Number 9 is really FINE! Welcome to AKL LITE - the 'unofficial' FAQ Thread

[kimmar067]

I know!!

I don't remember which one is you...top right?

...um....what?

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I know very little about the Animal Kingdom Lodge and suddenly find myself considering staying there! I'm confused about the pools though. Is there one feature pool for the regular rooms and one feature pool for the DVC villas? We would be staying in a standard, pool view room. Also, do you need to bring your room card with you each time you go to the pool?

I always bring my room card, simply for the fact that I need to get back in my room and if I want a snack or a drink by the pool, I have my charge.

 

[kimmar067]

Kim.. Look what I found in my shutterfly account.. Roy's photo we made

....OMG! I'm on the bottom right with Pluto! (wearing the light blue shirt).....way kewl! Talk about a blast from the past.....2 weeks ago, out-of-the-blue, I got a PM from Fred......

 

[dgbg100106]

Brandi - Could you amend our trip? Thank you!!

November 1: AKL CL
November 2-9: BC

Congrats on adding a day at AKL CL,
November
Grumpy Grandma, Oct 27th – 3rd, Jambo
Cinderella1122, Oct 31st - 5th, Jambo
PNO4TE, 1st AKL CL
PNO4TE, 2nd – 9th, BC
RachelTori, 2nd – 9th, Swan and BCV
rquebral, 7th – 12th, Jambo
drujaz, 6th – 15th, AKV Kidani
Tinker326, 12th – 19th, Kidani
patclairesmom, 27th – 29th, Kidani
patclairesmom, 29th – Dec 3rd, AKV Jambo
saratogastehr, 29th – Dec 6th, AKL Jambo

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

....OMG! I'm on the bottom right with Pluto! (wearing the light blue shirt).....way kewl! Talk about a blast from the past.....2 weeks ago, out-of-the-blue, I got a PM from Fred......

Wow! Where has he been?

 

[dgbg100106]

Here is the latest list of everyone visiting in 2013 and 2014


If you have any updates please let me know...

2013


May
missy120, April 26th – 4th, Kidani Village Savannah view
RachelTori, April 28th – 4th, OKW
KristinV02, April 30th – 3rd, Jambo House
calker, 1st – 4th, AKL CL
Paula Sedley-Burke, 5th – 15th, Kidani
t_daniels, 7th - 13th, AKL
archdandy, 7th – 14th, AKL Kidani
GeorgiaH, 13th – 17th, AKL
OHDanceMom73, 15th – 17th, AKL
shoppgirl, 17th – 19th, AKL
dolphingirl47, 20th - 27th, Disney Wonder West Coast Repositioning
chocovrdmicears, 22nd – 30th, Jambo House
suemom2kay, 24th – 26th, AKL
taymorel, 25th – 30th, AKL
dolphingirl47, 27th - June 2nd, Disney Wonder Alaska
NickP33, 27th - June 2nd, AKL
bakie21, 27th – June 4th, Kidani
wendypooh, 30th -June 10th, Aulani
Pinkocto, 31st – June 3rd, AKV
Brave teacher, 31st – June 7th, Jambo House

June
bakie21, May 27th – 4th, Kidani
wendypooh, May 30th - 10th, Aulani
Pinkocto, May 31st – 3rd, AKV
DismomfromMS, May 31st – 6th, AKL
Brave teacher, May 31st – 7th, Jambo House
Denamac, 1st – 9th, AKV Jambo House
FoursCompany, 1st – 9th , AKL
Nutty4Disney, 2nd - 8th, AKV Kidani Village
Cheer25mom, 2nd – 9th, AKV Kidani
Pseudacris, 3rd – 7th, AKL
ILoveMagic, 8th – 14th, AKL
goofyredraider, 8th -16th, AKL CL
DisneyDmbNut, 9th – 14th, AKL
livibug, 13th – 21st, AKV Jambo House
DevonsDisneyMom, 14th – 21st, AKV
goofyredraider, 16th -23rd, BC
alwaysdisney, 28th – 29th, AKL
precious pixie, 29th - ?, AKL Jambo

July
Marinolichfamily, 5th – 13th, AKV
Polynesian27, 5th – 13th, Kidani
mamaprincess, 7th – 12th, BWV
sharon78, 8th-18th, AKL
mamaprincess, 12th – 18th, AKV Jambo
d's do Disney, 17th – 20th, AKL CL
Z28KatCar, 18th - Aug1st, AKL CL
tinkermama117, 21st – 26th, Jambo House
loveshoes, 22nd – 31st, AKL
Anjalee6, 29th – Aug 3rd, AKL
Sarah4291, 29th – Aug 12th, AKL
aVASTGrl, 30th – Aug 4th, AKL
The Marsons, 31st – Aug 4th, AKL Jambo

August
Z28KatCar, July 18th - 1st, AKL CL
Anjalee6, July 29th – 3rd, AKL
Sarah4291, Jul 29th – 12th, AKL
aVASTGrl, July 30th – 4th, AKL
The Marsons, July 31st – 4th, AKL Jambo
Koh1977, 2nd – 9th, AKL
333disneymom, 9th-13th, AKV Kidani
Pink Flamingo, 9th – 11th, AKV Jambo
MICKEY'S DREAMERS, 10th - 22nd, AKL
Pink Flamingo, 11th – 19th, BWI
DonnaDuck333, 11th – 23rd, Jambo House
333disneymom, 13th – 19th, BCV
Ginamarie, 18th – 25th, Kidani
Disneyfool_1202, 21st, Kidani
Gillenkl, 21st – 24th, AKL
ParrotBill, 21st – 24th, Kidani
ParrotBill, 24th – 31st, BCV
rquebral, 21st – 28th, Kidani
WeCantWait, 22nd – 30th, AKL
Render, 25th – Sept 5th, AKL Disneymoon
RachelTori, 27th – Sept 3rd, AKV-CL & CSR

September
RachelTori, Aug 27th – 3rd AKV-CL & CSR
beachgrl001, 2nd – 10th, AKV
Wicket's Mom, 9th – 13th, AKL CL
JESSketeer, 13th – 21st, AKL
Stackyallred, 14th – 21st, Kidani
DISzy, 14th – 21st, AKL CL
RapunzelsGoodMom, 14th, AKL
RapunzelsGoodMom, 15th – 20th, BLT
Dawnywog, 18th – 26th, Jambo
Paula Sedley-Burke, 19th - Oct 3rd , SSR, Disney Dream, and AKV
country-mom-of-4, 20th – 28th, Kidani
gilsan 25th – Oct 2nd , Kidani
franandaj, 29th - Oct 2nd, VWL

October
Paula Sedley-Burke, Sept 19th - 3rd , SSR, Disney Dream, and AKV
gilsan Sept 25th – 2nd , Kidani
franandaj, 2nd - 7th, BCV
disneynanacat, 11th -12th, Kidani
flinkerfrosch, 17th – 21st, AKL
mara61, 18th – 26th, Kidani
karmacats, 20th -27th, AKL CL
flinkerfrosch, 21st – 26th , Poly
wendypooh, 22nd – 26th, BCV
Twelvevman, 23rd – 29th, AKL CL
MomofDisneyLoversx3, 24th – 28th, AKL Jambo CL
Grumpy Grandma, 27th – Nov 3rd, Jambo
Cinderella1122, 31st - Nov 5th, Jambo

November
Grumpy Grandma, Oct 27th – 3rd, Jambo
Cinderella1122, Oct 31st - 5th, Jambo
PNO4TE, 1st AKL CL
PNO4TE, 2nd – 9th, BC
RachelTori, 2nd – 9th, Swan and BCV
rquebral, 7th – 12th, Jambo
drujaz, 6th – 15th, AKV Kidani
Tinker326, 12th – 19th, Kidani
patclairesmom, 27th – 29th, Kidani
patclairesmom, 29th – Dec 3rd, AKV Jambo
saratogastehr, 29th – Dec 6th, AKL Jambo

December
patclairesmom, Nov 29th – 3rd, AKV Jambo
saratogastehr, Nov 29th – 6th, AKL Jambo
CupcakeKelly, 1st – 6th, AKV
eagles1281, 1st – 6th, Kidani
kellyg403, 1st – 8th, AKL CL
mmafan, 3rd – 12th, AKL Jambo
Pinkocto, 6th – 10th, AKV CL
thornton0511, 6th -14th, AKL
Pghsteelerfan, 7th -14th, AKV Jambo
Lorelei528, 7th - 14th, AKL
dansamy, 8th – 14th, Kidani
Heidijanesmith, 16th – 23rd, AKL CL
lovin'fl, 20th – 25th, AKV Kidani
Bluesky1997, 26th – 29th, AKL CL


2014

January
AquaDame, 19th -24th, Jambo House
Singastory, 24th – 27th, Jambo House

February
March
April
May
June
July
YCFAN, 26th – 28th , Royal Assante Suite & 2 additional CL rooms

August
September
October
November
December

 

[PNO4TE]

Congrats on adding a day at AKL CL,
November
Grumpy Grandma, Oct 27th – 3rd, Jambo
Cinderella1122, Oct 31st - 5th, Jambo
PNO4TE, 1st AKL CL
PNO4TE, 2nd – 9th, BC
RachelTori, 2nd – 9th, Swan and BCV
rquebral, 7th – 12th, Jambo
drujaz, 6th – 15th, AKV Kidani
Tinker326, 12th – 19th, Kidani
patclairesmom, 27th – 29th, Kidani
patclairesmom, 29th – Dec 3rd, AKV Jambo
saratogastehr, 29th – Dec 6th, AKL Jambo

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

[psac]

glad to know i'm not the only spice wimp out there! did you happen to eat at sanaa? a lot of people complain it's not spicy enough, but i found pretty much everything there too spicy for me. the chef ended up making me a plain steak, which was fine, but nothing to write home about. i was pretty bummed, as i loved the decor and we had great service.

crack would definitely explain those muffins! at home i get up around 11 (i usually work afternoons and evenings), and i found myself getting up at 9:30 at AKL just to get breakfast!




oh yeah, crack in the croissants too, for sure. darn, now i'm thinking about them!

We didn't try Sanaa this trip, I like some Indian food, but my wife hates curry, coriander, etc., and we ended up cancelling our ADR in advance because we knew my wife would end up hating it. Interesting to hear your story, I think it would have been like ours. I think that was the night we ended up just getting appetizers from the club lounge and then salads from the Mara for dinner. Overall on the trip we were very pleasantly suprised at how good the food was at Mara for quick service. Don't get me wrong, it's not a signature, but for what it is, it's good.

I know very little about the Animal Kingdom Lodge and suddenly find myself considering staying there! I'm confused about the pools though. Is there one feature pool for the regular rooms and one feature pool for the DVC villas? We would be staying in a standard, pool view room. Also, do you need to bring your room card with you each time you go to the pool?

Yes, there are two pools, but Jambo (the original building, which does have some DVC rooms) and Kidani (the primarily DVC building) are about a half-mile apart, so in all likelihood, you would just use the one by you. They don't check your room card like at Beach Club, and there is no gate like BLT, so you don't NEED your room card, but as was said, it's generally good to have it with you anyway.

You have no idea how many times a day this exact thought is in my head

With that screen name, it's obvious! It's a little , but try to get to Contemp Cafe at the contemporary. Personally I think they have the best cupcakes in WDW, especially if you like them super sweet.

 

[johnsonet]

We just became DVC members and AKL is our home resort. We just booked our vacation for Sept. 4th. at Kidani. This will be our first time at AKL. We have only been to DW one other time and we stayed at POR. This thread is great. I love reading all the posts. I am really starting to get excited for this trip.

Hope someone might be able to help me. I saw a post that mentioned a pool view but, did not see an option for that when booking. We would like to be right next to the pool; and, if possible with the parking area below us. We have booked a two bedroom, non lock off, standard view.

Is this a possible option to request? If so, what part of the hotel would we ask for. I looked at the Kidani map and it seems like the standard views for part of the building do over look the pool and have the parking garage below the building right next to the pool. Are the 2 bedroom non lock offs with standard views anywhere near that part of the building which would accommodate such a request?

Thanks

Bumping this. Congratulations on being a DVC owner AKL is the best! I'm sorry I can't help w/ Kidani but maybe someone else can?

I know very little about the Animal Kingdom Lodge and suddenly find myself considering staying there! I'm confused about the pools though. Is there one feature pool for the regular rooms and one feature pool for the DVC villas? We would be staying in a standard, pool view room. Also, do you need to bring your room card with you each time you go to the pool?

There are some good pool views off of Zebra Trail. Some similar to this

I have been on Giraffe Trail before (in a pool view) and -in my case- they were not as good but were a good location for getting to bus stop and Zawadi Marketplace. I have pool view booked for June and am so excited!

Pool view can even mean this:

I liked it but some people might be disappointed with a view of a hot tub. Of course, we also got side views of Uzima Savanna so that helped

 

[johnsonet]

Overall on the trip we were very pleasantly suprised at how good the food was at Mara for quick service. Don't get me wrong, it's not a signature, but for what it is, it's good.

We totally agree. Mara is great for quick service!

 

[Disneyholic]

Please add us to the list for November 2013. We will be at AKL Kidani in a Savannah view Studio November 30 through December 2 after our 7 night DCL Western Caribbean Cruise on the Fantasy.

 

[DisneyFans222]

I booked our 1st AKL stay, a 9 night early June trip, in a Standard View room as it was the only available and reasonably priced room with the AP discount. Booking a Savannah room was an additional $2000+ ... No way I could justify that expense. A standard view is described as a view of the parking lot or of a roof. I was wondering if anyone has or could post any photos of this view ... it will prepare me for the view I will have from my balcony for 9 days. TIA.

 

[DisneyFans222]

Here is the latest list of everyone visiting in 2013 and 2014

If you have any updates please let me know...

2013

May
missy120, April 26th – 4th, Kidani Village Savannah view
RachelTori, April 28th – 4th, OKW
KristinV02, April 30th – 3rd, Jambo House
calker, 1st – 4th, AKL CL
Paula Sedley-Burke, 5th – 15th, Kidani
t_daniels, 7th - 13th, AKL
archdandy, 7th – 14th, AKL Kidani
GeorgiaH, 13th – 17th, AKL
OHDanceMom73, 15th – 17th, AKL
shoppgirl, 17th – 19th, AKL
dolphingirl47, 20th - 27th, Disney Wonder West Coast Repositioning
chocovrdmicears, 22nd – 30th, Jambo House
suemom2kay, 24th – 26th, AKL
taymorel, 25th – 30th, AKL
dolphingirl47, 27th - June 2nd, Disney Wonder Alaska
NickP33, 27th - June 2nd, AKL
bakie21, 27th – June 4th, Kidani
wendypooh, 30th -June 10th, Aulani
Pinkocto, 31st – June 3rd, AKV
Brave teacher, 31st – June 7th, Jambo House

June
bakie21, May 27th – 4th, Kidani
wendypooh, May 30th - 10th, Aulani
Pinkocto, May 31st – 3rd, AKV
DismomfromMS, May 31st – 6th, AKL
Brave teacher, May 31st – 7th, Jambo House
Denamac, 1st – 9th, AKV Jambo House
FoursCompany, 1st – 9th , AKL
Nutty4Disney, 2nd - 8th, AKV Kidani Village
Cheer25mom, 2nd – 9th, AKV Kidani
Pseudacris, 3rd – 7th, AKL
ILoveMagic, 8th – 14th, AKL
goofyredraider, 8th -16th, AKL CL
DisneyDmbNut, 9th – 14th, AKL
livibug, 13th – 21st, AKV Jambo House
DevonsDisneyMom, 14th – 21st, AKV
goofyredraider, 16th -23rd, BC
alwaysdisney, 28th – 29th, AKL
precious pixie, 29th - ?, AKL Jambo

July
Marinolichfamily, 5th – 13th, AKV
Polynesian27, 5th – 13th, Kidani
mamaprincess, 7th – 12th, BWV
sharon78, 8th-18th, AKL
mamaprincess, 12th – 18th, AKV Jambo
d's do Disney, 17th – 20th, AKL CL
Z28KatCar, 18th - Aug1st, AKL CL
tinkermama117, 21st – 26th, Jambo House
loveshoes, 22nd – 31st, AKL
Anjalee6, 29th – Aug 3rd, AKL
Sarah4291, 29th – Aug 12th, AKL
aVASTGrl, 30th – Aug 4th, AKL
The Marsons, 31st – Aug 4th, AKL Jambo

August
Z28KatCar, July 18th - 1st, AKL CL
Anjalee6, July 29th – 3rd, AKL
Sarah4291, Jul 29th – 12th, AKL
aVASTGrl, July 30th – 4th, AKL
The Marsons, July 31st – 4th, AKL Jambo
Koh1977, 2nd – 9th, AKL
333disneymom, 9th-13th, AKV Kidani
Pink Flamingo, 9th – 11th, AKV Jambo
MICKEY'S DREAMERS, 10th - 22nd, AKL
Pink Flamingo, 11th – 19th, BWI
DonnaDuck333, 11th – 23rd, Jambo House
333disneymom, 13th – 19th, BCV
Ginamarie, 18th – 25th, Kidani
Disneyfool_1202, 21st, Kidani
Gillenkl, 21st – 24th, AKL
ParrotBill, 21st – 24th, Kidani
ParrotBill, 24th – 31st, BCV
rquebral, 21st – 28th, Kidani
WeCantWait, 22nd – 30th, AKL
Render, 25th – Sept 5th, AKL Disneymoon
RachelTori, 27th – Sept 3rd, AKV-CL & CSR

September
RachelTori, Aug 27th – 3rd AKV-CL & CSR
beachgrl001, 2nd – 10th, AKV
Wicket's Mom, 9th – 13th, AKL CL
JESSketeer, 13th – 21st, AKL
Stackyallred, 14th – 21st, Kidani
DISzy, 14th – 21st, AKL CL
RapunzelsGoodMom, 14th, AKL
RapunzelsGoodMom, 15th – 20th, BLT
Dawnywog, 18th – 26th, Jambo
Paula Sedley-Burke, 19th - Oct 3rd , SSR, Disney Dream, and AKV
country-mom-of-4, 20th – 28th, Kidani
gilsan 25th – Oct 2nd , Kidani
franandaj, 29th - Oct 2nd, VWL

October
Paula Sedley-Burke, Sept 19th - 3rd , SSR, Disney Dream, and AKV
gilsan Sept 25th – 2nd , Kidani
franandaj, 2nd - 7th, BCV
disneynanacat, 11th -12th, Kidani
flinkerfrosch, 17th – 21st, AKL
mara61, 18th – 26th, Kidani
karmacats, 20th -27th, AKL CL
flinkerfrosch, 21st – 26th , Poly
wendypooh, 22nd – 26th, BCV
Twelvevman, 23rd – 29th, AKL CL
MomofDisneyLoversx3, 24th – 28th, AKL Jambo CL
Grumpy Grandma, 27th – Nov 3rd, Jambo
Cinderella1122, 31st - Nov 5th, Jambo

November
Grumpy Grandma, Oct 27th – 3rd, Jambo
Cinderella1122, Oct 31st - 5th, Jambo
PNO4TE, 1st AKL CL
PNO4TE, 2nd – 9th, BC
RachelTori, 2nd – 9th, Swan and BCV
rquebral, 7th – 12th, Jambo
drujaz, 6th – 15th, AKV Kidani
Tinker326, 12th – 19th, Kidani
patclairesmom, 27th – 29th, Kidani
patclairesmom, 29th – Dec 3rd, AKV Jambo
saratogastehr, 29th – Dec 6th, AKL Jambo

December
patclairesmom, Nov 29th – 3rd, AKV Jambo
saratogastehr, Nov 29th – 6th, AKL Jambo
CupcakeKelly, 1st – 6th, AKV
eagles1281, 1st – 6th, Kidani
kellyg403, 1st – 8th, AKL CL
mmafan, 3rd – 12th, AKL Jambo
Pinkocto, 6th – 10th, AKV CL
thornton0511, 6th -14th, AKL
Pghsteelerfan, 7th -14th, AKV Jambo
Lorelei528, 7th - 14th, AKL
dansamy, 8th – 14th, Kidani
Heidijanesmith, 16th – 23rd, AKL CL
lovin'fl, 20th – 25th, AKV Kidani
Bluesky1997, 26th – 29th, AKL CL

2014

January
AquaDame, 19th -24th, Jambo House
Singastory, 24th – 27th, Jambo House

February
March
April
May
June
July
YCFAN, 26th – 28th , Royal Assante Suite & 2 additional CL rooms

August
September
October
November
December

Would you kindly add me and DS12 for our 1st stay at AKL from 6/6/13 - 6/15/13. Thanks so much!

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

Jambo Everybody!

We're booked for CSR for Sept 25-Oct 1, but are having SERIOUS second thoughts. I have a couple of questions that y'all might be able to help me with.

1) Is the fitness center 24 hours? I've found conflicting information.

2) Has anyone tried the new offerings at Maji? From a new menu I found, it looks like they're getting some boxed lunches from Sanaa. Looks like a great use of a QS credit.

3) Any fees for shipping packages to the resort?

I think that's it for now...if there's a better place for me to be asking, I'd be happy to redirect.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I booked our 1st AKL stay, a 9 night early June trip, in a Standard View room as it was the only available and reasonably priced room with the AP discount. Booking a Savannah room was an additional $2000+ ... No way I could justify that expense. A standard view is described as a view of the parking lot or of a roof. I was wondering if anyone has or could post any photos of this view ... it will prepare me for the view I will have from my balcony for 9 days. TIA.

We had a standard room this past September with a view of the parking lot. It wasn't bad at all, since we were on the fourth floor we were in the trees. The trees blocked the parking lot somewhat. I have a picture of the view in my TR. The link to the TR is in my siggie below.

 

[DisneyFans222]

We had a standard room this past September with a view of the parking lot. It wasn't bad at all, since we were on the fourth floor we were in the trees. The trees blocked the parking lot somewhat. I have a picture of the view in my TR. The link to the TR is in my siggie below.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience ... It is most helpful Unfortunately, I cannot view your TR nor your signature info & links on the DISboards mobile app. Definitely a failure to launch.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[MomofDisneyLoversx3]

Jambo Everybody!

We're booked for CSR for Sept 25-Oct 1, but are having SERIOUS second thoughts. I have a couple of questions that y'all might be able to help me with.

1) Is the fitness center 24 hours? I've found conflicting information.

2) Has anyone tried the new offerings at Maji? From a new menu I found, it looks like they're getting some boxed lunches from Sanaa. Looks like a great use of a QS credit.

3) Any fees for shipping packages to the resort?

I think that's it for now...if there's a better place for me to be asking, I'd be happy to redirect.

Welcome! I can only answer two of your three questions.

1) fitness center is not 24/7.
2) no idea sorry.
3) no fees for shipping. I shipped all of my luggage. I love the ease.

Brandi- Can we be the first on the list for Feb, 2014? 2/20-2/24 (or 25), AKL CL. My bday!!!! Plus I'm going to run the princess half with my mom.

 

[t_daniels]

Welcome! I can only answer two of your three questions.

1) fitness center is not 24/7.
2) no idea sorry.
3) no fees for shipping. I shipped all of my luggage. I love the ease.

Brandi- Can we be the first on the list for Feb, 2014? 2/20-2/24 (or 25), AKL CL. My bday!!!! Plus I'm going to run the princess half with my mom.

Not op, but nooooo! I thought it was too.....

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

Thank you! I'm definitely shipping a package to myself. No dinky shampoo for me!

As to the fitness center, I think I found final word on the Disney site after posting my question. It wasn't where I'd expect the info to be, so it took a while to track down.

From Disney's Zahanati page:
Hours of Operation
Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. An attendant will be available within the facility from 6:30 AM to 7:00 PM. After this time, you will not have access to restrooms, showers, sauna or the locker room. To utilize the health club during non-attended hours, you will be required to use your Key to the World card.

I'd love it if someone who is going to be onsite could confirm this for me. It will make a difference in where we stay if the hours are limited.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/spas/animal-kingdom-lodge/zahanati-massage-fitness-center/

 

[johnsonet]

I booked our 1st AKL stay, a 9 night early June trip, in a Standard View room as it was the only available and reasonably priced room with the AP discount. Booking a Savannah room was an additional $2000+ ... No way I could justify that expense. A standard view is described as a view of the parking lot or of a roof. I was wondering if anyone has or could post any photos of this view ... it will prepare me for the view I will have from my balcony for 9 days. TIA.

Yikes
Just being at the Lodge will be great.

Here's a link to an older thread on the topic of std views at AKL http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44291838