Animal Kingdom Lodge Praise

[Pizza Moon]

The African art gallery.

The God-tier theming.

The scale.

The restaurants.

The cultural reps.

The Savannah has to be the coolest twist at a hotel I've ever seen, full stop that isn't like taking advantage of its natural location.

Even the parking lot is beautifully lush.

Now if they'd just fix the traffic issue on Osceola Parkway, and it would be the perfect resort.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Even the parking lot is beautifully lush.

I disagree with you on that!!! Haha.

But yes, AKL is my absolute favorite to visit and stay at. It’s the only way DVC could tempt me over to the dark side! Haha.

I prefer visiting the Kidani side - I feel like they learned from watching the animals at Jambo and designed the Savannah so the animals will roam closer to guest areas. Even if it rains I can sit in one of the lounges and admire the animals!

 

[surfsupdon]

I love the lobby and mood of Jambo! I love the food at AKL from Mara to Jiko! And the cultural reps are fantastic.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

It’s one of our top faves for sure. Plus: Jiko.

 

[JIMINYCR]

I agree that it is a beautiful resort with lots of plusses. One major problem is the transportation to the parks and DS. It's at times a lengthy wait for bus arrivals and a long route to anywhere. We got stuck there waiting on a bus when we had an ADR and was in danger of missing our check in time despite being at the bus stop well in advance. We had to call an Uber to be saved.
And most guests will never be able to afford a stay there due to the high cost.

 

[Baron Von Capybara]

Overrated.

 

[Pizza Moon]

I love the lobby and mood of Jambo! I love the food at AKL from Mara to Jiko! And the cultural reps are fantastic.

Right?

I wrote an essay while watching giraffes in the lobby.

I don't think I would stay anywhere else at WDW if I had unlimited money.

 

[Pizza Moon]

Overrated.

That's fine.

Besides the location (which is its main issue), what makes you feel this way?

I agree that it is a beautiful resort with lots of plusses. One major problem is the transportation to the parks and DS. It's at times a lengthy wait for bus arrivals and a long route to anywhere. We got stuck there waiting on a bus when we had an ADR and was in danger of missing our check in time despite being at the bus stop well in advance. We had to call an Uber to be saved.
And most guests will never be able to afford a stay there due to the high cost.

I've never had a problem with bus waits there, only annoyance is that the same bus goes to both Jambo House and Kidani, and the traffic getting there can be brutal at rush hour.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I don't think I would stay anywhere else at WDW if I had unlimited money.

Same here! Only other consideration for me is Riverside.

 

[Pizza Moon]

Same here! Only other consideration for me is Riverside.

I’m a bit more liberal than that love that resort though too!

I’ve always been partial to the Shades of Green and Polynesian Village, but I think Wilderness Lodge is their second best.

I love what they did to the Grand Floridian lobby, unlike Polynesian for instnace.

Contemporary needed a total interior gutting 25 years ago on the Grand Canyon Concourse, the lobby (that no one uses except check-ins) is quite nice now and feels like a retro-70s vibe done right. They need to expand it to the rest of the resort.

I’d honestly knock out the Garden Wing and build another tower, but more like the Burj Al-Arab or some statement tower. WDW could use some really good modern architecture instead of just unthemed boxes. I wouldn’t make it DVC eother, I’d treat it like a Convention hotel like Coronado’s Gran Destino.

Then build a deluxe resort north of GF.

I will say the Gran Destino Tower is quite nice, not Disney per se, but they did a great job with it unlike Riviera, IMO.

If I’m on a budget Pop Century is honestly the best place to be on-property.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

If I’m on a budget Pop Century is honestly the best place to be on-property.

Oh for sure! I’ve stayed there recently and they’ve done a great job with the rooms. The check in lobby not so much

But yes, if I can get a good deal at Pop it’s a great choice. I’ll ocassionally splurge on Riverside but AKL is sadly out of my budget…. Can’t believe I could get passholder rates at like $149 at one time!

 

[Pizza Moon]

Oh for sure! I’ve stayed there recently and they’ve done a great job with the rooms. The check in lobby not so much

But yes, if I can get a good deal at Pop it’s a great choice. I’ll ocassionally splurge on Riverside but AKL is sadly out of my budget…. Can’t believe I could get passholder rates at like $149 at one time!

Yeah, anytime there’s a crazy deal AKL is where I’m using it on if it’s a choice between it and the others.

It usually is lower priced than the other deluxes and I’ve been upgraded from parking lot to Savannah views before!

I also just don’t think GF is remotely worth the premium over the other deluxes. It’s great, but it’s not Four Seasons service, which is what I feel like it should have if it’s going to arbitrarily be priced more.

It’s not like the clientele is nicer, all the deluxes already filter people out

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I also just don’t think GF is remotely worth the premium over the other deluxes.

I love visiting the Grand but I have no desire to stay there.

The Contemporary needs to lean into Disney history - be the retro historic property like Disneyland Hotel - incredibles ain’t it.

I still miss the Concourse Steakhouse - as simple as it was I have such good memories there!

 

[Pizza Moon]

I love visiting the Grand but I have no desire to stay there.

The Contemporary needs to lean into Disney history - be the retro historic property like Disneyland Hotel - incredibles ain’t it.

I still miss the Concourse Steakhouse - as simple as it was I have such good memories there!

Totally agree!

Disneyland Hotel is SO much better thematically than Contemporary.

Don’t know why they’re not treated like twins.

 

[Baron Von Capybara]

Other than the obvious and unforgivable lack of Capybaras - why do you feel this way and what is your favorite WDW resort?

Copper creek cabins. Just a personal opinion.
To me AKL is good but not as good as everyone makes it out to be . YMMV.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Copper creek cabins. Just a personal opinion.
To me AKL is good but not as good as everyone makes it out to be . YMMV.

Wilderness Lodge is definitely another great choice.

 

[Pizza Moon]

Wilderness Lodge is definitely another great choice.

To me the toss up is Savannah view or location?

Otherwise they’re both in their own league.

IMO ofc.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

To me the toss up is Savannah view

Exactly - especially at Kidani - I can sit, relax, and watch the animals all day.

But the spaces at Wilderness Lodge are truly breathtaking - the fireplace, totem poles, water features etc.

 

[Pizza Moon]

Exactly - especially at Kidani - I can sit, relax, and watch the animals all day.

But the spaces at Wilderness Lodge are truly breathtaking - the fireplace, totem poles, water features etc.

Christmas time GF and Wilderness are my happy place.

I feel like AKL needs to feel hotter anyway to feel like you’re in South Africa, so maybe that’s how I should decide which one to go to (if im able to)

 

[AlexB33]

Christmas time GF and Wilderness are my happy place.

Christmas time GF is also my happy place I was sad we didn’t get the gingerbread house this year