Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE Information & Questions

[Luv2Run]

Greetings! After much discussion, we have decided to stay at AKL for next year's Princess Half Marathon Weekend, yay! We visited AKL this year for lunch at Sanaa and absolutely fell in love with this resort. I'm sure I'll have tons of questions as we get closer to booking. We'll be utilizing the Armed Forces Salute discount since I am active duty (going on 13 years!), so that'll definitely help. We had the QSDP this year, but I'm considering going back to the regular DDP for our upcoming trip. We missed out on some of our faves this year (Sci-Fi, HBD, etc). My dbf's brother & his gf will be coming with us this year, so I'm looking at booking two savanna view rooms (no preference on if they're connecting, but would prefer to be close, at least across the hall from each other). I am so excited!

 

[Best Aunt]

We are seriously considering a December stay at AKL CL pending any free dining or bounceback offers as we leave May 9th. I have heard conflicting views about how AKL can feel isolated due to only bus service.
This would be our first deluxe and the CL seems reasonable overall for the dates we are seeking. For those that have stayed what are your thoughts ? It would just be DH and I likely first or second week in December.

I wouldn't use the term "isolated." But I get motion sick very easily. After riding the bus from Epcot back to AKL for an afternoon break, I felt yucky. I had no desire to get back on a bus to go anywhere for the rest of the day. If I had been staying in the Epcot resort area, I would have walked over to Epcot in the evening. Since I couldn't get anywhere without getting back on a bus or taking a cab, I stayed at the hotel.

 

[Best Aunt]

Does king pin still make appearances in the shop? My DD13 wants to know if he is there. If he still his there, what days does he come?

Who? I stayed at AKL Jambo House in March 2014 and March 2015 and never heard of him.

 

[DizDaD7]

I just changed our res from pop to AKL pool view bunk bed! Super excited to go back to AKL!!!!

Congrats....

 

[DizDaD7]

Just an FYI, The bus system at AKL/V is definitely one of the best in all of the resorts. CSR being the 1st/BEST!

The times to and from the parks are pretty reasonable too....The most was around 19 mins. or so to MK.
Epcot around 10 or 11 mins HS around 8 or 9 and AK maybe 5..

 

[Drusilla]

Who? I stayed at AKL Jambo House in March 2014 and March 2015 and never heard of him.

Dd13 posted the question about King Pin. King Pin was in the Zawadi Marketplace to trade pins some afternoons. Dd traded with him for some really nice pins in 2012 and is hoping to trade with him again in August.

 

[pmaurer74]

Hello,

We are staying at AKL for the first time in June. It is the last resort on my list that I have wanted to stay. We booked a last minute trip through the AP rate and the only thing available was Arusha view. I noticed the price was higher than savannah view. Can someone tell me the difference? What type of room should we request or are they all good?

 

[Best Aunt]

Dd13 posted the question about King Pin. King Pin was in the Zawadi Marketplace to trade pins some afternoons. Dd traded with him for some really nice pins in 2012 and is hoping to trade with him again in August.

Oh, got it. He wasn't on the activity schedule for my trips in 2014 or 2015, but maybe his appearances are unscheduled. Maybe somebody who will be going there can ask for you.

 

[sndral]

Hello,

We are staying at AKL for the first time in June. It is the last resort on my list that I have wanted to stay. We booked a last minute trip through the AP rate and the only thing available was Arusha view. I noticed the price was higher than savannah view. Can someone tell me the difference? What type of room should we request or are they all good?

Arusha is the middle savanna at Jambo house. If you want to be closer to eye level with the animals ask for a lower floor, for a more panoramic view ask for a higher floor - with a regular room you won't be higher than the 4th floor (DVC units are on the 5th and 6th floors.) Arusha view rooms will all have balconies.
There are 2 hallways partially encircling Arusha savanna. The one to the left as you face the savanna is Kudu trail. The one to the right is Zebra trail. Zebra trail is closest to the pool and the QS restaurant (the Mara) so if that matters to you ask for Zebra trail.
The reason it costs more is because back before they made it a separate booking category everyone asked for Arusha view so Disney decided they could charge more for it I guess. The other savannas (Uzima which is out by the pool and Sunset which is on the other side of the resort) also have 'people pens' which are fenced dirt enclosures for evacuation in case of fire which aren't exactly scenic (not dumpster ugly - just boring fenced dirt.)

 

[TinkerBellLiz]

Oh, got it. He wasn't on the activity schedule for my trips in 2014 or 2015, but maybe his appearances are unscheduled. Maybe somebody who will be going there can ask for you.

King Pin is in Zawadi Marketplace Monday- Friday starting at 3 pm. We are planning to visit Monday and I'll report back!

Liz

 

[sleepymouse]

Just an FYI, The bus system at AKL/V is definitely one of the best in all of the resorts. CSR being the 1st/BEST!

The times to and from the parks are pretty reasonable too....The most was around 19 mins. or so to MK.
Epcot around 10 or 11 mins HS around 8 or 9 and AK maybe 5..

I was literally just about to ask if AKL or CSR has better bus transportation. It sounds as if I will be fine with either one. Do both resorts have dedicated service to and from resorts?

We are thinking of doing a split stay at WL and AKL. I figure WL will be good for MK and Epcot while AKL seems close enough to AK and HS as well as Blizzard Beach if we decide to go there. Does this sound right? We are total newbies.

 

[Best Aunt]

I was literally just about to ask if AKL or CSR has better bus transportation. It sounds as if I will be fine with either one. Do both resorts have dedicated service to and from resorts?

We are thinking of doing a split stay at WL and AKL. I figure WL will be good for MK and Epcot while AKL seems close enough to AK and HS as well as Blizzard Beach if we decide to go there. Does this sound right? We are total newbies.

AKL has dedicated bus service, but there are two stops - Kidani Village and Jambo House. All buses except the Downtown Disney bus stop at Kidani Village first.

I've never stayed at CSR so I can't hep you with that.

 

[kimmar067]

We are seriously considering a December stay at AKL CL pending any free dining or bounceback offers as we leave May 9th. I have heard conflicting views about how AKL can feel isolated due to only bus service.
This would be our first deluxe and the CL seems reasonable overall for the dates we are seeking. For those that have stayed what are your thoughts ? It would just be DH and I likely first or second week in December.

go. for. it.

 

[kimmar067]

I wouldn't use the term "isolated." But I get motion sick very easily....Since I couldn't get anywhere without getting back on a bus or taking a cab, I stayed at the hotel.

.....which, in of itself, is not necessarily a bad thing....

 

[kimmar067]

Just an FYI, The bus system at AKL/V is definitely one of the best in all of the resorts. CSR being the 1st/BEST!..

..... Coronado Springs?? Really?

 

[Drusilla]

King Pin is in Zawadi Marketplace Monday- Friday starting at 3 pm. We are planning to visit Monday and I'll report back!

Liz

Thank you so much!!!

 

[DizDaD7]

I was literally just about to ask if AKL or CSR has better bus transportation. It sounds as if I will be fine with either one. Do both resorts have dedicated service to and from resorts?

We are thinking of doing a split stay at WL and AKL. I figure WL will be good for MK and Epcot while AKL seems close enough to AK and HS as well as Blizzard Beach if we decide to go there. Does this sous both are dedicated. CSR has 3 interior with the 1 main stop to = 4 total stops, then AKL/V has 2 stops. CSR was ridiculous though. I went during Jersey week in 2010 and not 1 time did I ever have to give my seat up to a kid, elderly or MoM. It was awesome. Also never had to wait for a 2nd bus either.

 

[DizDaD7]

..... Coronado Springs?? Really?

It absolutely is...It's not even close to be honest. Never a full bus, never wait for a 2nd bus. Never standing on the bus...They seemed to come every minute it seemed, and it was so close to everything..Even MK which was only like 13 minutes or so.

 

[kimmar067]

.....I guess I feel differently since we weren't in a good location at CSR when we stayed there....

 

[DizDaD7]

You were probably in Ranchos, But to me that is the most lush spot of the whole resort, & you're very close to the main pool, and noe there's food options over there as well. Along with it's own bus stop too.

We were in Casitas, which had the worse appeal ( in terms of decor ) but was very very close to everything... Except an 8 minute walk to the pool