Which Disney Hotel

D

*DARREN*

New Member
hi everyone.

my girlfriend and myself are currently thinking of staying at disneys animal kingdom lodge.
do all the rooms have a view.
would it be a good choice to stay ,here for two weeks?
please share your experiences of staying here.
it looks a little quieter than other disney on site hotels ,which is what we desire.
coming from the UK we want it to be a holiday of a lifetime.
any advise would be appreciated.
many thanks Darren :wave:
 
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Sloan

Sloan

Well-Known Member
excellent choice, but there are other options

The Animal Kingdom Lodge is an excellent selection - it has been our choice for several recent visits, and we have always really enjoyed it. There are very fine restaurants there (Boma & Jiko - truly excellent, and the Mara for quick service). Keep in mind that it is quite large - if your room is remote from the lobby, you will have a significant walk - though that is relative, and I've never been bothered by it at all. (Compared to how much walking you do in the parks, it is insignificant).

Not every room has a Savannah view - and if you are going to stay at the Lodge, a Savannah view is very desirable, as it is real Disney 'magic' to be able to step out on to your balcony (or even watch from bed) as giraffe, Kudu and an assortment of other creatures wander by. Even if you are not in the room with a view, there are several paths you will be able to enjoy - particularly at night, where you can even use complimentary night-vision monoculars.

Take a look at resort reviews - on this site, and others such as: http://allearsnet.com/reviewpost/index.php?cat=1

As you will see, there are other resorts that can offer some quiet and a 'vacation of a lifetime'. (Wilderness Lodge is another excellent selection - and the Polynesian is a perennial favorite on these boards - for good reason). For a two week stay, you should consider splitting your stay at two resorts. If you wanted to save some money, Port Orleans is also on the 'quiet' side, and as a Moderate, has great rates.

If you have any other specific questions, there are lots of very knowledgeable people here who will be happy to help.

Whatever resort you select, I am sure you will have an excellent vacation.
 
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KingStefan

KingStefan

Well-Known Member
Hi, Darren, and welcome to the boards!

I think the idea of changing resorts is a great one. It will offer you a bit of variety and different experiences.

I have not personally been to the AKL, but I hear it's lovely. And what Sloan said is correct: you have to ask for a room with a view. In addition, if you don't mind spending the extra money, consider a concierge room for the ultimate in service. This goes for any of the deluxe resorts.

Also as Sloan said, the Poly and Wilderness lodge are also good choices. And depending on your taste, you also might consider the Grand Floridian. It is WDW's premier hotel. And these three are very convenient to the MK.

The Contemporary is great, but you might find it a bit too busy.

The Boardwalk and Beach Club are some others to be looked at. Fabulous theming, and convenient to Epcot.

Also, you say you want the vacation of a lifetime, but don't specifically say whether cost is a consideration. All of the moderates are very nice, and much less expensive than the deluxe resorts. By all means if money is no object (or at least less important), then pick two deluxe resorts. Otherwise, considering a moderate for part of the trip could save some money. And I agree that if you want something quiet that Port Orleans Riverside is a very good choice among the moderates for that.

Whatever you decide, I hope you trip is magical!
 
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CAPTAIN HOOK

CAPTAIN HOOK

Well-Known Member
If your room has a window then you have a view - it all depends on what you want to see when you wake up - the Savannah or the parking lot :D

You pay more to see the Savannah, the parking lot comes at no extra charge.

Check out Virgins Florida brochure or online - they provide multicentre trip options (we've booked AKL and GF through them for next Christmas)
 
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jenjen chester

jenjen chester

New Member
port orleans

port orleans is one of the nicest disney resorts i have stayed we have stayed there 4 times ( it will always be dixie landings) it is quiet and just so relaxing im only 23 and i love it
 
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K

KaliSplash

Well-Known Member
For a two-week stay, splitting resorts is an excellent idea.

The Animal Kingdom Lodge is a very popular choice. You'll want the Savannah view. The Wilderness Lodge is our favorite, northwest Park Service Lodge-type from early 20th century. The designs of the resorts are very similar. It's much more convienent if you'll be spending a lot of time at Magic Kingdom, just a boat ride away.

Contemporary is always appealing, with the Monorail passing through the building. Polynesian gives you the South Pacific, but all of the rooms are in separate buildings away from restaurants. Grand Floridian is the premier, turn of last century classic Florida elegance. Some people find it stuffy. But English folks might find it wonderfully proper. We like it. Best selection of restaurants of any hotels and just one Monorail stop away from MK. Also the most expensive hotel at WDW.

If you're more excited about Epcot and Disney Studious, do consider Yacht Club and Beach Club. Again, high end hotels with handy location.

My personal choice would be Grand Floridian if money was no object. Contemporary is also excellent and close to MK. But we spend more time at WL than either of the others, slightly farther away, slightly less expensive.
 
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MinnieLee

MinnieLee

Member
AKL is beautiful. The lobby is spectacular but you definetly want a Savannah view-that's why you stay there! Gettng up in the morning and seeing the animals just walking around is great. Make reservations at Boma. Great restaurant. Jiko was good but we love Boma. Only complaint at AKL is that it is so far from the other other parks. We always wind up in EPCOt most nights and are spoiled to just walk over the bridge and be at World Showcase. Spliting hotels will give you a different atmosphere and a different experience. Boardwalk is great at night but really you can't go wrong with Disney. Have a great time.:wave:
 
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palmage

palmage

Member
*DARREN* said:
coming from the UK we want it to be a holiday of a lifetime.
Click to expand...

Any of the Deluxe resorts are fantastic.
AKL is our favorite, as KingStefan said, concierge is a welcome upgrade.
YB/BC and BW are also great for us as we like Epcot and MGM (I know it'll always be MGM no matter what they name it).

A "holiday of a lifetime" will not accomplished in a value resort.
 
Upvote 0
devoy1701

devoy1701

Well-Known Member
*DARREN* said:
hi everyone.

my girlfriend and myself are currently thinking of staying at disneys animal kingdom lodge.
do all the rooms have a view.
would it be a good choice to stay ,here for two weeks?
please share your experiences of staying here.
it looks a little quieter than other disney on site hotels ,which is what we desire.
coming from the UK we want it to be a holiday of a lifetime.
any advise would be appreciated.
many thanks Darren :wave:
Click to expand...


AKL is rather expensive...especially for 2 weeks....not to mention that it is undergoing MAJOR renovation and construction.

The Wilderness Lodge is probably the quiestest of all the Disney Resorts...and the cheapest of the Deluxe resorts. It's very sucluded and gives you an ultimate relaxing feeling.
 
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P

Philo

Well-Known Member
Just so your aware, the ALK is having some refurb work done and they are building a new set of villas just west of the resort which will go on till 2008 so it might not be that relaxing. It is also the only delux that doesn't have transport options other than a bus

It is however a wonderful place, very atmospheric and waking up to a savannah view would be great. I haven't stayed there yet but will be doing in April (despite the work being done - I figure it cant be that bad!)

Wilderness lodge is a little cheaper, its a great atmosphere and you can travel to the Magic Kingdom via boat which is fun.

I would suggest that you go for the AKL or if you can deal with the swapping of resorts (I think disney will help you move bags from one to the other) then split the stay between the AKL and the WL.
 
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Mickey&Minnie

Mickey&Minnie

Active Member
My DH and I stayed at AKL for the first time on our last vacation. It was absolutely amazing. It was so quiet and we were able to relax all day. It was a shame that we could only stay there for one night. It was the first day of the vacation and it spoiled me. The resort is beautiful. I think that it will be an excellent choice for you and your girlfriend.
 
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Stellajack

Stellajack

Premium Member
In the Parks
No
*DARREN* said:
hi everyone.

my girlfriend and myself are currently thinking of staying at disneys animal kingdom lodge.
do all the rooms have a view.
would it be a good choice to stay ,here for two weeks?
please share your experiences of staying here.
it looks a little quieter than other disney on site hotels ,which is what we desire.
coming from the UK we want it to be a holiday of a lifetime.
any advise would be appreciated.
many thanks Darren :wave:
Click to expand...


Hi Darren:wave:
I have stayed at the AKL twice, and both times had savanna view; but, even if you do not have savanna there are overlooks in hallways, lobby, etc. There is NO WAY you can miss seeing the AKL animals in this resort. You will not be in your room very often but you just do not have to worry about not seeing wildlife here. Out at Arusha Rock you can see lots of wildlife and talk to an expert and ask any questions you may have, ie. "are there snakes at WDW and what if one is spotted".:lol: This is a great resort and you will definitely have the 'holiday of a lifetime'. You can bet on it. :dazzle:
 
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