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

[Minybear]

sweet angel

Woops. Sorry for misreading. Definatly email or fax a compliment. AKL would love to hear great things about their CM's. I have already had great service from one of their CM's and I haven't gotten there yet.

 

[Angel16]

I certainly agree. It seems people always are quick to send a letter to complain about a place or action, but very slow to praise. It is great to see our board being proactive, in both ways.

Minybear - You have such a treat waiting for you on your visit. AKL is so amazing. DH and myself had pretty big expectations of the resort and they FAR exceeded them!
I hope you have a wonderful vacation and be sure to let us all know how it was.

Angel

 

[storybookmum]

Angel, it's funny you posted that about expectations. I was just thinking about that the other day. The only other times we've stayed overnight at Disney, we've stayed at All-Stars. And really, I haven't had much experience with deluxe hotels anywhere else, either. The Chateau Laurier hotel in Ottawa once in 1988, and a Four Seasons in Toronto, once, the upscale one. Nothing that was intensely themed. The Chateau Laurier was pretty incredible, but I think I was only in the room about 4 or 5 hours after a wedding...much of it escapes my memory! I scarcely know what to expect from the hotel. I just want it to really wow me. I think I've focussed almost exclusively on the impression that the animals will make for balcony viewing.

I sure look forward to reporting on the things that strike me as being most impressive and exciting about our short little stay there! I really don't know if I can ever expect to go concierge again, it's not in our budget at all, but this is going to be an experience!

Love,

Kris

P.S. I am, actually, hoping to treat DH to a few nights at WL, his dream resort, in September, if we can get there for Night of Joy, as we're hoping to do...(gulp)....without the kids!

 

[#1hockeymom]

Just do this one thing for me, storybookmum, Walk into the lodge, STOP, inhale, and breathe while you slowly gaze around. I'd love to see your expression when you do!

 

[sweet angel]

When we first arrived at AKL, my DS13's response was "WOW!" -- that's quite a compliment from a 13-year-old! I wasn't that taken with it...I thought it was nice, but not my style. By the time we checked out 4 days later, I didn't want to leave. I totally fell in love with everything about the hotel.

My only regret is that I didn't get to walk the entire length of the hotel (which the desk clerk said was close to a mile). We pretty much stuck to our side. I wish I had more time to explore, and I absolutely look forward to going back.

 

[storybookmum]

Debbie, I can't wait to do just that. I'll do it for the first time our very first night at Disney, though we have a few nights (5) to stay at POR first...we're having dinner at Boma the first night. So my anticipation for that lobby is very high!

I'll be sure to share my reaction!

Love,

Kris

 

[#1hockeymom]

Just remember the craziness by the restaurants is not the aura you will feel around the rest of the resort! I think that is part of what DS and I love so much about the resort; just how relaxed we become (even an 11 year old knows when mom is happy and relaxed!)

You're going to have a great trip! I hope Meredith doesn't see her "dress" picture before you go! She's going to look great in it!

Debbie

 

[Tig-girl]

I can tell you also that the lobby is so wonderful. We did spend time at the "fireplace" with a glass of wine, or just sitting in one of the little areas late at night. So peaceful, so nice and relaxing. And you can walk your legs off! The day I hung around the hotel to do laundry was the day I swear I got the most exercise! The laundry room was pretty far from our room, and on another floor, but you got to see a lot of animals on the different savannahs on your trek to get the wash!
But my DS who is 15 told me today that he want's to stay there next time. The whole family just loved AKL. And I would go back for sure!

 

[HughJackman'n'me]

I was finally contacted by AKL concierge and spoke to a wonderful CM, Don. I then called CRO back to switch my ressies. So, now I will begin my vaca with AKL, the final day CONCIERGE!!! Yippee skippy! I am soooo excited.....

 

[#1hockeymom]

Great news! Congrats! Don is wonderful! You are in very good hands!

Debbie

 

[Angel16]

Kris - If perchance you look at this thread before you leave. I am sending much prayer, pd and good wishes for a very special vacation. I have been very busy the last 3 days. Some major decisions are being made about our holidays. So sorry I have not been on the boards.

To everyone leaving on a trip for Thanksgiving. Remember to look around and give thanks for this wonderful world God has given us. The family and friends we have been given to bless our lives and WDW to help us enjoy our times together.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.



Angel

 

[lynda_oz]

Hi everyone! I have not talked much on this thread but I have been engrossed with everything AKL as we had the thrill of staying there for three nights at the beginning of November. I wish we could have stayed longer but my parents have a condo that we can use for the remaining seven days and we had only so much time available for a trip (of course if it were up to me, I would be at Disney all the time LOL). Our family had a blast at AKL. We were able to get connecting rooms on Zebra trail overlooking Arusha savannah, very close to the elevators to Mara and the Pool- it was a perfect location. The rooms are beautiful and my DS5 loved the bunk bed (it has a very sturdy guard rail all the way around the top-very good quality). I loved watching the animals being fed at 7am while getting ready for the Osmanski family commando touring of the parks (don't ask, but I am sure that my parents are happy to come home and not have to hear me say "everyone be ready to march out the door at 7:15 am to make it for early entry at _________ (fill in the blank with whatever park it was that day). LOL Don't worry, it was not that bad, let's just say I am very organized and I like the challange of riding the most rides with the least wait. But back to AKL. We loved the food at Mara, a much better selection than the Poly counter service. I love the smell (kind of smoky in an exotic way) of the lobby, the music, the CMs were all very kind and welcoming and the pool area was beautiful. The animal overlooks were very plentiful and my parents spent a lot of time just resting and looking at animals in a little tucked away seating area right off the lobby. It was very hard to leave to go to the condo, but we did come back one night for dinner at Boma. I recommend this restaurant to everyone, very interesting, unique and yummy food. My favorite memory of AKL took place after this dinner. I had settled my parents and DH in the lobby and went on a pressed penny hunt with my DS. We ended up by the pool and the weather was in the 70's (7pm) and the pool bar was open....... My DS had his kiddy smoothie and I had my Tusker beer (very good) and we found the animal overlook tucked away by the one hot tub, found a bench and chatted with the nice CM about all the animals. I think we spent about 45 minutes listening to her and the great music and soaking up the gorgeous weather and atmosphere- I never wanted to leave. This resort is perfect for relaxation, even with it being full, there are plenty spots to get away from people if you desire. Now I am torn, our family is coming back in August for an entire week on grounds and I thought we should stay at WL since it has the boat to MK, but....... what a dilemma? Oh well, I will just have to obsess over this for the next several months and drive my family crazy with trying to get the best place for everyone to enjoy. Talk to you all soon. Lynda P.S. Eventually I will figure out how to get rid of my trip counter, but I am a little slow with this technology stuff LOL.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by #1hockeymom
Great news! Congrats! Don is wonderful! You are in very good hands!

Debbie

ITA...Don's a GREAT concierger CM!

 

[Angel16]

Welcome Lynda_oz

You have found a home with us,as everyone here really loves AKL. Some of us are even obsessed with it; Can't wait to return, try to figure out ways to convience DH's that we "need" to return.ect. ect.

What a wonderful write up you did. I felt like I was back there enjoying a soft breeze, cute animals and wonderful CM's. I will have to try and find the private outlook you described by the pool. Sounds perfect. Not too far from a place to get a cold or hot drink, animals, guides and the spirit of Animal Kingdom Lodge. Sigh.....perfect

I totally relate to your dilemma. To stay at WL or AKL. Ours is to stay the Polynesian or AKL. We are going in May and I fear it will be with the Disney Anniversary Celebration just getting started. So we think a monorail hotel would be our best bet. We have ressies at the Poly for a week staying concierge. But we are returning to AKL in November for about 10 days.

I have never stayed at WL so I can not give you any thoughts there. Disney gives us so many wonderful places to stay and a hugh menu of activities. All we have to do is choose, and that is sometimes the hard part. Hope to see you often on the thread, tell us more about your visit and what your parents thought of your vacation.

Angel

 

[HughJackman'n'me]

...Don sounds like a great CM. Hey, is there an 800 # for AKL concierge????

 

[Angel16]

All I have is the 407 number. While staying at AKL the concierge only gave me their long distance number to call from my cell phone. If there is one, I would love to have it also.

Angel

 

[HughJackman'n'me]

...if I get an 800 #, I'll be sure to post it for you. I am going to send Don an email to confirm that I want ressies for the Sunrise Safari. Oh well, NO MORE LUNCHES between now and Feb (my HIPS and BU** can use the break, anyway! )....gotta save up for the difference that I will be paying for concierge! I hope it'll be worth it to see the look on my DH and DS's faces.... !

 

[sweet angel]

Can someone explain to me what makes concierge so special? I'm serious...I just don't understand. What special perks do you get to justify all the extra money?

 

[HughJackman'n'me]

Originally posted by sweet angel
Can someone explain to me what makes concierge so special? I'm serious...I just don't understand. What special perks do you get to justify all the extra money?

...when we get back, 'cuz I'm paying $300 more for concierge for the one day!

 

[sweet angel]

Wow! I hope it's amazing then!!