First Time at Animal Kingdom Lodge

[SteelAG]

After our holiday plans fell apart we decided to jump on the Ultimate Christmas Package Disney World is offering this year. We stayed at a few different Disney resorts but never at Animal Kingdom Lodge. What can we expect? Any special things to look for? Any special holiday features? We’re getting pretty excited.

 

[Venym]

I just stayed there for the first time and it was beautiful. If time permits talk to some of the cast members there. They had a couple near the Animal overlooks. If you don’t have a savannah view room you can still get a peek at animals on the savannah. Take it all in.

 

[SteelAG]

Awesome advice! Happy to hear that. It one of the things I’m looking forward to the most about staying there.

 

[BriLovesDisney]

It's a beautiful resort. If you don't have a savanna room be sure and check out the observation decks. Be sure and get a Boma breakfast - it's amazing!

 

[Haley R]

We had a Standard room and saw lots of animals from our room. I can't remember exactly where we were.

 

[gharter]

Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Consider either Boma (buffet) or Jiko (Signature dining) for an evening meal.
The Savanna is great and don't forget to go out and sit by the fire at night.

 

[Shellyb84]

We had a Standard room and saw lots of animals from our room. I can't remember exactly where we were. View attachment 282016 View attachment 282017

This looks like you were just a little down the hall past where we were, we had room 2226. We also had a standard view room. It was amazing! We saw animals pretty much all throughout the day.

 

[wdwrich]

For years the Poly was our favorite resort. Then on our last trip, we rented points and stayed in a savanna studio in Jambo house. OMG, AKL is absolutely our new favorite resort. It's amazing!

 

[Haley R]

This looks like you were just a little down the hall past where we were, we had room 2226. We also had a standard view room. It was amazing! We saw animals pretty much all throughout the day.

I just remember that our first room was right next to the stairs so we heard the fire door shutting all night and asked to be switched. The first room was near the stables so we still saw animals, but our second room was much better! We were in an inlet of rooms that almost looked like a U shape. Like you, we saw animals quite often.

 

[MrsDuck]

It's the best resort on property. Definitely hit the viewing areas, walk around the resort, participate in the resort activities, and check out the pool. Definitely eat at Boma AND Sanaa!

 

[mickeymom22]

Hubby and I went on a "kidless" mini-vacay and stayed at AKL. It is so beautiful! We requested a king bed standard room. The CM said she was giving us the "secret" savanna view king room. It technically isn't considered a savanna room because there is a small corral in front of your balcony...but to us it was amazing. The animals still felt really close and the giraffes even slept outside our room both nights.

We enjoyed talking the CMs stationed outside at the animal viewing areas. We also enjoyed a drink in the lounge. The Mara is the quick service restaurant and is super yummy! Boma is a buffet, and we enjoyed that as well. Just hanging out in the lobby is so relaxing...it such a beautiful resort!

Have a magical time!

 

[SteelAG]

We had a Standard room and saw lots of animals from our room. I can't remember exactly where we were. View attachment 282016 View attachment 282017

Wow!! That view looks AWESOME!!! MY excitement level just went through the roof!! Lol!!!

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

I just stayed there for the first time and it was beautiful. If time permits talk to some of the cast members there. They had a couple near the Animal overlooks. If you don’t have a savannah view room you can still get a peek at animals on the savannah. Take it all in.

Agree 100% with Venym!!!
There are CM spotted along the paths on the savanna viewing areas, loved talking with them. Interesting to hear how they ended up in Walt Disney World, what country they are from etc. When we were at AKL the CM would hand out cards with a description and a map of where in Africa they are from. Hopefully they still do this.

The lobby is like a museum, make sure you explore it. At the end of one of the savanna viewing paths; there is a kiosk set up in the evening with night vision binoculars. They had stations set up for making s'mores. And AKL has some of the best dinning options of all the resorts. Love eating at Boma.

Hope you like it as much as we do

 

[SteelAG]

It's a beautiful resort. If you don't have a savanna room be sure and check out the observation decks. Be sure and get a Boma breakfast - it's amazing!

Just booked a Boma breakfast

 

[shellyj]

AKL is our favorite place to stay in the entire world!
Consider booking a Boma dinner, too. It's phenomenal.
Try to visit the gift shop when the artist is carving the figurines. Times are posted.
Visit the lobby for the drum demonstrations. I love that sound.
We love to walk around behind the pool where the flamingos are. The first time my kids saw them, they thought they were fake!
AKL is great for finding Hidden Mickeys. The one at Boma took us forever to find.
Night vision viewing is a wonderful experience. They have a limited number of viewers so be prepared to wait for your turn, but definitely worth it.
We've stayed savanna view and nothing-but-trees view. I don't think I'd pay for savanna again. It's cool, but we don't spend enough time in the room to justify the cost. There are plenty of other places to see the animals.
I do LOVE the balconies, though. Decent size, nice chairs, all of ours have been pretty private. My kids like to eat outside.

 

[Haley R]

Wow!! That view looks AWESOME!!! MY excitement level just went through the roof!! Lol!!!

Yeah we were able to see giraffes, zebras, lots of birds, and gazelle all at one time. It was pretty fantastic to just sit outside and watch them all! I will say that DH and I both got bug bites after sitting out on our balcony.

 

[mindeola]

We stayed in May. It is like a completely different world. In fact, a few trip ago I ate at Sanaa with my friend. I knew then and there that I had to bring my hubby and stay there. It is relaxing and beautiful. My parents have been to Africa many times. I am bringing them there when we all go in March. I wish we were staying there!

Sanaa is my current favorite WDW restaurant. Bread Service=LIFE! Boma breakfast is fabulous. I agree- talk with the cast members. look at the artifacts, listen to the stories, enjoy the animals.

 

[married2mm]

We stayed in May. It is like a completely different world. In fact, a few trip ago I ate at Sanaa with my friend. I knew then and there that I had to bring my hubby and stay there. It is relaxing and beautiful. My parents have been to Africa many times. I am bringing them there when we all go in March. I wish we were staying there!

Sanaa is my current favorite WDW restaurant. Bread Service=LIFE! Boma breakfast is fabulous. I agree- talk with the cast members. look at the artifacts, listen to the stories, enjoy the animals.

Bread is life-
Something me and dds often say & pizza too!!

 

[amym2]

Just booked a Boma breakfast

My favorite! Don't miss the French toast bread pudding with pecan praline sauce and the fruit that's in some sort of cream. Yum!!!

 

[maramarrie]

AKL is our favorite! There are tons of fun (free) activities for the kids and adults. We enjoy the bead activities and usually take a day or two just for the resort so we can complete our string of beads and take advantage of the awesome pools and splash pad. Enjoy!