Animal Kingdom Lodge

[mollies_mum]

Morning everyone,
You've all been so helpful in helping me to pick a good time of year to go ie, crowds, weather etc that I just wanted to ask you a few things about AKL...

My daughter (9) is animal crazy and we've both always wanted to stay here so I've decided to push myself to my absolute budget maximum and book 11 nights here for October

Before I bite the bullet and book can anyone tell me their experiences of staying here... one of the reviews on Trip Advisor says that the shuttle bus took ages to get to MK, is this true? To be honest that doesn't really bother me too much as I'll be relaxing on my hols...

Also are the shuttle buses crowded and how busy are they to the AKL from the parks? How big is the AKL Resort? Is it a nightmare getting from the standard view rooms to restaurants, pool, bus stop etc?

Any comments would be great, thankyou

 

[jonkatony]

I have stayed at POFQ, Movies,Pop, C.S and AKL.
AKL is the best of them in my opinion by a long long way
Hoping okw is good though

 

[mollies_mum]

Thanks Jon, I'm sure that OKW will be fantastic!

 

[UKDEB]

It is a fairly big resort, but it's all contained within one structure, so anyone who complains about getting between the facilities is simply lazy or moaning for moaning's sake, in my view.

The only downside to AKL is its remote location, meaning there's no easy access to the parks. If you don't drive, your only option is the bus. Although we've used Disney buses on occasion when staying at other resorts, we used the car the time we stayed at AKL, so I'll have to let someone else fill you in on that aspect.

AKL is a fabulous resort and, as you and your daughter have always wanted to stay there, I can't see that you'd regret it. We stayed there a couple of months after it opened which was wonderful. I love staying at hotels when they're new and, for that reason, I'd choose Kidani Village over AKL if I was booking now.

 

[UKDEB]

I meant to add that AKL and MK are at opposite extremes of WDW property, so it's bound to take a little while on the bus. Assuming that it's a dedicated service (i.e. it doesn't stop at any of the other resorts en-route) it shouldn't be too bad and the plus side is that the buses go directly to the entrance of MK. If you arrive by any other means, you have to go via the Transportation and Ticket Center and then take the monorail or ferry.

 

[wayneg]

Can't help with buses, didn't use them.
Only stayed there for 3 nights which was enough to experience it for me. Although my fave resort I could not spend that much money on a hotel room for longer, cost me about £80/night which was 4 times what we paid offsite the same holiday, this year it would cost even more. Don't think we would have enjoyed a std room, the savanah room made it for us waking up to giraffes outside our room. Our problem is we don't use resorts and get value, we use the beds for a few hours so £80-100/night is crazy for us. Others think its worth it.
Our room was just around the corner from reception and didn't go any further to see how far away the rooms get. Some rooms might be a bit of a trek but ours was not.

 

[Lizzybear]

AKL is fairly isolated compared to the other deluxes, part of the appeal to many I would imagine, and MK is the furthest park away from it so may take a while. We drove there from POFQ and I remember half-wondering if we'd gone off property by mistake! AKL is stunning and i'd love to do a few nights there in future but not sure i'd want to rely solely on the buses, though I know many get by just fine. Here's a map of WDW to give you an idea:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/propertymap.htm

 

[UKDEB]

Our problem is we don't use resorts and get value, we use the beds for a few hours so £80-100/night is crazy for us. Others think its worth it.

Yes, I think most people fall broadly into two groups: those who see a hotel as a place to lay their heads for the night and those who derive pleasure from beautiful surroundings, upscale facilities and a gorgeous room. I'm firmly in the latter camp and I never tire of luxurious accommodation. When I'm staying somewhere glamourous, I get a thrill every time I walk into my room - the feeling never wears off for me, so it's worth every penny. The accommodation, activities and dining experiences have equal billing in our trips.

 

[mollies_mum]

Thanks everyone for your comments and pictures

For us we will probably not be back to WDW for another few years after our Oct 2010 trip so I thought we would push the boat out while we were there! The last time we was at WDW was Sept 2006 in All Stars Music which we loved.

For me the hotel is part of the holiday and while my daughter is young I would like us to try as many of the different Disney hotels as possible!

Thanks again and keep them coming

 

[mollies_mum]

I forgot to add that I will only be booking a standard room for the moment but with a view to add the savannah view at a later date (depending on funds) possibly when we check in. I'm hoping that once I've paid for the bulk of the holiday in August 2010 I will be able to get enough money together for the upgrade ready for check in in October ,

That really would be the icing on the cake...

 

[jtlover]

We stayed in a standard room and really liked it. We went to several areas around the hotel to view the animals and did not feel we missed out by not seeing the animals from our room.

I did not have a problem with walking around the hotel and you will love the swimming pool as it is great and also has a slide.

We are staying again this August and cant wait.

We have never used the transportation as we had our own car and are doing the same in August. Though remember that AKL does not share buses so that makes it a plus with regard to getting out of parks you wont be stopping at any other hotels on the way back. Just bear in mind that tripadvisor is mainly American's who might have a different view of waiting for a bus than we do?

The restaurants are good here.

We really like the furniture in the foyer as it is all dark and we found it really relaxing here, which is what you need after a crazy day in the parks. It is nice to sit by the fire pit too.

I think you will both love it here.

 

[Shazzie B]

We stayed at AKL two years ago and loved it (DD animal crazy too). There are plenty of viewing areas if you don't have a Savanna view room.

Hotel is big, but all in one building-we were one of the furthest rooms away and we found it OK

We found buses OK, MK is the furthest but it gives you time to 'chill' and if you've been walking around a park you don't mind sitting in an air-conditioned bus for 15 mins (DH says it was no more than that!). The only time we found buses crowded was just after Wishes etc (but all the buses are packed then!). On some days the buses were nearly empty.

Pool area is fantastic, Restaurants too.

You'll love it.

 

[mollies_mum]

Thanks everyone

 

[jockey]

We stayed here a few weeks ago for the second time, all I can say is WOW. My DS really loved it this time, the first time he was there he was only 1, this time he was 3 and he just loved it! The staff were really friendly, the theming is excellent. The buses were fine, took approx 15 mins to MK, the bus was quicker than the boat was from MK to WL!!! The resort is far out compared with other but we did not feel isolated at all. I want to go back her in Jan but DH want CR, I am hoping he will suggest a few nights at AKL too

 

[natmart2009]

We stayed in AKL in aug 2007 and we are returning again this Aug.

We loved staying at this hotel (we had a standard room) it was not far from the pool/shop/reception we find this hotel is a lovely relaxing experience when you have been in the parks all day.

We hire a car but use the buses daily to get to the parks the furthest away is MK but only takes 20 mins we found that the buses were fairly empty which surprised us as when we have stayed in All star sports before they were very busy and also picked others up from other hotels.
So the buses from AKL are just for that one hotel.

 

[fuse04]

We have stayed at Jambo and Kidani and have not had a car. I have read people suggesting it is isolated but the bus service is generally very good. Although I can undertsnad why people might fell this way if they are used to staying at a monorail resort or one of the Epcot resorts

All with the exception of the downtown Disney bus, the bus now picks up first and drops off first at Kidani. Those staying at Kidani or Jambo can share the facilitites of both and is about a 10 min walk between the two or you can use one of the normal park buses to hop between the two.

The shop at Kidani is much smaller than at Jambo but the next pool complex at Kidani is great. The animals are great at both and whilst we have alwasy had a Svannah room there are plenty of places to see the animals around the hotels

 

[alexandra uk]

Although my fave resort I could not spend that much money on a hotel room for longer, cost me about £80/night which was 4 times what we paid offsite the same holiday, this year it would cost even more. razy for us. Others think its worth it.
Our room was just around the corner from reception and didn't go any further to see how far away the rooms get. Some rooms might be a bit of a trek but ours was not.

Wayne - That's a rate I'd be more than happy to pay, I was expecting it to be more. Where did you find it? (You always seem to find the bargins don't you )

 

[brer_rabbit]

I enjoyed AKL but out of the hundreds of photos I took from that trip v few were from our Savannah view balcony. In fact my best view of the giraffes was from a fire escape as it was next to their feeding station

The resort itself is really well themed and there are cast members near the viewing areas to tell you anything you want to know about the animals.

Bus transfers were ok, except for when I was waiting to go to MVMCP - took about 30 mins for a bus to arrive. I didn't think the transfers times were too bad once on board and the buses themselves seemed to be less crowded than other resorts - maybe because a larger number of people opt to drive.

 

[wayneg]

Wayne - That's a rate I'd be more than happy to pay, I was expecting it to be more. Where did you find it? (You always seem to find the bargins don't you )

The rate I got was for Annual pass holders but the general public offer was very similar, the AP did not save me much at all.
The latest offer for AKL is from $159+tax for stays until 8th August.
See latest offers & discounts here http://www.mousesavers.com/disneyresorts.html

 

[alexandra uk]

The rate I got was for Annual pass holders but the general public offer was very similar, the AP did not save me much at all.
The latest offer for AKL is from $159+tax for stays until 8th August.
See latest offers & discounts here http://www.mousesavers.com/disneyresorts.html

Thanks for that Wayne, I'll hop over and have a look at the deals on there now