Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE Information & Questions

[SetSail16]

WOW! That's exactly what we're looking for! We keep joking that we're lucky our daughter isn't too into princesses and girly stuff - we're using the money we would have spent on meals with the princesses and BBB for animals!

Ha! It's definitely not cheap, but if you're looking at areas to potentially splurge, it's definitely worth considering. Have a great trip!

 

[ELSA711]

We just upgraded from CBR preferred to AKL standard for our anniversary
View of parking lot or not, I have a feeling I won't regret it!!

 

[DizDaD7]

Thank You!! How long is the walk between the main lodge and Kidani Village?

About 8 mins or so.....We utilized both pools when we stayed there on both trips...Each has it's own pluses & minuses.

You can hop on the Disney Springs bus. It stops At Jambo 1st then picks up at Kidani. At this point you can get off & head to the pool. Saving you some time..Also when returning --> Back to Jambo, you do NOT want to take a DS bus this time. (that will go right to DS now) What you can do is catch the 1st park bus...Any of them will go to jambo to pick up guests. at that point you can ride it there & then get off.

 

[tcherjen]

I am heading there in 2 days!! I know we won't regret it either. So excited and we have the same view as you.
Have a happy anniversary.

 

[tcherjen]

Hmm. Good to know. I just wanted standard, close to lobby and transportation

That is what I picked too. If we get something better than that then yeah!!! If I get what I requested then I am happy too.

 

[tcherjen]

I just returned from staying at AKL March 7. We had a standard view room, #4205. On my online check in I requested upper floor and close to the lobby. Our room was on the fourth floor and once outside our door we overlooked the lobby. Our standard view overlooked the roof of the lower floors but we could still see the Savannah. We saw many giraffes, ostriches and other animals.

That sounds like an awesome room!!! That is exactly my request. Hoping for the same.

 

[TeeterTots]

Thank You!! How long is the walk between the main lodge and Kidani Village?

Less than 10 minutes. Sorry repeat answer

 

[ciera321]

Any pictures of actual refurbished villa rooms in Jambo House? We are staying in a value studio in May, and would love to see what they look like from someon who has stayed in one.

 

[Axe]

Hello all!

Just booked a Savannah view - Club level for June and cant wait! I'm a bit new to the WDW side of the DIS as we spend most of our time sailing the high seas with Mickey, but we wanted to try something different this year.

With that said, does anyone know where I might find a nice room layout listing the concierge rooms so that I can start to get an understanding of what my options are?

Also, anything else anyone thinks should be added as a request for our stay?

TIA!

 

[KateP85]

My parents are staying in a Savannah view room at the end of this month for a few nights with DS3. I know AKL has a nice pool but from what I remember from my stay here (in 2013, so a while back) there is no splash pad area, is that right? I also seem to remember Kidani had something like that, so is it OK for AKL guests to use the pool over at Kidani or not?

 

[berryinDC]

We are in the same boat - currently booked a preferred room at CBR but can upgrade to Standard at AKL for less than 100.00 more. Worried that going from a nicely located room to a standard room at AKL might not be worth it.... AKL looks amazing but I am not sure just how much we would be there to enjoy it and if the view from our room is a parking lot... and removed from everything...... AHHHHH the decisions!

We booked a standard room on our last trip, were totally prepared for a parking lot view, and ended up with a partial savannah view which was awesome. However, we peeked into a standard view across the hall, and I thought it was perfectly nice. There's a lot of landscaping so it's more of a garden view if you're not right on top of the lobby or roofs. If you like the theme of the hotel, I would give it a try. I've never stayed at CBR so can't do a direct comparison. AKL is our favorite resort because of the amazing restaurants, theming, decor, and staff. However, MK is a once/twice-per-trip park for us. If you go there a lot, AKL may feel a bit further out than you're used to.

 

[RachelTori]

My parents are staying in a Savannah view room at the end of this month for a few nights with DS3. I know AKL has a nice pool but from what I remember from my stay here (in 2013, so a while back) there is no splash pad area, is that right? I also seem to remember Kidani had something like that, so is it OK for AKL guests to use the pool over at Kidani or not?

Jambo and Kidani guests have access to both pools

 

[KateP85]

Jambo and Kidani guests have access to both pools

Perfect, thank you! DS3 will be happy!

 

[DJFan88]

I posted this on the CL thread too,

Ok, so I'm a little confused when I look at the AKL map. It shows some rooms right above the lobby that don't appear to be on any trail. When I made my CL reservation, I put in a request for bunk beds and closer to lobby. It is a regular reservation and not DVC. However, there is no reason any of us can't walk a little farther esp. If it means a better room view. The booking stated Savanna view, which I know from you all is what the CL rooms are, but now I am thinking I should remove the closer to lobby request and maybe putting a certain trail request instead? Are CL rooms on all different trails?

 

[Bronte]

Will be staying there this Wednesday.
Are there any good pizza places that deliver right to the resort ???
Thanks !!!!

 

[RachelTori]

I posted this on the CL thread too,

Ok, so I'm a little confused when I look at the AKL map. It shows some rooms right above the lobby that don't appear to be on any trail. When I made my CL reservation, I put in a request for bunk beds and closer to lobby. It is a regular reservation and not DVC. However, there is no reason any of us can't walk a little farther esp. If it means a better room view. The booking stated Savanna view, which I know from you all is what the CL rooms are, but now I am thinking I should remove the closer to lobby request and maybe putting a certain trail request instead? Are CL rooms on all different trails?

The CL rooms (non-DVC type) are pretty well clustered together since they have a few extra touches the regular resort rooms don't have, including turndown service. You will most likely be placed in the first or 2nd pod off the lobby on Kudu Trail (although once we were in the first pod off Zebra Trail). 4th floor. You will not be in Ostrich or Giraffe Trail.

If you're still confused, I suggest you call the AKL-IPO and discuss it with them. They can give you recommendations and then make the room requests for you. Do NOT do online check-in; that will override anything that was previously requested! (I never do online when staying CL anyway!)

 

[DJFan88]

The CL rooms (non-DVC type) are pretty well clustered together since they have a few extra touches the regular resort rooms don't have, including turndown service. You will most likely be placed in the first or 2nd pod off the lobby on Kudu Trail (although once we were in the first pod off Zebra Trail). 4th floor. You will not be in Ostrich or Giraffe Trail.

If you're still confused, I suggest you call the AKL-IPO and discuss it with them. They can give you recommendations and then make the room requests for you. Do NOT do online check-in; that will override anything that was previously requested! (I never do online when staying CL anyway!)

Thank you this definetly helps me understand. The AKL-IPO never sent me a letter, so I definetly want to contact them whether I call or email and I think I will be happy with the CL rooms. Our visit isn't for another 4-5 months. I wasn't really sure about the online check in, so I will also make sure NOT to do that.

 

[Best Aunt]

Will be staying there this Wednesday.
Are there any good pizza places that deliver right to the resort ???
Thanks !!!!

1) do not order from anyplace which puts a flyer under your door. Probably a scam to steal your credit card number.

2) I have read on other threads about reputable places which deliver. Ordered from one. They took a very long time. Lobby concierge guy said he never heard of them.
3) I would ask the lobby concierge guy who he/ she recommends.

4) they deliver to lobby. Have to meet them there.

5) my brother is on his way over so no time to edit this. Sorry for any typos.

 

[RachelTori]

Thank you this definetly helps me understand. The AKL-IPO never sent me a letter, so I definetly want to contact them whether I call or email and I think I will be happy with the CL rooms. Our visit isn't for another 4-5 months. I wasn't really sure about the online check in, so I will also make sure NOT to do that.

The letters/email from IPO seem to be hit-or-miss. Sometimes I receive one; sometimes not!

The best solution might be for you to send them an email (put your reservation # and dates in the Subject line) and ask them to call you -- give them a "best time" scenario. The only reason I even suggest that is because if you call at a time when AKL's IPO is busy or unavailable, the call rolls to another resort's IPO! With things like room requests, I'd rather talk to the AKL experts!

 

[DizDaD7]

Will be staying there this Wednesday.
Are there any good pizza places that deliver right to the resort ???
Thanks !!!!

Believe it or not, in side the Mara, near the ground floor and next to Boma's they have a very tasty flat bread pizza...Even the GF one for my wife was delicious.