Animal Kingdom Lodge

[nicknsara]

I HAVE JUST BEEN READING LOADS OF MESSAGE BOARDS IN THE LAST FEW DAYS REGARDING AKL.

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHY THE AKL GETS SUCH A SLATEING FROM AMERICANS AND WE(BRITS)
SEEM TO LOVE IT?

IS IT ALSO WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY TO UPGRADE TO CONCEIERGE WHEN WE ARRIVE?.WE HAVE ALREAD UPGRADED TO SAVANNAH VIEW WITH TCD IN OCT05.

PEOPLE ON TRIP ADVISOR SEEM TO THINK NOT!!

ANY THOUGHTS BE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED

 

[Frances999]

I don't think the majortity of Americans dislike AKL. When reading reports such as those on Trip Advisor you have to remember that people are more likely to comment and complain about a bad stay than a good stay. There will be thousands who have had perfect stays and not felt the need to report about it.

I'm not a huge fan of AKL - I found the rooms a little unappealing and I didn't like its location. However, the theming is amazing and so are the facilities. Also, as it seems to be one of the least popular deluxe resorts, rates are often pretty low too.

AKL concierge is amazing. It is one of the most raved about and popular concierge levels out of all the WDW resorts. There are extra perks such as sunrise and sunset safari trips which are available to concierge level guests only. I would recommend upgrading to concierge - especially if you will be spending a lot of time at the resort like we did last August. The food selection is wonderful, and the AKL has a superb coffee machine! The CMs are some of the friendliest I have encountered too, and don't forget about the priceless pre-trip planning one receives when booking concierge. The concierge CMs will communicate with you via e-mail to try and ensure all your requests are fulfilled. Staying concierge makes it pretty easy to get such requests at CRT breakfast and the Illuminations Cruise. If things like this are important to you, as well as a bit of luxury - then I would recommend the concierge upgrade.

 

[rosiejo]

I didn't realise you got advanced seating perks when going concierge... how much extra is it?

 

[Frances999]

I didn't realise you got advanced seating perks when going concierge... how much extra is it?

There are no "advance seating perks" as such, and definitely no *guarantees* of special reservations, but the success rate is extremely high and I feel confident that they would secure 99.9% of your requests. Just last week they let me change the date of my Illumination Cruise (which is this August!), yet the Illuminations Cruises were supposedly all sold out for my dates at the 90-day mark. They really work some magic and it is so wonderful to come home to some e-mails from them, sending some pixie dust or letting you know that they can't wait until you arrive. They even arranged some special surprises for our anniversary this year. Totally incredible customer service.

At AKL concierge is about $250/night extra for a concierge room (compared to a standard view). Contact Dreams Unlimited or check the Disney website for exact pricing.

 

[Clare D]

Hi Nick and Sara
May see you both there! I will be the mad mother shouting after my son Joe (Joseph when very naughty) as no doubt he will be running around causing all sorts of mayhem
I'm sure that the hotel will be fab

 

[disneyholic family]

AKL concierge is wonderful. The lounge is one of the nicest and they have a huge and varied selection of food.

But the big perk of the AKL concierge is being able to sign up for the Sunrise Safari ....you have to pay for the safari of course, but it's worth it....and only AKL concierge is entitled to sign up...

 

[UKDEB]

My guess would be that, for Americans, location is a much bigger deal than it is for us. We tend to (a) stay for longer periods of time (we get more paid holiday) and (b) hire a car, so the location isn't such an issue. The reason that AKL is the cheapest of the Deluxe Resorts is entirely down to its location. Oh, and did I mention location?

We stayed at AKL shortly after it opened and, whilst the rooms were a bit dark for my liking, it is a fabulous hotel with a truly outstanding ambiance and I promise you, you won't be disappointed. Concierge was a plus for us, and I agree that it is in a class of its own, although you can't 'pop' back for a midday lemonade as you can with some of the other Deluxes. If you are staying at AKL for your entire stay, I would say it is definitely worth upgrading (although, needless to say, not at any cost). The food and alcohol offerings are pretty impressive and you should take the opportunity to avail yourselves of the Sunrise/Sunset Safaris. Of all the people visiting WDW at any one time, only a tiny proportion can do this and you could be one of them!