Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE Information & Questions

[DizDaD7]

I just booked a surprise trip at AKL for my family! We're staying 9/11 - 9/13. It'll be our first time staying on Disney property. DH and I will have just had our 9year anniversary, plus his birthday is on the 12th so I figured I'd use this as an excuse to celebrate; keeping this a secret from him and my boys is sooooooo hard!

I've read through this thread and have a question I haven't seen asked yet. Our check out is on a Sunday. Will we still be able to use the pools for the rest of the day after we check out? We are not CL, just a cash reservation. Thanks!!

Absolutely you will. In fact we always try and get a late flight out so then we can have a nice relaxing day at the resort. We usually check our bags 1st thing in the morning. Everyone has bathing suits on & a spare set of clothes for the plane ride. You can utilize the changing rooms/ showers to freshen up to.... If using DME, you usually have to be ready to be picked up around 3 hours prior to your flight.

 

[DizDaD7]

I just booked a surprise trip at AKL for my family! We're staying 9/11 - 9/13. It'll be our first time staying on Disney property. DH and I will have just had our 9year anniversary, plus his birthday is on the 12th so I figured I'd use this as an excuse to celebrate; keeping this a secret from him and my boys is sooooooo hard!

I've read through this thread and have a question I haven't seen asked yet. Our check out is on a Sunday. Will we still be able to use the pools for the rest of the day after we check out? We are not CL, just a cash reservation. Thanks!!

Oh I almost forgot.. to the Disboards too...

 

[dizzycrazy]

I also booked a couple of Arusha view rooms for our upcoming trip (in two weeks!). I called and talked to a CM to price out CL options. It was minimal ($40/week) since we were already paying for the premium view. It may be worth checking out.

I have read so much about CL, soooo want to try this out now! I'm going to call as well! Why not, at least what it is, right?!?!

 

[Suruat68]

Oh I almost forgot.. to the Disboards too...

That's great to know, thank you! And thanks for the welcome too

 

[carissa1970]

I hope no one minds me posting this photo, but I'm sure this group will appreciate it. Look what we caught the zebras doing in a mud puddle after a rainstorm...(major zoom from our balcony)

 

[dizzycrazy]

I hope no one minds me posting this photo, but I'm sure this group will appreciate it. Look what we caught the zebras doing in a mud puddle after a rainstorm...(major zoom from our balcony)
View attachment 109221

Love it!!!! Hope we see some of their silly antics when we r there!

 

[DVC-Jen]

Awesome post! Very informative and I love the savannah pictures.

 

[DaisyMom09]

Just booked our September trip at AKL! This will be our 5th time staying here we absolutely love it! We booked a Standard view and requested the people pen view, I hope it works out. For those wondering, here are photos from our standard view/people pen view from the balcony. It was terrific, I hope we get lucky again!


View attachment 108767View attachment 108768View attachment 108769

Just out of curiosity, what is the "people pen"? I'm going to AKL for the first time in September and was only able to get a standard view room. So I've been in search of some options for decent views. Lovely photos!

 

[DizDaD7]

Just out of curiosity, what is the "people pen"? I'm going to AKL for the first time in September and was only able to get a standard view room. So I've been in search of some options for decent views. Lovely photos!

It's the area on the savananna where the workers can enter from to feed the animals & stuff.. Some of the Savannah rooms, were reclassified to Standard rooms, so it's very possible you can get one of thses which has partial animal views for a cheaper price..

 

[psac]

Just out of curiosity, what is the "people pen"? I'm going to AKL for the first time in September and was only able to get a standard view room. So I've been in search of some options for decent views. Lovely photos!

You can see the fenced area in Nicole786's pics on the previous page. In addition to the feeding like Diz said, another major purpose is for human evacuations in the event of a building fire or something. It keeps the people in the pen, while keeping the animals out!

 

[sndral]

Just out of curiosity, what is the "people pen"? I'm going to AKL for the first time in September and was only able to get a standard view room. So I've been in search of some options for decent views. Lovely photos!

It's the area on the savananna where the workers can enter from to feed the animals & stuff.. Some of the Savannah rooms, were reclassified to Standard rooms, so it's very possible you can get one of thses which has partial animal views for a cheaper price..

What I was told on one of my Wanyama safaris was that the people pens were added on to satisfy evacuation requirements should there be a fire - they are where people are to evacuate to and remain 'safe' from the animals. Personally should the building catch fire I'd rather take my chances among the wild animals on the savanna rather than that small fenced enclosure right next to the building.
The animals are fed in the barns and browse is delivered to various feeding stations in the Savannas via trucks, the people pens usually just sit empty IME.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

We made it! Unfortunately they weren't able to get us a king room but oh well. Room wasn't ready at noon so we went to AK to kill some time. Got the text halfway through the safari and we are headed back now.

 

[sleepymouse]

What are the current pool hours at Jambo and Kidani? TIA

 

[fadingjamie]

Hi everyone! We're renting DVC points for the first two nights of our trip this August. This thread is just getting me more and more excited!

I'm sure this has been asked, but I've poked around to different websites and I haven't seen the answer. Is there a fence around this pool that you need your magic band in order to enter?

 

[DizDaD7]

Hi everyone! We're renting DVC points for the first two nights of our trip this August. This thread is just getting me more and more excited!

I'm sure this has been asked, but I've poked around to different websites and I haven't seen the answer. Is there a fence around this pool that you need your magic band in order to enter?

At Kidani there is a gate...But at Jambo it's open to roam n stuff

 

[fadingjamie]

Thank you!

 

[Mama Lo]

If you are staying in Jambo as a regular guest are you allowed to use the pool at Kidani?

 

[Jrabbit910]

Can anyone tell me what kind of coffee pots are used in Kidani? I want to make sure I buy the right one's to use
TIA!

 

[sleepymouse]

If you are staying in Jambo as a regular guest are you allowed to use the pool at Kidani?

Yes, you can. Here is the description of the pools from Disney's site:

"Escape to an 11,000-square-foot pool with an exciting waterslide and gently sloping, zero-depth entry point similar to that of a natural watering hole. Surrounded by large canopy trees and Floridian palms, Uzima Pool includes a children’s wading pool and 2 whirlpool spas.

You can also cool off at Samawati Springs Pool, which offers a thrilling waterslide, 2 whirlpool spas and Uwanja Camp—an animal observation site-themed water playground with squirting Venus flytraps, a rope bridge, water cannons and more. Samawati Springs Pool is located just a short walk away at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village."

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

What are the current pool hours at Jambo and Kidani? TIA

Yesterday at jambo the pool closed at 11.