Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE Information & Questions

[DizDaD7]

....like YOU do laundry....

Since our 1st trip as a family, staying in PoP Century...Uhm Yes I do it, when the kids and DW are @ the pool...Or now Community Hall

 

[TeeterTots]

We are staying at AKL In November in a savannah room. My kids will be 5 and 3 and it is their first trip. We are very excited!

Awesome! You'll have a blast! The kids will like it too

 

[Iowamomof4]

We just booked a trip in November (after Thanksgiving) for a 2bdr in Kidani. Can't wait! Anxiously awaiting the release of pricing for MVMCP now!

 

[Momtomouselover]

We just returned (on Saturday) from our spring break trip to Disney! Had an awesome time! We had booked a standard at AKL and I expected a roof top or parking view or something similar but we lucked out. We had a view of the end of a savannah that contained the animal pens/feeding area and where the tours entered. It was awesome! We saw animals every morning including whole herds of zebra, giraffes, bongos, ankole cattle, etc. It was colder than expected some mornings and the animals were very lively. We have stayed at the AKL before and really enjoy it. Two negatives I noticed this trip were that there were very few vegetarian selections at the Mara (and none for kids!) and the day we ordered room service it took 2 hrs and they didn't get the order quite right (just small things missing like the croutons on my entree salad, forgot my sons applesauce). Other than that loved the AKL, the grounds and hotel. Busses were fine too and I really like the new screens letting you know when busses were expected.

 

[COscrapper]

We are already excited for our first WDW trip Oct. 29 - Nov. 5! Rented points for a DVC studio, savannah view. It looks like the only NIGHT we will be at the resort (vs. in the parks) will be our arrival day. We will have another half day or two to explore the resort, but it will be during the mornings. DH and I would really like to have a dinner sans-kids at Sanaa, and then afterwards we were hoping to catch some of the bonfire/storytelling activities with the kids. Does anyone know how long that goes on? If we pick them up at childcare at 7 p.m., will we be able to catch some of it? Looking at past activity schedules, it seems the bonfire stuff starts in the 6:30-7 p.m. range....

 

[kimmar067]

Since our 1st trip as a family, staying in PoP Century...Uhm Yes I do it, when the kids and DW are @ the pool...Or now Community Hall

....not nice to blatantly lie like that......I'm telling Mom.

 

[Iowamomof4]

I read the thread about Jambo House needing some serious attention right now. What is the shape of Kidani Villas? I'm a little concerned. On our last trip we stayed at both CBR and BC not long after their respective refurbs so they were in pretty good shape (though we did have to call maintenance for a wobbly mirror at BC).

 

[kimmar067]

....we've stayed at Jambo House 4 times and never encountered problems of anything being shabby or worn out....

 

[BMoreWishes]

Just made our reservations for AKL over New Year's Eve weekend at the end of the year. Super excited about this. Now starting to obsess about a trip that is several months away. To that end...

Any thoughts about Wanyama Safari vs Wild Africa Trek vs the Night time safari vs the soon to debut Sense of Africa tour/breakfast? Trying to decide what would be more fun for my wife, 3 kids, and me. My "kids" are 21, 17, and 14 BTW!

I realize it's probably hard to comment on Sense of Africa which hasn't even started yet, but...that's why I come to this board - for the tough questions!

 

[imthemamahere]

I realize it's probably hard to comment on Sense of Africa which hasn't even started yet, but...that's why I come to this board - for the tough questions!

Err, this is something completely new to me. What is this "Sense of Africa" tour?

I'm bummed that they no longer do the AKL tour that allowed younger kids to come along. My son will be 7 1/2 on our next trip. He LOVES animals and AKL is pretty much heaven for him. We were hoping to splurge on the tour, but now they limit to ages 8 and up!

 

[RachelTori]

Err, this is something completely new to me. What is this "Sense of Africa" tour?

I'm bummed that they no longer do the AKL tour that allowed younger kids to come along. My son will be 7 1/2 on our next trip. He LOVES animals and AKL is pretty much heaven for him. We were hoping to splurge on the tour, but now they limit to ages 8 and up!

"Connect with the Animals and Culture of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge through the resort’s newest guest experience, Sense of Africa. Sense of Africa is a 3.5-hour long breakfast and tour that allows guests behind the scenes information about the design of the African-inspired resort, a unique twist on the dining experience at the Boma-Flavors of Africa restaurant, Following the meal, Guests board a special safari truck that takes them backstage, for a series of up-close encounters with some of the resort's most-beloved animals: giraffe, okapi, ostrich and red river hogs. Animal encounters are voluntary for each animal; therefore, experiences are unpredictable and unique each visit., all of which are inspired by the sensory experience this resort has to offer.
$249.99 per person plus tax guests must be at least 10 years old and older
Reservations are available by calling 407-WDW-TOUR. Reservations will open April 5, and the first tour will take place April 9. Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members get a 15 percent discount on the tour"

Sounds great, but a bit pricey!!!

 

[RachelTori]

Just made our reservations for AKL over New Year's Eve weekend at the end of the year. Super excited about this. Now starting to obsess about a trip that is several months away. To that end...

Any thoughts about Wanyama Safari vs Wild Africa Trek vs the Night time safari vs the soon to debut Sense of Africa tour/breakfast? Trying to decide what would be more fun for my wife, 3 kids, and me. My "kids" are 21, 17, and 14 BTW!

I realize it's probably hard to comment on Sense of Africa which hasn't even started yet, but...that's why I come to this board - for the tough questions!

Love Wanyama (have done it 3 times); Love Wild Africa Trek (twice); haven't done the night time safari (but I believe that would be the most economical for 5 of you!); Sense of Africa sounds great, but for $249.99 it better be awesome!!!

 

[imthemamahere]

"Connect with the Animals and Culture of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge through the resort’s newest guest experience, Sense of Africa. Sense of Africa is a 3.5-hour long breakfast and tour that allows guests behind the scenes information about the design of the African-inspired resort, a unique twist on the dining experience at the Boma-Flavors of Africa restaurant, Following the meal, Guests board a special safari truck that takes them backstage, for a series of up-close encounters with some of the resort's most-beloved animals: giraffe, okapi, ostrich and red river hogs. Animal encounters are voluntary for each animal; therefore, experiences are unpredictable and unique each visit., all of which are inspired by the sensory experience this resort has to offer.
$249.99 per person plus tax guests must be at least 10 years old and older
Reservations are available by calling 407-WDW-TOUR. Reservations will open April 5, and the first tour will take place April 9. Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members get a 15 percent discount on the tour"

Sounds great, but a bit pricey!!!

You must have better Googling skills than I do, because I did google Disney Sense of Africa before asking, and didn't find a thing. Thanks for all the info - another one my son is too young to do, but one I will keep in mind... though at that price, it might have to wait until we win the lottery.

 

[sndral]

"Connect with the Animals and Culture of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge through the resort’s newest guest experience, Sense of Africa. Sense of Africa is a 3.5-hour long breakfast and tour that allows guests behind the scenes information about the design of the African-inspired resort, a unique twist on the dining experience at the Boma-Flavors of Africa restaurant, Following the meal, Guests board a special safari truck that takes them backstage, for a series of up-close encounters with some of the resort's most-beloved animals: giraffe, okapi, ostrich and red river hogs. Animal encounters are voluntary for each animal; therefore, experiences are unpredictable and unique each visit., all of which are inspired by the sensory experience this resort has to offer.
$249.99 per person plus tax guests must be at least 10 years old and older
Reservations are available by calling 407-WDW-TOUR. Reservations will open April 5, and the first tour will take place April 9. Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members get a 15 percent discount on the tour"
Sounds great, but a bit pricey!!!

Thanks for the info.
Wow, steep price! And breakfast at Boma, which is nice - but...
On our 2nd Wanyama tour (Dec/Jan 2014/2015) we saw a small round metal kraal on one of the savannahs and asked our guide what that was for. He said that there were thoughts of allowing people to feed the giraffes in the future and they were working on conditioning the giraffes to that activity - I wonder if this is tour is what they were planning for. Hopefully the red river hog encounter will be more than letting the guests do the training exercise through the fence which the guides currently do on the Wanyama safari. Perhaps this deserves a thread of it's own?

 

[DizDaD7]

....not nice to blatantly lie like that......I'm telling Mom.

Nyah, Nyah Nyah...--->;-p

 

[kmaria]

We are staying here for the first time November 19-26...Thanks to a pin code. Pool view. It's a dream come true. I've never been this time of year... Crowds have me a little nervous!

 

[MN_to_DIS]

Would you mind sharing more details on the limits of vegetarian options at Mara? We are going to stay at AKL for the first time in May, and we are a family of 3, all vegetarians. Thanks in advance!

 

[eeyore81]

Would you mind sharing more details on the limits of vegetarian options at Mara? We are going to stay at AKL for the first time in May, and we are a family of 3, all vegetarians. Thanks in advance!

We are a vegetarian family as well. I think the veggie options at Mara are lacking. For lunch/dinner the choices are butternut squash soup, cheese or veggie flatbread and falafel pita. There are things like hummus in the cold cases but I think it would add a lot if they would offer a veggie burger or something like that. Also, the veggie kid options are pretty much an uncrustable. The cheese flatbread is the only thing that is a hot veggie kid friendly but I don't know if they will allow it as a kids meal option. If they would add Mac and cheese for kids and a veggie burger for adults I would be much happier with Mara.

 

[mommyrosa2]

We are staying here for the first time November 19-26...Thanks to a pin code. Pool view. It's a dream come true. I've never been this time of year... Crowds have me a little nervous!

Did the pin code you receive cover any dates in October?

 

[kimmar067]

Nyah, Nyah Nyah...--->;-p

....when are you coming to see the new house?