Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE Information & Questions

[wdwnut61]

Happy 4th everyone

 

[wdwnut61]

I just switched our November trip to AKL today and added a day. We are staying Nov 20-27 standard room with FD
Looking forward to following along.

 

[hill6]

Just booked two night at Kidani (9/26 to 9/28 for my birthday) before we head over to BCV (30th anniversary).

I just read that the resort is undergoing renovations. What are they doing and how much have they completed? I am surprised that the reservation agent at DVC Member Services didn't mention it when I changed from Saratoga to Kidani.

 

[DizDaD7]

I just switched our November trip to AKL today and added a day. We are staying Nov 20-27 standard room with FD
Looking forward to following along.

And to have 2 tickers going...Now I'm jealous..LoL

 

[Texans_loyal]

Thank you! I have a feeling i won't want to stay anywhere else after this trip!

 

[dgbg100106]

I just switched our November trip to AKL today and added a day. We are staying Nov 20-27 standard room with FD
Looking forward to following along.

November

Phi2012, Oct 26th - 11th, AKL

TeeterTots, 4th - 7th, AKV CL

DizDaD7, 4th - 12th, AKL

Dkrauss, 6th - 12th, Jambo House

Lovetotraveltx, 13th - 19th, AKL CL

Blended Disney, 20th - 26th, Kidani

Wdwnut61, 20th - 27th, AKL

Henry72, 26th - Dec 2nd, AKL

Smec73, 26th - Dec 2nd, AKL

BethanyLynnFit, 26th - Dec 3rd, AKL

Mickeyheart, 26th - Dec 10th, AKL CL

Saysib, 26th - Dec 10th, AKL

MemphisVanessa, 28th to Dec 5th, AKL

Lylone, 28th - Dec 2nd, AKL

 

[dgbg100106]

Just booked two night at Kidani (9/26 to 9/28 for my birthday) before we head over to BCV (30th anniversary).

I just read that the resort is undergoing renovations. What are they doing and how much have they completed? I am surprised that the reservation agent at DVC Member Services didn't mention it when I changed from Saratoga to Kidani.

September

Grooovertoo, Aug 31st - 10th, Jambo House

Laneybelle, 1st - 5th, AKL

Publix subs, 15th - 19th, AKL

Dreamseeker9, 17th - 20th, AKL

Mm. Leota, 17th - 24th, AKL

BanditsMommy, 18th - 25th, AKL

berryinDC, 19th - 23rd, AKL

PNO4TE, 23rd - 26th, F&W BWV

Brnrss34, 24th - Oct 1st, AKL

YoYoAurora, 24th - Oct 1st, AKL CL

RachelTori, 24th - Oct 1st, GF and BWI

Nicolebridget22, 24th - 8th, AKL

Hill6, 26th - 28th, Kidani

AmyA, 28th - Oct 5th, AKL

 

[hill6]

September

Grooovertoo, Aug 31st - 10th, Jambo House

Laneybelle, 1st - 5th, AKL

Publix subs, 15th - 19th, AKL

Dreamseeker9, 17th - 20th, AKL

Mm. Leota, 17th - 24th, AKL

BanditsMommy, 18th - 25th, AKL

berryinDC, 19th - 23rd, AKL

PNO4TE, 23rd - 26th, F&W BWV

Brnrss34, 24th - Oct 1st, AKL

YoYoAurora, 24th - Oct 1st, AKL CL

RachelTori, 24th - Oct 1st, GF and BWI

Nicolebridget22, 24th - 8th, AKL

Hill6, 26th - 28th, Kidani

AmyA, 28th - Oct 5th, AKL

Thanks for the add. Our 2nd time at Kidani and 3rd overall at AKL. Ironically first one was for my birthday as well.

 

[yaya74]

Can someone please tell me how much time you usually schedule, in average, to go to each theme park if you were taking the WDW Bus?? I mean from the time leaving your room to arriving at the park.

1 hour to MK?, 45 min to HS/Epcot, 30 minute to AK??

 

[TinkerBellLiz]

Can someone please tell me how much time you usually schedule, in average, to go to each theme park if you were taking the WDW Bus?? I mean from the time leaving your room to arriving at the park.

1 hour to MK?, 45 min to HS/Epcot, 30 minute to AK??

Disney recommends allowing 1.5 hours to reach your desired destination. Unless things have changed, buses start running an hour before park openings and leave every 20 minutes. If you arrive just after a bus has departed, you'll have at least a 20 minute wait. Rope Drops are complicated by Kidani filling up the bus before reaching AKL. So there really is no "magic" number.

I'm not sure if AKL has the computer screen bus times. Hopefully someone who has visited recently can correct me or add additional info!

Hope this is some help and a wonderful trip!

Liz

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

9 days!!!!!

 

[fwizard]

10 days left!!!

 

[wzwild]

10 days left!!!

Me too! Can't wait!!!!!

 

[yaya74]

Disney recommends allowing 1.5 hours to reach your desired destination. Unless things have changed, buses start running an hour before park openings and leave every 20 minutes. If you arrive just after a bus has departed, you'll have at least a 20 minute wait. Rope Drops are complicated by Kidani filling up the bus before reaching AKL. So there really is no "magic" number.

I'm not sure if AKL has the computer screen bus times. Hopefully someone who has visited recently can correct me or add additional info!

Hope this is some help and a wonderful trip!

Liz

Thank you Liz for the reply. I think there is a computer screen at the bus stop but cannot be sure... Hope someone will confirm it..

 

[brooke789]

There are several TVs with the next bus arrival time at Jambo. I'd assume they're at Kidani also.

There were definitely times during our trip where it took us 1.5 hours to get to the parks...especially the couple times we wanted 45+ minutes for a bus. In general that was not the case. Most of the time we got to the bus stop and a bus was there shortly. If you get to the bus stop and there is not a "next bus arrival time" on the screen basically you're in trouble. That was always when our waits were crazy...

 

[TinkerBellLiz]

9 days!!!!!

10 days left!!!

Me too! Can't wait!!!!!

11days for me!

Thank you Liz for the reply. I think there is a computer screen at the bus stop but cannot be sure... Hope someone will confirm it..

Brooke came to our rescue!

There are several TVs with the next bus arrival time at Jambo. I'd assume they're at Kidani also.

There were definitely times during our trip where it took us 1.5 hours to get to the parks...especially the couple times we wanted 45+ minutes for a bus. In general that was not the case. Most of the time we got to the bus stop and a bus was there shortly. If you get to the bus stop and there is not a "next bus arrival time" on the screen basically you're in trouble. That was always when our waits were crazy...

Thanks for the confirmation Brooke! I thought there were screens at Jambo. We don't get in a hurry anymore at Disney and if we miss a fast pass, we just "Let it GO!" We actually chose AKL because its a bit away from everything and Jungle Juice (with coconut rum ) and zebra domes! YUM.

Liz

 

[yaya74]

Another bus-related question: I have a 8:15am ADR at DHS (park opens at 9am). Should I just drive to the park since bus runs only 1 hour prior to park opening?? Is it easy to drive from AKL to DHS??

 

[Bree]

Another bus-related question: I have a 8:15am ADR at DHS (park opens at 9am). Should I just drive to the park since bus runs only 1 hour prior to park opening?? Is it easy to drive from AKL to DHS??

They will have busses running early for ADR. I would personally drive though. You will get a parking spot really close to the entrance. It's nice to just be able to get in the car and go when you are done at the park.

You could also Uber to HS. Should be around $7-9 one way.

 

[TinkerBellLiz]

Another bus-related question: I have a 8:15am ADR at DHS (park opens at 9am). Should I just drive to the park since bus runs only 1 hour prior to park opening?? Is it easy to drive from AKL to DHS??

Last time we did an ADR pre park opening there were buses that ran for that particular purpose. THOSE buses left at 7 AM. I would check with the lodge to verify times etc after you check in. When we stayed at GF the bus was dedicated to folks with early morning ADR first the others wanting to make RD after.

To answer your question about driving: We park and never get into the car again until we leave!

Enjoy your trip!!

Liz

 

[DJFan88]

So looking at food options, it looks like my husband and I can just pop into a Sanaa Lounge and try the bread service there along with a wine flight as kind of a casual option?