How do we feel about AK Lodge?

[TiffinyKC]

Hello all....Question for you.

I think that I have made up my mind to go with the Animal Kingdom Lodge for our trip (April 5 through April 11). Does anyone have any experience with that hotel? It looks like we're going to go with the Deluxe Savannah selection. Does that really get a better view of the animals than the regular rooms? Can I ask them for the best floor to see the animals from?

I know....lot's of questions at once, but seriously if someone wants to give me all of their knowledge on this hotel I will certainly listen to it!

I'm ready to go right now!!!

Thanks,
TiffinyKC

 

[TiffinyKC]

Krikey....should I have posted this under the WDW Resorts? I am so new at this. Silly, silly me.

 

[Foladar]

I believe Savannah view is the only room (atleast regular rooms supposely do not have animal views) that would give you an animal view. When we stayed, we really enjoyed it, esp. the balcony on our regular savannah view to watch the animals.

 

[Northstar]

Just go with a savannah view, don't bother with deluxe savannah view IMO.

The deluxe rooms are a tad bigger (381 versus 344 square feet) and are on the top two floors. So you're looking down on the animals from quite high up, and it's just not as close and intimate a view.

I'm sure you'll get lots of replies on the Disney Resorts board, too!

 

[AJKMOM]

Well, yes, you will find info under the WDW Resorts section. Probably an entire FAQ section.

However, AKL is built so some of the rooms do not have a view of any animals. There is a parking lot view and a pool view, too. We loved the savannah view, it was great to sit and watch the animals.

 

[ducklite]

While there are plenty of public viewing spaces at the AKL, there's nothing like sitting on your own balcony watching them.

You don't need a deluxe room, but you do need a Savannah View room. Some people like the lower floors, I prefer the higher ones--I feel that while it might put you a few feet further from the animals--it gives a better view overall, and ensures that you wo'nt have a people pen room.

The animals are sperated from the rooms by about a 30' barrier, so even on a low floor you wopn't have a giraffe rating out of your hand--which is a reason to get thrown out of the resort anyhow.

The difference between the regular SV and deluxe SV rooms are a few feet. If you need a daybed for a fifth guest or two children who won't sleep together, you'll need a deluxe room, they are not avaialble in regular rooms. Also not all deluxe rooms have a daybed, some have and oversized chair instead, so if you are booking deluxe with only three or four guests, you'll need to request the daybed if you want/need it.

Anne

 

[mbb]

That's okay, I'll just zip your thread over to the Resorts Board!

But stop by here and visit again

 

[CPer'sMom]

We've stayed at AKL many times and have had both Savannah view and Deluxe Savannah view rooms. Deluxe rooms are on the 5th and 6th floors.
I (almost) always prefer the higher floor rooms at any resort, so I thought that would be the best at AKL too which is why I booked 'deluxe' for our first stay.
I don't feel that the extra room is really significant in the Deluxe room - yes, it's a little more room which is nice, but not (IMO) worth paying the extra money.
We also prefer the views from the lower floors ~ of course this is dependent upon just where your Savannah view room is located. You can get a "really" great view or you can get a just a so/so Savannah view.

On our trip last week we had the best AKL room view we've ever had ~~ 3rd floor, Kudu trail (3300 section) overlooking the Arusha Savannah. I'd read here that many people prefer Zebra Trail and that's what we'd always had previously. But the location of our Kudu room trail was *perfect* for great animal viewing.

 

[TinksMagic54]

We were also on the 3rd floor, Savannah view. I don't think I would want to be any higher as the animals may seem to far away. We had a good variety of them outside our room and there was a leaflet in the room describing which animals we may see. If you want to be able to open your curtains, sit outside and watch the animals at your leisure (in pj's or whatever), then book a Savannah room. If you don't mind going to the common areas to see the animals and Savannah, then you can book a regular room.

If your an animal lover, this is the resort for you. My DH and DD like it here -- I prefer the YC

 

[TiffinyKC]

Thanks everyone....what a lot of information. I will take it under serious consideration.

Keep it coming if anyone else has anything to add.

This is really great!!!

Thanks everyone

 

[Forever a Princess]

AKL is one of our favorites!

Home to two of the best restaurants on property-Boma and Jiko.

Love the pool (laregest of resort pools) and the pool bar.

Waking up in the morning and peeking out the curtains to see the giraffe(s) is just unbelievable.

Did I mention the awesome gift shop?!!!

Zebra domes ( a chocolate dessert delight) are available at Boma and also sometimes Mara.

African wines are available at Jiko and Mara. I don't remember if Boma has the African wines-->I'm always by the Zebra dome line.

You can purchase a bag of the excellent coffee at Mara.

Man I could go on and on. We love this resort.

Love to sit on the balconey and animal watch.

I almost forget to mention-the spa is great. Nice to get a massage after a grueling day at the park.

Renee

 

[dixipixi]

I love the AKL! It is one of the best resorts on property IMO. I agree with previous posters that they have 2 of the best restaurants at WDW. It is a beautiful resort. It really seems nice and peaceful. Really relaxing to come back to after a day in the parks.

Having a savannah view room was great. I loved sitting on the balcony watching the animals. We were on the second floor. I know a lot of people think this is too low, but I thought it was just right. We were "eye to eye" with the giraffes! I don't have the best eyesight in the world and I don't like to be very far away from things, so the second floor was really great for me.

For our first visit I didn't really request anything special and I couldn't have been more pleased with our room. On future visits, I probably will make requests to be in the same area again.

Hope you have a great time!!!!

 

[rhiannonwales]

We were there in 2001 and will be returning in October. I personally love the lower floors, and am hoping to get another 2nd floor room this time. You do get a more expansive view up in the 5th floors, but i like the intimacy of looking a giraffe or Kudu in the eye. To me, a lowere floor is more like being "in" the savannah experience, while being up on the 5th is like watching it from a purely spectator angle like at a zoo.
Just my 2 cents

 

[jaysue]

Hello all....Question for you.

I think that I have made up my mind to go with the Animal Kingdom Lodge for our trip (April 5 through April 11). Does anyone have any experience with that hotel? It looks like we're going to go with the Deluxe Savannah selection. Does that really get a better view of the animals than the regular rooms? Can I ask them for the best floor to see the animals from?

I know....lot's of questions at once, but seriously if someone wants to give me all of their knowledge on this hotel I will certainly listen to it!

I'm ready to go right now!!!

Thanks,
TiffinyKC

Deluxe Savannah rooms are actually on the higher floors - we have found that we have better (closer) views on the lower floors but it is not a huge difference - the deluxe rooms are not much bigger than the regular rooms (about 40 sq feet). Make sure you ask to see on a map where the room is that they try and give you - there are some shall we say less than great rooms

Cheers
jaysue

 

[TiggerAllie]

Ok-- I keep reading these boards and I can't decide what room requests to put in! Which savannah-- Arusha or Sunset?

I feel pretty confident about an even-numbered (west-facing) room, far down either the Zebra (Arusha) or Kudu (Sunset) trail?

I'm also thinking of requesting a King bed, if that doesn't lock me into a "bad" location...

Finally, how many "people pens" are there, and by which rooms?

Thanks so much! AKL: I can't wait!

 

[CPer'sMom]

Ok-- I keep reading these boards and I can't decide what room requests to put in! Which savannah-- Arusha or Sunset?

I feel pretty confident about an even-numbered (west-facing) room, far down either the Zebra (Arusha) or Kudu (Sunset) trail?

IMO Arusha Savannah is the best This is the only savannah that has the zebras. The ODD numbered rooms on the Kudu trail face Arusha Savannah. *Far down* the trail is good ~ the odd numbered rooms in the 2nd or 3rd section from the end on the Kudu trail have great views.

 

[jaysue]

Ok-- I keep reading these boards and I can't decide what room requests to put in! Which savannah-- Arusha or Sunset?

I feel pretty confident about an even-numbered (west-facing) room, far down either the Zebra (Arusha) or Kudu (Sunset) trail?

I'm also thinking of requesting a King bed, if that doesn't lock me into a "bad" location...

Finally, how many "people pens" are there, and by which rooms?

Thanks so much! AKL: I can't wait!

You should consider doing a search on this site for "people pen" - they tried to place us in one of those rooms and pass it off as a Savannah View

I think it was room 2301

Cheers
jaysue

 

[Ltl Mermaid]

What is a people pen???

 

[dollcollector1]

I love the AKL! It is one of the best resorts on property IMO. I agree with previous posters that they have 2 of the best restaurants at WDW. It is a beautiful resort. It really seems nice and peaceful. Really relaxing to come back to after a day in the parks.

I would love to stay at AKL. Maybe the next time around.....

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I would probably book Arushsa Savannah Zebra Trail on the 2nd or 3rd floor. Great views from that area. AKL is our new favorite resort. Nothing like coming face to face with a giraffe while you drink you morning coffee. We just had the second floor and loved the view. We were so incredibly close to the animals. So I would only book the deluxe if you need the extra space for a 5th person to sleep. Otherwise book standard savannah view.