It's NEVER Too Late, for Number 8 - the most UNOFFICIAL, 'official' AKL thread yet!

[reiella]

....I just noticed the time - I guess you'll probably get snacks and drinks/bottled water(?)

No food is included.

Water may be, but I doubt it. It's only an hour, and it's very late at night so less immediate need for re hydration.

 

[princessallegra]

We had a great 2 nights at AKL 10/5-10/7. It was our first time staying at the Lodge. We had an amazing room, Arusha view 2515. We had giraffes and ankole and more right outside our window! It was our last 2 nights of a 10 night trip. We really got to enjoy the resort and relax. We declined mousekeeping because of our short stay, but our mousekeepers on floor were so nice! We ate at Mara, awesome. Boma breakfast was great as always. We did pin trading with the King Pin which was super fun. Definitely has one of the best gift shops on property.

That little playground by the main pool is amazing! I didn't notice anything like that at other deluxes, can anyone with kids comment on if other deluxes or resorts have playgrounds?

 

[anjalee6]

We had a great 2 nights at AKL 10/5-10/7. It was our first time staying at the Lodge. We had an amazing room, Arusha view 2515. We had giraffes and ankole and more right outside our window! It was our last 2 nights of a 10 night trip. We really got to enjoy the resort and relax. We declined mousekeeping because of our short stay, but our mousekeepers on floor were so nice! We ate at Mara, awesome. Boma breakfast was great as always. We did pin trading with the King Pin which was super fun. Definitely has one of the best gift shops on property.

That little playground by the main pool is amazing! I didn't notice anything like that at other deluxes, can anyone with kids comment on if other deluxes or resorts have playgrounds?

Glad you enjoyed your trip. Our kids love to play on the playground at AKL. I know that at least Wilderness Lodge has a play area, but it's out In the sun near the beach and my kids always find it so hot that they don't use it. I know Ft. wilderness also has a playground area as we have used it while waiting to eat dinner.

 

[princessallegra]

Glad you enjoyed your trip. Our kids love to play on the playground at AKL. I know that at least Wilderness Lodge has a play area, but it's out I'm the sun near the each and my kids always find it so hot that they don't use it. I know Ft. wilderness also has a playground area as we have used it while waiting to eat dinner.

Thank you! I think AKL is possibly the best resort for people with kiddos (and moolah lol)!

 

[Sue M]

Hello all...jumping in to this thread....

Plans are BC with the whole family for a week, and AKL for the kids and I for a week in June (DH can only take a week vacation and I teach high school).

Right now, I've booked an Arusha view...is that good? I seriously don't know and all the view stuff confused me. The CM on the phone said the Arusha view rooms would be like in the center of the "horseshoe" shape...is that right?

eta: What specific room requests should I add to my reservation with this kind of view?

I like to be on the same side as pool. Zebra Trail. We had a room in the 2nd pod, upper floor, and really liked it. Friend had a room looking out on watering hole and she thought that was great too.

 

[tallen429]

Does anyone know which rooms in Jambo are the DVC villas? With all the times we've been there, I've never been able to tell and it isn't marked on the resort map.
TIA!

 

[dolphingirl47]

All of the 5th floor and the 6th floor are DVC villas. The 6th floor is taken up by the CL DVC villas.

Corinna

 

[kimmar067]

No food is included.

Water may be, but I doubt it. It's only an hour, and it's very late at night so less immediate need for re hydration.

....that makes sense - if it's only an hour long, food would not be part of the equation...

 

[franandaj]

Does anyone know who you call to book this safari? I'm thinking of doing it the night I check into Kidani.

 

[John's Mom]

Does anyone know who you call to book this safari? I'm thinking of doing it the night I check into Kidani.

Alison - I'm waiting for an answer to your question.

So far I was told the tour takes place on the Sunset Savanna; $75/person; 10 years and older; Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10 pm.

 

[kimmar067]

Alison - I'm waiting for an answer to your question.

So far I was told the tour takes place on the Sunset Savanna; $75/person; 10 years and older; Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10 pm.

....I thought it was supposed to be $70, not $75....did the price go up ALREADY???

 

[John's Mom]

....I thought it was supposed to be $70, not $75....did the price go up ALREADY???

A CM at Kidani gave me this information. I'm waiting to hear from Guest Services at WDW for all the info on the tour.

 

[franandaj]

I have to call MS tomorrow morning for another booking out at DL, so I'll ask them if they know.

 

[kimmar067]

I have to call MS tomorrow morning for another booking out at DL, so I'll ask them if they know.

 

[pilferk]

Does anyone know which rooms in Jambo are the DVC villas? With all the times we've been there, I've never been able to tell and it isn't marked on the resort map.
TIA!

Everything on the 5th (standard, savanna, value) and 6th (concierge) floor.

 

[John's Mom]

New Night Safari at Animal Kingdom Lodge -- Join an Animal Programs cast member on a new hour-long safari at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Everyone will have night vision goggles to use and see the animals and resort in a whole new way. This tour can only be booked by the Lobby Concierge at the resort or the Club Level concierge. It is only available to guests ages 8 and older staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge. The cost is $70 per person (no kid's price). This tour is offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9:45 p.m. and begins in Kidani Village. The tour encompasses the Sunset Savanna, which is part of both Jambo House and Kidani Village.

From AllEars.net

 

[miprender]

That little playground by the main pool is amazing! I didn't notice anything like that at other deluxes, can anyone with kids comment on if other deluxes or resorts have playgrounds?

The AKL one is themed the best. I love how they even have the fake Thatched roofs. But like the PP stated WL has one on the beach area and POFQ has one, but nothing that special.

I can't remember about any of the other resorts we stayed at. DS4 loves playgrounds so we tend to stay clear of them or we would never get to the parks.

 

[NemoLeo]

Hi,

Question for all of you AKL experts. Im currently booked in an Arusha view room for my April 2013 trip. When I was on the phone with Disney the CM was checking the price difference between CL and the Arusha view room and she indicated that all of the CL rooms would have the same type of views as an Arusha view. The Disney sight does not indicate that they have the same views, so I wanted to know what everyone else thought. The price difference was only about $200 total for the entire trip. If the view is the same Im willing to pay it, but if not Im not interested. Any insight is most appreciated.

Thanks,
Jennifer

 

[John's Mom]

Hi,

Question for all of you AKL experts. Im currently booked in an Arusha view room for my April 2013 trip. When I was on the phone with Disney the CM was checking the price difference between CL and the Arusha view room and she indicated that all of the CL rooms would have the same type of views as an Arusha view. The Disney sight does not indicate that they have the same views, so I wanted to know what everyone else thought. The price difference was only about $200 total for the entire trip. If the view is the same Im willing to pay it, but if not Im not interested. Any insight is most appreciated.

Thanks,
Jennifer

If you stay in a CL room, you are guaranteed an Arusha Savanna view room. The rooms are usually located close to the lobby--short walk. I think it is well worth the extra $200 to stay CL.

Kathy

 

[kimmar067]

If you stay in a CL room, you are guaranteed an Arusha Savanna view room. The rooms are usually located close to the lobby--short walk. I think it is well worth the $200 to stay CL.

Kathy

....ITA, although not everyone feels the same way....personally, I think you should experience CL at least ONCE!