How is Animal Kingdom Lodge?

[MomLC]

I just returned from Pop Century with my DD(3) and Mom(68). My Mom liked Pop but said she would like to stay at a resort with sit down dining as well as counter service and better transportation to the parks. Any one out there with experience staying at AKL? How does it compare to Pop's kid friendly atmosphere? How is the transportation to the parks? Pop's transportation really needs alot of improvement. Waiting for the buses is fine but not when there are at least 15 families ahead of you and you are hoping for a seat for at least your toddler. Any info is GREATLY appreciated.

 

[720L]

The AKL buses are great. We had the same problem at POP with our 2 kids and hoping to get a seat for them or even get on the 1st bus that comes! Always got a seat for all of us on AKL bus. The AKL is a much more relaxed, comfortable place. It has a kid friendly atmosphere. There is a story every night around the fire pit our kids loved. They have kids crafts to do with CM's. The pool has a slide and its a zero entry pool for the little ones. Our kids loved walking around at all the viewing places looking at the animals and loved watching them from our savannah view!

 

[kellypooh]

My DH and I just got back from our stay at AKL -- we don't have any little ones ourselves but saw many families with kids. I wouldn't hesitate at all to stay there with children -- especially if your kids like animals. As far as the buses go, we never had to wait long for a bus to any of the theme parks (don't know about the water parks because we didn't go to them). Two nights on the way home from late nights at a park, there was standing room only on the buses but that seemed to be the exception and not the rule. I have also stayed at AKL in mid-February and the buses were usually about empty then.

The restaurants at AKL are fabulous IMO -- my husband said that the meal we had at Boma was the best meal he's ever had...and he doesn't give praise like that lightly!!!

All in all, I would highly recommend AKL. Personally, I won't stay anywhere else!

 

[Deweysgirl]

Just back from AKL. It was awesome! We have 2 young children and they absolutely loved it! Very kid-friendly resort with activities and great animal viewing. I couldn't drag them away from the pool. Boma is a wonderful restaurant, for both breakfast and dinner. The food court is adequate with everything you would need and open until midnight while we were there. The transportation was fine, no problems at all.

We booked a standard room and that's what we got. I had heard that they almost always upgrade your room if there is availability, not true. There was plenty of availability and we ended up having to pay the difference to change rooms to a savanna view, but it was definately worth it to us.

I'm sure your family will enjoy AKL if you decide to try it.

 

[rachael95]

AKL is still my favorite resort. It's beautiful and Boma is awesome. We always make sure we eat there at least twice every trip and always make breakfast at Boma the last thing we do before we leave.

When we were there, one rainy afternoon they had all the kids running around with charcoal and paper making rubbings of the seals on the floors. I wished I was a kid or had a kid so I could participate it looked like they were having so much fun.

Never had problems with the busses - mainly because you don't have to share with other resorts. We had standing room only once after fireworks but another bus was coming very soon behind if you didn't want to squeeze in.

So far, of the three resorts I've stayed in and the several I've walked through it's the only one I'd definitely want to return to. If you can at all afford it and you love animals spring for Safari view. It really makes the trip special. You feel like you're not in Florida but in Africa they've done it so well.

 

[Micca]

I think it's a superior resort and is even better than some of the monorail hotels.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

I have stayed there twice in the last 2 years with my niece and nephew who are now 7 and 5. They both LOVED it. The animals are great!! The atmosphere is great for adults and kids!! Lots to do and see.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

IMO, it's the best themed resort in all of WDW. I LOVE it!

 

[mm lover in Ia]

AKL was the first resort we stayed in, that was a big mistake, we have such high expectations now cause it was so beautiful. It is the only resort my kids ever want to stay in and they are now 4 and 9.

 

[Nik's Mom]

We returned from AKL just a few weeks ago. It was a great resort for children! Our 3 year old and 6 year old loved looking at the animals. And the bus service was outstanding! There were only a few other families in the bus with us, and at times we were the only ones! And the kids loved the bunk beds!

 

[tinkerbell81284]

I've never stayed there but I just did a tour of it earlier today. It is absolutely beautiful! It's in my top 3 of hotels I'd love to stay at!