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

 

[Skippy's Pal]

The split-stay approach has worked for us a couple of times. After doing MK, EPCOT, and DHS based at Beach Club, we've moved to AKL to focus on AK; that makes the experience far less "remote" feeling as at that point all we're interested in is AK. The one negative is that the club-level rooms at AKL are often some distance (and several floors away from) the concierge lounge. Having to "commute" to the lounge makes the club-level experience less enjoyable. But the relative quiet and "remoteness" of AKL is a nice change after the intensity of the other 3 parks.

 

[Disneykidder]

Zebra domes....yummmmmy!! I can't wait to get some from the QS and stash them in our fridge for a late night watch of the animals. I gave my kids the choice...WL or AKL and they all screamed (even the hubby) AKL. We also love WL but this trip will be BLT/AKL. Two completely separate locations so that's a plus.

 

[Stellajack]

Again, guests should understand the AKL concept going in; the remoteness is necessary because of the animal habitat. Most of us have our favorite resort because of the 'area location'; ie. Epcot resorts, DTD resorts, MK resorts, etc., but none of these resorts have wild animals living on their grounds (squirrels and rabbits don't count). You should really make your decision to stay at AKL with the full understanding that it is perhaps the most unique of all the Disney resorts. Know BEFORE you book that it is remote (although we have NEVER had a problem wtih the buses), the music is not classic Disney and is very subtle as you walk through the hallways and lobby, there is NO frantic resort activity (unless you get in on some of the pool activities ). You can't even use plastic lids and straws at this resort. You can get kicked out for dropping cigarette butts off your balcony.

The CMs at AKL are the best I have encountered on Disney property. The gift shop has original art pieces and lots of other great items. One of the most enjoyable and relaxing meals I have ever had at Disney was a late supper in Bomas when some of the kitchen CMs talked with my DH and I over coffee at our table. Our focus when staying at this resort was not on what time we got to the parks, how many were on the bus with us, how far out we were, etc. Disney lets guests know up front that this resort belongs to the wildlife. If anyone decides to stay here, I recommend that you relax and enjoy every minute that you are at the resort. As others have stated, there is absolutely NOTHING that compares to coffee on your balcony in the early a.m. while the giraffes munch their breakfast leaves just a few feet below.

 

[luv]

I don't get why everyone thinks its so far from everything. It isn't. It's like two minutes to CSR and nobody ever talks about how far away that is.

Nobody says they won't stay at POFQ because its just too far from AK.

It isn't like you're adding all this extra time that you wouldn't add at, say AoA.

And Osceola Pkwy isn't that hard to find.

I just don't get it.

Grrr.

 

[Avenger117]

I think its a great resort. I have only been once but we saw lots of animals and they were up close. I loved the music and the decor and the cast members were very nice and told us about the animals.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

AKL is gorgeous, but like @SecondStarTilMorning said, it is so far out of the way, and doesn't feel like Im at Disney, like the other deluxes do.

 

[lunchbox1175]

Let me start this by saying I am not an animal lover at all, and if it weren't for Everest, I would probably never go to AK, but I also found it a bit boring, while i can understand the appeal to some, i just don't think its the place for me, for some reason I really associate it the resort with the Lion King which has lots of fun and colorful, and it just feels a little dark and somber in there. When you walk in to the other deluxes, the lobby's pop a little more, even if its just the sounds at the Poly, the smell at the GF and Beach Club grab you, its always bustling at the Boardwalk, and no lobby is better than the WL. I just don't get that at AK, but hey that's just me, I hope everyone tries every resort at some point. I collect the artist pictures of the Mod's and Deluxes and am going to display them on a wall once we have stayed at each hotel.

 

[Disneykidder]

Never done this... is this a dome where one gets to eat Zebras?

Oh silly silly. It is an incredibly delicious dessert that I must have when I go!!!!