Animal Kingdom Lodge

[pooh071567]

Hi all-

I'm trying to talk my husband into go to Disney for a week the end of May. We have to opportunity to stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge for the same $$$ as it would cost us to stay at one of the moderate resorts. We've never stayed at nor even been to this resort. Any feedback you all have on this resort (postive and/or negative) would be much appreciate. I've only seen it in pictures and it looks great!

Thanks!

 

[jordanyosh]

You are going to get good info from a few people here. AkiraRaptor and crazygirley i think have the best info on this resort. We have had friends stay there and visited. They loved it and so did we. We ate at Jiko which was excellent.

I have friends who live locally and they will only stay at AKL.

I am sure you will get alot of feedback....

 

[AkiraRaptor]

Did someone say AKL? :lol:

Like jordanyosh said, you will love the place.

The place is beautiful, the attention to detail is great.

It has two of the best places to eat (Boma and Jiko), pleasant CMs, the animals, and alot of "extras" like story telling around an open fire, the NightVision animal viewing, the CMs from Africa that you can talk to.

The resort shop is wonderful, the pool is very nice. The rooms, though the smallest of the deluxe resorts, are very cozy, relaxing. The lighting is low, some poeple don't care for that, but I like it.

The bus system is very good, and I'd say could be the best of all the resorts. Some would say because it's the only Disney offered transportation, it's a fault of the place, but I've never had an issue with it, and I don't mind the location of the resort to the other Disney attractions.

Bottom line, it's a top notch place to stay, and it will give you warm memories far into the future. (Now I'm really pouring on the Disney magic with that one. )

Have fun!

 

[luvJC4saken]

When I take my friends in May, we won't be staying there, but I'm really thinking about visiting. Maybe pool hopping, even though I hear you're not supposed to do that.

I think even if we got caught it'd be worth it. We saw it a few years ago and I'm crazy about it now.

 

[Lilmama21]

We are going to stay at PO Riverside the first week in May (Btw, Hello from fellow Illinoisian:wave: ) but after looking at the wdwig.com website and reading others comments, *if* when I make it back to Disney, I'm going to insist on AKL. I've only heard good things about it and I love the look of it! Sorry I can't offer first hand knowledge yet.

Btw, anyone, are you really not suppose to resort pool hop? I heard that you can........

 

[skeeter]

I'm staying in the AKL for the first time this May. Thank you Disney for offering affordable rates for the poor folks, otherwise, it would be all stars for me

 

[HMFan]

I just stayed there on my last trip in January, it was fantastic!! It was great being able to sit out on our balcony overlooking the Savanah and see all the animals walk by. The pool was great, very relaxing after a long day out at the parks. I wasn't so crazy about Boma, but Jiko was amazing!!! And definitely check out the shop they have there, some great stuff.

 

[PixyDust]

We've never actually stayed there, but we always make the trek to Boma's. We are planning to stay there when our schedule and Disney's discount on AKL rooms converge.

 

[figmentfan]

I am actually staying there at the AKL the last week in May (might see you there.) Been there last June 2003.

It is a GREAT resort. You can see animals from your room (make sure to get a savannah view.)

Pool is cool; water slide, and you can see animals from the pool. Good restaurants there too. Never eaten at Jikos, but Boma's is worth a eating. The food is very sweet, but good. Must get a Zebra Dome for dessert (YUM!)

If you ever been to Wilderness Lodge, it is the same type of atmosphere, but instead with an African feel and animals. Stay there if you can, it is cool!

See you there!

 

[crazydaveh]

The Animal Kingdom Lodge is the best in my opinion!

It's big, there are more than 2,000 rooms, but it doesn't seem like it's croweded at all!

You get to see the animals up close! When we're not staying there, we will still go over and watch the animals! There is usually a CM on hand throughout the walking areas to inform you of the animals, and many are from Africa! One even told us about a special African beer we could get in the hotel!

The rooms are large! I've stayed there several times, and the standard room allowed plenty for just me on one trip, as well as 4 of us on our last!

The bathroom is large as well. It's not as big as the bathroom at the Portifino Bay (Universal) but there is plenty of room for two people to move around and get ready.

The pool area is awesome!

Just my thoughts, I would stay there in an instant anytime we go!

 

[jojoyner55]

I have done Moderates, and the Pop Century, and liked them all. This June, I am treating myself to a night at the AKL - I'll be at the Pop Century for three nights on the Summer Dream Maker Pakage. I picked the AKL because it looks so gorgeous... I can't wait. I plan to get priority seating for Jiko. A day of indulgence - I can't wait for June!

 

[Alexandra]

We loved the AKL so much that we're staying there again this August. The decor throughout the resort is simply beautiful and we find their pool to be the loveliest and most relaxing of any of the WDW resorts we've stayed at. We had a savannah view the last time and I'll never forget the experience of coming back to our room and seeing giraffes eating right alongside our balcony. I remember thinking, "Only Disney. Only Disney could pull this off."
Even if you don't have a savannah view, the AKL is amazing in every respect. Have a great time!

 

[pooh071567]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. Sounds like a great place to say. Can't wait!

 

[njchris65]

I'm staying there at the end of may first week of June and I can't wait.

I didn't have a Savannah room (they are more moola and for me that's over my limit).

Anyway, walking around and watching the animals in the morning or at night is just great. It's so relaxing.

I wish I was there right now.....

 

[moosie]

We are staying at AKL in late June and I have only heard wonderful things about it.

 

[MinnieMeg]

I've stayed at AKL twice. It is absolutely my most favorite resort. I had great rooms with both a standard view and the savannah view. The activities around the resort are too many to explain but if you are not too busy I highly reccommend the tour of the artwork. Boma and Jiko's are great restuarants. I think The Mara is much better than most of the fast food places. Have a wonderful time.:sohappy:

_____________
Meg

 

[crazygirley]

Oh, Pooh...I am so glad you and your husband decide to give AKL a whirl. You are going to have such a great stay! Do try and get a Savannah view room, if you can. You will love the experience, because there is nothing like waking up to giraffe and gazelle every morning. Make sure you spend some time exploring the resort, there are little surprises around every corner! Have a great time at AKL!

Crazy.

 

[soccer9miahamm]

My family and I stayed at the AKL last Feb. It was the best hotel that we have stayed at so far in Disney World. It was so much more relaxing. We had a pool view, which was quiet and very close to the bus stop area. We stayed at the Pop Century Resort last Jan. and we have decided that the next trip will be spent at AKL. It is well worth the extra $.