Which rooms at AKL?

[WEDINDISNEY]

My DH and I will be staying at the AKL lodge in July/Aug and we have booked a Savannah view room. I have been reading posts and everyone seems to agree that is the best way to go. Im wondering if there is a certain part of Lodge that is better than the other. Either Kudo Trail or Zebra Trail? Which floor also? Im thinking the 3rd floor(which is the main entrance I believe and close to everything?) Can you ask for this when you check in or should you call before you go? Thanks for all the help. OoO

 

[ToTBellHop]

I stayed in Zebra Trail last time I went, and really enjoyed the location. Go with the third floor, and request a room close to the lobby--that way you'll be near the three restaurants, the pool, the bus stops, and the gift shop! Have a great adventure! You can call before you get there, and they will probably tell you that you can request a room in a certain location, but they will never guarantee anything other than some sort of savannah view room.

 

[DanStat]

We stayed in 3485, and we liked it. It's on the Zebra trail. We have also gotten jipped at the hotel as well.

It's kindof hit or miss when it comes to rooms. Make your request with your reservation.

 

[GalacticGobbler]

Originally posted by disneyprep50321
We stayed in 3485, and we liked it. It's on the Zebra trail. We have also gotten jipped at the hotel as well.

It's kindof hit or miss when it comes to rooms. Make your request with your reservation.

If you dont mind me asking, how did you get jipped so the rest of us can avoid it thanks

 

[WEDINDISNEY]

Originally posted by disneyprep50321
We stayed in 3485, and we liked it. It's on the Zebra trail. We have also gotten jipped at the hotel as well.

It's kindof hit or miss when it comes to rooms. Make your request with your reservation.

I called the travel agent that I used to book this morning and she said that they can put a request in for what area we would like to be in however she said that we would be better off calling them before we leave and then reminding them again when we check in. I guess all the Savannah view rooms have good views so.....

I was wondering the same thing how did you get jipped at the AKL?

 

[The Mom]

Even though the question was not directed at me, I'll answer it.

I've stayed at AKL 3 times. The first 2 rooms were wonderful. The third time, I requested a room close to the lobby, elevators, etc. as I was travelling with my elderly mother. (who would be using a wheelchair or walker during the trip)

We had a Savannah view room, but it was in a corner. If we looked straight out, we could see some animals. If we looked left, the hotel was curving around, so the animals couldn't come close. If we looked right, we could see our neighbors in their bed!!! Needless to say, we didn't spend much time on the balcony!!! And because we were surounded by building, our room was even darker than normal.

BTW, it was room # 3502; I would assume that 2502 and 4502 would have the same problem. I can't remember which trail it was...but you have to go by the fireplace and down that corridor. I would suggest avoiding the even numbered rooms in the 500 wing entirely, even if you end up further away from things.

As an aside, the first time I stayed at AKL, the hotel had just opened, so some of the "trails" were closed. The wing I stayed in last January was the last to be opened, so I suspect they were opening the more desirable rooms first.

 

[DanStat]

We were on the very end of the lodge on the left side. Our room was on a corner and we saw a fence, a billboard, and two birds during our whole stay.

Not a very good view.

 

[WDWspider]

Originally posted by disneyprep50321
We were on the very end of the lodge on the left side. Our room was on a corner and we saw a fence, a billboard, and two birds during our whole stay.

Not a very good view.

We were close to that corner, however, at our room location you could see the dumpsters behind the fence. However, we saw many different animals in the viewing area so we were content, but I would imagine any area facing the inner savannahs are the best.

 

[kennedy]

We stayed at AKL in a savannah room and had a wonderful view! The animals literally hung out in front of our room the entire time. Here's what you ask for and how to go about this:

Call WDW reservations now, using your confirmation number make your room request. Then, 4 days before arrival, fax to the hotel, addressed to "Room Assignor" your room request. Then, at check-in repeat it again. (Never hurts to be redundant.)

As far as what to request, here is my recommendation: Third floor, Arusha Savannah, Zebra trail, BY A FEEDING STATION. (The last part is key, because that's what attracts the animals to hang out by your room).

Hope it works!

 

[WEDINDISNEY]

Thanks Kennedy for the help and the info. We booked our trip thru a travel agent and not thru Disney itself. Does that matter as far as calling WDW reservations? My travel agent did put in the reservation that it would be our 1 year anniv and we were married in Disney to see if maybe that would help. Im hoping so... Since we are going in the middle of summer time Im assuming that they are going to be packed so I dont know what we are going to get. I will give it a try and see what happens. Im just happy that we are going back to Disney. Once again thanks for the help.

 

[kennedy]

Originally posted by WEDINDISNEY
Thanks Kennedy for the help and the info. We booked our trip thru a travel agent and not thru Disney itself. Does that matter as far as calling WDW reservations? My travel agent did put in the reservation that it would be our 1 year anniv and we were married in Disney to see if maybe that would help. Im hoping so... Since we are going in the middle of summer time Im assuming that they are going to be packed so I dont know what we are going to get. I will give it a try and see what happens. Im just happy that we are going back to Disney. Once again thanks for the help.

If you have the reservation number, I would just call WDW reservations yourself. And, when you fax in your letter, make sure you mention that it is your 1 year anniversary, you're very excited about staying at AKL, hoping to get a great view, etc., etc. Also, be sure to eat at Jiko for dinner (very adult and romantic) and have the breakfast buffet at Boma.

 

[WEDINDISNEY]

Thanks again. Im getting hungary just thinking about it. We were thinking about eating at Jinko on our anniversary. Do you think that we should use PS before we leave? Just in case? Thanks again for the help. OoO

 

[kennedy]

Originally posted by WEDINDISNEY
Thanks again. Im getting hungary just thinking about it. We were thinking about eating at Jinko on our anniversary. Do you think that we should use PS before we leave? Just in case? Thanks again for the help. OoO

Yes, I would make a PS. Mention it's your annversary, it can't hurt. FYI: AKL has a nice bar in the landing area between the lobby and Jiko. (The bar actually overlooks Boma restaurant). It's a great place to go for a drink before your PS.

Enjoy!