Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE Information & Questions

[Dug720]

Change me from 1 to 8 nights! I'm now doing a MYW package 8/18-26!! Cannot wait!!!!

 

[henry72]

We leave tomorrow (Dec 2) and have about 10-11 water bottles (12 oz) left over. Is there anyone here now or arriving tomorrow that wants them? (We are in Jambo House.)

 

[dgbg100106]

Change me from 1 to 8 nights! I'm now doing a MYW package 8/18-26!! Cannot wait!!!!

August

OThopeful35, 1st - 12th, AKL

Dug720, 18th - 26th, AKL

 

[Orangeman98]

Just returned from AKL (11/28 - 12/2) with a few Honest Observations:

Thanks to the DIS community for making this website and this particular thread so helpful over the past few months! My intention is to share my recent experiences at AKL to hopefully add or at least offer one recent perspective

Just a little background: This was my first time staying at AKL. We (wife and child) rented points to stay in a 1 bedroom villa with a standard view at Jambo.


Lessons Learned:

1) For holiday decorations and appeal, I would rank AKL only behind Wilderness Lodge and the Grand Floridian: The large majestic tree in the Jambo lobby was extremely impressive.

2) Finding a website like Touring Plans and accessing their room view photos was invaluable. I was able to locate the rooms I liked that had partial Savanna views, and I received my first choice after faxing the detailed request.

3) WARNING! MY OPINION ONLY: I was glad I didn't pay extra for a Savanna view because I rarely saw animals from my room. Everyone wants to wake up to peer out their balcony and see at least one giraffe or zebra. In my experience, we never saw any of the larger animals before 8-9am. However, there would have been ample opportunity to view animals had we stayed past 10am. If you are a late sleeper, you can certainly wake up to animals. We were on a bus usually before 10am and only caught fleeting glimpses of animals grazing.

4) Speaking of Buses... There are Pros and Cons to each Deluxe -- we knew going into our trip to expect a mixed bag...that's what we got. On average, I would say it took around 13-15 minutes to get our desired bus at AKL. The ride to the parks was quicker than I anticipated -- never more than 15-20 minutes. We stayed until close at all the parks, and I can say we saw the spectrum: one time we got on right away, another time it took almost an hour (I have no idea why). Overall, the wait for a bus leaving the park during a busy time was between 20-30 minutes.

5) Scooters. Just a silly observation, but we did notice that there were fewer kids and soooooo many more people in scooters at the parks and at the lodge. Because of my daughter's school schedule, we were able to go now, but I get that most kids are in school -- which accounts for fewer kids. However, there were scooters recharging all along the hallways in route to our room. It was a sight to behold.

I hope you all enjoy your stay!

 

[disgirl411]

Can someone share pictures or describe in detail what they offer at the AKL club level? Do they offer anything for kids between 5-7pm like chicken nuggets or corn dogs? Do they have hot breakfast options like grits or oatmeal? How would you compare this CL (food wise) to others? Thanks!

 

[TeeterTots]

Can someone share pictures or describe in detail what they offer at the AKL club level? Do they offer anything for kids between 5-7pm like chicken nuggets or corn dogs? Do they have hot breakfast options like grits or oatmeal? How would you compare this CL (food wise) to others? Thanks!

Check out the club level thread! It's great! The table of contents on the first few pages should direct you. There are also great you tube videos. I'm a fan of AKL-CL and have visited many times

 

[trishadono]

Can someone share pictures or describe in detail what they offer at the AKL club level? Do they offer anything for kids between 5-7pm like chicken nuggets or corn dogs? Do they have hot breakfast options like grits or oatmeal? How would you compare this CL (food wise) to others? Thanks!

I will be there mid january and will post pics then if still needed.

My first akl cl and am looking forward to it.

My dd21 still likes to eat some of the kids food. For some reason she thinks the PBn J at Disney tastes better than anywhere else, lol.

 

[sndral]

Just returned from AKL (11/28 - 12/2) with a few Honest Observations:...
5) Scooters. Just a silly observation, but we did notice that there were fewer kids and soooooo many more people in scooters at the parks and at the lodge. Because of my daughter's school schedule, we were able to go now, but I get that most kids are in school -- which accounts for fewer kids. However, there were scooters recharging all along the hallways in route to our room. It was a sight to behold.
...!

Thanks for an updated report. Interesting about the scooters - I've seen one or two in the hallways at AKL. At least the hallways at AKL are fairly wide. I've also spotted them in the long narrow windy hallways at BWV. I assume the scooters are parked in the hallways because people don't want them taking up space in their room/villa, or maybe they are too big to fit through the door, but I always wonder if it's a violation of fire regulations as hotel hallways are not supposed to have obstructions in them that would hamper evacuation.

 

[Earningmywings]

We are staying at AKL for our first WDW trip in February with a 4 year old and 18 month old. Does anyone know the approx price of milk at the gift shop? The 18 month old needs it at bedtime and wake up still. Do they sell loaf bread there? We have looked at using Amazon but would rather get it there if feasible. Are the breakfast items at the Mara considered quick service or snack? We have a dining plan. Thanks everyone.

 

[MonaMN]

Just got back today from AKL-Jambo. So amazing. We were in room 3212 - standard, but a partial Savannah view with a bunk bed. We saw quite a few animals from there - giraffes, antelope, cranes, zebras. DD loved the bunk bed. We were super close to the lobby, which was great. There was a little bit of traffic noise in the hallway, but we travel with a white noise machine, so it didn't bother us.

We loved AKL. This was our first deluxe stay, and I would go back anytime! The bus rides seemed about the same as our stays at POR and CBR, but having only one bus stop at the resort was great.

We also stopped by a few other resorts during our trip - WL, GF, and Poly. While I would love Poly, there were monorail issues when we were heading over, and if I were staying there expecting to use it, I would probably be frustrated. GF is too formal and kind of smelked like grandma to us. WL is lovely - I would still like to stay there sometime... but we had such a great time at AKL!!

 

[DizDaD7]

We are staying at AKL for our first WDW trip in February with a 4 year old and 18 month old. Does anyone know the approx price of milk at the gift shop? The 18 month old needs it at bedtime and wake up still. Do they sell loaf bread there? We have looked at using Amazon but would rather get it there if feasible. Are the breakfast items at the Mara considered quick service or snack? We have a dining plan. Thanks everyone.

Both actually I believe...The Mara is quite impressive I must say.
Waay better than any other set up at other resorts I've been to.

 

[Somnia]

Sorry for taking so long to posts these! Here are some photo's I took from our trip back in October/Early November. We were on the 4th floor on the Sunset Savannah.

 

[Dug720]

Sorry for taking so long to posts these! Here are some photo's I took from our trip back in October/Early November. We were on the 4th floor on the Sunset Savannah.

Great pics! Thanks for sharing!

 

[henry72]

We are staying at AKL for our first WDW trip in February with a 4 year old and 18 month old. Does anyone know the approx price of milk at the gift shop? The 18 month old needs it at bedtime and wake up still. Do they sell loaf bread there? We have looked at using Amazon but would rather get it there if feasible. Are the breakfast items at the Mara considered quick service or snack? We have a dining plan. Thanks everyone.

A half gallon of whole milk was $3.69. I believe they had bread in the gift shop too. They had quite a good selection of items there. If you are on the dining plan and are using the refillable mugs at the Mara, don't forget your meal comes with a drink. You can pick up single serving bottles of milk (or juice) to take back to your room as part of your meal.

 

[nursejackie]

Help! We arrive on Saturday and I have read dozens of pages on this thread and cannot find too much information on building number or room numbers people would recommend. We have one Savannah View studio on Kidani village booked for 4 nights and would like to get a good view. We will be driving so don't need to worry about transport. We have paid to see the animals so need some advice on that. The walk to the pool/AK lodge for quick service is not as important but we don't want to be miles from anything. From what I've read we should ask for 3rd or 4th floor Sunset savannah view. What room did you stay in and would you recommend it?

 

[RachelTori]

Help! We arrive on Saturday and I have read dozens of pages on this thread and cannot find too much information on building number or room numbers people would recommend. We have one Savannah View studio on Kidani village booked for 4 nights and would like to get a good view. We will be driving so don't need to worry about transport. We have paid to see the animals so need some advice on that. The walk to the pool/AK lodge for quick service is not as important but we don't want to be miles from anything. From what I've read we should ask for 3rd or 4th floor Sunset savannah view. What room did you stay in and would you recommend it?

There aren't building numbers in either Kidani or Jambo House. The lobby is on Level 2 of Kidani and that would be my personal preference; closer to the animals - although Level 3 would be fine with me too. The 4th & 5th floors you'd be looking down at the animals; I prefer to look out at them (if that makes sense!).

List your requests in order of priority. One suggestion would be: Sunset Savannah, 2nd floor, near lobby.

Happy vacation and please let us know here how the room worked out for you!

 

[maranara]

Just returned from AKL (11/28 - 12/2) with a few Honest Observations:
3) WARNING! MY OPINION ONLY: I was glad I didn't pay extra for a Savanna view because I rarely saw animals from my room. Everyone wants to wake up to peer out their balcony and see at least one giraffe or zebra. In my experience, we never saw any of the larger animals before 8-9am. However, there would have been ample opportunity to view animals had we stayed past 10am. If you are a late sleeper, you can certainly wake up to animals. We were on a bus usually before 10am and only caught fleeting glimpses of animals grazing.

That's interesting. For those who have stayed in a savanna view room...any advice on where to request a room that might have early morning animals? We're staying savanna view in 55 days (eek!) and my daughter is an EARLY riser. Am hoping that there will be some animals out as we try to keep her entertained at 6 am.

 

[archdandy]

Where is the refill station located for the mugs in Kidani?

 

[DizDaD7]

Where is the refill station located for the mugs in Kidani?

In the Johari Treasures ( small store off the lobby ). & also down near the pool as well.

 

[Babsy]

Just got back today from AKL-Jambo. So amazing. We were in room 3212 - standard, but a partial Savannah view with a bunk bed. We saw quite a few animals from there - giraffes, antelope, cranes, zebras. DD loved the bunk bed. We were super close to the lobby, which was great. There was a little bit of traffic noise in the hallway, but we travel with a white noise machine, so it didn't bother us.

We loved AKL. This was our first deluxe stay, and I would go back anytime! The bus rides seemed about the same as our stays at POR and CBR, but having only one bus stop at the resort was great.

We also stopped by a few other resorts during our trip - WL, GF, and Poly. While I would love Poly, there were monorail issues when we were heading over, and if I were staying there expecting to use it, I would probably be frustrated. GF is too formal and kind of smelked like grandma to us. WL is lovely - I would still like to stay there sometime... but we had such a great time at AKL!!

Hi! I am so happy that you had an amazing stay at AKL. We are staying there in January and I was wondering which floor to request. I understand that you stayed on the third floor. Am I correct in the assumption that the third floor is the floor that the lobby is on as well?

Thanks a bunch!