Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE Information & Questions

[wellesleyprincess]

I should probably ask this on the DVC board, but I'm hoping someone here may know. I read that there are DVD players in the villas and that DVD rentals are available. If we're staying on rented points, are we allowed to borrow/rent DVDs?

Also two question about fitness clubs (I'll be training for a marathon during our visit):
1) If we are in the villas, is the workout/fitness club included or is it an extra fee?
2) If you are staying at Jambo can you use the Kidani gym? (I've heard it's slightly better than the Jambo one)

 

[John's Mom]

Hola! Our first stay at AKL is this Christmas, we were originally at WL but changed due to construction. I had planned to rent bikes on our off day since it will probably be too cold for the pool, and I heard that AKL has bike rentals as well. Has anyone ever rented bikes there? Do the bike paths overlook or pass any of the animal areas? TIA!

Sorry to inform you, but AKL does not have bike rentals.

 

[Cando86]

Hoping someone can help me out. I'm pretty sure this has been asked throughout the thread but I can't seem to find it.

We have rented DVC Club Level points for the first night of our trip. I'm able to do online check-in - should I make room requests? I think I read on here that no matter what we will be on the 6th floor as these are all DVC Club Level rooms. My options are:
Upper Floor
Arusha Savannah View
Kudu Trail View
Near Lobby
Near Elevator
Lower Floor

Upper floor and lower floor don't matter I don't think since I think we will be on the 6th floor anyway.

What would you do and why?

Thanks !

 

[DaisyMom09]

I just felt the need to post about how much I love this resort. Just got back from an amazing five night stay. This was our second stay in a standard view room, and both times we had savanna views. Technically, they may be listed as standard views, but the views are truly amazing. And this time we were right off the lobby! What convenience! I adore driving up to the resort. I adore the smell when I walk into the lobby. I am seriously considering forking out hundreds of dollars for that machine that makes my house smell like AKL. I adore the music. I adore the food. I adore the animals. As much as I love visiting all the Disney resorts and as much as I have loved all the Disney resorts where I have stayed, there is just something special about AKL. We used the Kidani pool area this time and it was perfect. It rained on our pool day for the first couple of hours, but that probably made the experience even better. Playing in the kids area and sliding down the slide in the rain was so much fun. And due to the weather, there were only a few guests. Practically had it to ourselves for a while. We ate at Boma and Sanaa and both lived up to our high expectations. Sanaa is probably one of our favorite restaurants now. What fun to eat while watching the gray crowned crane preen right by our window! And the bread service.... MMMMMmmmmm. I want to go back. Right now.

Do you by any chance remember your room number? We are going in September and I'm looking for some specific rooms or areas to request.

Thanks for posting! You've upped my excitement, which I didn't think was possible. We've never been to AKL and I can't wait to stay and eat here!

 

[Sarahbelle341]

OK I have a question about standard rooms and what we can request. I booked a standard room and want bunk beds if at all possible. It would be nice to see some animals and be near the food court or parking lot but not critical. What are the options at online check in?

 

[britterbell]

Even though I love the GF, AKL is my absolute favorite resort on property! It is like a second home to me... I cry when I get there and I cry when I leave! (Much like the rest of WDW)

 

[DizDaD7]

Even though I love the GF, AKL is my absolute favorite resort on property! It is like a second home to me... I cry when I get there and I cry when I leave! (Much like the rest of WDW)

LoL true true.....I doubt you're the only one with those feelings.

 

[sleepymouse]

Does anyone know where the rooms with the bunks are at? Not sure if they are in a certain area? We booked a pool view bunk room and didn't know what was a good place to request.

Here is a link to Touring Plans' room finder. You can choose your specific room type from drop-down menu and it will highlight building sections with that type of room. Then click on building and you can see which rooms have that configuration. Can then click on specific room for view.

http://touringplans.com/hotel_maps/..._distance]=any&filters[ug]=&filters[view]=240

 

[britterbell]

LoL true true.....I doubt you're the only one with those feelings.

Glad to know I'm not alone!

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Do you by any chance remember your room number? We are going in September and I'm looking for some specific rooms or areas to request.

Thanks for posting! You've upped my excitement, which I didn't think was possible. We've never been to AKL and I can't wait to stay and eat here!

I hope you love the resort as much as I do.

I think the room was 3108. Something like that. We just requested "Close to lobby." In our experience at Disney, we get better rooms when we make general requests than when we make specific requests like particular rooms. When I have made specific room number requests, I have never gotten them. But when I request "close to lobby" or "close to bus" we have always gotten great locations.

 

[deannaf87]

Anyone have a recent screen shot of online checkin options?

 

[Eeyore's My Favorite]

Heading to AKL to spend one night celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. Can't wait..... Booked Savanna view - have stayed on the sunset savanna 2x & another one I can't remember the other one. Love AKL!!

 

[Cando86]

@deannaf87 here are my options for online check-in right now

View attachment 112924

 

[deannaf87]

@deannaf87 here are my options for online check-in right now

View attachment 112924

Thank you!! What room type are you booked under?

P.s. That shows your address, might want to edit.

 

[Cando86]

Thank you!! What room type are you booked under?

P.s. That shows your address, might want to edit.

Eek thank you! Just edited it. We're booked as a Club Level AKL room rented under DVC points - I don't know if that affects the options?

 

[ariane37]

I'm really excited for our first stay at AKV! DH and I are taking our 2nd trip w/o the kids in January and are doing a split stay on rented points. We'll be in a standard view studio at Jambo 1/15-1/18 before switching to the Poly for 2 nights. Love Boma and Sanaa and plan to try Jiko this time. Can't wait!

 

[deannaf87]

Eek thank you! Just edited it. We're booked as a Club Level AKL room rented under DVC points - I don't know if that affects the options?

Probably , I'm booked for Savanna view with bunk beds. Wondering if it will give me the option to pick sunset or uzima savanna. I guess if there's a Kudu trail option, that would essentially be a sunset savanna view.

What are peoples opinions on floor level, should I request lower or higher?

 

[marinejjh]

OK I have a question about standard rooms and what we can request. I booked a standard room and want bunk beds if at all possible. It would be nice to see some animals and be near the food court or parking lot but not critical. What are the options at online check in?

If you want a bunk bed room you will have to book the room with a queen and bunk bed. It would be a pool view bunk bed or savanna view bunk. Otherwise you will get a room with 2 queen beds. It cost more than a standard room, like $75 more a night.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Can you see animals from the pool or hot tubs?

 

[gottalovepluto]

Also, I'm wondering if you can grab a drink or glass of wine from somewhere in the hotel (maybe Victoria Falls?) to take with you to see animals from the hotel viewing areas? We're staying AKL in a standard view room so I'm trying to figure out the alternative ways to see the animals while relaxing on our trip since we won't be seeing them from out room. Although even with a standard room I'm one excited person, Animal Kingdom Lodge here we come!!