exploring the complex.

Have fun!

 

[t_catt11]

This is my favorite resort. It is beautiful, and there is so much to see - it is definitely worth a visit.

 

[Cherinva]

I've been thinking the same thing....sure would love to work it into our schedule this year.