Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE Information & Questions

[ilovejsparrow]

This is correct no breakfast QS for you....either we stocked up or took the three minute ride by courtesy shuttle right outside front entrance...

I wasn't aware that there was a courtesy shuttle, thank you for the information.

 

[2girlsR2good]

don't underestimate the value of boarding a nice A/C-cooled bus vs. jumping into a hot, sweltering minivan that's been baking in the Florida sun all day long!

Absolutely true--that's why we do both--just depends on that day's plans and our needs. Also, we don't go in the summer. . . .

 

[Wsmagee]

Excited for our first WDW trip as a family and staying at AKL 12.16-12.22! We'll be coming back in the afternoons to rest/nap and would love some feedback on the best plan of action for this since it will be so busy. And we will not have a car with us. Also, any other insight for first timers is greatly appreciated...about the resort specifically or otherwise!

 

[TinkerBellLiz]

Excited for you! It's been on our bucket list too since we walked into the lobby on our first visit. It will be here sooner than you think! We've still got a while to go and since we're doing a split stay I'm thinking of not even telling the kids we are staying there until we get there. Thinking of going for lunch, plan to hang around pool then as they are ooh-ing and awing and wishing again we could stay there, will let them know then. Although dh is brutal, I'm sure something will come out of his mouth well before then by accident!

Walking into Animal Kingdom Lodge lobby always takes my breath away! I was just sorting pictures from last year into a screensaver slide show!

This is definitely one of those "opinions differ" topics! I like driving to the parks b/c after a long day, the inside of the minivan feels like an escape and we get the feeling that downtime has started. When we're on the bus, downtime doesn't start until we get back to the hotel. Now--if we want to have a couple of beverages, or its the day before a long drive home, we may take the bus. Boats and monorail seem better

I LOVE boat transport and monorails is ok too And yes I have friends who think I'm crazy for not driving everywhere since we have the vehicle but I just say we DID get married in mid July so what do you expect!

I have a question regarding QS options at Kidani- am I correct that there really isn't one? When I'm at WDW I love a hot breakfast at my resort in the morning but I'm not sure I would be a fan of hiking to the Mara for it. Can anyone provide me some info regarding this? Thank you!

I know the sundries shop has some food items in it but it's been over a year since I last popped in there. DH loves pinning so if it has cast members I've probably been in it at least once

....oh yes, the SNACKS! If I may, I'd like to suggest the cinnamon and cream cheese-filled pretzels from the Lunching Pad in Tomorrowland at MK - OMG, they are soooo good!

CURSE YOU Kimmar!!!! I'm trying to cut the list down not add to it!!! However, that DOES look yummy and just up my alley. I've gotten away from the mounds of sweet frosting treats the last few years. On the bright side, DH is thinking of adding a couple days to fit in a few more snacks! I'm blessed with a Disney hubby!

I found a website that has the current month's activity schedule for AKL...does anyone have the activity schedules saved from this past January & February? I would love to see them to give myself a better idea of what to expect while we're there! THANKS!

You might try contacting that site for back issues. I was looking at this yesterday (planning swimming around pool parties) and it updates the beginning of each month. The movies changed up from June (and the July 4th special events) but everything else is the same.

Have a wonderful weekend and here is hoping to extra Disney days!

Liz

 

[JHarveyTN]

@yaya74 I don't think there is a definitive answer for this. We were there a few weeks ago and during busy times of day it looked like Jambo and Kidani were not sharing buses from the resort to the parks, but even so, we were packed in there with even standing room full. Returning from the parks we always shared with both Kidani and Jambo utilizing the same bus. We did exactly what you mentioned during our trip - drove to AKL but left our car parked the whole trip and took buses. Most of the time I would prefer to stand and wait on a bus (even if I have to stand on the bus) than deal with the ordeal of parking and trams (nevermind you the monorail/ferry situation at TTC). There have been other trips where that wasn't the case for me - I sometimes prefer driving and control my arrival time. I would suggest trying the buses on your first day and if you find the bus crowds manageable you have your answer.

So do Jambo and Kidani have there own buses? There is no sharing with the AKL?!

 

[glvsav37]

I found a website that has the current month's activity schedule for AKL...does anyone have the activity schedules saved from this past January & February? I would love to see them to give myself a better idea of what to expect while we're there! THANKS!

Care to share? Will be there shortly and have a day planned to just do stuff at the resort.

Thx

 

[henry72]

So do Jambo and Kidani have there own buses? There is no sharing with the AKL?!

As I understand it - during the busy morning hours, the two do NOT share a bus. But the ride from the parks to the resort and later in the day from the resorts to the parks that they DO share a bus.

 

[wzwild]

Care to share? Will be there shortly and have a day planned to just do stuff at the resort.

Thx

http://disney-pal.com/Disney Hotels Florida/reccalendar/animal_kingdom_lodge_reccalendar_07_2016.pdf

I just found this. It appears to be current.

 

[DisBuckMan]

So do Jambo and Kidani have there own buses? There is no sharing with the AKL?!

Jambo is the AKL.

 

[dgbg100106]

I'll be there July 14-17

July

LSG85, July 9th -16th, Kidani

Weaves18, 10th - 16th, AKL

DisneyDmbNut, 14th - 17th, AKL

DisneyMamato4, 16th - 22nd, AKL

Mickeymomtx, 16th - 22nd, AKL

Fwizard, 16th - 22nd, Jambo House

Wzwild, 16th - 23rd, AKL

Twinmom2002, 21st - 28th, AKL

LvsTnk, 24th-29th, AKL

 

[dgbg100106]

Excited for our first WDW trip as a family and staying at AKL 12.16-12.22! We'll be coming back in the afternoons to rest/nap and would love some feedback on the best plan of action for this since it will be so busy. And we will not have a car with us. Also, any other insight for first timers is greatly appreciated...about the resort specifically or otherwise!

December

Pedinurse5207, 1st - 7th, akl

John's Mom, 3rd - 10th, AKV Jambo House

LvsTnk, 11th - 21st, AKL

PNO4TE, 16th - 19th, POFQ

Wsmagee, 16th - 22nd, AKL

 

[glvsav37]

1st stay coming in a few weeks.

We are arriving late, prob around 11-11:30pm. Question, do they let the animals out that late? can they been seen/is there low level lighting?

if not, what time do they clock in for the AM shift? Would love to have the kids wake up to a full safari, but I also know they are going to be itching to want to see them as soon as we get there.

thx

 

[HatboxHaint]

Anyone have any experience with requesting a late check-out time?

 

[BigMommaMouse]

Anyone have any experience with requesting a late check-out time?

We did this and it got approved. Then on the morning of check out when we woke up at 10, there was a message on the phone saying it could not be honoured.
Took a bit of a rush to get out in a hour.

 

[HatboxHaint]

We did this and it got approved. Then on the morning of check out when we woke up at 10, there was a message on the phone saying it could not be honoured.
Took a bit of a rush to get out in a hour.

That's pretty lame....

 

[sndral]

1st stay coming in a few weeks.

We are arriving late, prob around 11-11:30pm. Question, do they let the animals out that late? can they been seen/is there low level lighting?

if not, what time do they clock in for the AM shift? Would love to have the kids wake up to a full safari, but I also know they are going to be itching to want to see them as soon as we get there.

thx

The animals stay on their savanna all night. They go into their barn for an hour or two each morning but other than that they stay out.
The lighting is dim, but you can see the animals near your balcony if they move by.

 

[phi2012]

Can anyone tell me what times the pools are open at jambo and kidani in october and november, just trying to plan out when we can take the kids swimming. Thanks

 

[Texans_loyal]

January

10MoreMinutes, 28th - 30th, AKL

I will be there Jan. 22-25

 

[dgbg100106]

I will be there Jan. 22-25

2017

January

Texans_loyal, 22nd - 25th, AKL

10MoreMinutes, 28th - 30th, AKL

 

[dgbg100106]

2016



July

LSG85, July 9th -16th, Kidani

Weaves18, 10th - 16th, AKL

DisneyDmbNut, 14th - 17th, AKL

DisneyMamato4, 16th - 22nd, AKL

Mickeymomtx, 16th - 22nd, AKL

Fwizard, 16th - 22nd, Jambo House

Stepdisney, 16th - 23rd, AKL

Wzwild, 16th - 23rd, AKL

Twinmom2002, 21st - 28th, AKL

LvsTnk, 24th-29th, AKL



August

Anjalee6, 1st - 9th, AKL CL

Glvsav37, 2nd - 6th, AKL

Jlee003, 2nd - 9th, AKL

Dariansue, 8th - 10th, AKL

Willeve, 9th - 19th, AKL



September

Grooovertoo, Aug 31st - 10th, Jambo House

Laneybelle, 1st - 5th, AKL

Publix subs, 15th - 19th, AKL

Dreamseeker9, 17th - 20th, AKL

Mm. Leota, 17th - 24th, AKL

BanditsMommy, 18th - 25th, AKL

berryinDC, 19th - 23rd, AKL

PNO4TE, 23rd - 26th, F&W BWV

Brnrss34, 24th - Oct 1st, AKL

YoYoAurora, 24th - Oct 1st, AKL CL

RachelTori, 24th - Oct 1st, GF and BWI

Nicolebridget22, 24th - 8th, AKL

Hill6, 26th - 28th, Kidani

AmyA, 28th - Oct 5th, AKL





October

PghPiratesGirl, Sep 29th - 6th, AKL

Mmafan, Sep 30th - 11th, Jambo House

Kerim1983, 1st - 10th, AKL

HollyMD, 2nd - 9th, AKL

Vinotinto, 5th - 10th, AKL

Utlegaleagle, 11th - 15th, AKL

Disneymom1126, 14th - 22nd, AKL

Ruth B, 20th - Nov 1st, AKL

John's Mom, 24th - 27th, Boardwalk Villa

Jfortsch, 24th - 30th, AKL

Phi2012, 26th - Nov 11th, AKL



November

Phi2012, Oct 26th - 11th, AKL

TeeterTots, 4th - 7th, AKV CL

DizDaD7, 4th - 12th, AKL

Dkrauss, 6th - 12th, Jambo House

Lovetotraveltx, 13th - 19th, AKL CL

Blended Disney, 20th - 26th, Kidani

Wdwnut61, 20th - 27th, AKL

Henry72, 26th - Dec 2nd, AKL

Smec73, 26th - Dec 2nd, AKL

BethanyLynnFit, 26th - Dec 3rd, AKL

Mickeyheart, 26th - Dec 10th, AKL CL

Saysib, 26th - Dec 10th, AKL

MemphisVanessa, 28th to Dec 5th, AKL

Lylone, 28th - Dec 2nd, AKL



December

Pedinurse5207, 1st - 7th, akl

John's Mom, 3rd - 10th, AKV Jambo House

LvsTnk, 11th - 21st, AKL

PNO4TE, 16th - 19th, POFQ

Wsmagee, 16th - 22nd, AKL



2017

January

Texans_loyal, 22nd - 25th, AKL

10MoreMinutes, 28th - 30th, AKL

February

March



April

Momtwoboys, 17th - 24th, AKV

May



June