Tips for staying at AKL?

[surgefest]

What are some tips for staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge. We'll be staying there for the first time. We've been there before to eat at boma. we've been out the back of the main lodge to that savanah view. Any other tips or things to look for while we are staying there??? How is the bus transportation. Being that it's far from most of the parks? Thanks!

 

[Cass]

I have always found the bus service excellent

The kids enjoyed doing the hidden mickey safari, ask for a safari sheet at reception.

 

[surgefest]

anyone else?

 

[SleepingUgly]

The buses were not too bad, considering that you do not share with any other resorts. When waiting for a bus to take us to the parks, we never had to wait long; maybe 5 minutes, tops. Going back to the resort -- we had to wait longer most times (10 minutes at times), but it was still not too bad, in the grand scheme of things. Nonetheless, since we had our car with us, we ended up driving to the parks the last few days and found that to be more convenient.

There are a lot of kids activities, including a parade in which CMs lead kids through the lobby and the kids then get a personalized certificate at the end. The gift shop is very interesting and a fun place to browse. At night, CMs are out with night-vision goggles so you can check out the animals in the dark. The pool is a lot of fun!

Have a good trip!

Linda

 

[deej696]

The night vision goggles are pretty cool. I love the pool area at AKL as well. Its zero entry, which I always think is so cool. Have a great trip!

 

[Safari Queen]

We love relaxing around the firepit outside. There's a storyteller there for the kids, too. There are displays all through the resort, with antiques and artifacts from Africa. The Mara is a great CS restaurant. Most of all we like sitting on our balcony and watching the animals in the morning or afternoon.

 

[Disneyonmymind]

We love relaxing around the firepit outside. There's a storyteller there for the kids, too. There are displays all through the resort, with antiques and artifacts from Africa. The Mara is a great CS restaurant. Most of all we like sitting on our balcony and watching the animals in the morning or afternoon.

We haven't stayed there before but we plan on taking our binoculars to have while sitting on our balcony.

Safari Queen - That's a really good looking dog. Can I ask what kind?

 

[nytimez]

I have always found the bus service excellent

Early April, there were serious issues with the bus service. Lots of buses coming for some parks - sometimes two at a time (I'm not making that up) - while other parks had no buses for 20 minutes or more. Which wouldn't be so bad if they simply said there are 20 minutes between buses, but when you are watching all the other buses come and go... some leaving empty because it arrived seconds after - or at the same time as - the previous bus, it gets annoying.

 

[Girldreamer02]

We haven't stayed there before but we plan on taking our binoculars to have while sitting on our balcony.

Safari Queen - That's a really good looking dog. Can I ask what kind?

When we went in dec for Christmas we had a savanah view and there was no need for binoculars. I don't want to say they were at our finger tips, but they certainly didn't require binoculars to view. Maybe if you were on one of the higher levels, but not the lower levels. Here is a picture to show you our view.

 

[yxe dad]

In my experience the bus service is usually excellent at the AKL.

Jiko is my favourite TS restaurants on-site and the pork tenderloin is amazing.

The boys love wandering to lodge looking at the different animals and doing the kids activities. The pool is great and usually not to busy.

The Mara is a little small so allow for extra time getting your food during peak times. I usually eat outside and enjoy the warm weather by the pool.

If you need to do some laundry it's close to the pool, so while the kids have a swim I'll do a load or two. I like to only take carry-ons so I do laundry at least once.

Enjoy, IMHO it's the best!

Shayne

 

[JMADgrad]

Hi all - was browsing to see what info was being shared (going to AKL in August ) Had to comment on Safari Queen's pup - isn't that a BASENJI!!? Our basenji was the best dog ever. Sorry to interrupt the thread, just excited to see one.

Hope this isn't a further "no no" (asking another AKL related question on this thread - I am new at this, remember) - but for those who have stayed at AKL, on EMH days at the distant parks is it better to drive than take the bus?

If this Q is considered highjacking the thread, please say - don't want to be a pain! Just go easy on me, please!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

The buses were excellent and we never once had a problem out of our 3 stays at AKL

Night vision goggles are neat, the firepit stories, bead activities, pool activities, cookie decorating at Boma, the music parade at night. Doing the rubbings of the floor in the lobby and flamingo feedings were our sons favorite things.

Club level was excellent and our best trip to date. They really treat their guests like family. The sunrise safari was awesome.

We spent a whole day just at the lodge doing different things. It was one of our best days in Disney.

 

[geokeim]

Our kids loved the bunk beds (you may have to ask for them?)
Also, they loved SImba's Cubhouse (open from 4-midnight) while we went to Jiko. It's a bit pricey, but wow is is outstanding!
As far the the transportation, lets face it, it's a good distance to any park except for AK. That said, it was nice to know on the long bus ride home, that we were going to spend the night in such a wonderful, relaxing atmosphere.
(the smell of the wood burning fire is awesome!)
If I was just going to a resort for the resort, it would be this one.

Have fun!

 

[madalex]

Just came back from AKL a few weeks ago. We were there during the Easter break and the bus service was great. We never had a long wait for a bus in the morning and only once (coming back from DHS) did we have a lengthy wait to return from a park. It is a long bus ride to the parks (except to AK, of course), but since the buses are not shared with any other resort, there are no other stops to add time to the bus trip.

 

[NeilPage]

I hate to be the troublemaker, especially so close to Earth Day, but we found that renting a car in Orlando is cheap and offers you great flexibility. The only negative is the resort parking is usually a long walk to the lobby, but I really don't mind that. Oh, I guess there is the price of using your own gas.
But as a Disney resort guest, you can park on the park's lots for free and also visit other resorts for free. Plus you are not limited to just staying on MK property.
We stayed at AKL last year and it was great! Definitely get the view of the savannah. Our room had the bunk beds, so our son had fun sleeping up there. The rooms are a long walk to the lobby. The buffet there is very good.

 

[aripantaloon]

When you are saying a "long" bus ride to the parks other than AK, how long are you talking about? 10 minutes, 30 minutes? Longer?

 

[geokeim]

When you are saying a "long" bus ride to the parks other than AK, how long are you talking about? 10 minutes, 30 minutes? Longer?

Normally ride is about 15 minutes in my experience.
But if you combine the wait, it can be up to 35 minutes. And if you are tired and carrying a sleeping baby at closing it seems even longer.

 

[GGOOFY1]

We are staying there in July/Aug and I am taking notes!!!!

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

Does the bus to AK also go to BB? When we have stayed at other resorts there is a shared bus for Blizzard Beach and AK so you are having to stop at BB in am first and at BB again after AK in afternoon.

Thanks!

 

[ronandannette]

I hate to be the troublemaker, especially so close to Earth Day, but we found that renting a car in Orlando is cheap and offers you great flexibility. The only negative is the resort parking is usually a long walk to the lobby, but I really don't mind that. Oh, I guess there is the price of using your own gas.
But as a Disney resort guest, you can park on the park's lots for free and also visit other resorts for free. Plus you are not limited to just staying on MK property.
We stayed at AKL last year and it was great! Definitely get the view of the savannah. Our room had the bunk beds, so our son had fun sleeping up there. The rooms are a long walk to the lobby. The buffet there is very good.

Get a car. Waiting in the summer heat for a bus would be unbearable; and driving anywhere around WDW is very easy. I also HIGHLY recommend kicking in a few bucks for the valet parking ($7.00/day when we went in '06). Excellent service and the car had always cooled down a little bit by the time we got to it. So worth the money. To tell the truth I'm not even sure where the parking lot was, I never once saw it.

AKL was a dream come true for us; I'm sure you'll LOVE it too.

Annette