Disney's ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE Information & Questions

[javamoma]

Just got back from a split stay (4 nights at the Polynesian, deluxe studio then 3 nights standard view room at Jambo House). I didn't really want to change from the Poly...it was my birthday trip and I'm not a huge fan of AK park. DS has always wanted to stay here, and after buying a vacation house this summer, we were trying to cut costs.....so when a standard view became available here on Orbitz and with extra 15% promo code and some orbucks I had, we got 3 nights for 1/3 of the cost of 4 nights at the Poly. Upon checkin we were silently upgraded to a Savanna view on 4th floor .....realized this after we got to the room. Between the amazing surprise view and all the activities in the lobby,etc (we also took a slower paced trip this time) I was sold. Still not a fan of it being so far out from everything else, but we drove so having our car helped with a couple ADRs at other resorts. I told DH I could see doing a non-parks trip to AKL, even with DS because there was so much for him to do--African drumming, crafts, trading with King Pin. I still loved the Poly but the 3 nights at AKL that I was dreading turned out to be amazing!!

We are headed to the parks for 5 days this February and then checking into AKL for 4 non park days. I felt the same way about it being far from everything. And it's such an amazing resort, I wanted plenty of non park time to enjoy it. Where you guys able to participate in some of the resort activities? Which ones did you enjoy?

 

[2binak]

Does anyone know how noisy the elevator areas are on the 5th floor of Jambo (the DVC floor)? We have a standard view room booked and I'm a light sleeper so I'm hoping that our room won't be right next to an elevator or in the 52xx-54xx section that looks to be in an elevator lobby. Any insight you could share would be appreciated!

 

[Lvsdisney]

Does anyone know how noisy the elevator areas are on the 5th floor of Jambo (the DVC floor)? We have a standard view room booked and I'm a light sleeper so I'm hoping that our room won't be right next to an elevator or in the 52xx-54xx section that looks to be in an elevator lobby. Any insight you could share would be appreciated!

Our room was right next to the elevator (5436: Pool View studio) and the elevator was noticeable. We used a white noise maker and could still hear the elevator. It seemed to disturb DH and myself more than the kids. However, I would think if you weren't the room RIGHT next to the elevator, you'll be fine.

 

[2binak]

Our room was right next to the elevator (5436: Pool View studio) and the elevator was noticeable. We used a white noise maker and could still hear the elevator. It seemed to disturb DH and myself more than the kids. However, I would think if you weren't the room RIGHT next to the elevator, you'll be fine.

Thank you. I'm sorry you had to deal with the noise.

 

[kellib36]

Back on the Dis after about 10 years. Staying at AKL for the first time starting Halloween.

 

[tithomp2]

I am sure this has been asked before, but is there a great room/floor to request for a standard room at AKL over Thanksgiving week?

 

[richkaryn]

We are headed to the parks for 5 days this February and then checking into AKL for 4 non park days. I felt the same way about it being far from everything. And it's such an amazing resort, I wanted plenty of non park time to enjoy it. Where you guys able to participate in some of the resort activities? Which ones did you enjoy?

Yes...we did the night vision goggles savannah viewing, our son did African drumming/circle of life lesson, made an African mask, did animal rubbings in the lobby floor (kind of life leaf rubbings), traded with King Pin two days, and he did some other activity for a bead that was held behind the pool area, though I can't remember what it was. He missed face painting because it was at the same time as 2 other activities and he was running between those two and couldn't make a third. I was really impressed with all the activities they had going on. It seemed like every time we walked through the lobby on the way back from a park mid-day they had something going on. We've never seen as much going on at the other resorts.

 

[kimmar067]

Back on the Dis after about 10 years. Staying at AKL for the first time starting Halloween.

 

[kimmar067]

Yes...we did the night vision goggles savannah viewing, our son did African drumming/circle of life lesson, made an African mask, did animal rubbings in the lobby floor (kind of life leaf rubbings), traded with King Pin two days, and he did some other activity for a bead that was held behind the pool area, though I can't remember what it was. He missed face painting because it was at the same time as 2 other activities and he was running between those two and couldn't make a third. I was really impressed with all the activities they had going on. It seemed like every time we walked through the lobby on the way back from a park mid-day they had something going on. We've never seen as much going on at the other resorts.

....AKL is really kid-friendly...

 

[BethV114]

I am sure this is a stupid or often asked question, but please indulge me! A friend, my husband and I are taking our two kids 6/7 to Disney for their first trip there in early November. We are staying at Kidani and have a savannah view room booked. Any tips on location requests? We would like for this first trip to be very special for them, so are hoping to snag a room with good animal viewing.

Thank you!

 

[pepperandchips]

I am sure this is a stupid or often asked question, but please indulge me! A friend, my husband and I are taking our two kids 6/7 to Disney for their first trip there in early November. We are staying at Kidani and have a savannah view room booked. Any tips on location requests? We would like for this first trip to be very special for them, so are hoping to snag a room with good animal viewing.

Thank you!

We have had great animal viewing but we like the Sunset Savanna better than the Pembe Savanna (love the giraffes on Sunset!). My usual priority request at Kidani is close to lobby as those hallways are very long.

 

[Somnia]

Yes...we did the night vision goggles savannah viewing, our son did African drumming/circle of life lesson, made an African mask, did animal rubbings in the lobby floor (kind of life leaf rubbings), traded with King Pin two days, and he did some other activity for a bead that was held behind the pool area, though I can't remember what it was. He missed face painting because it was at the same time as 2 other activities and he was running between those two and couldn't make a third. I was really impressed with all the activities they had going on. It seemed like every time we walked through the lobby on the way back from a park mid-day they had something going on. We've never seen as much going on at the other resorts.

How was the night vision savannah viewing?

 

[glk2009]

At the request of my children, we are going back to AKL!!! It's been 4+ yrs since our last stay there at Kidani and I am so excited.

We have a savanna view room with bunk beds booked at Jambo House.

Does anyone know which savanna these rooms face? Should I request one particular savanna?

And a separate question... The concierge level isn't that much more but it doesn't seem like you can guarantee a request for bunk beds. We are traveling in early March, if that matters. Is it worth the risk? How likely is it to get the bunk beds?

One more question... For the Wanyama Safari, is there any leeway on the age requirement? Three of us would be old enough but my youngest will be just shy of 5 (well under the 8 yr old requirement), but she would love both the safari and Jiko (for which we already have a separate ressie). I am guessing the answer would be no, but thought I'd ask!

TIA!

 

[richkaryn]

How was the night vision savannah viewing?

It was really neat. Of course a few animals walked right up in front of the fence where we were standing, but the giraffes were off in the distance and you could see them well with the night vision.

 

[2pinwheels]

29 more days.

We will be in a standard room. I'm hoping close to the lobby. I requested through Touring Plans. Fingers crossed for a magical room assignment.

My kids, 7 & 9, love animals. When they were told, they were overjoyed. They feel like AKL sounds like a hotel especially designed for them.

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

29 more days.

We will be in a standard room. I'm hoping close to the lobby. I requested through Touring Plans. Fingers crossed for a magical room assignment.

My kids, 7 & 9, love animals. When they were told, they were overjoyed. They feel like AKL sounds like a hotel especially designed for them.

I have no doubt your kids will love it. Our daughter loves animals, too, and that's how we ended up at AKL the first time. It was fantastic! AKL is the thing my family loves the most about WDW. We could have avoided the parks entirely and still had a fabulous vacation just by staying there. We will be there again in about 3 months, and my plan is for us to limit our time in the parks and spend a little more time at the lodge. It would be really nice if we had warm enough weather for swimming one of those days. Their pool is beautiful. Hope you all love it as much as we do! Since your kids love animals, look for the animal guide and checklist. Our daughter loved going around to the different savannas and checking off as many animals as she could find. Be sure to check for animals at both Kidani and Jambo. There are (were) some animals that they do not have in common. The animal specialists can tell you which ones.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

I added a day to our short trip, so now it is four nights. But I gave up my pool view for a standard view to save some cash. All I am going to request is a Kudo or Zebra trail view, upper floor. Wish me luck!

 

[Orangeman98]

The online room requests are no longer trail specific -- so you'll have to do it in person.

 

[sndral]

At the request of my children, we are going back to AKL!!! It's been 4+ yrs since our last stay there at Kidani and I am so excited.

We have a savanna view room with bunk beds booked at Jambo House.

Does anyone know which savanna these rooms face? Should I request one particular savanna?

And a separate question... The concierge level isn't that much more but it doesn't seem like you can guarantee a request for bunk beds. We are traveling in early March, if that matters. Is it worth the risk? How likely is it to get the bunk beds?

One more question... For the Wanyama Safari, is there any leeway on the age requirement? Three of us would be old enough but my youngest will be just shy of 5 (well under the 8 yr old requirement), but she would love both the safari and Jiko (for which we already have a separate ressie). I am guessing the answer would be no, but thought I'd ask!

TIA!

You could face Arusha, Sunset or Uzima savanna. Many people in savanna view prefer Zebra trail/Arusha savanna as Zebra trail is nearer the pool and Mara QS and Arusha view on Zebra trail has some SV rooms fairly near the lobby.
Rooms on Kudu trail are a bit further away from the access to the pool/Mara - but may face Arusha or Sunset savanna. Sunset is the largest savanna and usually has a herd of zebra. Uzima, Arusha and Sunset all have giraffes plus lots of other animals.
Wanyama is age 8 minimum probably because of the nature of the safari ride through the 3 savannas - you are in an open truck w/ fairly high railings which a 4 yr. old would not be able to see above and it would be quite unsafe to lift them up to see. Plus when stopped people move around the truck to see and take pictures, so the 4 yr. old would be expected to sit pretty still when the truck was moving and not go dashing around interfering w/ other guests enjoyment of the safari when the truck was stopped. Of course they'd need to behave both during the hors d'ouvres/drinks and the cultural lecture before the safari as well as the adult multi course dinner w/ wine pairings after the safari. Even the best behaved 4/5 year old would find this challenging and not very interesting as the educational information is geared towards adults. I'd be very surprised if they made an exception for a child that young for liability reasons as well. Have you considered using the day care provided at AKL (the kid's club - Simba's) for the 4 yr. old while the other 3 of you enjoyed the Wanyama? You'd be right there on premises, so very easy to locate if needed (they have radios on the trucks as well.)
Don't know much about bunk beds/concierge, so can't help w/ that.

 

[glk2009]

Thanks for all of the great info!

I guess we will wait until everyone is 8+ before we do the safari... since it's a trip for her birthday, it would be a little sad to leave her behind at the kid's club. I also didn't realize there was a cultural lecture beforehand and you're right, that probably wouldn't go over too well! The food would, but sitting still for talking... not so much. Thanks for the insight!

I've been reading this thread and we are definitely making more time for resort activities this time around. Everything sounds awesome and the resort is so beautiful, so we're going to enjoy it!