Just back from AKL!

[dizneefreak29]

We just arrived back last night from a 4 night stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. What a beautiful hotel! Everyone was right about it! We fell in love! We were on the Arusha Savannah Zebra Trail Room 2423. We had a great view of giraffes, zebras, Ankole cattle....it was great! I think we've found a new Disney "home" I would be happy to answer any questions!

 

[Stratocastermagic]

Great to hear that you enjoyed your stay at AKL. As you can see from my countdown, it's not long for us!
We have only booked standard view (there are 7 of us for 11 nights, and flights from the UK, so our budget only just gets us that far!) but we're told that AKL is wonderful.
What were the highlights for you? Did you eat at Boma? (We have PS for dinner there.)
Would love to hear all about it!

 

[dizneefreak29]

We did eat at Boma Yummy! I'm usually pretty picky with food but I tried a lot of different things! The atmosphere was so nice and the Zebra Domes were GREAT!

We loved the pool! Especially at night when things were a little more quiet. I think the highlights were sitting in the rocking chairs just people and animal watching. And waking up every morning to zebras eating outside our window! I agree with everyone who has said being at this resort sort of transports you to a different place and takes you away from the business of the parks.

Have a great time! I wish I could go back with you!

 

[G&J's Mom]

Originally posted by dizneefreak29
We just arrived back last night from a 4 night stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. What a beautiful hotel! Everyone was right about it! We fell in love! We were on the Arusha Savannah Zebra Trail Room 2423. We had a great view of giraffes, zebras, Ankole cattle....it was great! I think we've found a new Disney "home" I would be happy to answer any questions!

We just got back too and I totally agree with you!! This was our first trip. DH decided he is not as huge a fan of AKL as DD 4 and DS 2 are. We stayed one night at BWI and he absolutely loved that. He said it felt like Disney, AKL is a resort you could find anyhere. HUH??? Crazy I tell you!! Just plain nuts!! BWI was beautiful and I loved the location, but I think I prefer AKL! DD fell asleep last night talking about the "Brown Disney House". While at BWI she wanted to go back there. DS has not stopped talking about the Tommies. DD even suggested we take our dogs next time to play with the Tommies, The kids loved the zero entry pool.

Stratocastermagic.

We had dinner at Boma and it was wonderful with a great selection. Lots of dessert choices too. Have a great trip!

Denise

 

[cinderkeli]

stratpcastermagic- I was looking at your countdown and just had to post saying we will also be at AKL on the same day as you. I have waited 2 years to try this resort and I can't wait.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by dizneefreak29
I agree with everyone who has said being at this resort sort of transports you to a different place and takes you away from the business of the parks.

I totally agree...you are on Disney property...but the resort really doesn't SCREAM disney - you know?

And to whoever's husband said you could find AKL anywhere...whaaaat?

do they have Giraffes roaming around outside Marriots? heheh

Love the resort...can't wait until my December trip to stay there...our September trip is a 'money saving' trip (save money by going to disney? heheh) and we're staying at a Mod. December we are splurging.

 

[Stratocastermagic]

Originally posted by dizneefreak29
Have a great time! I wish I could go back with you!

Thanks, dizneefreak! Maybe we can sneak you in with our luggage?

cinderkeli: look out for us - we'll be the 3-generation English family with three long-haired kids from Liverpool (2 DS aged 16 and 13 and a DD aged 11)!

(These guys don't have nearly enough hair, but they remind me of my children!)

 

[G&J's Mom]

Originally posted by stinkerbelle


And to whoever's husband said you could find AKL anywhere...whaaaat?

do they have Giraffes roaming around outside Marriots? heheh

It was me. PUHLEEEEZE!!! Can you imagine?? I gave him the big hairy eyeball on that one. I guess everyone has their own preference, but no way, AKL could be found anywhere. It is unique and belongs right at Disney. We did some driving around, and I love the uniqueness of all the resorts. Can't wait to try out a few more.

Originally posted by stinkerbelle
Love the resort...can't wait until my December trip to stay there...our September trip is a 'money saving' trip (save money by going to disney? heheh) and we're staying at a Mod. December we are splurging.

We are going in October and staying at a Mod to save money as well , not sure which one though, so we can splurge on our December trip back at AKL. DH can go to BWI!!!

Denise

 

[mom2redheadgirls]

Hi,
We are also going to stay at the AKL for the first time September 20-24th and was wondering how was the busses? I figure if they were good for you during the summer then they will more than likely be fine in September.
Did you try Jiko's at all? I have a PS for there and Boma's and I can't wait to experience the whole African theme and culture.
Also, how was the room size, in your opinion? We are going to be 4 and a baby and I am hoping it won't be too tight. We are doing the bunk beds so I hope that helps.
Thanks for helping answer amy questions.
Steph

 

[dizneefreak29]

I was worried about the buses after reading some things here! But we were very happy with the service. We usually only waited about 5-10 minutes for a bus. The only exception was one afternoon when we went to Disney Quest. We waited about 30 minutes for a Downtown Disney bus. That was the only time we had a problem!

I thought the room size was nice! I was there with my 16 year old brother who can create quite a clutter and I never felt like it was too small of a space.

We didn't try Jiko but it smelled wonderful! Maybe next time!

 

[Merylj]

Good to hear you like AKL, we`ll be there next Jan we have a savannah room booked, do you think all the savannahs are good or should we request one in particular?
We want a good view as those rooms are big bucks.
Thankyou

Merylj (another Brit!)

 

[G&J's Mom]

Originally posted by Merylj
Good to hear you like AKL, we`ll be there next Jan we have a savannah room booked, do you think all the savannahs are good or should we request one in particular?
We want a good view as those rooms are big bucks.
Thankyou

Merylj (another Brit!)

I can only speak from experience staying last week with a room on the third floor overlooking the Uzima Savannah. It was truly awesome. Always saw animals. In the early evenings, the Savannah was covered with many animals grazing or playing right below our balcony. The room was 3514 and it was not too far of a walk to the elevator down to the pool, kids club and Mara. I think I would definitely try and request this room again. One thing that was funny was at night, they would turn on the sprinklers below our room, and about 10 Tommies would always seem to be right there when they did it. At the initial start up noise, they would all simultaneoulsy look up and then in cinque run like the wind, accept for an occasional straggler who was more curious in seeing what all the hoopla was over and would slowly slink over to the sprinkler, and then run to catch up with the herd. When they say those animals can book 50mph, they weren't kidding Dd and Ds thought that was hysterical!!

Denise

 

[dizneefreak29]

I thought all the Savannahs had good views! Something different at every area. But I loved our the best! We were very close to the lobby and there was always something going on outside our balcony!

 

[milmore104]

Welcome back to LIFE!!! I hate to say home seeing WDW is "HOME" to us. Glad to her you had a great time at AKL. We first stayed there in 2001 and have only stayed there since. It has become our new home! We LOVE it there.

 

[stinkerbelle]

We personally like the Arusha savannah best - however you can only find Tommies on Uzima - and I love watching them!

Jiko is hands down my favorite restaurant in WDW. period. Love it. I can't rave enough about this place.

buses when we went in September were fine...we stayed there again in january - again, no problems. soooo many people complain that it's such a long ride from there to the MK.

But from the poly to Animal Kingdom it's just as long - right? And the AKL bus isn't shared with other resorts.

 

[sissybells]

We will be there soon too. I can not wait. Me and my DN talked about it for about an hour last night. They are so excited to go. They have never been there before but we have. I thought it was so georgeous that I had to take them to see it. Maybe we will see some of you there. I just ordered my DIS water wallet and I will wear it every day. Look out for me.
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[mouseRD]

mom2redheadgirls - Jiko's was wonderful!

 

[G&J's Mom]

Curious. What is a DIS water wallet????

Can't wait to try Jiko's next trip. We didn't this time cause we didn't want to bring the kids with us. They are little and we would have been rushed and not enjoyed it.

Denise

 

[Merylj]

Thanks for your help, I don`t think we`ll request anyhthing and just leave it to pot luck!
Those Tommies! I suppose they don`t call them dumb animals for nothing!

Merylj