Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE Information & Questions

[smhwalker2011]

what does everyone do at AKL when they're not at the parks? we plan on taking a day off to explore the resort/relax.

 

[rere101399]

For those who have their own vehicle and stay at AKL, do you prefer to drive to the parks or take the buses and why? We'll be driving down and am unsure which way we'd prefer. My boys are 2 and 4 so I can see some appeal in strapping them in their familiar car seats and turning a dvd on for the ride back to AKL after a long day at the parks. But it will come with the hassle of parking, etc. whereas with the bus you just arrive and walk in. Which to do?

 

[Best Aunt]

For those who have their own vehicle and stay at AKL, do you prefer to drive to the parks or take the buses and why? We'll be driving down and am unsure which way we'd prefer. My boys are 2 and 4 so I can see some appeal in strapping them in their familiar car seats and turning a dvd on for the ride back to AKL after a long day at the parks. But it will come with the hassle of parking, etc. whereas with the bus you just arrive and walk in. Which to do?

Well, I'm repeating myself, but my experience has been that by the time the bus gets to Jambo House, the seats may be have been filled by people who got on at Kidani Village. Are you ready to stand with the two kids and their stroller(s)? You might want to drive to Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. If you want to get to Magic Kingdom and you drive, you will park at the Transportation & Ticket Center and have to take the boat or monorail to get to the Magic Kingdom. So the bus might be easier for Magic Kingdom; on the other hand, it would feel like a long ride if you didn't get a seat.

 

[kimmar067]

Hi everybody! It's official, I made the change to AKL this morning and snagged FD with it. We're going Nov 14-20 and after a lot of back and forth about spending more than initially planned to stay at AKL, we made the decision and we're so excited!!

....nice!

 

[Cuppie]

Sounds like AKL was the real MVP during the Free Dining madness!
We missed out on the moderates and will be at AKL 9/26-10/3. This is our first trip to Disney World! So excited!

same thing happened to us!! All that was left was pirate.. booked that.
but after thinking and reading reviews and realizing that pirate only has doubles... we too moved up to AKL and I am super excited!!!

We will be there same dates as you9/26-10/3 maybe we will see you there..

I will be the one wearing that stupid ear to ear grin that won't go away... hahA

 

[dgbg100106]

same thing happened to us!! All that was left was pirate.. booked that.
but after thinking and reading reviews and realizing that pirate only has doubles... we too moved up to AKL and I am super excited!!!

We will be there same dates as you9/26-10/3 maybe we will see you there..

I will be the one wearing that stupid ear to ear grin that won't go away... hahA

September

Tiriggs1, 13th – 18th, Jambo House

Sailored, 15th – 22nd, AKL

wdwphan, 18th - 21st, AKL

dolphingirl47, 22nd – Oct 1st, DCL

punkin413, 26th – Oct 3rd, AKL

stitchfan75, 26th – Oct 3rd, AKL

cuppie, 26th – Oct 3rd, AKL



October

punkin413, Sep 26th – 3rd, AKL

stitchfan75, Sep 26th – 3rd, AKL

cuppie, 26th – Oct 3rd, AKL

beckykarstetter, Sep 30th – 3rd, AKL

dolphiongirl47, 1st – 5th, ASM

CatManDoo, 1st – 7th, Jambo House

I’mfarfaraway, 6th – 14th, Jambo House

dizneegirl71, 17th – 24th, Kidani

LJSquishy, 21st – 30th, AKL

RachelTori, 25th – 28th BC

PNO4TE, 25th – 30th, BLT

Wellesleyprincess, 28th – 31st, AKL

RachelTori, 28th – Nov 4th, CSR-Business Class

Nascargirl0829, 31st – Nov 6th, AKL

Sarahbelle341, 31st – Nov 7th, AKL

 

[MagentaMulan]

Hi! I just booked AKL for the first week of December! I will be celebrating my 23rd birthday! I've never stayed at this resort before so i have tons of questions!

 

[MagentaMulan]

Am i really "missing out" from all the cool animal viewing since i booked a standard view instead of a savanna view?

 

[dgbg100106]

Am i really "missing out" from all the cool animal viewing since i booked a standard view instead of a savanna view?

no - there are a number of viewing areas that will amaze you and a lot of fun things to do in and around the resort. You will be fine.

 

[smhwalker2011]

add us in! sept 5th to 11th!

 

[dgbg100106]

add us in! sept 5th to 11th!

September

Smhwalker2011, 5th – 11th, AKL

Tiriggs1, 13th – 18th, Jambo House

Sailored, 15th – 22nd, AKL

wdwphan, 18th - 21st, AKL

dolphingirl47, 22nd – Oct 1st, DCL

punkin413, 26th – Oct 3rd, AKL

stitchfan75, 26th – Oct 3rd, AKL

cuppie, 26th – Oct 3rd, AKL

 

[rere101399]

What is bell service like at AKL? Specifically for arrival and check-out. Are there typically lots of bellmen with carts waiting to help unload at arrival?

With two toddlers to wrangle I know I won't be any help to my husband unloading, and I tend to overpack so our minivan will be brimming. Probably a two bellmen kind of job. Is that quick and easy here or long waits for bellmen?

 

[Best Aunt]

What is bell service like at AKL? Specifically for arrival and check-out. Are they typically lots of bellmen with carts waiting to help unload at arrival?

With two toddlers to wrangle I know I won't be any help to my husband unloading, and I tend to overpack so our minivan will be brimming. Probably a two bellmen kind of job. Is that quick and easy here or long waits for bellmen?

I've stayed at Jambo House twice. In March 2015, a bellman came right up to the towncar and unloaded the bags. In March 2014 the area in front of the hotel was crazy. No bellmen around, nowhere to park, an employee yelled at my towncar driver for stopping in front of the hotel... I say "employee" rather than "cast member" because I believe some of that work is outsourced.

For check out, you're waiting in your room so it's not a zoo. But we had to wait a good 20 minutes for a bellman to come to the room when we wanted to leave last month.

 

[rere101399]

Thanks @Best Aunt that's not my case scenario, but at least we'll be prepared in case it's chaotic like that for us.

 

[DisCatGirl]

I will be there with a party of 18 (in 6 rooms CL) from July 4 - July 11. Can't wait!

 

[ah10is]

3 more days until we are at AKL!!!! Can hardly wait!!!

 

[pjhootch]

Hi all,

I just snagged a reservation for breakfast at BOG at 8:00 a.m., next Wednesday, when the MK opens at 9:00 a.m. Has anyone here done that early morning trip from AKL recently? Will the buses be running from AKL early enough to get us to the main gate in time to enter the park for our 8:00 a.m. reservation? Or should we plan to do the drive to TTC and ferry or monorail over?

 

[DisCatGirl]

3 more days until we are at AKL!!!! Can hardly wait!!!

Post pics! Counting down till July and would love to see pics and reviews.

 

[lelesansan]

We will be there same dates as you9/26-10/3 maybe we will see you there..

I will be the one wearing that stupid ear to ear grin that won't go away... hahA

We will be there 9/27-10/2 with that same grin

 

[Cuppie]

ha ha Hubby says i am wearing already when i am talking about it, thinking about it, reading about it, or looking at MDE....

I told him he is just jealous cause he isnt coming..LOL