Animal Kingdom Lodge

[Kimberly]

Ok, it's my first time going back to disney since 2001, which i stayed at the All Stars Sports for a cheerleading/dance competition while i was in high school. Previously before that i stayed in the Swan or Polynesian all the time with my family mostly because they're my mother's favorite hotels. This time (going from may 21st to may 29... saturday to sunday) i'm going with my friend with her family, who decided to stay at the animal kingdom lodge.

Have any of you stayed there before? I checked out some websites just to see what it was like, and it just seems really nice, and well themed. While i love the Swan, it just seems to have something that the Swan doesn't, and really makes you feel like you're at disney. Most of the times when we stay in Orlando with my family, we spend half our time a disney or at sea world and unversal studios. Just wondering what some of your impressions are on this place, of those who have stayed there.

Another thing, for pleasure island, since both my friend and i are 21 years of age, how are the bars on the boardwalk? I hear they're a lot of fun...

 

[Minky]

The AKL is fabulous! It is truly an amazing resort, very beautiful and relaxing, fantastic restaraunts, beautiful grounds, love watching the animals. Rooms are very nice, you cant go wrong here, a lot of people seem to think that its SO FAR from the parks, but it really isnt. As far as PI and the Boardwalk clubs, Pleasure island is great, you will probably like that a lot more they have mannequins which is really cool, with the revolving dance floor and the adventurers club (themed bar), the comedy club, lots of great places. At the Boardwalk there is JellyRolls and the Atlantic Dance Company. JellyRolls is a lot of fun its a bar with dueling pianists and the crowd sings along, gets wasted and acts silly....aaaahhhhhhhhhh, goodtimes.

 

[Kimberly]

I checked with my friend, and we have a Savannah view room actually, which will be great for picture opportunities. I really can't wait, it's been almost 4 years since my last visit!

I have actually never even been to Blizzard Beach or the Animal Kingdom, which i know will probably consist of my first two days that i'm there.

Just a question about the "snack bar" at the hotel though... does it have a quick stop area say if i wanted to pick up a sandwich before i took off into the parks all day? That's one thing i loved about all stars sports, was the ability to just grabs something quick to eat.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Kimberly,

Just returned from our first stay at the AKL, and we absolutely loved it! Have yet to stay at the Poly, but have stayed at the Swan, and the Swan does not even come close to what the AKL is. It is so exotic, the staff is great, and I think having both Boma and Jiko as your dining options is just awesome.

Mara (the quick service restaurant) does have items you can pick up "to go" - salads, sandwiches, fruit, etc. You can even get zebra domes in the freezer, which is a must-try dessert from Boma. Check out Deb's site (www.allearsnet.com) and look at the pictures of the AKL - she has a ton of very detailed ones. And for bars, Victoria Falls has a nice ambience, too, right there in the resort - though it's not quite the same pace as places on the Boardwalk or PI.

Oh, how I wish I could go back right now!!! Have fun!!!

 

[Kimberly]

Oh i know i will have a blast, it's almost impossible not to have a great time when staying on disney property. I'm not really into the bars to get drunk, just go out and have a great time, maybe some dancing and stuff like that. How long are the bars open until?