Newbie to AKL

[zoo2tycoon]

My college son and I are doing a trip in August. I haven't been in 9 years so lots of new things. We have never stayed at AKL and we booked a Savanna view. I know no requests are guaranteed, the more general the better, etc. We know nothing about resort so when we do request what would you recommend. One that I don't want is a connecting room!

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I would recommend close to lobby. We usually stay standard, but it is so convenient to have a room right off the lobby. It is a big resort and there can be a lot of walking involved. It is also surprisingly quiet near the lobby.

AKL is my absolute favorite resort. Love love love it. I like to wake up in the morning and just walk around the grounds with my coffee. There are African guides who you can strike up a conversation with and they are fascinating. They can tell you all about their home countries and the animals who live there.

We enjoyed African drum lessons, too. I could stay at the resort for a week or more and do nothing but enjoy the food, grounds, pool, and activities.

Definitely eat at Sanaa. It's our favorite restaurant on property. And have breakfast at Boma if you can.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Grumpy247365]

AKL is awesome, but some of the rooms can be a long way from the lobby. Also, I found the lobby quite loud when I stayed, so I was happy my room was not near it, but it was quite a walk. Try the restaurants, especially Jiko, it's amazing. All I can really say is walk around the resort, take it all in and have fun exploring.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

AKL is awesome, but some of the rooms can be a long way from the lobby. Also, I found the lobby quite loud when I stayed, so I was happy my room was not near it, but it was quite a walk. Try the restaurants, especially Jiko, it's amazing. All I can really say is walk around the resort, take it all in and have fun exploring.

We've stayed twice right next to the lobby and the rooms themselves are very quiet. The lobby itself may be active, but the rooms are super quiet. We spent a lot of time at the resort and had no problems sleeping or napping whenever we wanted.

 

[Grumpy247365]

We've stayed twice right next to the lobby and the rooms themselves are very quiet. The lobby itself may be active, but the rooms are super quiet. We spent a lot of time at the resort and had no problems sleeping or napping whenever we wanted.

That's good to know. I just remember the lobby being loud with the drumming. I'm sure Disney did some better soundproofing after the complaints at WL.

 

[sndral]

For a first visit w/ a savanna view room I'd ask for Zebra trail, Arusha savanna view.
Zebra trail because that's the hallway w/the elevators to the pool & the QS restaurant Mara.
Arusha is the central savanna.
You'll have to call and have your requests noted on your reservations as the online choices they give you are so vague that they're worthless, IMO.

 

[codylamb18]

We are going to be staying as a newbie as well at AKL for our honeymoon this Aug/Sep. We requested close to pool and transportation so I hope that is not a lot of walking. Out of all the dinning options what would be the best if we could only do one?

 

[Grumpy247365]

We are going to be staying as a newbie as well at AKL for our honeymoon this Aug/Sep. We requested close to pool and transportation so I hope that is not a lot of walking. Out of all the dinning options what would be the best if we could only do one?

My vote(s) would be Jiko or Sanaa. Jiko is at AKL, Sanaa is at Kidani Village which is a short walk/drive over to that building.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

We are going to be staying as a newbie as well at AKL for our honeymoon this Aug/Sep. We requested close to pool and transportation so I hope that is not a lot of walking. Out of all the dinning options what would be the best if we could only do one?

I adore Sanaa because of both the food and atmosphere. Service has always been wonderful- not just good, but wonderful. It is also more reasonably priced than Jiko (although at the rate Disney is raising prices, you may soon have to sell your car to afford to eat at either of them).

Jiko is quite good, too, and more upscale and romantic. Would make a great place for a romantic, upscale date. Sanaa is more casual and laid back, but still romantic, in its own way. If you are people who prefer a laid back environment where you can dine with zebras and giraffes, then go with Sanaa. If you prefer fine wine and romantic lighting, go with Jiko.

 

[Hopefully]

Lots of great info here:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/disneys-animal-kingdom-lodge-information-questions.3332021/

 

[MsThumper]

We are going to be staying as a newbie as well at AKL for our honeymoon this Aug/Sep. We requested close to pool and transportation so I hope that is not a lot of walking. Out of all the dinning options what would be the best if we could only do one?

I would suggest reviewing the menues. For myself, I don't really care for the Sanaa dinner menu, so we have lunch at Sanaa and dinner another day at Jiko.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

THANKS for all the information. Found out I'd booked wrong week for us so we are now Savanna view CL which is even more exciting! Got to love a college son treating his mom to a trip. Will read through the AKL thread and I really appreciate all the information everyone gave!