Animal Kingdom Lodge-underwhelmed

[SecondStarTilMorning]

Am I missing something at the Animal Kingdom Lodge? Maybe staying there would be different? We went there to hang out one afternoon and my impression was:

Way out of the way, hidden, hard to find different buildings/location

Cool lobby, but wilderness lodge is more impressive

Grounds are not beautiful, but bland.

Not many animals around, hard to see them.

Pool area is just ok.

Restaraunts look very nice- but non resort guests can visit them any time.

Feels disconnected from the disney excitement.

Museum-like quality of decoration instead of resort-like feel

 

[Disneykidder]

We are split staying this summer. We originally were going to do BLT MK view ad BCV but changed to WL instead of BCV and then switched to AKL Savanna view instead of WL. (figured BLT is so close to the MK so we changed.) We are excited to wake up looking at beautiful animals. We have eaten there but never stayed so we are psyched. It is a gorgeous resort. The theming is amazing. It is a bit far but close to AK. I like the serenity of it.

 

[George]

AKL and WL are both generally horseshoe-shaped and have similar lobbies, but how could anyone say they have the same layout?

There might be a communication problem here, but you just described what same layout would mean to me.

We own at VWL, but we used points to stay at AKLV before Kidani. I really like AKL and in a few weeks, I'm going to see if we can get some time there on our next vacation. The animals rock and I do love the gift shop. I like the decorations too, but I can see that one might think it has more of a somber feel. I also love the African stew at the counter service restaurant and the zebra domes.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

There might be a communication problem here, but you just described what same layout would mean to me.

They have the same shape in a very basic sense, but if you look at them on Google Maps, they're definitely definitely not the same building. And while the lobbies look similar, the "pieces" on the inside are in different places. The restaurants are on the left hand side in WL and at least Whispering Canyon is at lobby-level I know, whereas I know Boma and Jiko at least are off to the left and below lobby level at AKL. When I think "same layout", I think of something like the value resort buildings, where they're pretty much cookie-cutter similar down to the plumbing layout... same building built twice.

 

[gobraves]

Akl is awesome. Stay there and then come talk to me.

 

[Computer Magic]

AKL and WL are both generally horseshoe-shaped and have similar lobbies, but how could anyone say they have the same layout?

I think you are referring to my post although you failed to quote me.

Both WL and AKL was architect Peter Dominick of Urban Design Group.

Of course not literally but you can tell they are very similar. Most can tell when walking into both that is was AKL was desined with WL in mind.

 

[Computer Magic]

When I think "same layout", I think of something like the value resort buildings, where they're pretty much cookie-cutter similar down to the plumbing layout... same building built twice.

That part it true for a few value resorts but not every. Be careful when you want exact words from others as it can be used towards you.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

That part it true for a few value resorts but not every. Be careful when you want exact words from others as it can be used towards you.

*some of* the value resort buildings

 

[Hot Lava]

We stayed there once in a savanna view and loved it, but I can honestly say it would not be worth it for us if you don't get a savanna view room.

I am of this mind. I don't really want to pay all the money and stay so far out if I don't get a savannah room.

 

[Dukeblue1227]

I third the savanna view room thought. However, I've stayed at every deluxe except for GF and can honestly say having stayed in the savanna view room, akl is my favorite resort on property.

Though, part of it for me was the slight separation from the typical Disney feel... I liked it felt almost separated because it made the resort more than just a hotel with a bed. I also don't generally use resort pools so that one negative didn't affect us.

We just loved the ambiance of staying there and the restaurants are fantastic, the bar/lounge is great. And (in Disney) you can't beat enjoying a morning coffee on a balcony just watching these unique animals you never get to see otherwise.

All the Disney parks are so "disney" it was nice to return back to something slightly different at the end of the day (but definitely still feels enough Disney its not like staying off site)

 

[Poofiesdream]

I stayed AKL club level and yes from the balcony you could see some animals outside very early in the morning and later at night when they are feed. Really was not impressed with the resort for the amount of money I spent. Would not go back.

 

[brumby]

Agreed a get away vacation from the sometimes crazy parks , we watched a thunderstorm roll in during an afternoon break while sitting on our Savanna View Balcony.

That sounds realy cool. We are soooo looking forward to going this Sunday!

 

[brumby]

Well of COURSE - they don't WANT you to see them... until they have a chance to pounce and eat you .

Funny! lol

 

[Spikerdink]

Did a week at AKL a few summers ago. Wanted to try it - had only visited for a drink in the bar and dinner at Boma...but was intrigued enough to give a shot.

From the minute I walked in I loved it. I loved my room and that I could sit on the balcony at 2 am with my glass of wine and watch the animals move about. (BTW - the person who said when they were there and couldn't see many...often at midday a lot of the animals take a respite to beat the heat and are less active which is why you may not have seen that many). I loved the restaurants. I thought the pool was phenomenal.

Now, I also loved Wilderness Lodge too. But for different reasons. I loved walking the grounds, being near the water and waiting for the geyser to pop. I loved the water pagent. I loved the fact that there was a 'spring' in the middle of the lobby that led outside to the pool.

The one drawback I had with AKL was the remoteness (in relation to the parks). It seemed the busses were always taking forever to get to where I wanted to go [ok, I can be a tad impatient]. Whereas all the other places I have stayed recently had quick ways of getting to at least one park [Beach Club/Boardwalk I walked to HS and E and VWL I took the boat to MK or the Contemporary and took the monorail to E]. But in the end this did not diminish my enjoyment and hope someday soon to book another trip to AKL

 

[bethymouse]

It's a great place, if you like Animal Kingdom and getting around only on the buses.
It's one of the "lower" priced Deluxe resorts, so the standard rooms are "bang" for your buck IMHO.

 

[coachwnh]

One more reason tho love AKL!!!


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr

Cant beat seeing this from your balcony

 

[coachwnh]

And these


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr


Untitled by coachwnh, on Flickr

 

[jlsHouston]

I stayed annoyed at the 3 days we did at AKL last summer. We resort hopped from BC to AKL for 3 days because my bff was coming in and she will stay no where but AKL..loves the theming, animals, pool, restaurants, etc.. Remote is good in our book while on vacation, so remote feeling was a few of the pluses...WIFI sucked in room, theming kind of dark, smelled like a safari, they gave me one of the rooms with no dresser/drawers...great gift shop, awesome pool with awesome pool activities for kids, beautiful lobby, great food and the worker bees were the nicest of all the resorts we have visited to date... so I have to give it a 3 on my 1-5 scale..would I stay again? Yes for my grandkids... but for me... no...

 

[luv]

I agree that the staff at AKL is, overall, better than all the other Disney hotels. I don't know what they're doing over there, but they should teach the rest.

 

[Mater_Disney]

I love Animal Kingdom Lodge. It really isn't that secluded, it's just the only resort near Animal Kingdom. The whole point was to make it feel separated, as if it were in another continent... The restaurants are amazing, and no resort has such a great aroma(which is a result of the restaurants). As for the animals, sometimes you can see them well and sometimes not. It depends on where they're herding to. However, Disney can't control where they are and by giving them roaming space, they are taking proper care of them. You don't necessarily see animals often on a true safari in Africa, either. I like WL, however I like AKL better because it is more unique. Wilderness lodge has a theme which you can find all over the US, where Animal Kingdom has few places like it anywhere.

 

[jlsHouston]

I agree that the staff at AKL is, overall, better than all the other Disney hotels. I don't know what they're doing over there, but they should teach the rest.

Amen, girl first place they need to go is over to Ohana's, then the entire front desk at CB needs some help and BC/YC need some attitude adjusting...oh I forgot about the guy in the candy store at BW next to Flying Fish... I could not believe the interaction he and I had last summer...