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

[KerriL]

From what the castmember in concierge told me, they are almost always sold out. They offer the safari only 2 mornings per week.
And it is exclusively for concierge guests only.
Kerri

 

[susy]

This has probably been asked before. I have ressies for Labor Day Weekend (arriving Fri night). We have a standard room booked. I wonder what the chances would be to get an upgrade. This is a special trip for us- first stay at Deluxe, my b day, and we are also making up for last year's stay that we had to cancel due to financial burdens after 9/11. We had a savannah room booked then (boo hoo). Is there a specific way to ask? Should it be in our fax? We want to be as meek and polite as possibe and we completely understand if it's not possible. Who knows? Maybe between now and then I can get together the money for the difference. Any suggestions?

 

[sharoncity]

Susy - maybe you could nicely word it in your fax to the room assignor and give them all the reasons you just gave us for why you'd LOVE to be upgraded to savannah view. However, I wouldn't count on it because that is a holiday weekend and could be very busy. I'm wishing pixie dust for you!

 

[minniemosa]

Last June 1, 2002.we were upgrade from a stad room to a pool view. There were two rooms and both were upgrade. Let me tell you that we prefer this view because we only saw at the savanah two zebras in four days.Th cast member said it was because of the hot weather.Our rooms were great, near MARA, laundry room, arcade,etc. We love them . All I requested(connecting rooms, bunk beds, std rooms that not were near pathway to bus stop), were done.I just think that if they have the rooms availabe, they upgrade.Maybe because we have ressies for Pop Century and were offer the AKL, we were upgrade.

 

[DisneyDreamer]

We stayed at the AKL from June 7-12. During our stay, they offered the following activities.
Horticulture Show and Tell on Wednesdays, 9 a.m., Arusha Rock,
Track the Animals, 9:30 a.m., Arusha Rock,
Flamingo Feedings, 10:30 at Uzima Savanna,
Recreational Activities, 11:45 a.m. and 2:05 p.m. at the Lobby and Uzima Pool,
Cookie Decorating, 1:00 p.m., Boma Restaurant,
Pelican Feedings, 2:00 p.m., Arusha Rock,
Lodge Tour, 3:30 p.m., Ogun’s Firepit,
Junior Researcher, 4:00 p.m., Uzima Savanna,
Poolside Activities, 5:00 p.m., Uzima Pool,
Storytelling, 6:30 p.m., Arusha Rock Firepit (Sunset Overlook if it’s raining),
Games with Savanna Guides, 7:30 p.m., Sunset Overlook,
Cultural Safari, 8:30 p.m., Sunset Overlook,
Night Vision Tracking, 10:15 p.m., Arusha Rock

We saw the Pelican feeding (not too exciting) and attended two of the storytelling sessions (entertaining). Our kids played the 7:30 animal trivia game with a savanna guide. They both enjoyed this. My oldest son “earned” two badges at the Track the Animals (use tracking equipment to find a hidden transmitter) and Junior Researcher (observe an animal for 5 minutes, checking off their observed activity every minute). The night we tried to do the night vision tracking it was cancelled due to rain. The storytelling lasted about 30-40 minutes, but the other activities only took about 5 minutes each.

. . .

Folks with balloons they had bought at the parks were notified in the lobby by CM’s that they would need to check their balloons, for the safety of animals.

. . .

My husband and I enjoyed the music played throughout the lodge so he asked at the gift shop about purchasing it. This is obviously a frequest request, because they gave him a sheet which stated “Where can we purchase the music that is played throughout the resort?---Most of the music is available at Virgin Megastore. Here is a Listing:
Telek: Go Ralom, Balamaris, Talaigu
Vieuz Diop: C On, Mom’s Jam, Nio Koto Koba
Khadja Nin: Africa Obota, Embargo, Like An Angel, Mama, Mzee Mandela, Turasa
Voices (of Africa): Dala, Ekibobo, Kothbiro, Ngak, Ondiek, Tatenda, Wasuze Otya
Nakodje: Aliou Wara, Nana
African World: Sou
Samite: Bring Back . . . Music, Cradle with Love, Esawayo, Having a Good Time, Night Stories, Tindiba

. . .

Grilled veggies and mozarelli pizza from room service was our best meal of the trip!

 

[bjakmom]

Thanks for the hours of the "night vision tracking", DisneyDreamer. The CM at CRO was very helpful and chatty about AKL, she even mentioned this to me and said how much fun it would be for my 13yo - I hadn't heard mention of it before, but can't wait to try it!

 

[susy]

Can you request turndown service in a standard room??? I have not had problems with this at other dexlue hotels (non-disney). What is their policy? Of course, a tip would be left.

 

[mattjs]

What's the night vision tracking? Will be there in September.

 

[DisneyDreamer]

Although we didn't get to do it, it's my understanding that the guides on Arusha Rock have special binoculars which allow you to see the animals in the dark.

 

[bjakmom]

That's how the CM @ CRO explained it to me - that the AKL CM lets you use special night-vision binoculars to view the animals. We'll be there end of August - I'll let you know how it went, matt - DS will definitely want to try this!

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Last November I had the oppurtunity to speak to a CM at AKL who was from Africa, She told me that most of the animals are past the tree line after dark. She did not have any night vision binoculars. The impression I got from her was that there wasnt much to see after dark.
It was very interesting to listen to her perspective on America and the many oppurtunities this great country has to offer.

 

[sharoncity]

While there in April, we had 3 or 4 wildebeast who liked to sleep right in front of our room each night. That was well worth seeing! But didn't need night vision binoculars for it. They also keep the savannahs artificially lit at night so that it has the same light as it would under a full moon. We saw lots of animal activity during the evening hours. I think the night vision thing would be neat, especially for kids!

 

[DisneyDreamer]

Susy,
I think you can request turndown service. During our stay, I was in the hall and overheard Housekeeping staff knock and announce "turndown service" a couple doors down.

 

[WDW2000]

This question has been asked several times on this thread, but for some reason hasn't been answered. I was wondering if the Deluxe Savannah Rooms are on specific floors or have specific views like the concierge rooms? Can I request a Deluxe Savannah Room on the second floor to be closer to animals? Does anyone know of a specific room to ask for? I need one with queen/bunk/daybed to sleep 5.

 

[sharoncity]

With deluxe rooms, you can reserve savannah views. They are more expensive than the pool/water view deluxes. However the deluxe rooms are all on the fifth floor. The concierge rooms are on fifth or sixth floor. You can request a savannah view for concierge, but it is not guarenteed. You would not be able to get a deluxe room on the second floor. Hope this helps!

 

[Gail T AGAIN]

I have night vision on my video camera and the shots I got of the many animals out there at night, I counted at least 11. When i came home and watched it I fely like I was reliving it all over again, we had a great room, I do believe it was room 3325 savanhah. I was wishing to get upreaded to concierge but she told me for 135 I could, i couldn't justifie that seeing as I was staying one night and going to go to the parks all day. I can't wait to go back, I just wish the lighting was better

 

[TammyPB]

Is the AKL pool a sand bottom pool? I just can't tell from the pictures.

 

[sharoncity]

Nope, no sand bottom. It is kind of a green color. It is supposed to look like a watering hole on a savannah. It does have a zero depth entry side, which is wonderful for the little tikes!

 

[grumpyandbashful]

Does anyone know if the section of rooms that stick out of Zebra Trail and directly overlook the smaller hot tub (by the savannah) are classified as pool view or savannah view?? From what I can tell, they sort of overlook both.

 

[Twoears]

Do the concierge rooms have refridgerators? Has anyone stayed in a pool view concierge room? Was it by choice? We are going next weekend and are booked concierge and really want sav. view. The CM at CRO told me that if we didn't get the view we wanted, we would have to call back and rebook through CRO to get our AP discount to change to a regular sav. view room. Has anyone had any problems getting the view you wanted in concierge? Thanks!