Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE Information & Questions

[TheFloatingBear]

We were just there in February and I think the campfire then was at 5pm and the movie at the pool was at 7pm. I don't know if those times are for all year round or not. We did Boma at like 530 which was nice since it was before the bigger crowd set in. We loved Boma. my kids prioritized the movie so we did early to go to that.

Forgot about the movie - that's always fun! We definitely want to go to the campfire - thanks for the info!

 

[lovetotraveltx]

We own at and have stayed at AKL many times. Didn't know about the Smores or the movies! Where are they located, how do you find out the times. And, do they provide the ingredients for Smores or do you need your own? Thank you!

 

[MyGoofy26]

I'm really glad to hear that a cast member was there to call for extra busses. We had our first trip to AKL last year and a 40 minute wait for a bus was not uncommon. By the time the bus would arrive there were many angry passengers. The only bus that was consistently available was the bus to AK. There was usually a cast member at the bus area but they never called for extra busses. Perhaps Disney has heard enough complaints and decided to try and fix the problem. ?? Whatever the reason is, I'm thrilled to hear this news!

I think our longest wait was 20 minutes and honestly that was just once the entire week. Many times we were on a bus within 5 to 10 minutes with 15 minutes being out typical "long wait" for a bus.

But yes, they did have someone on a tablet watching the lines around park open. And they weren't waiting for huge, huge lines before they called, either. I'd say when numbers reached about half to two-thirds of the actual seats on the bus they were calling for a spare bus to swing by. Thinking back now I don't believe we had to stand at all going TO a park and honestly I think we only stood coming back once. Granted, crowds were lighter than they'll be in a few weeks but everything was very efficient during a time we were supposed to be experiencing cuts.

 

[tcherjen]

My MIL is staying with us. My SIL is following us down with her. Will my SIL be able to park at the resort with my MIL in the car? This is on check in day.
SIL will visit with us for a few hours, then drive home. How does this work? I know POR didn't have a problem with my cousin visiting us, just didn't know about other resorts.

 

[pktbMouse]

I was wondering if the standard rooms at AKL are worth it...kids want to try it out but we can only afford the standard parking lots rooms. We are usually die hard CBR fans so this is something new to me..not sure about it..would you still go if you could only afford the standard rooms? thanks.

 

[tcherjen]

I was wondering if the standard rooms at AKL are worth it...kids want to try it out but we can only afford the standard parking lots rooms. We are usually die hard CBR fans so this is something new to me..not sure about it..would you still go if you could only afford the standard rooms? thanks.

I will let you know after next week! That is what we are booked in.

 

[pktbMouse]

I will let you know after next week! That is what we are booked in.

Awesome!! thank you so much! I look forward to your report and have a wonderful vacation!

 

[imthemamahere]

I was wondering if the standard rooms at AKL are worth it...kids want to try it out but we can only afford the standard parking lots rooms. We are usually die hard CBR fans so this is something new to me..not sure about it..would you still go if you could only afford the standard rooms? thanks.

I'll admit, some of the WOW factor of the resort is having the view right from your room. My son LOVES the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and is always bummed when we travel somewhere else and don't have zebras and antelopes outside our hotel windows...

But there are places around the resort where you'll find a view of the animals on the savanna - including a few strategically-placed windows/balconies that are public access for anyone to enjoy. There's also the "rock" in the middle of the Arusha savanna, which can be accessed from the back of the lobby - there's a lot of prime animal-watching there, with several different animals surrounding the overlook... Plus there's a savanna viewing area behind the swimming pool. One evening during our last trip (2014), one of the giraffes came so close to the fence there, her head/neck were visible as we swam in the pool itself.

The night vision goggles are one of those things we keep meaning to do and never quite get around to - but that's another way to make sure you see the animals, even in the dark, before you head to bed at night.

The pool itself is awesome, zero entry, terrific slide... my son loves going for a dip in the evenings before heading to the room and bed. The lobby is gorgeous, and has lots of comfy seating, so you can chill there and relax and soak in the atmosphere when you have a spare moment.

Whether that is worth it to *you,* I can't say. It's all down to how much time you intend to spend around the resort and how you like to do your vacations. If the room is just a place to crash out each night, then the atmosphere doesn't matter much, right? So you might not get much out of the resort, in that case. We love AKL and have a hard time thinking of going to Disney World and NOT staying there. But, YMMV.

 

[pktbMouse]

I have another question..sorry! I noticed that the standard room may or may not be a "King Bed and a day bed" ...does the daybed fit two people or one? I notice it says the room fits 4 people but Im looking at that daybed and it looks small...do Disney expect you to fit 2 adults on it or one? Thanks ( there are 4 of us )

 

[MyGoofy26]

I was wondering if the standard rooms at AKL are worth it...kids want to try it out but we can only afford the standard parking lots rooms. We are usually die hard CBR fans so this is something new to me..not sure about it..would you still go if you could only afford the standard rooms? thanks.

I have another question..sorry! I noticed that the standard room may or may not be a "King Bed and a day bed" ...does the daybed fit two people or one? I notice it says the room fits 4 people but Im looking at that daybed and it looks small...do Disney expect you to fit 2 adults on it or one? Thanks ( there are 4 of us )

This is what a "Standard" view got us. Not too shabby. And we had two double beds. You do run the risk of a parking lot view but some "standard" rooms still have a view. We had a people pen off to our right but what you see below was directly in front of us.

​

 

[kimmar067]

I have another question..sorry! I noticed that the standard room may or may not be a "King Bed and a day bed" ...does the daybed fit two people or one? I notice it says the room fits 4 people but Im looking at that daybed and it looks small...do Disney expect you to fit 2 adults on it or one? Thanks ( there are 4 of us )

...the daybed does not seem large enough to accomodate 2 people...

 

[sndral]

We own at and have stayed at AKL many times. Didn't know about the Smores or the movies! Where are they located, how do you find out the times. And, do they provide the ingredients for Smores or do you need your own? Thank you!

Since no one has answered - I'll hazard a guess. I assume the marshmallow roasting is down by the fire pit where the lovely rocking chairs are at Arusha rock. Our experience at YC/BC was that they supplied the marshmallows and roasting sticks, but you had to supply your own chocolate and graham crackers if you wanted S'mores, so I'd guess AKL is the same. Hopefully someone who has participated at AKL will happen along and give you up to date info..
Don't know about the movies.

 

[TeeterTots]

Since no one has answered - I'll hazard a guess. I assume the marshmallow roasting is down by the fire pit where the lovely rocking chairs are at Arusha rock. Our experience at YC/BC was that they supplied the marshmallows and roasting sticks, but you had to supply your own chocolate and graham crackers if you wanted S'mores, so I'd guess AKL is the same. Hopefully someone who has participated at AKL will happen along and give you up to date info..
Don't know about the movies.

Yes that's correct. At Jambo the movies are by the pool near the flamingos. As for kidani I'm assuming by the pool as well. The fire pit is behind the mani pool bar (I think)

 

[MissKIA]

I have booked a pool view room, and I am wondering if you have to go all the way to the lobby and then out that way or is there access to the pool area from where those rooms are, around the Mara. (I hope that make sense). It's hard to tell from the maps if there are entrance and exists to the pool area from anywhere other than the lobby.

 

[KristiK]

This is what a "Standard" view got us. Not too shabby. And we had two double beds. You do run the risk of a parking lot view but some "standard" rooms still have a view. We had a people pen off to our right but what you see below was directly in front of us.

View attachment 155463 View attachment 155464​

What was your room number? Was it close to the lobby?

 

[TeeterTots]

I have booked a pool view room, and I am wondering if you have to go all the way to the lobby and then out that way or is there access to the pool area from where those rooms are, around the Mara. (I hope that make sense). It's hard to tell from the maps if there are entrance and exists to the pool area from anywhere other than the lobby.

I don't think you do? Depending on which side you're on there is an exit over by simbas clubhouse and the arcade. I'm not certain on the other side though.

 

[DSNY4ever]

I have another question..sorry! I noticed that the standard room may or may not be a "King Bed and a day bed" ...does the daybed fit two people or one? I notice it says the room fits 4 people but Im looking at that daybed and it looks small...do Disney expect you to fit 2 adults on it or one? Thanks ( there are 4 of us )

We put our two year old on it last time, and this time our kids will share (4 and 2) but I would not put 2 adults on there.

 

[DSNY4ever]

I have booked a pool view room, and I am wondering if you have to go all the way to the lobby and then out that way or is there access to the pool area from where those rooms are, around the Mara. (I hope that make sense). It's hard to tell from the maps if there are entrance and exists to the pool area from anywhere other than the lobby.

Yes, we had a pool view last time and right next to the elevator was a direct exit out to the pool area.

 

[MyGoofy26]

What was your room number? Was it close to the lobby?

It was room 2552 and it was a little bit of a hike to the lobby but nothing too drastic. Maybe a 2-3 minute walk?

 

[MissKIA]

Yes, we had a pool view last time and right next to the elevator was a direct exit out to the pool area.

That's great, thank you! It would kind of suck to have a pool view and then have a long trek to actually get there!