Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE Information & Questions

[pix13dust]

Just got back, we stayed in room 4241. We didn't hear or see any refurb going on. And nothing going on near the club level either. Perfectly beautiful stay!

 

[marinejjh]

We have an AKL stay April 24th-30th. Booked a Pool view , We booked through Chase ultimate Rewards points so not too sure what we are getting. If I call Disney can they confirm what type of room besides Pool view this is? ie 2x queen or is that something we can request in advance?

Check In: Apr 24 after 3:00 PM
Check Out: Apr 30 before 11:00 AM
Guests: 2 Adults, 2 Children
Room Type: Pool View
Location: Disney's Animal Kingdom® Resort Area
LCS Room Only

You could get a room with bunk beds and a queen bed, but they have rooms with 2 queen beds also.

 

[zetachi]

You could get a room with bunk beds and a queen bed, but they have rooms with 2 queen beds also.

thanks

either would work although the kids might like the bunks

 

[marinejjh]

They have the bunk rooms, but the only way to guarantee you get them is to pay for that type of room. Otherwise it's just the luck of the draw. There really aren't that many rooms with the bunks.

 

[TeeterTots]

I was just there Jan 8-11. I didn't book through Disney and it was club level. I learned that we had a bunk bed room booked, room 4312, which I gave up bc I knew we wouldn't need it and others request it. The CM was nice enough to check that I wasn't charged for this room. I wasn't but I thought it was very kind of her.

 

[OhThePain]

Ok so I decided to rent a DVC room at Jambo House today. I am not telling my wife or our 2 kids until the day before we fly out (will probably kill me keeping the secret). Please tell me some things to expect and can someone please tell me the estimated times to the parks since I have read that this is the farthest resort. TIA

The people who say that AKL is too far from everything are either people looking for an excuse not to stay there or a reason not to LOVE the resort. The reality is that with the exception of MK, AKL has faster travel times to the rest of the property than the monorail resorts. People complain about a 20 minute bus ride from AKL to MK, but you hardly ever hear people complain it can take 45 mins to get from GF to EC via Monorail.

Make sure you plan at least 1 day where you enjoy the pool and resort. The pool and pool area are nice and relaxing, there are quite a few spots to watch out over the savannahs and they also have a few cultural activities planned throughout the day. We actually have 2 resort days planned for our upcoming trip (8-nights) and will head to a park or Disney Springs at night for dinner.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The people who say that AKL is too far from everything are either people looking for an excuse not to stay there or a reason not to LOVE the resort.

Amen!

 

[cjhudson]

The people who say that AKL is too far from everything are either people looking for an excuse not to stay there or a reason not to LOVE the resort. The reality is that with the exception of MK, AKL has faster travel times to the rest of the property than the monorail resorts. People complain about a 20 minute bus ride from AKL to MK, but you hardly ever hear people complain it can take 45 mins to get from GF to EC via Monorail.

Make sure you plan at least 1 day where you enjoy the pool and resort. The pool and pool area are nice and relaxing, there are quite a few spots to watch out over the savannahs and they also have a few cultural activities planned throughout the day. We actually have 2 resort days planned for our upcoming trip (8-nights) and will head to a park or Disney Springs at night for dinner.

Thank you so much!! That was my biggest worry. I am doing all our dining reservations and fast passes in the afternoon/evening so my girls can decide what to do in the mornings and lunch time. If I had to guess they will want to sleep in then go swim

 

[OhThePain]

Thank you so much!! That was my biggest worry. I am doing all our dining reservations and fast passes in the afternoon/evening so my girls can decide what to do in the mornings and lunch time. If I had to guess they will want to sleep in then go swim

Maybe the girls would be interested in the "Dine with Animal Specialists" at Sanna. It'll give you a chance to check out one of the best restaurants on property (IMO) for lunch, plus you get to sit and chat with a CM who works with the animals at the resort. While we haven't done the Dine with Animal Specialists before, we have done the Dine with an Imagineer at HBD and have done the Wanyama Safari. These are enjoyable experiences that you, your wife and/or your daughters may enjoy.

 

[dwheaton]

The people who say that AKL is too far from everything are either people looking for an excuse not to stay there or a reason not to LOVE the resort. The reality is that with the exception of MK, AKL has faster travel times to the rest of the property than the monorail resorts. People complain about a 20 minute bus ride from AKL to MK, but you hardly ever hear people complain it can take 45 mins to get from GF to EC via Monorail.

The only time the length bothered me was on a night after the fireworks. My wife was holding our sleeping daughter (thankfully, a nice guy gave her a seat), I was balancing a folded stroller, and my six-year-old was holding a bag. It was just a bit much. In hindsight, we probably should have waited for the next bus.

With that said, I liked the feel that you were apart from the chaos. The extra ride was still easier than driving and taking the tram and ferry at the MK.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Maybe the girls would be interested in the "Dine with Animal Specialists" at Sanna. It'll give you a chance to check out one of the best restaurants on property (IMO) for lunch, plus you get to sit and chat with a CM who works with the animals at the resort. While we haven't done the Dine with Animal Specialists before, we have done the Dine with an Imagineer at HBD and have done the Wanyama Safari. These are enjoyable experiences that you, your wife and/or your daughters may enjoy.

We love the Dine With an Animal Specialist meal, and are doing it again this trip. IMO it is a great experience and a great value at $49 for a full course meal at Sanna and the keeper interaction.

 

[schwaa]

The people who say that AKL is too far from everything are either people looking for an excuse not to stay there or a reason not to LOVE the resort. The reality is that with the exception of MK, AKL has faster travel times to the rest of the property than the monorail resorts. People complain about a 20 minute bus ride from AKL to MK, but you hardly ever hear people complain it can take 45 mins to get from GF to EC via Monorail.

Just to add to this: it takes FOREVER to get back to the GF or POLY at the end of the night from the MK, which you can see from the resort!!!!! Seriously. 45 minutes average. I was just there in December and every time we left the MK at night, I was thinking (I wish we were heading to a bus right now). The monorail is a joke. Everyone uses the Resort monorail to get to the parking lot. You should need your magic bands to get into line for the resort monorail. The other option: you get in line for a boat to the GF, and you have to wait for the third one because the dingy holds 7 people! (Ok that's an exaggeration).

Sorry I went on a rant.

 

[OhThePain]

The only time the length bothered me was on a night after the fireworks. My wife was holding our sleeping daughter (thankfully, a nice guy gave her a seat), I was balancing a folded stroller, and my six-year-old was holding a bag. It was just a bit much. In hindsight, we probably should have waited for the next bus.

With that said, I liked the feel that you were apart from the chaos. The extra ride was still easier than driving and taking the tram and ferry at the MK.

I think you would get that staying at just about any resort on property. The buses after Wishes, IllumiNations, F!, etc. are always packed. Was the extra 5 minutes to get to AKL (opposed to, say, CBR) that noticeable? I know that sounds sarcastic, but I am asking in all seriousness. My wife and I usually never sit on the bus at the end of the day. She's 29 and I am 32 and we don't have kids. We're pretty much the least deserving of a seat on the bus lol (if all the women with sleeping kids, "older folks", and anyone else that the average person yields a seat to has a seat, I am more than happy to give my seat to the forgotten hero, the father who has probably spent all day dealing with carrying everything, pushing the stroller, dealing with tantrums and, yes, the occasional nagging wife).

 

[cjhudson]

We love the Dine With an Animal Specialist meal, and are doing it again this trip. IMO it is a great experience and a great value at $49 for a full course meal at Sanna and the keeper interaction.

Can I book this online through My Disney Experience? I think we would all love this.

 

[sndral]

Can I book this online through My Disney Experience? I think we would all love this.

Not sure - when we did it 2 years ago I called.
We had 2 animal specialists, the main one and another in training who worked with the giraffes. Both were very interesting - very easy going chat and you learn a lot about the animals at AKL and usually some info about the animals over in AK too. The food selection for Sanaa was fun as well, I'm not sure so check but the minimum age may be 8?

 

[cjhudson]

Not sure - when we did it 2 years ago I called.
We had 2 animal specialists, the main one and another in training who worked with the giraffes. Both were very interesting - very easy going chat and you learn a lot about the animals at AKL and usually some info about the animals over in AK too. The food selection for Sanaa was fun as well, I'm not sure so check but the minimum age may be 8?

Yes I just looked and got the number. We go in May so I hope there are spots available when I call. You are correct, it says 8 and up. Our youngest is 8 now and will be 9 when we go so we are all clear there. Thanks for the info!

 

[dwheaton]

I think you would get that staying at just about any resort on property. The buses after Wishes, IllumiNations, F!, etc. are always packed. Was the extra 5 minutes to get to AKL (opposed to, say, CBR) that noticeable? I know that sounds sarcastic, but I am asking in all seriousness. My wife and I usually never sit on the bus at the end of the day. She's 29 and I am 32 and we don't have kids. We're pretty much the least deserving of a seat on the bus lol (if all the women with sleeping kids, "older folks", and anyone else that the average person yields a seat to has a seat, I am more than happy to give my seat to the forgotten hero, the father who has probably spent all day dealing with carrying everything, pushing the stroller, dealing with tantrums and, yes, the occasional nagging wife).

Your point is right. I just noticed the length that night. Don't get me wrong; it would never keep me from staying there again. It's still a great choice, especially given the price difference between the AKL and the Poly or Contemporary.

 

[schwaa]

Your point is right. I just noticed the length that night. Don't get me wrong; it would never keep me from staying there again. It's still a great choice, especially given the price difference between the AKL and the Poly or Contemporary.

I was actually quite surprised when comparing resorts for my August trip that a standard room at the Poly is cheaper than a Savanna view room at AKL.

 

[Ruth B]

We love the Dine With an Animal Specialist meal, and are doing it again this trip. IMO it is a great experience and a great value at $49 for a full course meal at Sanna and the keeper interaction.

Sounds great! Thanks for the info

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Can I book this online through My Disney Experience? I think we would all love this.

You have to call.