Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort Frequently Asked Questions (slight update 5/14)

[*Flower*]

The phones do have a data port available in them, but no high speed access is available (at least not last December when we were there).

I wish that I could answer your room request question, but we've never asked for anything special.

Have fun!!

 

[storybookmum]

Two quick questions:

1. How intense is the water slide? Can Meredith use it? (She's three, and she can swim - she's in Red Cross Level 2 lessons).

2. Is there still a character caravan that comes to the resort???

I'm so restless it isn't funny. Six weeks to go, and nothing left to plan or tinker with....I want to make a recon trip down with DH for a weekend or something!! (lol, like that would happen, I never leave my kids if I'm not working).

Mom agreed to go in May, if we can both afford the trip! It's going to be a moderate resort, though, I'm pretty sure. Still, I'm excited to be going with her.

Love,

Kris

 

[#1hockeymom]

Level two swimmer will be fine on the slide! That is the level where the parents aren't there and they are able to swim under water, if I remember correctly. (DS is at level 6 and DD stopped going to lessons at five but I'd put her about a 6).

There are no character caravans anymore to the resorts, EXCEPT this year, due to the hurricanes. Barring a hurricane which you don't want, you'll have to see the characters at the parks.

I can't wait till you get back and put up your trip report! I think you're going to really love AKL!

 

[storybookmum]

My word, Debbie, you're fast! Thanks! I hadn't given a character caravan a second's thought until I accidentally clicked on page one of this thread and noticed it at the bottom. Better not to have seen it - and I'll certainly pass on the hurricane!

I'm really expecting to love AKL, too. I'm glad we have 5 days at POR first, though. I think AKL will be a lovely finale for two nights.

I'm trying to decide now where to take Mom in May, assuming I don't get rich before then so I can treat her to AKL CL!

Love,

Kris

 

[Michele26]

I think that I read on a web site that as of August 2004, all deluxe resorts, including AKL, have fridges in the rooms. can anyone confirm this?

 

[storybookmum]

Michele, they're putting them in all the moderates and deluxes, and anticipate having them all in by the end of October. If you don't have one when you get there, you can request one and will not be charged for it (check your bill to be sure).

Kris

 

[totalia]

I just moved our honeymoon to AKL. Any suggestions with the resort for a honeymoon (besides room type. While I would love concierge, all we can afford is standard parking lot view)?

 

[Michele26]

storybookmum

thanks for the info! We are going to AKL Nov 15 ( don't know how to put up one of those little count down things ...DUH) I am so excited about the trip and glad to know I will have a place to keep food for the kids (13 and 3)

 

[storybookmum]

Michele, here's the link to the countdowns procedure. Remember, it's mandatory to post a test post first thing after setting it up before you can keep on going....it's on the techie board, waaaaaay down at the bottom of the home page....

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=381216

I'm terribly excited, too! You're there a bit ahead of us, so I'll be looking for a trip report!

Totalia, I haven't any real suggestions, except making it patently obvious that you're on your honeymoon (wear the ears). AKL has the best reputation for upgrades, so you may end up doing better than parking lot view... there are tons of viewing areas, so you will see the animals one way or another, you don't need to worry about that. I hope you have just the best time, it sounds like a fabulous place, and I know I'm looking forward to our first visit there. I wonder...your wedding is a nice distance off; you could consider doing a room/bathroom or something in an African theme so you have memories to treasure when you get home. I'm told the gift shop has several books on interior decorating with that theme.

Good night, all! Time to be with my kids....

Kris

 

[Michele26]

storybookmum

Thank you for the countdown info!!!!!

 

[#1hockeymom]

Totalia>> What a wonderful honeymoon spot! Dont worry about the view. There are so many look out spots, both obvious and hidden. Just walking down the wings is an experience while you look out the windows! When you reach the ends, you can walk out the stairwells and get a closer look! The pool/pool bar/hot tub areas are beautifully landscaped. The smells from Boma and Jiko just fill the lobby with a glorious scent. AKL is very laid back in its atmosphere and you feel totally transported to another time and place the minute you walk in the front doors. You might want to plan a special dinner at Jiko, or just a great in room dinner from room service! They also have a spa on site.

Happy planning!
Debbie

 

[totalia]

Oh thank you. I'm so excited. I can't wait. I hope we get an upgrade, to a king suite at least but oh, I'm just so excited. We paid another hundred on the honeymoon today. Heh, I wish I could be leaving tomorrow.

 

[#1hockeymom]

If you really want the upgrade, put that as top priority with king bed as second priority. Be sure to mention your honeymoon, especially with CRO when you call them! Might even be worth paying by credit card pieces at a time just to make those phone calls to CRO and getting it put on your reservations! The smallest bed you'll end up with would be a queen if you don't get a king. A queen with a savannah view would be totally awesome for your honeymoon! A great spot for a balcony dinner for two!

 

[totalia]

I mentioned it to her that we are on our honeymoon. She put in for a king though I'm not sure we will get it because she said its on request only. I'm hoping we arrive early enough in the day that we can get the king we want.

But oh I would LOVE a Savannah View room for our honeymoon. I hope we get upgraded.

I understand there are Safarri's that we can go on. Do they cost anything? Is there a special rate we have to pay to get it?

What's the best place to eat and how expensive is the food?

I feel like a kid again lol. I've ALWAYS wanted to go to Disneyland (not Disneyworld but DW is closer to our place and hence, much cheaper) since I was 2 or 3 years old. My fiance thinks its adorable how excited I am lol.

We were planning on Greece, but I think this is better.

 

[storybookmum]

There are two Safaris, a Sunrise and a Sunset. Unfortunately, they're limited to Concierge Level guests only. Once you're in concierge, the Sunrise Safari costs $50 and includes breakfast at Tusker House in the Animal Kingdom. I don't know how much the Sunset Safari costs. The Safaris are very small, in terms of guests allowed on them, and last much longer (Sunrise is 45 minutes), stopping to allow photographs and so on.

Both restaurants, Boma and Jiko, get rave reviews. You can see their menus at allearsnet.com. Jiko is a bit more formal (not too daunting, though, from the sounds of it). Boma is a buffet, though it's set up in "pods" instead of one long pile of steamer trays. You can have breakfast and dinner at Boma, I forget whether Jiko is open for anything but dinner. Jiko is more expensive. Boma is, I think, about $24 or $25 per person for dinner.

Someone's going to answer who's done these things, and isn't, like me, waiting for my first trip to the AKL, but I know how it is to be wildly excited and want some answers NOW!!!!

Love,

Kris

 

[ckj]

DW and I have done both the safari's.
Sunrise is about 45 min - 1 hour on the AK savannah with an awesome buffet at the tucker house.

Sunset is about 1 1/2 hours on the savannahs at AKL. Cost is $150 per person, 8 people max. There is an age restriction, 16 or older. I've heard rumors that may change. Family style dinner at Jiko follows and it is very good. The chef comes out with each course and explains what it is. Wine pairings, dessert, yummy.
you can see some pics from the sunset safari from the link in my sig.
We'll be doing both again in december.

Jiko is fantastic. A typical meal for 2 could be around $100 with appetizers, dessert, drinks. The monkfish, filet w/ mac-n-cheese, and roasted chicken are all very good. I have a tough time choosing which one I like the best. The flatbreads are delicious.
Also they have fantastic pressed-pots of coffee.

ckj

 

[Tig-girl]

Question......anybody ever do just desert and coffee at Jiko? With all the special meals we have PS for now, I'll never fit a full dinner in a Jiko , and also, nobody but hubby and me really want to try it, so I was thinking that maybe he and I could go for a desert and that fabulous coffee, since he and I are both big coffee lovers! Is that a 'no-no'?

 

[SCohen]

We came back on 10-12, after spending the last two nights of our trip at AKL. We had a savannah view room with a queen bed and bunk beds. The view was outstanding! It was so hard to say goodbye. The resort itself is a resort onto itself. You could stay the day there and never get bored exploring. The gift shop is incredible. I had been eyeing the boxed monorail the entire trip, but just couldn't justify it. Well AKL had it in their gift shop! My husband said that people were giving him tons of crazy looks throughout the airports! ha! It is going around my christmas tree- can't wait!
Jiko and Boma smelled wonderful, we tried to have dessert at Jiko but they closed as we walked up. We have two kids over the age of 11 so we really didn't want to spend $25 per person at Boma or around $25 a person at Jiko. Jiko does have kid's menus but not for the over 11 crowd. $100 seemed a bit much, so our last night we ate at Mara. I had the African stew, which was wonderful. My husband had the chicken, it too was really good. They put the chicken on a bed of couscous. We got a side of mac and cheese, and the kids got a pepperoni pizza and a single bacon cheeseburger. We had to be specific that we only needed a single patty, and it wasn't a problem. After we realized the kids would have rather had good ol' American food we were glad that we hadn't splurged on Boma. We also bought the Zebra cakes and a paw print brownie in Mara, wow! they were so good.
Our room didn't come with a refrigerator but I didn't request one either.
We decided that on future visits we will definitely do AKL again.
Check out the hidden Mickey's on the queen size comforter, on the hallway carpet- there's one panel of Mickey's and one hidden in another panel. There's also some on the pillar's around the resort- look tied to the pillars themsleves. There are three cut pieces of wood that resemble the famous mouse.
I also requested turn-down service. We got four chocolates in gold foil with the AKL writing on it, and a post card with an animal and an African proverb on the bottom. The room looked beautiful. It was so nice sleeping at AKL too- in the mornings with the curtains closed it was dark and heavenly!
I wanna go back!

 

[storybookmum]

Oooh, such cozy details you provide, thank you!!! I'm so very eager to get there, it's hard to believe after all this fuss and longing we're going to be there only 2 nights! (most of our stay will be at POR, 5 nights) I'm just hoping that it being at the end of our stay, we'll be inclined to slow down and appreciate it more.

Sounds absolutely WONDERFUL! Welcome home!

Kris

 

[johnsonet]

I agree! What awesome details. So glad you loved AKL so much It is my all-time favorite. An absolutely amazing vacation destination
Welcome home!