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

[wdwaholic]

Leaving in 3 days for AKL-C Got my Disney CD's playing and am driving my family nuts!!
Trish

 

[dreams4disney]

Does anyone know whether there is a possibility of getting connecting rooms with both having the Queen/Bunk combination? I had asked several months ago when we first booked our trip and was told no. Recently I read on another board that the person had this combination, at least that's what they said, but they may have meant adjoining. Just thought it would be worth checking again with all you "experts"

Thanks

I read on a thread before that the connecting rooms are only the queen/bunk and queen/queen combo's. I was wondering the same thing though we booked through DU and both rooms are booked as deluxe savanna w/bunks and we are two adults with 4 kids so we had been told we are guranteed connecting rooms. I guess we will see when we get there. We will be happy no matter what we get.

 

[bonzie1]

So glad you had a good time... we'll be staying 2 nights just before the DVC member cruise in September!

Does anyone know if there's someplace I can go online to see AKL's schedule of events i.e. stories by the fire, lobby tour, nighttime animal viewing...

thanks so much!

Just bumping up this questions... we leave in 3 weeks! Yipee!!! If anyone has info on this, please let me know... thanks!

 

[purplern]

Here's a list of what they had when we went in Dec 2003. You'll have to check the board in the lobby for specfic times when you are there. They had so much to do there you could spend a whole day just at the lodge.

Activities at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Horticulture Activity-Arusha Rock @ 9am
Flamingo Feedings-Uzima Savanna @ 9:30am
Spirit of Africa Art Tour-Ogun's Firepit @ 10:30am
Animal Tracking-Arusha Rock @ 11am-2pm
Medallion Crayon Rubbings-Lobby @ 12:30pm
Cookie Decorating-Boma's @ 1pm
Pelican Feedings-Arusha Rock @ 1pm
Pool Activities-Sat thru Wed, Uzima Pool @ 2:15pm
Children's Arts & Crafts ($5)-Thursdays, Kiddie Pool @ 2:15pm
(limited space available)
African Rag Doll Making ($10)-Fridays, Kiddie Pool @ 2:15pm (limited
space available)
Junior Researcher-By flamingo pond at pool @ 3pm
Culinary Tour of Africa-Ogun's Firepit @ 4pm
The Music of the Savanna-Top of Grand Staircase, Lobby @ 5pm
African Games & Crafts-Uzima Pool Deck @ 4:30pm
African Folktales-Arusha Rock Firepit @ 7:30pm
Games with Savanna Guides-Sunset Overlook @ 6:30pm
Cultural Safari-Sunset Overlook @ 8:30pm
Animal Viewing with Night Vision-Far end of Arusha Rock @ 9pm-11pm
(note: we got there right before 11pm and it didn't end while we
were there, about 20 minutes, so I'm assuming they hang out until
people leave?)
Nightly African story-telling outdoors, next to a raging fire.

 

[bonzie1]

Here's a list of what they had when we went in Dec 2003. You'll have to check the board in the lobby for specfic times when you are there. They had so much to do there you could spend a whole day just at the lodge.

Activities at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Horticulture Activity-Arusha Rock @ 9am
Flamingo Feedings-Uzima Savanna @ 9:30am
Spirit of Africa Art Tour-Ogun's Firepit @ 10:30am
Animal Tracking-Arusha Rock @ 11am-2pm
Medallion Crayon Rubbings-Lobby @ 12:30pm
Cookie Decorating-Boma's @ 1pm
Pelican Feedings-Arusha Rock @ 1pm
Pool Activities-Sat thru Wed, Uzima Pool @ 2:15pm
Children's Arts & Crafts ($5)-Thursdays, Kiddie Pool @ 2:15pm
(limited space available)
African Rag Doll Making ($10)-Fridays, Kiddie Pool @ 2:15pm (limited
space available)
Junior Researcher-By flamingo pond at pool @ 3pm
Culinary Tour of Africa-Ogun's Firepit @ 4pm
The Music of the Savanna-Top of Grand Staircase, Lobby @ 5pm
African Games & Crafts-Uzima Pool Deck @ 4:30pm
African Folktales-Arusha Rock Firepit @ 7:30pm
Games with Savanna Guides-Sunset Overlook @ 6:30pm
Cultural Safari-Sunset Overlook @ 8:30pm
Animal Viewing with Night Vision-Far end of Arusha Rock @ 9pm-11pm
(note: we got there right before 11pm and it didn't end while we
were there, about 20 minutes, so I'm assuming they hang out until
people leave?)
Nightly African story-telling outdoors, next to a raging fire.

WOW! I see what you mean! Thanks do much for posting this for me. I never knew there was this much going on!

I LOVE the picture!!!

Thanks again!

 

[plutospup]

Great List! Looks like we'll have to schedule some resort time!

 

[goin2disneyagain]

I read on a thread before that the connecting rooms are only the queen/bunk and queen/queen combo's. I was wondering the same thing though we booked through DU and both rooms are booked as deluxe savanna w/bunks and we are two adults with 4 kids so we had been told we are guranteed connecting rooms. I guess we will see when we get there. We will be happy no matter what we get.

Last year I had connecting rooms with hopes of getting both rooms with bunk beds. When I inquired about this when I checked in I was informed at the front desk that 2 connecting rooms will have a bunk/queen bed combo with a queen/queen bed combo.

 

[kimmar067]

...make sure to check the activities board when you arrive...I noticed that purplern had posted cookie-decorating at 1PM, but it has since been changed to 3PM (unless it was changed AGAIN!)...I guess they rotate the times of the activities to keep from them getting mundane!

 

[Mzwalruz]

My daughter is a video game arcade junkie.....does anyone know if there is a large video arcade at AKL????

If yes, are there games that spit out tickets to be exchanged for prizes?

Thanks a million for your help!

~Wendy.....planning trip #17

 

[tekmom]

Hi, my 13 year old son enjoyed the arcade well enough. I thought it was big enough, with alot to do. The games do not spit out tickets for prizes, though. Sorry. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Laralyn]

We just made reservations for AKL for mid-September, and I'm really excited! It will be my first time even seeing the resort (much less staying in it) and I'm hoping my BF likes it too.

Has anyone been there really recently? Did they get the high speed internet installed yet?

I booked a savannah room because it's for our fifth anniversary, but when I look at Expedia, there are still lots of standard and savannah rooms free when we are there. Do you think it would be worth risking the switch to standard and hoping for a free upgrade? I know the answer is usually "If it's important to you, book it," but what the heck--I may as well ask.

Thanks for any info you can pass along!

 

[bonzie1]

We just made reservations for AKL for mid-September, and I'm really excited! It will be my first time even seeing the resort (much less staying in it) and I'm hoping my BF likes it too.

Has anyone been there really recently? Did they get the high speed internet installed yet?

I booked a savannah room because it's for our fifth anniversary, but when I look at Expedia, there are still lots of standard and savannah rooms free when we are there. Do you think it would be worth risking the switch to standard and hoping for a free upgrade? I know the answer is usually "If it's important to you, book it," but what the heck--I may as well ask.

Thanks for any info you can pass along!

You will LOVE this resort. Any time we visit a resort for the FIRST time, the excitement builds + builds! I don't know about the internet access...

As far as a Savanah Room... my 2 cents is... if you want it... book it. On the other hand, DH + I planned a spur of the moment trip over July 4th weekend and got a great AP rate for a standard (parking lot view) room. That trip we really didn't care as we were looking to save $$$. When we arrived we did ask if there were any upgrades available, and got a pool view. We were thrilled.

For a 5th anniversary, I wouldn't chance not getting a savanah room. It's wonderful watching the animals from your room... even at night should you need to get up.

ENJOY + HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

 

[montblanc]

I was just there in July and am going back in August. This resort is incredible, it is hard to find any issues with it. Some people say it is too dark in the interior, well to me that sets the mood. Reminds me of the J. Conrad book "Heart of Darkness".

 

[kimmar067]

My daughter is a video game arcade junkie.....does anyone know if there is a large video arcade at AKL????

If yes, are there games that spit out tickets to be exchanged for prizes?

Thanks a million for your help!

~Wendy.....planning trip #17

....is a pretty decent size (it's larger than the one at WL, if THAT helps!) but I don't remember seeing those ticket-exchanging counters to get prizes...gotta ask my DS [who's not here right now!] whether there is or isn't; he played in the arcade several times!)

 

[Kala]

I'm still a little confused on the furniture/beds in the rooms. I thought all Deluxe rooms had a day bed, in addition to the other bed/beds in the rooms. We requested a Deluxe King room last October and when we checked in we were told that King rooms were not available so we got 2 Queens. Not a big deal, just not what we were hoping for. When we got to the room we noticed it also did not have a Day Bed/Sofa, just 2 Queens, a table and 2 chairs (which we loved and used often) and another chair. So I guess there are some Deluxe rooms that do not have the Day Bed/Sofa. We are asking because we have 2 Deluxe rooms reserved for next month and we were hoping for connecting Queen/Bunk rooms (Our DS, DDIL and DGS are staying in another room). When we found out that combination was not possible we thought it would still be ok because DS (17) could sleep in the other Queen and DGD (2) could sleep on the day bed with a bedrail. If there is no Day Bed I guess we'll try to get 2 Queen/Bunk rooms near each other, not connecting because I know DS will not be happy about sharing a bed with his 2 yr old niece who tends to toss and turn alot at night.

Does anyone know why some Deluxe rooms have Day Beds and others do not? I guess 2 Queen/Bunk rooms wouldn't be a bad option as long as they're really close... :

We're all getting really excited now. Will be the grandkids first trip and the kids first trip in several years...

 

[jcemom]

Hmmm...this IS the AKL thread right? I didn't accidentally click on the WL thread? Sure seems to be a lot of WL veterans posting 'over here' LOL.

I'm debating switching my January reservation from WL to AKL so I popped in to look around a bit. I haven't been to an AKL thread in quite some time. We stayed at AKL in February of 2004 and my DH absolutely fell in love with it. I booked WL for January mainly due to the location. I'm thinking I should surprise DH with a switch to AKL. I know it would make him happy.

 

[kimmar067]

Hmmm...this IS the AKL thread right? I didn't accidentally click on the WL thread? Sure seems to be a lot of WL veterans posting 'over here' LOL.

 

[Janet2k]

My family returned from WDW and the AKL last night. We had a wonderful time at the resort. I have lots of photos to share of the rooms that we stayed in (2nd floor, 6th floor, 4th floor). I'll try to post the photos as soon as I can.

 

[Janet2k]

By the way, while we were at the AKL, my daughter attended a few of the resort's activities. She had a marvelous time. At one of the activities, she overheard a few Cast Members telling some parents that two celebrities were staying at the resort: the Princess of Morocco and the actor Eddie Murphy. My daughter really wanted to see Eddie Murphy since she loved him in "The Haunted Mansion" movie.

 

[bonzie1]

My family returned from WDW and the AKL last night. We had a wonderful time at the resort. I have lots of photos to share of the rooms that we stayed in (2nd floor, 6th floor, 4th floor). I'll try to post the photos as soon as I can.

Wow Janet2k! I can't wait to see your pictures! We'll be there just before the Member Cruise on 09/04. Right now, we'll be in a pool view room for 09/02 + 09/03!