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

[Angel16]

Hi Debbie, Looks like you and I were posting at the same time.

I would love to read about your recent trip. I have not been keeping up with the boards the way I usually do, but I seem to remember you had a wonderful trip planned for Spring Break. PM me and let me know how things are going.

Love,

Angel

 

[cabbages&kings]

Thanks for the general direction

Does anyone else have anthing more specific? DH freaks out when I say that we missed it and need to make a U-turn to get somewhere.

AKL is on Osceola Parkway. When you exit the resort you will turn right at the first stoplight you come to. This is Sherberth Road (Black Lake Rd is to the left, don't go there). Follow Sherberth until it intersects Hwy 92. There are plenty of places to shop there. Personally, I turn right on 92 and a mile or so down there's a Winn Dixie Marketplace. Only takes a few minutes.

I know this route because why wife expects sweetened tea every day, and I have to make a run or two to Chick-Fil-A each trip. Thankfully, they will sell by the gallon.

Hope this helps.

 

[YCFAN]

Thanks for your answers about the concierge lounge! I'm pretty excited about this trip also even though it's not until July 2006. The suite is a surprise for everyone but me! Does this mean in order to get to the lounge you have to go down from the 5th floor to the lobby and back up again to the lounge? We had dinner at Jiko on our last trip in 2004 . I thought AKL was so beautiful. We're spending the first 7 days of our trip at my beloved YC and then the last three days in real style at AKL. We'll probably be over the initial "park" rush by then and I thought it would be nice to see what the resort has to offer and spend more time there. Thanks for your help!!

 

[Angel16]

Thanks for your answers about the concierge lounge! I'm pretty excited about this trip also even though it's not until July 2006. The suite is a surprise for everyone but me! Does this mean in order to get to the lounge you have to go down from the 5th floor to the lobby and back up again to the lounge? We had dinner at Jiko on our last trip in 2004 . I thought AKL was so beautiful. We're spending the first 7 days of our trip at my beloved YC and then the last three days in real style at AKL. We'll probably be over the initial "park" rush by then and I thought it would be nice to see what the resort has to offer and spend more time there. Thanks for your help!!

Good Morning Everyone! Hope you are having a great Thursday

YCFAN - No, you just go to one of the main elevators, near the front of the building. You take the elevator UP one floor, you will need to use your GOLD card key to get the elevator to work You will be on the 6th floor, turn right and you see the lounge. It sound like you have a wonderful vacation in the planning stage. The first time we went to AKL we stayed for 6 nights. It went by WAY too fast. That's why we have to go back !!!!!

You have a lot of time to plan everything perfectly. Hope to hear all about your ideas and what all you plan on doing.

Angel

 

[YCFAN]

Angel16: I know it seems kind of silly to be excited about something so far away. We were just there in 2004 and 2003 and Disneyland in 2002. I wanted this trip to be really special so I waited a year in-between and I wanted to make sure I definitely got this suite so I went ahead and booked so far in advance. The worst part now will be the waiting.....even the waiting to plan. LOL!

 

[Angel16]

Angel16: I know it seems kind of silly to be excited about something so far away. We were just there in 2004 and 2003 and Disneyland in 2002. I wanted this trip to be really special so I waited a year in-between and I wanted to make sure I definitely got this suite so I went ahead and booked so far in advance. The worst part now will be the waiting.....even the waiting to plan. LOL!

YCFAN: It is not silly at all! I believe a big part of the fun and enjoyment is in the planning of the vacation. The more time you spend learning and planning the smoother your vacation is likely to go. There are so many knowledgeable people here on the DIS and I am learning new things everyday. I know I want to know everything that is out there to do, places to go and great food ideas. I want to return from my vacation with my family knowing that we did unusual and special actives and we had as much fun as possible. I find the boards help with the "waiting" to plan part too

Remember your concierge visit at AKL entitles you to their pre-planning expertise. If you contact them, they will be happy to set up your ressies for your entire stay, not just while you are at AKL. Last October my DH and I were able to attend one of the Food and Wine Festivals Exquisite dinners. There were only 50 tickets available, and AKL concierge got two for us the morning they opened the phones. The whole seasons dinner experience was sold out in less than 5 minutes.

Are you staying concierge at YC? Tell me about that resort, you said it is your beloved; fill me in. I am thinking of adding extra days to our Thanksgiving stay. Maybe YC would be an option.

Angel

 

[YCFAN]

Yes, YC is my beloved. I always stay CL there too! I love the relaxed atmosphere and nothing beats sitting on my balcony watching the boats on Crescent Lake and the Boardwalk in the distance. The best part of YC CL is Amy!!! Over the years I've developed a friendship with her where we e-mail each other from time to time even when a trip is not planned. I met her initially because she was doing my pre-planning. She has booked Breathless Illuminations cruises for me, CRT breakfasts, etc. She is soooooo pleasant and really goes the extra mile. I like being close enough to walk to Epcot and the boat dock to MGM is directly behind the YC. The pool is great and the Yachtsman Steakhouse is one of my favorite places to eat (and trust me I've tried almost all of them). In 2003 we decided to go over to AKL for dinner at Jiko and when we started to order dessert, the waiter said "I'm sorry, you already have dessert!" The YC CL had sent over a chocolate Mickey and Minnie surrounded by chocolate covered strawberries on a large wooden board and written in chocolate was "Thank you for visiting with us at Walt Disney World". I always get blown away with things like that! YC is close enough to the action but you still get that quiet relaxed atmosphere that you don't quite get at BC or BWI. I'm hoping I'll like the AKL just as well and maybe that's why YC sent the dessert to us when we were eating at AKL. They were afraid we'd like it over there too much!! LOL!

 

[lisareniff]

YCFan: Another way to get up to the 6th floor is a stairway on the opposite side of the lounge or lobby from the elevator. If you have a map it is on entrance to the ostrich trail. It is gated at the bottom so you will need you key to enter. We found this easier then the elevator since we were on the Kudu Trail (Is the RAS is at the beginning of the Kudu Trail?)

 

[kimmar067]

...about that stairway! My DS 'discovered' it when we were having breakfast in the CL lounge!

 

[YCFAN]

Yes, I believe the RAS is at the beginning of the Kudu trail. Thanks for the information. I'll make a note of that stairway!

 

[lisareniff]

Yep, we're stairway people!

 

[lomillerin]

Does anyone have an email and regular address of the best place to send a complaint letter?
We just got back and even though we loved AKL and will go back, we had several problems and want to let someone official know. We did let them know when we were there but they just looked at me and didn't have any suggestions or solutions.
Thanks.

 

[CBCit]

Just curious, what problems?

 

[lomillerin]

The table in the room had something sticky all over it as if it had not been wiped down after a drink spilled. The mini-fridge did not work at all and had a bad oder and when I asked for a new one, they sent one, and plugged it in right in front of the bathroom sinks and left the old one. It was right in our way.
There was ketchup all over the table and chairs on the balcony.

There were some size stickers from new clothing items on the sink vanity, several of them. How could they be there if the maid had wiped it down?
When I called to have them come and fix things, it took them over an hour to get there, while I waited in the room and lost valuable park time. When I complained, they just said they would leave a message for the manager but no one ever contacted me.

 

[Angel16]

I am so sorry to hear of your experience. There must have been some type of breakdown in housekeeping. Please keep us posted as to the reply from your letter. AKL is one of my favorite resorts. I would hate to learn they are going down.

 

[Angel16]

Just a friendly Bump

 

[cocowum]

Does anyone have the number for in room Dining? I would like to order one of those white chocolate mickeys with the chocolate dipped strawberries.Hmmmm TIA

 

[Nik's Mom]

Hi,
We will be at AKL in a week. My ds's teachers just asked me to have him do some educational activities while we are there. Does anyone have any ideas on educational things we can do at AKL? My ds is only in kindergarten and has autism. He is quickly becoming an expert on animals, so I thought we could do some things at AK and AKL. Any ideas?
Thanks!

 

[Tiffany]

Hi,
We will be at AKL in a week. My ds's teachers just asked me to have him do some educational activities while we are there. Does anyone have any ideas on educational things we can do at AKL? My ds is only in kindergarten and has autism. He is quickly becoming an expert on animals, so I thought we could do some things at AK and AKL. Any ideas?
Thanks!

The place is a wealth of information about Africa. There are many CM around that are from countries in Africa that are more then willing to tell you all about their home country and how it differs from America. I think that is educational.

 

[#1hockeymom]

Most of the kids' activities at AKL are educational, ranging from Flamingo feeding and how their feeding is different than other birds, to looking at the bones of different animals. Going down the trails you'll see tons of African artwork and artifacts. You'll have a great time!