Animal Kingdom Lodge

[tyke]

Hi Guys

Still sorting out some of our accommodation for our trip next month.

I really fancy ending the holiday with a couple of days on-site at Disney and would prefer to stay at one of the delux resorts, but the high prices have so far put me off... however, I have now come across an offer on Hotels.com for 2 nights at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

The prices quoted are:

Standard View Room £323.00 (£388.00)

Pool View Room £333.00 (£476.00)

Savannah View Room £411.00 (£510.00)

Arusha View Room £443.00 (£570.00)

(the price in brackets is direct with Disney)

I also have a 10% discount voucher for Hotels.com which will knock another £30/£40 off the above rates.

How do these prices look ?

We visited AKL for a meal at Boma last year (which was fantastic) and what we managed to see of the resort looked great.

For those who have stayed here before:

How did you rate the resort ?

Is it worth the extra £££ for the view of the Savannah ?

Thanks

tyke

 

[UKDEB]

What are the precise dates you're looking at?

 

[wickesy]

We stayed at AKL in 2008 and absolutely loved, so much in fact that we bought into DVC with AKL as our home resort. For me it would be well worth the £88 for the savannah view as it is great to be able to sit out on your balcony and watch the animals any time you like - we even had our dinner out there one night.

Here's a couple of pics to sway your decision.

 

[scottishgirl87]

Have you checked the prices on the US Disney website?

We booked Pop last year through the US website as it was about £70 cheaper than Disney UK.

 

[Pinky166]

I've stayed at AKL twice, once Savannah view & one pool view. Although it is not my favourite deluxe resort it is lovely. Both views were fab but my suggestion would be that if you want to splash out as a treat & experience a deluxe resort then you should definately go for the savannah.

Have you considered renting DVC points? I am sure it will work out cheaper than the prices you've already found.

 

[jtlover]

I have stayed both normal room and savannah view. I liked both but if you are not going to have time to see the views of the animals from your room I would say that it isnt worth paying for that.

It is fab seeing animals from your room when you wake up and also when you go to bed - it became an obsession to see what was outside. We had giraffes and zebra sleeping outside our room at night.

 

[torsie24]

I've stayed at AKL twice, both with an Arusha view, and it's such a wonderful experience.

Maybe my past stays have spoiled me, but I'd go for Arusha.

That being said my Mum and Dad preffered their Uzima view as it was a lot quieter than the Arusha one (quieter of humans, not animals) so it did feel really lovely and peaceful.

 

[crabbie1]

It will def be cheaper renting.You havent put your dates.I would go for the savannah view but to be honest if you are not planning on staying in the room much the animals can be viewed form loads of places.We stayed in kidani last year and will be again this time. love lovelove love it there.Want to buy dvc there. As long as your 2 nights are not a fri or sat then dvc is around 11 a point a night for a studio so around £6.50-7 a point depending on renter so approx £ 154 for the 2 nights standard view.This is only a rough guide there is a points chart on this site as you havent said when you are going

 

[tyke]

Thanks for all the responses

What are the precise dates you're looking at?

Wed 29 June 2011 to Fri 01 July 2011 - 2 nights in total

For me it would be well worth the £88 for the savannah view as it is great to be able to sit out on your balcony and watch the animals any time you like.

Looking at it now... it's well worth the few extra £££ for the view!

Have you checked the prices on the US Disney website?

I have just checked and the rate quoted for a Savannah view room including the additional special offer discount is $667 - how does this look !

Have you considered renting DVC points? I am sure it will work out cheaper than the prices you've already found.

Although I have heard of DVC, I have never really looked into it - how does renting points work ?

I have stayed both normal room and savannah view. I liked both but if you are not going to have time to see the views of the animals from your room I would say that it isnt worth paying for that.

As it's the end of our holiday, we plan to spend most of the time at the resort, hence the reason for staying at one of the delux properties with plenty of facilities - I'm sure our DS (3) would love standing out on the balcony spotting all the animals.

I've stayed at AKL twice, both with an Arusha view, and it's such a wonderful experience.

What is the difference between a Savannah view and Arusha view room?

As long as your 2 nights are not a fri or sat then dvc is around 11 a point a night for a studio so around £6.50-7 a point depending on renter so approx £ 154 for the 2 nights standard view.This is only a rough guide there is a points chart on this site as you havent said when you are going

How does a studio compare to a standard room?

Are the studios in a separate part of the resort?

Can you give me an idea of how much we would be looking at for a Savannah view room for the dates detailed above?

tyke

 

[torsie24]

What is the difference between a Savannah view and Arusha view room?

Arusha is the name of the main Savannah. See the below picture:

Arusha is in the middle of the big circle of rooms, so you are guaranteed a room overlooking there.

Whereas if you go for a "savannah view" you will get Uzima or Sunset savannahs.

 

[crabbie1]

Your dates are for the magic season which is one of the higher point values.29TH June -1st July is a weds and thurs.Standard studio is 16 a night savana is 19 based on an average £7 a points would be £266 for a savannah view £224 for a standard view. You can have rooms in kidani the newer building or or jambo .The stdios have there own kitchen area and have a queen bed and a sofa bed which turns into a double bed. Bigger in kidani than jambo.We stayed in zebra trail in kidani on the top floor near the lobby.Fantastic view and lovely to wake up to the baby giraffe,zebras ostritches etc. This is the points chart. . look on utube for pics of the studio sizes etc. Hope this helps

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-vacation-club/AK-Points.htm.

 

[DADAD]

take ear plugs with you the drums in the lobby will drive you mad

 

[crabbie1]

take ear plugs with you the drums in the lobby will drive you mad

I know what you mean. Didnt experience it in kidani but tried to phone my mom after breakfast in jambo the one day and this american family and there little boy decided to kick hell out the drums by the phones.My DB asked them to politley stop for a couple of minutes and they said no-wont repeatt what happened next.