Is animal lodge worth the price tag

[mkitchens]

Planning our trip for December for my sons 4th birthday. We were going to stay at art of animation but really thinking about animal kingdom lodge as my son absolutely loves all animals. Is it worth the $800 it will add to the cost?

 

[kjs1976]

While AKL is amazing, I couldn't justify spending $800 just because your son loves animals. Especially as he is four and it's debatable if he'll remember it. He will love AOA and all the other fun you will have on your trip. Save your money unless a good deal comes along.

 

[DJFan88]

If this is your son's first trip and he is 4, I'm thinking AoA is perfect for him. It's pretty cool for a 4 year old. Very visual. Cars, Nemo..... you can walk over to Pop to look at their big things too.

 

[mkitchens]

Thanks! This will also be my husbands first trip so I really want to wow him because he just doesn't believe me when I tell him how magical wdw is

 

[lovin'fl]

I think it's worth an additional $800 for the entire trip. We just stayed at AKV-Kidani for Xmas and it was amazing. My favorite resort as far as just the resorts go (also love BCV and BWV for walking to/from Epcot).

 

[Three cats]

Thanks! This will also be my husbands first trip so I really want to wow him because he just doesn't believe me when I tell him how magical wdw is

Seeing as though it's your husbands first trip and you are looking to "wow" him, I'd go with Animal Kingdom Lodge! Either way, I am sure you'll have a fantastic trip!!

 

[mkitchens]

We are only going for 3 nights so we will only be at the resort to sleep so I probably can't justify the extra expense

 

[mickeynut1]

Planning our trip for December for my sons 4th birthday. We were going to stay at art of animation but really thinking about animal kingdom lodge as my son absolutely loves all animals. Is it worth the $800 it will add to the cost?

We've never stayed at AoA, but we love AKL. Worth is subjective, but the extra cost would definitely be worth it to us. With that said, I'm sure you'll have a great trip no matter which resort you choose. Good luck.

 

[taymorel]

I think AKL is awesome and is worth every penny. The lobby is amazing and we love to just sit in the lobby and enjoy the atmosphere. We have stayed savanna view and loved sitting on the balcony watching the animals whenever we were in the room.

 

[ToddyLu]

We own DVC at AKL and it is now our resort of choice. Prior to ownership we stayed at values and loved Pop. I would love to stay at AoA because it does have the wow factor. I think both your son and DH will love AoA...then when you have them hooked after the wonderful short trip you can increase the wow with AKL.

You can't go wrong and for $800 I would book another short trip in 6 months

 

[jcjen519]

we also own dvc at akl and will be there in December with our 4 year old who will be 5 at the time we've taken many wdw trips with him and he remembers most of them. I don't think he remembers going at 2 or just under 3 but he talks about the other trips frequently.

for a first trip I would probably do a mk area resort....maybe wl? should be priced similarly to akl? I know you're thinking of akl because your son loves animals but what about visiting the resort for dinner and spending an evening there? I would just want to be close to the mk with easy access to transportation.

 

[Wef]

AKL is our absolute favorite hotel. On the other hand, $800 is no small amount of money. Are you pricing a savannah view? If so, you can save quite a bit by going with a standard or pool view. Many guests get free upgrades, but if you don't, not to worry--there are SO many viewing areas around the hotel. You don't need to see animals out your balcony to enjoy the place.

If the price still feels too steep, I would go to dinner one evening at BOMA (or their quick-service restaurant, The Mara, which is really good) and then spend some time walking around the hotel. It will still be very special. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Amanda999]

It's such a personal decision, but I wouldn't spend $800 extra for a 3 night stay.

I love AKL, but stay at moderates. We rent a car, and drive to AKL for lunch (at the food court - very peaceful compared to value or mod food courts) and walk around. They have park rangers (not sure official title) stationed at certain viewing points. They absolutely don't mind people visiting. We spend probably 3 hours between lunch and walking around looking at the savannah. All for just the cost of the lunch.

While I'd enjoy staring out at the animals hours a day, my kids (older than yours) would be impressed for maybe 30 minutes and then it's on to something else. So, not worth the extra cost to me. (All that said: I would put some weight to the idea that you want to impress DH. THAT might be worth something - not sure $800 - because if he's like my DH, he might balk at future Disney trips because the mod and value food courts are just so busy and chaotic (multiple lines to wait in at POR, e.g.). He hates them. AKL's food court was so relaxed - and you just wait in 1 line even for different types of food.

 

[eliz603]

We're deluxe resort people. When I suggested AoA for this trip, my husband vetoed it quickly. He didn't care for the over the top theming, for one.

We took our oldest to WDW for the first time when he was 3. We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge and loved it! We had started off pricing the values, the the mods, and the next thing we knew, we were booking deluxe.

It's all a very personal decision on if it's "worth it." I actually don't even like using that term because it's all subjective based on personal preference and budget. I'd pop for AKL (well, I'd go back to WL) over AoA, but that doesn't work for everyone.

 

[dizzyinwdw]

Here's my experience.

DH is not into the Disney thing (or really any kid themed park) at all. I knew his first time had to be special or he would never be back. I planned WL because it had that WOW factor and was one of the most budget friendly deluxes. I still remember his face when we walked into the lobby! To this day he admits it was a great resort and not what he thought Disney was all about. The proximity to MK was terrific. We resort hopped for breakfast/dinner to 1900 Park Fare, Chef Mickeys and 'Ohana--so easy! We took the boat to MK, then the monorail to TTC, then switched to Epcot monorail, which my kids loved. When I was planning out our current trip DH even told me to look at resorts near the parks since he valued the proximity of WL. I was in shock that he offered input with the planning!

This time we are doing a split stay at Pop (2 nights) and AKV (5 nights). When we left last trip we drove by the All Stars and DH said it didn't look so bad....we'll see! He is pretty spoiled with the deluxe stay and I am 100% positive he will love AKV, Pop, maybe not so much. I have planned to stay at Pop so we can walk over to AoA and see the theming--the kids want to see the Cars area but the family suites are not in the budget this time and my boys vetoed LM room. Also, I think the Pop rooms are neutral enough that DH will not be too overwhelmed by the over-the-top theming for 2 days.

As for the $800 difference, if you are pricing AKL savanna view I also suggest pricing out AKL pool view. We had a pool view at AKL last year and it was great (sans DH; it was grandparents/mom and grandkids only). Lots of places to see the animals around the resort and the kids had a terrific time there (then 3 and 6 yo). My kids actually asked to go back to AKL/AKV instead of WL--they loved the Kidani splash area. My now 4 y.o. wanted to go back to the "spitting snakes", which he remembered from the splash area, as I was planning out the trip.

Whatever your decision I am sure you will have a terrific time. Enjoy!

ETA: I just saw you are there for 3 nights. We stayed 4 nights at WL.