What is the appeal of Animal Kingdom Lodge overall?

[RiversideBunny]

In looking at whether to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge, the question of whether the idea of being able to see animals from your room is worth the cost, say versus a moderate resort.

Do you quickly get over the effect of seeing giraffes and gazelles?
It's not like you can see all the Animal Kingdom animals, only the tamer ones.

Is seeing the animals the appeal of Animal Kingdom Lodge or is it more of an overall effect and enjoyment of the hotel itself?

Also, could you stay in a standard room and still enjoy the AKL?

Thanks,

 

[tikiman]

I like the AKL very much but there are a few reasons I would not stay there for a long trip. It is too isolated from WDW and for some that is the appeal but for us it doesn’t quite feel like you are at WDW. There is no place to walk outside the resort or ever to other resorts like the other Deluxe resorts have. The standard rooms are very small so it would depend on how many people are going and how much stuff you are bringing but it is the same case at the WL with their room size. I loved seeing the animals (the few that we could) but after 2 days the excitement for us sort of wore off.

With that said it is one of the best themed resorts on property. There are many things to see. We visited it when it first opened and than stayed the next year. I have since been back in 2005 and I always enjoy my stay. When we do not stay there we visit just to eat at the great places they have at the AKL.

Well that is my opinion and since not everyone has the same opinion it might be good to just try a few nights there and split your stay with another resort you are sure you like.

 

[JustPlainBill]

When booking our upcoming June trip last summer my wife and I were going to book the AKL for the first week and the Poly the second week. We thought our daughters would love to see the animals from the room. After studying our itinerary we felt the AKL was too far away from everything, we confined our choice to deluxe resorts, so we booked the Yacht club instead for the first week, because it was smack dab in the thick of everything. I really like the idea that I can walk to many areas from the hotel. The initial attraction to us for the AKL was the fact that you can see the animals from your room, we have two young daughters who love animals and thought they would like it. Considering the short amount of time we would actually spend in the room, this would be an impractical choice for us. The African theme itself doesn't necessarily appeal to us, or the restaurant offerings for that matter. Since we don't get down to WDW but every 20 years or so it is very important that we choose what is practical. My kids can see the animals in the park when we go. Don't get me wrong, if you like everything about the AKL, theme, restaurants, location and all, the fact that you can see animals from the room would just be icing on the cake, it shouldn't be the only reason you choose it IMHO.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

While the main appeal of the resort is the animals for most, the place as a whole is just very nice. It is one of the most immersive resorts on property, and offers a few extras that really make it uniqe. As posted earlier, it is pretty isolated though and for some that poses a problem. Deciding on whether it is worth it however, is up to the individual. If you feel that spending the money to watch the animals and have that very immersive atmosphere is for you then I would reccomend it, otherwise stick with the moderate and save the money for something else.

 

[Cole'sMom]

AKL is the only resort we stay at. We are both animal lovers, my son will be interested and it is the most quiet, serene, wonderful place. It is a vacation in itself and you learn a lot about Africa and it's inhabitants. The CM are from Africa so they will tell you a lot. I work with animals, so for me it is worth it, getting up at 6 am with zebra, ostriches, etc. I like it because it is separate, it doesn't share busses with other resorts and it has a wonderful campfire smell, due to the restaurants there. The pool is wonderful. It's just very relaxing and harmonic. The music is wonderful and it's just warm and welcoming. I can't say enough about it!!

 

[Sloan]

much to enjoy

Others have already responded (at least in part) about how nice it is to have the Savannah view and be able to enjoy those views and the animals, and that is great, but there are many other reasons ALK is a favorite. The resort itself is beautiful and so well themed - Disney is always a great 'escape' vacation, but arriving at AKL you REALLY feel far removed from the 'real world'. However, I don't find the remote location on property to be a real drawback - if you use the bus service, its relatively quick and direct, and if you drive, its just a few extra minutes.

Dining - Jiko is one of our favorite restaurants - and I don't mean just @ Disney, I mean in general, and that's saying alot, in that we're 'foodies' with favorites in many cities, countries and continents. (and yes, I've dined in many places in southern and central Africa, and I prefer Jiko)(Boma is excellent too, and Mara so convenient for a quick bite).

The atmosphere at the lodge is great - paticularly at night - and the often mentioned ability to use the night-vision monoculars for a look around is a special experience. Sitting by either the indoor or outdoor fire-pits is so relaxing. The story-tellers and special events are 'icing on the cake'. I obviously love and would recommend AKL, but only if you think you'll take the time to enjoy it - if you're the type to be in the park from rope-drop until they sweep you out, it would probably be a waste, but if you will take the time to enjoy the resort, then it should certainly be 'worth it'.

 

[mhead]

For me there is no appeal. This is the only resort that I have no plans to ever use again. Too spread out, way over priced, worst experience with resort castmembers I ever had and as others have said----too far away.

 

[MonoRon]

For me there is no appeal. This is the only resort that I have no plans to ever use again. Too spread out, way over priced, worst experience with resort castmembers I ever had and as others have said----too far away.

I agree about the castmemebers and being too far away. But that's it, the hotel is very nice looking inside and out. The animals roaming around is a plus and has two great places to dine in the hotel.

 

[hcswingfield]

The lodge itself is quite beautiful, and well themed throughout. The restaurants are some of the best in WDW. People come from other resorts just to eat there. There are a number of fun activities for children. The animals are viewable around the clock. At night, there are cast members who will let you use night vision goggles to see the animals at night. If you stay in the concierge level, you can opt to pay extra for the sunrise safari. It's worth every penny. We stayed in a standard room and moved to a concierge room the night before our safari was booked. Bus service to all resorts is quite good. The lodge makes a great escape from the parks, with lots of relaxing things to do and great atmosphere.

 

[maelstrom]

We're staying at the AKL in May for the first time ever. Everytime I think about it, I get sad because I really like staying in the MK area, and the AKL seems so far removed from everything. I really don't like isolation at WDW. We had a studio at VWL booked, but I didn't want to sleep on a pull-out, so Pam at Kingdom Konsultants got us the AKL savannah view for even cheaper than the studio at VWL. It was slim pickin's with the AP rate this time around (VWL, CSR, BC, OKW, and only Pam could get us AKL). I keep trying to think positive thoughts and I hope I'll find a new favourite, but I just don't know.

 

[barnum42]

Can't speak as someone who has stayed there (I don't have that sort of cash to put down on a hotel), but I love visiting. It's already been mentioned that the themeing is stunning. Plenty to explore inside and the trials outside.

Never experienced a bad CM there - on the contrary, I've experienced some of the best. It may be that some people expect the OTT American Disney CM, but here you have a large number of Africans who don't work that way - and it makes thing very refreshing.

Went to dine at Boma once and was greeted by several of the CMs performing an impromptu song in the Boma waiting area - stunning.

The food at the resort is fabulous, and I include the food court in that.

It's not on a monorail line and there are no other resorts in walking distance. However it's not as if it's in another state, so it's easy to get to other resorts and the parks.

If your intentions are to nip to and from Magic Kingdom, then get a place on the monorail loop, otherwise AKL strikes me as a great place to escape.

 

[DanStat]

I've stayed at AKL 3 times. It is awesome. The hotel is gorgeous. Boma is one of the best restaurants on property. Yes, you have to ride the bus, but AKL's bus service was always prompt. Don't hesitate...get a savannah view room and enjoy it!

 

[Ansem]

I haven't stayed at AKL, so my viewpoint is just from having visited it twice during the past trips to WDW...

It is very far from the action...My brother and I had to struggle to stay awake after a full day of fun and sun on a dark bus for an amount of time that seemed terribly long. However, when I stepped inside was when I fell in love. It's just beautiful. The interior layout feels very similar to Fort Wilderness Lodge (which I really don't like too much-- wait, let me finish! :animwink: ) It has the same massive cavern-like entrance hall/lobby, but with a much more enticing dark cherrywood color. The chandeliers are spectacular, the bubbling fountan and waterfall near the two restaurants is so relaxing just to sit by...Once I had the treat of watching two CM from Africa sitting on the telephone booth stools by the fountain play a drum duet for a good 20 minutes. They were fantastic! I couldn't help but record the entire performance on video tape...

And the food...
Jiko was....I can't even find the words to describe how good.
I was hooked on Les Chefs de France, but now I'm afraid Jiko has taken my heart! Their seared Filet Mignion in a wine sauce on a bed of macaroni alfredo.....yum....I'd stay there for the food alone!:slurp:

I don't know if I was much help, but I do so love Jiko and the atmosphere at AKL! I couldn't imagine waking up for a day of WDW fun and seeing all those beautiful animals out there...If you have a good leisurely amount of vacation time, this place really seems to shine.

 

[geubux]

It's the smell of animal 'exhaust' in the morning. Smells like.....victory! or vacation.:sohappy: :hammer: :lol:

 

[Glasgow]

May as well try it out ... it may be your favorite resort afterwards, or it may not. You won't know until you try it for yourself though

 

[GatorDi]

I have never been to the AKL, but my extended family (10 of us) and I are going to Boma's for dinner at 7:30 on a Saturday night. Is it worth going to the lodge early to look around (if so how early) while we wait for seating? What is there to do if you aren't staying there? It looks so beautiful, but can you spend a couple of hours just looking around, or just a few minutes.

 

[hokielutz]

I have never been to the AKL, but my extended family (10 of us) and I are going to Boma's for dinner at 7:30 on a Saturday night. Is it worth going to the lodge early to look around (if so how early) while we wait for seating? What is there to do if you aren't staying there? It looks so beautiful, but can you spend a couple of hours just looking around, or just a few minutes.

You really could end up spending a bunch of time meandering around the great hall, the lower levels, all of the public access to the different savannah views, and just sitting and relaxing. They also have a great lounge/bar you could go to before dinner to unwind from the day's touring. Go an hour before your ressie, look around and stop by the lounge for drinks. The detailing of this place is absolutely amazing.

 

[GatorDi]

Thanks!!!

That's what I had intended to do, but, since the thread was already going, thought I would check to see if it was a good idea. It sounds wonderful.

 

[hokielutz]

In looking at whether to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge, the question of whether the idea of being able to see animals from your room is worth the cost, say versus a moderate resort.
......
Is seeing the animals the appeal of Animal Kingdom Lodge or is it more of an overall effect and enjoyment of the hotel itself?

Also, could you stay in a standard room and still enjoy the AKL?

Thanks,

You will really have to ask yourself and your family/group how much time you will be spending at the AKL during your trip. Do you plan to take the afternoons off from touring for a dip in the pool, naps, and relaxing at the resort? If price is a consideration and you don't see yourself spending some quality time at the resort, then I suggest you should go for a moderate resort and just visit AKL for dinner at Boma's.
I found the Savanah view rooms to be as awesome as advertised. You get two chairs to sit out on a small balcony and watch nature pass by. It really is relaxing. Its a great view to wake up to in the mornings. I'm sure the standard rooms are fine... but as Tiki said... they could be seem a little small without the balcony.

Staying at AKL is an experience, not just a room... if you don't plan to enjoy some of it, or have members of your group who would be completely indifferent... then go to a well themed moderate resort and save the money for dining out or souviners.

 

[hokielutz]

Thanks!!!

That's what I had intended to do, but, since the thread was already going, thought I would check to see if it was a good idea. It sounds wonderful.

The only problem I see with your group is keeping the 10 of you together at all times... :lol:

Also note there is a decent arcade on the pool level if you have any that are bored to tears from looking at animals