Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE Information & Questions

[jockey]

Just booked to go back to AKL in April ..its been 6 years since we last stayed here .we have a few nights here before the GF !

 

[taythecray]

We check in at Kidani on Monday! First on-site stay and I'm so excited it was able to be at AKL. Wanted to thank this board for all the helpful info as we were preparing for our trip. Can't wait to finally experience it!

 

[eeyore81]

We are booked in a 1 bedroom suite Savanna View (Non-DVC) May 30-June 4. We have not received a letter. Anyone have any ideas if the construction will effect us? We are traveling with little ones so afternoon naps are a must and we do spend a significant amount of time at the resort. We stayed at BC January 2015 and the noise was horrible. We did complain and were moved after the first day. It was not nearly as bad but there was still noise, construction stuff everywhere. To top that off when we were at the bus stop on two different days in the evening, the construction workers were also there waiting on the bus. Apparently they park at Downtown Disney. There was a group of about 7 or 8 guys. About 5 of them were smoking and the profanity was terrible. On one of the days one of the guys did speak up and say guys there are kids around but the bus stop was definitely not a "Disney" experience for us with our three year old who listens and repeats everything she hears.

 

[ZOOMAMA]

ZOOMAMA, 11th - 18th, AKL

Yay! 2016 is finally here!

- Tess

 

[eeyoreandtink]

We are booked in a 1 bedroom suite Savanna View (Non-DVC) May 30-June 4. We have not received a letter. Anyone have any ideas if the construction will effect us? We are traveling with little ones so afternoon naps are a must and we do spend a significant amount of time at the resort. We stayed at BC January 2015 and the noise was horrible. We did complain and were moved after the first day. It was not nearly as bad but there was still noise, construction stuff everywhere. To top that off when we were at the bus stop on two different days in the evening, the construction workers were also there waiting on the bus. Apparently they park at Downtown Disney. There was a group of about 7 or 8 guys. About 5 of them were smoking and the profanity was terrible. On one of the days one of the guys did speak up and say guys there are kids around but the bus stop was definitely not a "Disney" experience for us with our three year old who listens and repeats everything she hears.

If it is still ongoing in June you will potentially be effected. Any 2 bedroom suite in Jambo is in the DVC area, wether booked through DVC or not. I haven't seen an end date given anywhere as yet, so it may be that they project to be done by then.

 

[KristiK]

I'm new here . We have stayed at WL twice, and booked a bounce back for next June. I really am thinking of switching to AKL but have read that bus transportation can be less than desirable. Any insight from my fellow Disboarders????

 

[eeyoreandtink]

I have never had bus issues. For us, it's been the best bus service of anywhere we have stayed.

 

[Lovinallthingsdisney]

The buses at AKL are shared between Kidani and Jambo with Kidani being the first stop. In December, they had dedicated bus service to the parks for each location so they were separate. This made it SO much nicer. The bus home at night was packed as usual and still shared, but I think they are all packed at night. I was very happy with our bus experience this past trip.

 

[NKHarris329]

Because I'm still on my first cup of coffee this morning, can someone spell it out to me....

We have a room booked for the first week of March, it is not Vacation Club just a normal room booked through a travel agent (Pool view w/ Bunk Beds if it matters). I have not received any letter.

Am I correct that because I'm not DVC I won't have to worry about the upcoming refurb? We have young kids and at least one of them will need to nap during the afternoon.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

I wouldn't think you would have to worry about room noise unless you are placed on the 4th floor directly under the construction. You may see construction equipment, workers, and supplies in public areas of the resort.

 

[Babyboo]

Hi,

Does anybody know when the last time standard rooms at AKL had a soft refurb

Thanks
Melissa

 

[NKHarris329]

I wouldn't think you would have to worry about room noise unless you are placed on the 4th floor directly under the construction. You may see construction equipment, workers, and supplies in public areas of the resort.

Awesome thanks. It didn't seem like it would be a big concern, but naps are necessary around here. Otherwise it's a bad day for everyone.

 

[DizDaD7]

I'm new here . We have stayed at WL twice, and booked a bounce back for next June. I really am thinking of switching to AKL but have read that bus transportation can be less than desirable. Any insight from my fellow Disboarders????

Bus service from AKL/V is awesome...2nd to CSR IMHO... What people get confused w/ when it comes Bus transportation is, that it's just a lil further than some other resorts to lets say MK.....But on the flip side so close to AK....And part of being a lil further away is the allure of the resort...It's defini,but tely a vacation within a vacation, when you finally return from the parks...( You'll see what I mean WHEN YOU BOOK!! LoL )

Here are a rough average on the buses to the parks..In my personal experience that is:
AKL -----> MK...It's roughly 18-20 mins.
AKL -----> EPCOT... around 13 mins.
AKL -----> H.S....it's maybe 9-10 mins
AKL -----> AK.....about 5.

DTD/DS varies with multiple stops but basically no more than MK.
Water parks vary as well. Maybe 5 mins to BB & 15 or so to TL..

HTH..

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Bus service from AKL/V is awesome...2nd to CSR IMHO... What people get confused w/ when it comes Bus transportation is, that it's just a lil further than some other resorts to lets say MK.....But on the flip side so close to AK....And part of being a lil further away is the allure of the resort...It's defini,but tely a vacation within a vacation, when you finally return from the parks...( You'll see what I mean WHEN YOU BOOK!! LoL )

Here are a rough average on the buses to the parks..In my personal experience that is:
AKL -----> MK...It's roughly 18-20 mins.
AKL -----> EPCOT... around 13 mins.
AKL -----> H.S....it's maybe 9-10 mins
AKL -----> AK.....about 5.

DTD/DS varies with multiple stops but basically no more than MK.
Water parks vary as well. Maybe 5 mins to BB & 15 or so to TL..

HTH..

This is pretty much spot on with our experience.

 

[Lvsdisney]

This is an odd question, and maybe I should post it on the DVC boards, but do some of the standard studios have the bed next to the balcony doors vs the sofa? I've seen pictures (on Disney's website) and some videos with this layout and it honestly would be my preferred layout. But I'm not sure if they are old photos/videos and now all the studios have the same layout (sofa next to balcony doors).

 

[Grumpy247365]

I stayed at the AKL in December and wanted to give a quick review. First of all, what an awesome hotel. The decor is beautiful, the layout is very easy to navigate, the Christmas decorations were awesome and the restaurants (JIKO!) were amazing as well. I booked a standard view room, but requested the Kudu Trail based on another post I read in this very thread. I don't remember who typed it, but thank you! I woke up to animals every day and they came around quite often. I ate at Jiko and got to eat at the prep station and talk to the prep chefs. It was a late reservation, so it was nice and quiet and I was able to really enjoy the meal. The only negative I would give is the walk to my room was very, very long, which is not much of a gripe at all. One recommendation I would give is that it seems to be noisy in the lobby at night with the drums and kids activities, so I wouldn't book a room near the lobby. Anyways, great hotel, would definitely book here again.

 

[smhwalker2011]

does anyone have pictures of a bunk w/ pool view room?! would love to see!! staying for 4 nights in april!!

also, has anyone ever been upgraded from pool view to savanna view? kinda hoping this could happen haha.

 

[poohs4me]

Upcoming Refurbishment? Wdwinfo says the refurbishment will be over by 2/11/16; however I just received a letter indicating refurbishment will be going on while I am there which is the end of March. Did I miss something?

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Upcoming Refurbishment? Wdwinfo says the refurbishment will be over by 2/11/16; however I just received a letter indicating refurbishment will be going on while I am there which is the end of March. Did I miss something?

They are doing a soft good refurb on DVC and Club levels. I have heard it will be Jan-May, but don't have confirmation of the end date.

 

[Northminnie]

I have a DVC studio booked foe April 24-29. I received the letter about renovations and construction going on while we are there. I just called member services and after being on hold for 20 minutes waiting for the women to check she came back and told me it was just the club lounge that they will be working on. I did read here that it was the DVC rooms and I'm thinking of switching resorts. We planned this trip as a no park trip just relaxing by the pool and on the balcony looking at animals. I don't think I want to be in a room with construction going on right next to me. I will call back in a couple weeks and ask again for an update. I hate to switch if it won't be bad but after reading some reviews of people staying at hotels with construction I think I'd rather try a different resort. What are others doing that have rooms booked during this time?

Thanks