Merriweather
New Member
Would like some first hand accounts of the Animal Kingdom lodge. Have reservations for All-Star Music (already stayed there a few times) and AKL.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Thread starter Merriweather
- Start date
Mr. Toad
Active Member
Just got back yesterday (May 7) from a 5 night stay at AKL. Absolutely loved the hotel. We had a savanah view room on the fourth floor of the Kudu trail overlooking the Sunset Savanah (Room 4314). We saw most of the animals at the hotel from our balcony. Our savanah had no Zebras or Wildebeasts (saw them from the public viewing areas) but we had 3 giraffes that visited us every day.
The room was very nice and comparable to the other deluxe hotels. We also enjoyed the hotel's restaurants. Jiko was very good and Boma was good for both breakfast and dinner (the zebra domes are worth having dinner at Boma).
The pool looked very nice but we did not manage to go swimming while we were there.
The buses ran exceptionally well. The longest wait we had for a bus was 10 minutes and usually it was closer to 5.
Let me know if you have any specific questions you would like answered.
The room was very nice and comparable to the other deluxe hotels. We also enjoyed the hotel's restaurants. Jiko was very good and Boma was good for both breakfast and dinner (the zebra domes are worth having dinner at Boma).
The pool looked very nice but we did not manage to go swimming while we were there.
The buses ran exceptionally well. The longest wait we had for a bus was 10 minutes and usually it was closer to 5.
Let me know if you have any specific questions you would like answered.
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AkiraRaptor
Meega, nala kwishta!
We went last October, and I'm planning another trip for this October as well.
AKL is my fovorite resort that I've stayed at (been to Comtemp and Poly in the past). It's a very relaxing resort.
We has a savannaha view room on the second floor. Had a heard of Kudo sleep outsite our balcony every night, and the Girraffs got close a few times as well.
Jiko was nice, but Boma for breakfast was wonderful. Love that juice they serve.
We found ourselves spending alot of time at the resort. More that we ever did at other resorts. It was more that a place to hang your hat at night. For us, it was an extention of the parks themselves.
I found myself out late every night, watching the animals, enjoing a tasty beverage and just relaxing. Other resorts it was more get back and crash. Here it was get back and see what the animal are doing, or walk around the resort and enjoy the atmosphere.
You're gonna love it...
AKL is my fovorite resort that I've stayed at (been to Comtemp and Poly in the past). It's a very relaxing resort.
We has a savannaha view room on the second floor. Had a heard of Kudo sleep outsite our balcony every night, and the Girraffs got close a few times as well.
Jiko was nice, but Boma for breakfast was wonderful. Love that juice they serve.
We found ourselves spending alot of time at the resort. More that we ever did at other resorts. It was more that a place to hang your hat at night. For us, it was an extention of the parks themselves.
I found myself out late every night, watching the animals, enjoing a tasty beverage and just relaxing. Other resorts it was more get back and crash. Here it was get back and see what the animal are doing, or walk around the resort and enjoy the atmosphere.
You're gonna love it...
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Mr. Toad
Active Member
AkiraRaptor, I found the hotel the same way. I often went out walking around the hotel at night just for the atmosphere. Both my wife and I had bouts of not feeling well while we were there and it was not problem since while one was resting the other would just sit and watch the animals. I spent 2 hours watching the waterbucks and giraffes meandering around eating jst below us.
This was the first time we actually found ourselves wanting to go back and be at the room instead of in the parks.
The worst thing about the hotel is how much I really miss it now that I am home
.
This was the first time we actually found ourselves wanting to go back and be at the room instead of in the parks.
The worst thing about the hotel is how much I really miss it now that I am home
.
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AkiraRaptor
Meega, nala kwishta!
Yep, Mr Toad, we felt the same way. It was truely a sad day when we had to go. It's AKL I miss the most.
I can't wait to go back again this year! This time we're doing a concierge room. This should really spoil us. :lol:
I can't wait to go back again this year! This time we're doing a concierge room. This should really spoil us. :lol:
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goofyfan13
Well-Known Member
I've stayed there twice and it is one of the most wonderful resorts on Disney property! The Savanna is the coolest thing about that resort and even without it the resort is still beautiful. BOMA is a must hit the food is so good. Right now it's my favorite resort.
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DanStat
Well-Known Member
Love It!
I absolutley love the AKL!
We just got back in April!
Make sure you specify where you want your room, as there are three different savannahs. If you have kids, get a room with bunk beds, they're comfortable, and fun!
I love the overall atmosphere of the hotel! I also like it because it is all in one central location. The gift shop is great too!
You'll love it!
I absolutley love the AKL!
We just got back in April!
Make sure you specify where you want your room, as there are three different savannahs. If you have kids, get a room with bunk beds, they're comfortable, and fun!
I love the overall atmosphere of the hotel! I also like it because it is all in one central location. The gift shop is great too!
You'll love it!
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I've stayed twice, and can't wait to go back! I agree with everything already posted, and would only add that you've got to take a little evening break at the lounge...it has a waterfall running through it...comfy chairs, and nice (but pricy) wine selection. A very relaxing way to end the day (especially if it's really hot or chilly outside.) Be sure to talk with the guides stationed at many observation areas...they can give you lots of general information, and also insight into some of the specific animal's personality...there's a stork who's a real character!
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AkiraRaptor
Meega, nala kwishta!
Hey, are you talking about the stork that keeps building the nest?
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Mr. Toad
Active Member
The wine was really good at Jiko. The second time we ate there the waiter gave us a tasting of three wines for free! Then we each ordered a glass based on what we liked. In the end we ended up paying for two glasses of wine but had about 5 (he was very generous with the tasting).
As for the animals, I personally got attached to the waterbucks that kept hanging around by our room. I even named them (Harold, Maude, Mildred, and Nancy). Thankfully they stopped by the morning we were leaving so I could say goodbye . I also liked the Bongos and the Ankole Cattle.
As for the animals, I personally got attached to the waterbucks that kept hanging around by our room. I even named them (Harold, Maude, Mildred, and Nancy). Thankfully they stopped by the morning we were leaving so I could say goodbye
. I also liked the Bongos and the Ankole Cattle.
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AkiraRaptor
Meega, nala kwishta!
I stayed out late one night and stopped by one of those observation areas that have the distance viewers set up. The caretakers were feeding the animals, it had to be going on around midnight.
It was real amussing watching them try to get the food out of the truck before the Giraffies got there. They kept going for the food on the truck and not the stuff they just put ot. Then the truck would move on the the next feeding station, and the Giraffies would follow. This went on for a while.
I guess they thought the "grass" was greener on the inside of the truck. :animwink:
It was real amussing watching them try to get the food out of the truck before the Giraffies got there. They kept going for the food on the truck and not the stuff they just put ot. Then the truck would move on the the next feeding station, and the Giraffies would follow. This went on for a while.
I guess they thought the "grass" was greener on the inside of the truck. :animwink:
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no2apprentice
Well-Known Member
We stayed at AKL April 6-12, our first time on property. We had to think long and hard about staying another day, just to spend the time at the resort. Best vacation we've ever experienced! Here's something that will jog some of our memories, and maybe inspire those who are thinking of staying there the first time...
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