Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE Information & Questions

[DizDaD7]

Is AKL a relaxing resort to spend my vacation???

I currently have a reservation for POR. Then DH suggests that we should spend $600 more for a bunk bed room at AKL. I have never stayed at these places.
Pictures of POR look so serene and relaxing which is what I need at this vacation.
Pictures of AKL look loud and busy and remind me of Great Wolf Lodge in PA, except for the savanna view which we will not have. The bunk bed room will have a pool view.
But I know my kids (8 and 4) will get a better sleep in bunk bed instead of sharing a bed through out our 5 nights stay.

Please help me make a decision!!!

1st off...Both are great resorts for what they are.

POR: Which is my 2nd fav. Moderate resort, just barely behind CSR... And here's why.

PROS As you stated, the grounds are gorgeous & peaceful and serene. The pools, ( Quiet, & Feature ) are pretty good. The food court is one of the best out of ANY resort. The rooms are quite nice too....The Lounge, * featuring YeeHaw Bob is Excellent. Pretty good TS restaurant too.

CONS The resort has 4 separate bus stops which is fine, but we didn't have great success with the buses. They were always packed, (More than ANY resort) So I was always standing, and there were a few times where buses didn't even stop because they were full already. Coming home from Epcot was bad, but even worse was coming home from F! @ HS....The Queue line for the resort buses was RIDICULOUS....5 or 6 buses filled up & it didn't even feel like we moved at all in the line...At that point it was like 35 mins, so we got off that line & went to POFQ took that bus & walked back to our resort from there. Other than that it was a very good trip.

AKV/L: This place has recently become a fan fav. for our family. We stayed once in Jambo House & once in Kidani..

PROS Talk about gorgeous grounds. Theming is 2nd to none. The rooms are really nice and spacious with comfortable beds...The Pools ( both of them ) are Excellent...So serene & peaceful too....When you sit out and just soak up the atmosphere, it'll transform you to a far away place..* You'll actually forget that you're in WDW...( Sort of a vacation within a vacation) The lounge/ bar area is quite nice as well as all 4 eateries....The Mara is far better than any food court * by far. And Boma, Sanaa, & Jiko are some of the best places to dine out of any on all of WDW property...All 3 different, but unique. Only 2 Bus stops. 1st at Kidani then to Jambo....Here's where it gets tricky...Although you'll think it should be bad, because technically you are far from things, on the contrary, it's one of the best bus service's of any resort IMHO.
Max ride is 20 mins. to MK maybe 11 or 12 to Epcot 8 or so to HS, & 5 or 6 to AK.....It's really not bad at all....Big huge plus here is the CM's though..Some of the nicest , well informed , and eager to talk CM's that you'll ever encounter. There's so much to do & see here.

CONS ???????? Hmmmm................

The only thing that possibly comes to mind is the long halls on the savanna side...Being in one of the last 2 pods of rooms at the very end..

 

[DizDaD7]

it. could. happen.

Sure it could, If I were the QB on the Super Bowl winning team...

 

[TheFloatingBear]

I've read several posts like yours @DizDaD7 that describe AKL as a vacation within a vacation - it truly sounds awesome! Can't wait to get there next month!

 

[DizDaD7]

I've read several posts like yours @DizDaD7 that describe AKL as a vacation within a vacation - it truly sounds awesome! Can't wait to get there next month!

I'm sure you'll see what I mean, once you get there...Be sure to experience all that there is to offer....From Night vision Goggles, to watchin the Flamingos, to Community Hall, to the nightly Campfires, & Story telling & S'MORES...Yum!!!

 

[TheFloatingBear]

I'm sure you'll see what I mean, once you get there...Be sure to experience all that there is to offer....From Night vision Goggles, to watchin the Flamingos, to Community Hall, to the nightly Campfires, & Story telling & S'MORES...Yum!!!

Yes, and it seems like there's a lot of kids activites to do - mine are 11 and 9 - so I really want to take advantage of everything. I'm really trying to build in a lot of resort time - and at different times of day too since, like you said, there's so many different things to do - plus we just like to hang out at the pool and I've heard it's beautiful! it's been a little tough, planning, however, as we're going the week before ROL starts. We actually extended our trip a night to be able to go to AK on opening night. I heard lots of rumors about possible preview parties and such, but nothing concrete. Anyway, it's definitely making it tough to plan things, so I'm just trying to keep things fairly open and spend lots of time at the resort! I haven't seen anywhere - I thought I saw that you could watch them feed the flamingos - is there a special time for this?

 

[DizDaD7]

Yes, and it seems like there's a lot of kids activites to do - mine are 11 and 9 - so I really want to take advantage of everything. I'm really trying to build in a lot of resort time - and at different times of day too since, like you said, there's so many different things to do - plus we just like to hang out at the pool and I've heard it's beautiful! it's been a little tough, planning, however, as we're going the week before ROL starts. We actually extended our trip a night to be able to go to AK on opening night. I heard lots of rumors about possible preview parties and such, but nothing concrete. Anyway, it's definitely making it tough to plan things, so I'm just trying to keep things fairly open and spend lots of time at the resort! I haven't seen anywhere - I thought I saw that you could watch them feed the flamingos - is there a special time for this?

Yea but I don't remember timewise... There are plenty of people there that can assist you in every way.

Also utilize both pools, for there are great things about both of them...So alike, but so different.... Kidani--> Smaller quaint pool, with a GREAT water slide, and water playground/splash area which is also great.. Jambo--> tremendous pool area that is soo unique. Small slide but so much room in this pool.... a better viewing pool too...For parents sitting on the loungers too..Better sitelines that is... Both have very good pool bars as well.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

Yea but I don't remember timewise... There are plenty of people there that can assist you in every way.

Also utilize both pools, for there are great things about both of them...So alike, but so different.... Kidani--> Smaller quaint pool, with a GREAT water slide, and water playground/splash area which is also great.. Jambo--> tremendous pool area that is soo unique. Small slide but so much room in this pool.... a better viewing pool too...For parents sitting on the loungers too..Better sitelines that is... Both have very good pool bars as well.

Thanks for the tips on the pools - we'll make sure to check both of them out! And we do enjoy a good pool bar, so good to know! It's so nice when you can sit and see the kids!

 

[Minnesota!]

Yes and Yes!

Awesome!

Now - Community Hall - can we use it at Kidani if we are staying at Jambo and we are NOT DVC? We are doing a resort only vacation, so just looking for all the options we can experience!

 

[aulanidreamer]

We just booked 1 night before we meet up with family for a reunion off property for 7 nights and are considering if we should add one more at the end of our stay. We are doing the parks during the family reunion part so we are hoping to relax and enjoy the resort. We live on the west coast and likely won't be back to Florida anytime soon, so want to experience it while we can. What is not to miss? 3 kids ages 6-10. I know having the 2 nights together would be better, but is it worth a second night after being of property, or maybe experience another wdw resort. The polynesian looks great too or I have friend who loves beach club. Thoughts? TIA

 

[HollyMD]

I have a question, and this may already be somewhere answered, but I am looking at possibly renting DVC points for Oct for here. Can anyone tell me the difference in the value studio and standard studio? I did not see anything that said value on the firs page. Thank you!

 

[sanapp]

Thinking of doing my daughter's 16th birthday at Disney World. It would just be myself, DD and a friend of her choice. We would be looking at staying a full week. Her favorite Disney movie as Lion King and her favorite park is Animal Kingdom. Given that information I was thinking it was a no brainer to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. So I am leaning towards renting DVC points through Davids. If you had a choice of the following 3 options which would you pick:

1. 1 Bedroom Club Level and Regular Dining

2. 1 Bedroom Club Level with QS Dining

3. 1 Bedroom Value Level with Deluxe Dining

My daughter and I have done Deluxe Dining before and we really enjoyed it, but it was before she became a Disney Adult. My concern is that the Signature Food choice would not be to her liking now as a Disney Adult and I would only want to do Deluxe Dining if we did dinner shows and signature dining otherwise it is WAY to much food for us.

We have never stayed Club Level before, so that might be nice. Of course it is the priciest option though, so I am not sure if it is worth it.

My daughter might like the QS option as it would give her and her friend more freedom to go off and do things on their own without worrying about ADRs. I think I would probably still pay OOP for 1 or 2 meals though!

Thoughts?

 

[pixie921]

I've seen this question asked on the WL thread, but unless I missed it, haven't seen it here, so here goes: does anyone have a favorite out-of-the-way spot at AKL (lobby area or otherwise) to just sort of sit and relax and read? Just a spot where you don't necessarily want to be tucked away in your room, but not be in anyone's way? I would love to know where, and if you have photos, even better.

 

[sanapp]

Can anyone tell me if Kidanai has club level rooms? If so is the only club (snack area/concierge) located in Jambo?

 

[cjhudson]

Thinking of doing my daughter's 16th birthday at Disney World. It would just be myself, DD and a friend of her choice. We would be looking at staying a full week. Her favorite Disney movie as Lion King and her favorite park is Animal Kingdom. Given that information I was thinking it was a no brainer to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. So I am leaning towards renting DVC points through Davids. If you had a choice of the following 3 options which would you pick:

1. 1 Bedroom Club Level and Regular Dining

2. 1 Bedroom Club Level with QS Dining

3. 1 Bedroom Value Level with Deluxe Dining

My daughter and I have done Deluxe Dining before and we really enjoyed it, but it was before she became a Disney Adult. My concern is that the Signature Food choice would not be to her liking now as a Disney Adult and I would only want to do Deluxe Dining if we did dinner shows and signature dining otherwise it is WAY to much food for us.

We have never stayed Club Level before, so that might be nice. Of course it is the priciest option though, so I am not sure if it is worth it.

My daughter might like the QS option as it would give her and her friend more freedom to go off and do things on their own without worrying about ADRs. I think I would probably still pay OOP for 1 or 2 meals though!

Thoughts?

We haven't been yet to tell you about the rooms but I know that we couldn't eat enough food to justify the deluxe plan. Out of your 3 choices I would choose the first.

 

[RobinEJ]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone knew where the activity guides were posted for AKL? I had thought that they were posted somewhere on the 15th of the month for the next month but have been looking for April to no avail! Taking my nephew on his first trip and dying to plan out our lodge activities! Thanks!

 

[RachelTori]

I have a question, and this may already be somewhere answered, but I am looking at possibly renting DVC points for Oct for here. Can anyone tell me the difference in the value studio and standard studio? I did not see anything that said value on the firs page. Thank you!

The Value rooms are slightly smaller so there's less storage space. There are not many of them (I don't remember the exact number). They are located in Jambo only, on Ostrich and Giraffe Trails on the 5th floor.

Now I'm going to give you the bad news. They are already booked up for October. They are available for DVC members who own at AKV to book at 11 months out; 7 months out for DVC owners who own elsewhere. October is a very popular time for DVCers - low points and Food & Wine Festival!

You will have a much easier time renting a standard studio, although those are filling up fast for October. Good luck!

 

[sndral]

Oops RachelTori looks like we were typing @ the same time

I have a question, and this may already be somewhere answered, but I am looking at possibly renting DVC points for Oct for here. Can anyone tell me the difference in the value studio and standard studio? I did not see anything that said value on the firs page. Thank you!

Just FYI, if you are talking about October 2016, the DVC value studios are booked solid - not a single night is available right now for a value villa this October. Availability does change as people's plan's change - but there are very few value studios in Jambo, people like them because they save a lot of points, thus they go fast.
The value studios are on Giraffe and Ostrich trails in the front of AKL Jambo. They may overlook the parking lot/road, swimming pool or a slice of Sunset savanna. They are slightly smaller than the standard or savanna view villas in Jambo. They are on the 5th floor.
The standard view villas are also on the 5th floor. They are on Zebra or Kudu trail and overlook the pool, roofs or limited savanna view on either Uzima or Sunset savanna (not sure if there are any standard limited Arusha savanna views.) They are larger than the value villas but smaller than the studio villas in Kidani.

 

[RachelTori]

Can anyone tell me if Kidanai has club level rooms? If so is the only club (snack area/concierge) located in Jambo?

No Club Level rooms for Kidani, which is exclusively DVC villas.

 

[DizDaD7]

I have a question, and this may already be somewhere answered, but I am looking at possibly renting DVC points for Oct for here. Can anyone tell me the difference in the value studio and standard studio? I did not see anything that said value on the firs page. Thank you!

Basically what @RachelTori has already said. The room is a lil bit smaller, but we didn't find it to be a big issue when we stayed...I'd say it was the perfect location, with a nice pool view. We were on the Ostrich Trail 1st pod to the right, and 2nd to last room between the 1st & 2nd pod ( where the windows are...) There are also elevators located right there which makes it very convenient to go to the pool, lobby & shortcut to n from the bus stops too. Put in for a wait list? If you can...Not sure when renting if this is allowed... Standard for a lil more points will give you some more room...a lil that is.

 

[DizDaD7]

I've seen this question asked on the WL thread, but unless I missed it, haven't seen it here, so here goes: does anyone have a favorite out-of-the-way spot at AKL (lobby area or otherwise) to just sort of sit and relax and read? Just a spot where you don't necessarily want to be tucked away in your room, but not be in anyone's way? I would love to know where, and if you have photos, even better.

There are a bunch.... Just off to the right of the back of the lobby..
Also to the left is where you check in...There's a room just beyond that, that has artifacts and informational stuff...It's usually where the Well informed CM's give you an awesome history lesson of their culture. It is nice an quiet and you can see some animals too.

Also out by the pool. beyond the smaller secluded hot tub ( *<--this is a nice spot too ), where the Flamingos are is kinda peaceful.