Is Animal Kingdom Lodge worth the $$$$$$$

[pitmindi]

HI, I am going to disney for 6 nights at end of Aug with the free dining. I have 2 seperate packages. Pop century with 1 day tickets was $500.00 for 3 nights. Animal Kingdom is $1200.00 for 3 nights (savanah view) with 1 day tickets. I am considering going to the Pop Century, then going to a 4 star hotel on the beach for $100 a night, rather than Animal Kingdom Lodge since the price is so high. Any thoughts from those who have been to the Lodge. Thanks for all input.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We have stayed there in the past and loved it. It is one of our top two resorts. Even though it was a little more expensive, we enjoyed waking up in the morning and watching the animals right outside our window.

 

[eliza61]

HI, I am going to disney for 6 nights at end of Aug with the free dining. I have 2 seperate packages. Pop century with 1 day tickets was $500.00 for 3 nights. Animal Kingdom is $1200.00 for 3 nights (savanah view) with 1 day tickets. I am considering going to the Pop Century, then going to a 4 star hotel on the beach for $100 a night, rather than Animal Kingdom Lodge since the price is so high. Any thoughts from those who have been to the Lodge. Thanks for all input.

"Worth" is a very subjective, personal thing. If I go to Disney, I'm staying on site. Period. for me that's what makes the trip. AKL is a fantastic lodge so for me it is worth every penny I spend. Do you think the price will bother you while you are there? Can you enjoy the resort or will you end up spending the entire time saying that " so & so resort is a true 4 star hotel".
I love the theming and the animals

 

[Lynne M]

Curious when you say you'd trade AKL for a hotel on the beach. Does that mean you're considering not doing WDW for the last few days of your vacation? The closest beach to WDW is about an hour away.

That makes for long drives at the beginning and end of every day, and additional costs for gas. And it makes it virtually impossible to get back to your resort mid-day for a dip in the pool and a rest, which can be very important in the blistering August heat.

Your time and comfort are worth something too....take that into consideration when you're comparing costs.

 

[rodkenrich]

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[MUDisneyCouple]

We've never been, but were suppose to this trip...we got displaced due to construction. When we visited there on our last trip in 2006 - it was BEAUTIFUL and the animals were fantasic! We would have LOVED to stay there and it was worth our money in our minds. Unfortunately, we got moved to the Poly for this stay.

So, if you are concerned about the price, you might also call to see if you'd have to move rooms/resorts. You might not get to stay there no matter what! Better safe than sorry! There is another thread somewhere that talks about the moves...good luck!

 

[rgf207]

yes, it is worth every penny

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

Yes. When you are there sitting on your balcony looking at "your animals" you too will agree, it's worth it. It was the best decision I have ever made. Heaven on earth!

 

[Rustysmom]

If you change to the hotel on the beach, then you'll only have the free dining for the 3 nights you'll be at Pop and not the 6 nights.

I've never been to AKL, but it looks beautiful and I'm sure it's worth it.

 

[borgthe]

I think people are being moved out of AKL for this time period, however, because of construction. It might not be an option.

 

[grannyminnie]

ITA with Eliza61. "Worth" is in the eye of the purchaser, and what his or her priority is. For me also, staying on the property is the priority now, even to the extent of not going to the parks every day and enjoying the resort instead. AKL is great for that! We're staying concierge there for the first time this year, and I am beyond excited.

 

[Plannergirl]

As others have said its all in what you want and what says "vacation" to you.

For us its the BEST place on earth hands down, no matter the cost its where we want to be. Its our "happy place" in some ways more than the parks themselves. We prize quiet, escape and feeling like we are "away from it all" and AKL gives us this. We live in the DC area so everywhere is more and more people, cars, bright lights, buildings no matter where you look but at AKL we can sit on the balcony at night and truly feel like the lodge is in the middle of no where, just us and the animals enjoying the moonlight.

The quiet, the non in your face form of Disney, the smells, the music, yes this is truly worth it for us.

If your looking for over the top Disney, hustle and bustle, walking to parks etc then this is not the resort for you. But if you want to take it a little slower, smell the roses so to speak this is honestly the spot.

Good luck on your choice but ultimately its about what's fun for YOU

 

[pilferk]

IMHO, worth every penny....worth every penny to the point that we bought the DVC offering now being put in there.

That being said, the construction might displace you. YOu're right in the middle of the timeframe in which Disney is currently switching out guests who have ressies there. So, you might end up at a 1BR at SSR or OKW (for a substantial discount, by most reports....as in, you'll get $$ back) OR at another deluxe resort for the same price.