Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE Information & Questions

[dgbg100106]

Me and my son have a standard room at AKL booked for Saturday night and a club level room for Sunday night.
If we want access to the Kilimanjaro Club Sunday morning, do we need to be checked out (and physically out) of the standard room and checked into the club level room first?

I realize that our club level room my not be ready until 3 but I would like to utilize the club lounge as much as possible.

On Monday we move to CSR, can we continue to use the AKL club lounge on Monday?

As soon as you are checked into the Club Level room even if it is not ready you will have access to the Lounge.

 

[kimmar067]

If we want access to the Kilimanjaro Club Sunday morning, do we need to be checked out (and physically out) of the standard room and checked into the club level room first?

I realize that our club level room my not be ready until 3 but I would like to utilize the club lounge as much as possible.

On Monday we move to CSR, can we continue to use the AKL club lounge on Monday?

...use it for as long as you can...when we did CL, we did visit it the morning we were checking out (not to move to another resort - we were returning home) with no problems....of course, check-out time is 11AM, and we did go up there before that time....

 

[dgbg100106]

...use it for as long as you can...when we did CL, we did visit it the morning we were checking out (not to move to another resort - we were returning home) with no problems....of course, check-out time is 11AM, and we did go up there before that time....

I am pretty sure you have access all day when you are checking out, BUT if you are checking into another room, I believe that your access stops once you check in somewhere else.

 

[Carolyn Louise]

And I just did the night safari Sunday. I thought with the Superbowl going we might get a tour to ourselves but no, we had a truck of 10 so no personalized requests. The truck stayed mostly in the Sunset savanna. Not much got close, in fact if something looked like it was heading towards us the truck would drive forward. And we were being so good with no flash but people on their balconies kept setting off their flashes that messed with what we could see. Yes the night scopes were cool, but you can borrow them for free from the Overlook. If you can't get the daytime Wanyama Safari it is a smaller, shorter version. Do I feel I got my $70 out of it? No not really, but I've been spoiled by the San Diego Zoo Safari Park's Caravan Safaris. ;-)

Boma, for breakfast you can probably walk-up. I had a 7:30AM ADR on Sat & the place was pretty empty. Of course as you get closer to park opening times more people come in. Dinner is usually pretty booked unless you get there right at 4 or later after 8pm. Sanaa, you might have a wait but it is less visited.

I didn't stay Concierge so don't know about the Lounge. But Mara was open late, got cup refills at 11:45pm.

Good to know, thanks for the info! It sounds like the safari is something I can skip, especially since I have a FP for the one in AK. Also by lounges I meant Victoria Falls and Cape May, I know those two have food menus available.

I have one breakfast reservation for Boma, will play it by ear the other days or just hit up Mara. I had a dinner reservation but cancelled it, I figured I'd rather hit one of the lounges instead. Jiko is definitely on the list though. Would you consider Sanaa a must-hit?

 

[rhul]

Good to know, thanks for the info! It sounds like the safari is something I can skip, especially since I have a FP for the one in AK. Also by lounges I meant Victoria Falls and Cape May, I know those two have food menus available.

I have one breakfast reservation for Boma, will play it by ear the other days or just hit up Mara. I had a dinner reservation but cancelled it, I figured I'd rather hit one of the lounges instead. Jiko is definitely on the list though. Would you consider Sanaa a must-hit?

Now the ride in AK is *not* a substitute for the truck safaris. It has to constantly keep moving because it is a "ride." The pace of the truck safaris depends on what the animals are doing. You could be parked next to a pack of giraffes for 10 minutes. It's just my tour didn't happen that way. If you don't do the night tour be sure to at least visit the Overlook at night to take advantage of using the night scopes.

As to restaurants, I'd actually do the opposite. Keep Boma! The Victoria Lounge is right above it so you'll keep smelling the awesome & wish you were down there. I'd consider dinner at Boma more of a must do than Sanaa. & if you are staying in Jambo house, much more convenient. (Since Sanaa is in Kidani it's either a shuttle ride or a 10 minute walk from Jambo.)

 

[kimmar067]

Good to know, thanks for the info! It sounds like the safari is something I can skip, especially since I have a FP for the one in AK. Also by lounges I meant Victoria Falls and Cape May, I know those two have food menus available.

I have one breakfast reservation for Boma, will play it by ear the other days or just hit up Mara. I had a dinner reservation but cancelled it, I figured I'd rather hit one of the lounges instead. Jiko is definitely on the list though. Would you consider Sanaa a must-hit?

...we thoroughly loved Sanaa. Plus, it was a chance to explore Kidani, where we would otherwise not have had the chance to visit that building. That being said, the food and service at Jiko [in my opinion] was far better than any other restaurant on-property, including The Yachtsman (which, BTW, I thought was awesome too!)...I can sum it up this way: having eaten at both Sanaa and Jiko, if given the opportunity to choose only one, hands-down I'd pick Jiko...

 

[DizDaD7]

...we thoroughly loved Sanaa. Plus, it was a chance to explore Kidani, where we would otherwise not have had the chance to visit that building. That being said, the food and service at Jiko [in my opinion] was far better than any other restaurant on-property, including The Yachtsman (which, BTW, I thought was awesome too!)...I can sum it up this way: having eaten at both Sanaa and Jiko, if given the opportunity to choose only one, hands-down I'd pick Jiko...

JIKO, JIKO, JIKO.....Thats all I hear from you...SOrta like Marsha Marsha, Marsha..LOL You food snob.
What about YS, did you enjoy so much...I'm going to try and land that ADR this summer if possible? As well as Boma's of course...

 

[kimmar067]

JIKO, JIKO, JIKO.....Thats all I hear from you...SOrta like Marsha Marsha, Marsha..LOL You food snob.
What about YS, did you enjoy so much...I'm going to try and land that ADR this summer if possible?....

....can I help it if I have high culinary standards?

 

[kimmar067]

.....AND, if you look, I did give a shout-out to YS.....so THERE.

 

[DizDaD7]

.....AND, if you look, I did give a shout-out to YS.....so THERE.

I know that, but was asking what was great...The atmosphere, service food, or just everything. We've never eaten here, and we definitely wanted one TS for Steaks. We've obviously been to LeCellier, but wanted either YS or CG.

 

[kimmar067]

I know that, but was asking what was great...The atmosphere, service food, or just everything. We've never eaten here, and we definitely wanted one TS for Steaks. We've obviously been to LeCellier, but wanted either YS or CG.

....the service was outstanding, the food was fantastic, the view [from our table] was incredible. So, why would I choose Jiko over The Yachtsman? Simply put: you can get a great steak virtually ANYWHERE....not so much, African cuisine...that doesn't mean that YS is a 'been there, done' that kinda deal. I'd definitely eat there again...BTW, you HAVE to try the truffle mac'n'cheese...

 

[DizDaD7]

....the service was outstanding, the food was fantastic, the view [from our table] was incredible. So, why would I choose Jiko over The Yachtsman? Simply put: you can get a great steak virtually ANYWHERE....not so much, African cuisine...that doesn't mean that YS is a 'been there, done' that kinda deal. I'd definitely eat there again...BTW, you HAVE to try the truffle mac'n'cheese...

Yummm, Sounds good...

 

[elizmeyers]

We will be staying at AKL for the first time in May! I'm so excited!!! I've been inside the resort. Last summer, we had drinks at Victoria Falls and dinner at Jiko. I've been a long time lurker on these boards, and an infrequent poster, but I really enjoy the tips and photos that are posted here. And to DizDaD7 and Kimmar067: I think the best steak is the char crusted at Flying Fish. The spice rub is fantastic and it seems to seal the juices inside the steak. We've eaten at FF 3 times so far and have not been dissapointed.

 

[kimmar067]

We will be staying at AKL for the first time in May! I'm so excited!!! I've been inside the resort. Last summer, we had drinks at Victoria Falls and dinner at Jiko. I've been a long time lurker on these boards, and an infrequent poster, but I really enjoy the tips and photos that are posted here. And to DizDaD7 and Kimmar067: I think the best steak is the char crusted at Flying Fish. The spice rub is fantastic and it seems to seal the juices inside the steak. We've eaten at FF 3 times so far and have not been dissapointed.

....well, originally I was choosing between YS and FF....FF is still on my list of "Must do's"....

 

[elizmeyers]

....well, originally I was choosing between YS and FF....FF is still on my list of "Must do's"....

When I last went to FF in January, my mom and I split the steak. I think they charged a few bucks extra, but the portions were surprisingly large. Our steaks were served on separate plates with a full serving of potatoes and haricot verts. I think from now on, I'm going to ask for that entree split so I have more room for appetizers..... and they have a dessert drink that is a peanut butter chocolate ice cream "adult" milkshake. yum.

 

[kimmar067]

When I last went to FF in January, my mom and I split the steak. I think they charged a few bucks extra, but the portions were surprisingly large. Our steaks were served on separate plates with a full serving of potatoes and haricot verts. I think from now on, I'm going to ask for that entree split so I have more room for appetizers..... and they have a dessert drink that is a peanut butter chocolate ice cream "adult" milkshake. yum.

....that sounds intriguing!

 

[DizDaD7]

We will be staying at AKL for the first time in May! I'm so excited!!! I've been inside the resort. Last summer, we had drinks at Victoria Falls and dinner at Jiko. I've been a long time lurker on these boards, and an infrequent poster, but I really enjoy the tips and photos that are posted here. And to DizDaD7 and Kimmar067: I think the best steak is the char crusted at Flying Fish. The spice rub is fantastic and it seems to seal the juices inside the steak. We've eaten at FF 3 times so far and have not been dissapointed.

This is good to know, being that we'll be at the BWV this trip...So it'll be a quick 2 minute walk if that...

 

[DizDaD7]

....that sounds intriguing!

I believe they also have this drink over at 50's P/T cafe too.

 

[Mynamewastaken]

7 days from now I will be checked in for my first stay at AKL.... so excited

 

[kimmar067]

Yummm, Sounds good...

....it is, but a word of caution - order one serving and SHARE.