Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE Information & Questions

[Karlius]

First Time on property and staying at AKL from 26th April to 10th May to celebrate our recent Engagement. I'm excited to make use of our freebies included Dining Plan, My Memory Maker and $200 Disney Dollars. We are staying in a standard room but would love to get a Savannah view but the upgrade for the full duration was $1700 which was beyond our budget. Is there a possibility we could upgrade for a couple of nights at the end of our stay at arrival depending on availability?

 

[mster425]

You are the first one for May next year!
May

Mster425, 7th - 16th, AKL

LOL. We could only afford that specific type of room and I didn't want to lose my opportunity, so I booked right after the 11 month window. This is my first time renting DVC points, so fingers crossed everything goes smoothly.

 

[hokieinpa]

Just got the email saying our DVC Reservation came through!

We're in a 2-bedroom at Jambo House May 1-8! Excited!!!

 

[dgbg100106]

First Time on property and staying at AKL from 26th April to 10th May to celebrate our recent Engagement. I'm excited to make use of our freebies included Dining Plan, My Memory Maker and $200 Disney Dollars. We are staying in a standard room but would love to get a Savannah view but the upgrade for the full duration was $1700 which was beyond our budget. Is there a possibility we could upgrade for a couple of nights at the end of our stay at arrival depending on availability?

April

MrsHammer, 9th – 15th, AKL

Karlius, 26th - May 10th, AKL

May

Karlius, Apr 26th - 10th, AKL

Mster425, 7th - 16th, AKL

 

[dgbg100106]

LOL. We could only afford that specific type of room and I didn't want to lose my opportunity, so I booked right after the 11 month window. This is my first time renting DVC points, so fingers crossed everything goes smoothly.

I am sure it will go great. I have rented my points out several times.

 

[dgbg100106]

Just got the email saying our DVC Reservation came through!

We're in a 2-bedroom at Jambo House May 1-8! Excited!!!

May

Karlius, Apr 26th - 10th, AKL

Hokieinpa, 1st - 8th, Jambo House

Mster425, 7th - 16th, AKL

 

[MidnightParade]

We are staying at Jambo house in September, the 16th to 23rd, my DW is wondering if there is a jogging trail at AKL, thanks.

While there is no jogging trail I have read that people will jog from Jambo to Kidani and back again a few times. Not too scenic but nicer then a treadmill!

 

[Abbey1]

Booked our trip for next year! We'll be staying from January 31st - February 6th in a standard view room. This will by my son's first trip to WDW. We are so excited! Quick question, when would the room discounts for that time period usually be available? And would I just call in to get it applied? Thanks!

 

[eeyoreandtink]

I'm not sure if I have asked to be added to the list, but we are renting points for a studio at Jambo House Feb 6-12. Our last trip was 2 years ago at Kidani. We are looking forward to being back!

 

[Best Aunt]

Quick question, when would the room discounts for that time period usually be available?

MouseSavers has historical info:
http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/#codetrends

 

[dgbg100106]

Booked our trip for next year! We'll be staying from January 1st - February 6th in a standard view room. This will by my son's first trip to WDW. We are so excited! Quick question, when would the room discounts for that time period usually be available? And would I just call in to get it applied? Thanks!

That is a very long trip to the world I am impressed.

 

[dgbg100106]

Booked our trip for next year! We'll be staying from January 1st - February 6th in a standard view room. This will by my son's first trip to WDW. We are so excited! Quick question, when would the room discounts for that time period usually be available? And would I just call in to get it applied? Thanks!

February

Abbey1, Jan 31st - 6th, AKL,

Lustergirl, 5th – 8th, AKL

Luv2Run, 18th – 25th, AKL

 

[dgbg100106]

I'm not sure if I have asked to be added to the list, but we are renting points for a studio at Jambo House Feb 6-12. Our last trip was 2 years ago at Kidani. We are looking forward to being back!

February

Abbey1, Jan 31st - 6th, AKL,

Eeyoreandtink, 6th - 12th, Jambo House

Lustergirl, 5th – 8th, AKL

Luv2Run, 18th – 25th, AKL

 

[Abbey1]

That is a very long trip to the world I am impressed.

Oops! I wish we were staying that long! Just fixed my post- January 31st-February 6th.

 

[Cando86]

Can someone help me out on understanding how DVC rooms differ from all other rooms? Or is there no difference? We will likely be renting DVC points and booking a standard studio (sadly, the savannah views are all gone). We will likely stay in Jambo house (unless someone thinks I should be swayed to stay in Kidani!). Is there anything I should know about how the rooms differ when they are DVC designated rooms? What will our view be like? I thought I read that all standard rooms at Jambo House still have a view of the pool, though I don't know if this applies to the DVC rooms.

ANY help is seriously appreciated! I swear, once I think I know all there is to know about Disney something new comes along and throws it all off!

 

[dolphingirl47]

I have never stayed in a standard room at Animal Kingdom Lodge, but I assume they are the same as the hotel rooms in a couple of other DVC resorts I have stayed at. The studios have a queen bed and a queen sleeper sofa instead of two queen beds or one king bed. They also have a larger fridge then the standard room and a kitchenette with a toaster, sink and microwave.

Corinna

 

[MidnightParade]

Can someone help me out on understanding how DVC rooms differ from all other rooms? Or is there no difference? We will likely be renting DVC points and booking a standard studio (sadly, the savannah views are all gone). We will likely stay in Jambo house (unless someone thinks I should be swayed to stay in Kidani!). Is there anything I should know about how the rooms differ when they are DVC designated rooms? What will our view be like? I thought I read that all standard rooms at Jambo House still have a view of the pool, though I don't know if this applies to the DVC rooms.

ANY help is seriously appreciated! I swear, once I think I know all there is to know about Disney something new comes along and throws it all off!

I have never stayed in a standard room at Animal Kingdom Lodge, but I assume they are the same as the hotel rooms in a couple of other DVC resorts I have stayed at. The studios have a queen bed and a queen sleeper sofa instead of two queen beds or one king bed. They also have a larger fridge then the standard room and a kitchenette with a toaster, sink and microwave.

Corinna

What Corinna said! We rented points last October and stayed in Jambo house, which we were very happy with. The room worked very well for the two of us. We went to the Mara(QS) a few times which was handy. Kidani doesn't have a QS, which is something to keep in mind. Although I hear their pool is fantastic. I'm not sure about the DVC standard view if its only the pool, we had rented/booked the pool view category specifically.. and I hesitate to say it cause it's not the norm but we got a huge boatload of pixie dust and ended up with a Savannah view room .

 

[sndral]

Can someone help me out on understanding how DVC rooms differ from all other rooms? Or is there no difference? We will likely be renting DVC points and booking a standard studio (sadly, the savannah views are all gone). We will likely stay in Jambo house (unless someone thinks I should be swayed to stay in Kidani!). Is there anything I should know about how the rooms differ when they are DVC designated rooms? What will our view be like? I thought I read that all standard rooms at Jambo House still have a view of the pool, though I don't know if this applies to the DVC rooms.

ANY help is seriously appreciated! I swear, once I think I know all there is to know about Disney something new comes along and throws it all off!

The views at AKL are super confusing - 2 buildings, DVC or Disney cash room rental, different view categories.
DVC standard view studios in Jambo will be on the 5th floor. They will not face the parking lot (those are the value DVC studios, or, on other floors cash reservation standard view rooms.) they will be on Zebra trail or Kudu trail and will overlook the pool area (or part roof/pool) or have a limited savanna view.
Jambo has the QS restaurant, the buffet - Boma, the signature restaurant - Jiko, the grand lobby, the bigger gift shop and fronts 3 savannas.
For a first AKV DVC visit I'd choose Jambo especially w/ a standard view (I hate parking lot/road views which you might get w/ a Kidani standard view villa and won't get w/ standard view in Jambo.)

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

We're staying in a DVC 2-bdrm savannah view for one night before leaving for a Disney cruise the next day. We'd like to see the night time animal viewing at AKL, but also watch the MK fireworks from the TTC dock or Poly beach. Will we be able to do both? TIA for any help - we're DVC but haven't stayed at AKL before and never been to WDW for just one night!

 

[brooke789]

We've just gotten our confirmation for AKL for our trip next June! We're renting DVC and staying 6/2 - 6/12/16! Our first stay at AKL. We have standard view, but I'm sure we'll be perfectly happy going to the hallway overlooks. We're so excited!!

We have 8 days park hopper & WP&M tickets. How is transportation to the water parks? Do buses also go to the mini golf? We're driving so we have the option of our own car, but don't normally use it.

Is there a list of free activities anywhere for the resort?