Animal Kingdom Lodge Room Location

[DisneyDoug85]

i have a pool view room with a request to be connected to my sister and her family (8 people total) booked. Now making my online check in room requests, i selected Near lobby first and ground level second. The reason for those two choices is that we will have 3 young kids ages 5 and two at just under 2 years old. I figure the less walking i have to do the better and the less waiting and cramming on an elevator the better. My only question is should i be concerned with possible noise from any of the restaurants, or the traffic to and from? It'll be the first visit to AKL for all of us, so I'm not sure how it is laid out etc. Anything else i should consider? thanks!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I'd seriously consider switching to a standard view room. Pool view at AK Lodge isn't really a worthwhile upgrade and it's going to be LOUD, not from the restaurants but from the pool itself.

Also, what you're requesting isn't really what you want. The lobby at AKL is on the third floor, not the first. There are no guest rooms close to the lobby's central area on the first floor. The only first floor pool view rooms are off in the first side wing off of Zebra Trail and are pretty much completely blocked by foliage. If you end up with a view of anything, it'll be hairy guys in the hot tub.

I'm not sure if it's locked behind the subscription pay wall, but I highly recommend the Room Finder tool at TouringPlans.com.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Lobby is on the 3rd floor of the AKL. Personally, I'd request a 3rd floor room and I am ok with a pool view, I found the heavy balcony doors to give plenty of sound proofing.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Lobby is on the 3rd floor of the AKL. Personally, I'd request a 3rd floor room and I am ok with a pool view, I found the heavy balcony doors to give plenty of sound proofing.

Yes, I'd be okay with a pool view, but I wouldn't pay extra for it. There are lots of standard rooms with partial savanna views and I consider those both 1) better and 2) cheaper.

 

[lostpro9het]

Yes, I'd be okay with a pool view, but I wouldn't pay extra for it. There are lots of standard rooms with partial savanna views and I consider those both 1) better and 2) cheaper.

I've only ever stayed at AKL as a DVC member, does disney actually charge a higher price for a pool room at AKL for cash stays? Pool views fall under "standard view" in my experience at AKL.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I've only ever stayed at AKL as a DVC member, does disney actually charge a higher price for a pool room at AKL for cash stays? Pool views fall under "standard view" in my experience at AKL.

Yes. Standard, Pool, Savanna, Club, with some bunk bed rooms sprinkled in there and king beds available by request only (and not guaranteed). They used to have a special category for Arusha (main) savanna.

Cash rooms don't have the "Value" category that points rooms have, as "value" refers to the room size and not the view.

 

[DisneyDoug85]

I'd seriously consider switching to a standard view room. Pool view at AK Lodge isn't really a worthwhile upgrade and it's going to be LOUD, not from the restaurants but from the pool itself.

Also, what you're requesting isn't really what you want. The lobby at AKL is on the third floor, not the first. There are no guest rooms close to the lobby's central area on the first floor. The only first floor pool view rooms are off in the first side wing off of Zebra Trail and are pretty much completely blocked by foliage. If you end up with a view of anything, it'll be hairy guys in the hot tub.

I'm not sure if it's locked behind the subscription pay wall, but I highly recommend the Room Finder tool at TouringPlans.com.

Thanks for your help, i should have mentioned that while i did request the pool view, it had nothing to do with the view itself. I couldn't care less about the pool view itself, i just figure its the best way to assure me of a near lobby room. If I'm not mistaken the "upgrade" cost for my 7 night trip was under 200 bucks, so for me its well worth it. I'll take your advice into consideration, but lets assume i keep the pool view with my first request being near lobby, would there be any advantage to a lower floor/higher floor etc etc? Keeping in mind we are a group of 8 with 3 young kids. thanks again!

Lobby is on the 3rd floor of the AKL. Personally, I'd request a 3rd floor room and I am ok with a pool view, I found the heavy balcony doors to give plenty of sound proofing.

It doesn't give the option to request a specific floor, only "ground level, lower level, or higher level". How bad can the pool noise be? specifically before 8am and after say 10pm? i figure after 10pm most families with noisy kids are sleeping or getting ready to, and the pool will mostly be used by adults trying to enjoy some quiet time haha. Thanks for your help

 

[DisneyDoug85]

I've only ever stayed at AKL as a DVC member, does disney actually charge a higher price for a pool room at AKL for cash stays? Pool views fall under "standard view" in my experience at AKL.

it was about 180 bucks extra for a 7 night stay. For me it wasn't about actually viewing the pool as much as the convenience of being close to the lobby and restaurants. I've never stayed or even been in AKL so maybe that isn't even the case, but looking at an overhead map a pool view location would be nice for me and the group ill be with.

 

[mouse_luv]

I'm with @CaptainAmerica and @DisneyJoe on this one.
AKL is home for us and IMHO the higher floor the better (and near an elevator). Now the only downfall is if you are on the top floor of Jambo the roof latching tends to block some of the view.

 

[DisneyDoug85]

I'm with @CaptainAmerica and @DisneyJoe on this one.
AKL is home for us and IMHO the higher floor the better (and near an elevator). Now the only downfall is if you are on the top floor of Jambo the roof latching tends to block some of the view.

I'm not too concerned with the view or lack thereof. Mostly concerned with convenience to and from the lobby, pool and restaurants.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I'm not too concerned with the view or lack thereof. Mostly concerned with convenience to and from the lobby, pool and restaurants.

Pool view is probably the least convenient when it comes to actually getting to the pool. The stairs and elevators are centrally located and you'd probably be best off in a standard view room on the third floor. The main staircase that gets you to the pool and restaurants is located on the third floor.

Frankly, I think you're completely overthinking this. There are a ton of elevators in the main bank so you'll never wait more than ten seconds and there's more than enough room inside them. You're not going to be "crammed" with a family of five, even with two strollers.

 

[DisneyDoug85]

Pool view is probably the least convenient when it comes to actually getting to the pool. The stairs and elevators are centrally located and you'd probably be best off in a standard view room on the third floor. The main staircase that gets you to the pool and restaurants is located on the third floor.

Frankly, I think you're completely overthinking this. There are a ton of elevators in the main bank so you'll never wait more than ten seconds and there's more than enough room inside them. You're not going to be "crammed" with a family of five, even with two strollers.

thanks, as i have said I've never been there so not sure what to expect. One thing i know for sure is that i DO NOT want to end up all the way out at the end of one of the wings, i don't care how good a view of animals i have haha. Just my personal opinion. its a family of 8, with 2 strollers. But i do get your point, and i understand its not a big deal...would just be more of an annoyance then anything.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

thanks, as i have said I've never been there so not sure what to expect. One thing i know for sure is that i DO NOT want to end up all the way out at the end of one of the wings, i don't care how good a view of animals i have haha. Just my personal opinion. its a family of 8, with 2 strollers. But i do get your point, and i understand its not a big deal...would just be more of an annoyance then anything.

Regarding the elevators, it's not something you'd be able to avoid no matter what. Since the lobby is on a different floor than the pool and restaurants, you'll have to use it for one or the other. IMO, the time I'd least want to deal with elevators would be coming back from the parks, so I think the third floor would be your best bet.

 

[DisneyDoug85]

Regarding the elevators, it's not something you'd be able to avoid no matter what. Since the lobby is on a different floor than the pool and restaurants, you'll have to use it for one or the other. IMO, the time I'd least want to deal with elevators would be coming back from the parks, so I think the third floor would be your best bet.

Thanks so much, i wasn't aware until you mentioned earlier that the lobby wasn't on the "ground floor". as i said, the elevator thing is no big deal at all, I've been to disney resorts plenty (Wilderness Lodge my favorite) and dealt with elevators all the time. I just figured if it were something i could easily avoid, it would be one less thing to worry about. I can't specifically request 3rd floor, only ground floor, lower floor or upper floor. So i guess i should go with "lower floor"? i assume "upper" means 4th or 5th floors...

 

[21stamps]

thanks, as i have said I've never been there so not sure what to expect. One thing i know for sure is that i DO NOT want to end up all the way out at the end of one of the wings, i don't care how good a view of animals i have haha. Just my personal opinion. its a family of 8, with 2 strollers. But i do get your point, and i understand its not a big deal...would just be more of an annoyance then anything.

I'm having the same issues with my room selection. I want a great view of the Savannah, but also want to be convenient to the lobby, club room, and restaurants. AKL looks massive in photos and it's a bit intimidating to those of us who have never stayed there before.

 

[DisneyDoug85]

I'm having the same issues with my room selection. I want a great view of the Savannah, but also want to be convenient to the lobby, club room, and restaurants. AKL looks massive in photos and it's a bit intimidating to those of us who have never stayed there before.

hopefully someone can help you with your selection...dont take my not caring about viewing the animals the wrong way, I'm sure its amazing. Its just for my group specifically with 3 very young children (and all the extra baggage to carry etc) the last thing i want is to have to walk a mile to get to my room after a long day at the park. Good luck with deciding on your room request!!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I'm having the same issues with my room selection. I want a great view of the Savannah, but also want to be convenient to the lobby, club room, and restaurants. AKL looks massive in photos and it's a bit intimidating to those of us who have never stayed there before.

If you're staying Club Level, you're centrally located on the 4th floor and your room request is more or less irrelevant.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Phone in your room request, you're not limited to the online check-in form

 

[mouse_luv]

I'm not too concerned with the view or lack thereof. Mostly concerned with convenience to and from the lobby, pool and restaurants.

Well, you originally asked and I told you where you need to be for that as well as also giving some additional tips.
I've never heard of someone that doesn't care what their view is that's never been there. Believe me, at this resort you will end up caring at some point what your view is like; this isn't the Holiday Inn in the middle of nowhere USA.

 

[21stamps]

hopefully someone can help you with your selection...dont take my not caring about viewing the animals the wrong way, I'm sure its amazing. Its just for my group specifically with 3 very young children (and all the extra baggage to carry etc) the last thing i want is to have to walk a mile to get to my room after a long day at the park. Good luck with deciding on your room request!!

I totally get it. Convenience is key to me too. It's one of the main reasons I've never stayed at AKL, or any of the large sized resorts. Hopefully you get some good advice.