Why Animal Kingdom Lodge Is Our (New) Favorite Disney Deluxe Resort

We are coming in Dec. The 1st week. How busy is this resort that time of year? We need a room with the bunk beds, so we had to get a "parking lot view" How would we ask for an "free upgrade" and in doing so would we still get the bunk beds? I just love to have a view of any animals. Thanks so much for your help:)

Hello We will be going on a DCL double dip cruise in June 2018. We will be staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge for three days/two nights prior to embarkation. We will probably get to AKL around 3 pm the first day. Question is this: Is there enough to do on property the first afternoon and evening and then buying single day park tickets to Animal Kingdom for the next full day?

So I see that there's a question about which is better between AKL and WL. If you are going to stay 8, 9, or 10 nights, why not do both? Spend half of the nights at AKL and take the quick buses to AK and DHS. Then spend the other half at WL and take the quick transportation to MK and Epcot. You get to try both lodges and use the fastest transportation for all 4 parks. The only downside is packing to go from one lodge to the other, but maybe that's worth it. Just a thought.

Hi we're coming November this year .we have an upgrade to savanna room.but am not good on my legs can't walk too far an get out of breath easy.can we still get savanna room near resception.as I do have wheel chair .an can we get help to room with luggage on arrival.its are first time at Disney property.

Hi! We booked a savanna view for end of July this year. I keep seeing that zebras are only avaialable at the Arusha savanna. However, when we visited last year a very sweet cast member at Jambo called over to Kidnai to find zebras for us on the sunset savanna (which were there but not at Arusha). Is this something they change up??? I don't particularly mind whether we get the Arusha view or not as long as we will have an opportunity to see both zebras and giraffes from our room. Also, when booking, the only savanna view that I saw specifying the Arusha view was the club level rooms. Can you request an Arusha savanna view with just standard savanna view booking? Thank you!

Thinking of AKL for 2018 trip... renting DVC points and torn between Jambo House and Kidani Vilkage. Love the larger room size at Kidani and pool, love the AKL atmosphere... kids will be 11 and 15... should we rent a car to get to parks easily?

Loved reading all these comments. We have stayed at Disney twice but at Port Orleans. Our next trip is October 2017 and we're considering AKL.

What is the approx travel time to the parks on the Disney buses?

Also, what is storage like in the rooms and are there adjoining rooms?

Thanks x

What is the cost of upgrading when we arrive at the hotel to a savannah room. Travelling from manchester it's out wedding annerversery. Our friends 40th birthday and their 10th wedding anniversary.

Hi,

We (3) are staying at AKL later this year (v-excited first timers). My wife has difficulties walking and thus a room near lobby would seem sensible?

We are club level savannah view, are these rooms in the lobby area? or should I make a special request?

Thank you for your help.

Please could you help me with my room requests which rooms and where would the giraffes come up to our balconies or if this is the most expensive option what is the next best option for our family to get the best view thanks in advance

We are staying in a pool view room this May. What is the best room to request? Ground floor? Upper Floor? Close to lobby? Also, at what point can you request late check out?

We are considering AKL for a family of six this summer. Proximity to parks is something we are very concerned about. We don't like spending a ton of time waiting for buses (and on buses). What was your experience getting to Magic Kingdom and Epcot? We are looking at two bedroom villas. Any specific recommendations? Thanks!!

We are getting ready to plan a July trip. My son has mild cerebral palsy so I know I should ask for a room near the lobby so he doesn't have to walk as much. I also want to have a savanna view room. By reading other posts, it seems the Arusha savanna is the best. Is it possible to stay there and still be near the lobby? When looking online at available rooms, it has the deluxe studio available with a savannah view. Is it possible to have this room and be in the Arusha savannah?

We are planning an adults only trip to Disney in December. We love animals & have wanted to stay at AKL before but always failed to do so. Should we do so on this trip? Also, if we do so, we definitely want a savannah view. Should we chose a room with a savannah view or the arusha savannah view? Also, is it worth it to do the club level? Room location tips would be very helpful seeing that we've never stayed there before. Thanks! :)

We are staying at AKL next April 2015. We currently have a standard room but having read the blogs we are seriously considering a Savannah upgrade if possible. My 12 year old daughter,s favourite animal is the giraffe. Any tips on what area to ask for if we call AKL for the upgrade.

We are staying at AKL in November (14-21). We snagged a Standard room with the Free Dining Discount for only $16 more than we were paying for POR. Anyway, I am hoping to ask for an upgrade to a Savannah view room. Any thoughts/suggestions on how to do this/how likely they will be to upgrade us?

The Animal Kingdom Lodge website says there are different Savannah views. We definitely want a Savannah view but how are they different?

Also, are Jambo House and Kidani part of the Savannah view? Thanks!

We will be staying in a Savannah, Arusha view room in a little over two weeks. I am checking in online and need advice on room requests. I would like to stay in a room that could possibly be at the level the giraffes would be. I have read that is the 3rd floor however the options when requesting are Upper Floor, Near lobby, near elevator, Kudu Trail view, lower floor, ground floor. I can pick two. Lower floor? HELP!

Hi! Love your site- you have been a life saver in the chaos of plannin!

Question: We are 6 adults- 1 kid and were at first planning Art Of Animation lionking suite, (bc of decor and shorter bus wait and less occupancy - that we heardof)

However, my BIL stayed here AK and said it was the best experience- My question is- 1. We are goin in November- Will the Animals even be outside during this month?

2. Do u recommend this over AOA?

Thanks so much! (going Nov. 2016!)

Thanks for your great blog post. You've give quite a few insights that I haven't found anywhere else!

My 9 yr old son and I stayed at the Wilderness Lodge in a standard room last year for our annual Mom and Son getaway and are trying to decide where to stay during the first week of December this year. So far it's between the WL and AKL.

We both really loved the WL, with the boat transportation, music in the lobby, and just overall wow-factor of the whole resort. In fact, he's begging to stay there again, but Mom wants to at least consider something different.

The Savannah rooms are probably not in our budget, and I prefer to stick with Standard rooms if possible so we have more spend $$ for experiences. Can you tell me where the Standard Rooms are located in proximity to bus transportation, lobby, noise, etc?

Thanks!!

Any recommendations on best location to stay - Jambo House or Kidani?

Also, traveling with picky eaters. Is there enough food variety or is it mostly African/ethnic themed? Thanks!

Mommy Frog,

Loved seeing your review because I, too, think Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is the most special of all the resorts -- and for most of the reasons you list.

I want to make a few additional comments to what you wrote:

BOMA: If you think breakfast was great at Boma, you will be BLOWN AWAY at their dinner! I like their breakfast, but I LOVE their dinner -- it's my favorite meal on the property and when I used to work at WDW it was always THE place that I took my out-of-town visiting friends or relatives. It initially can seem a bit expensive, but you won't feel that way after you finish. The variety, flavors, options, quality is all amazing. Extremely satisfying.

LOBBY: If you think the lobby is great at DAK Lodge, and it is truly spectacular, just wait until Christmas! They have one of the most magnificent trees on the entire property, African-inspired, and just stunning.

Also, for those who have never been there, I just want to make sure you understand that the Lodge is NOT part of Disney's Animal Kingdom park -- it is a completely separate unit that is accessed by an entrance that is just a bit further down the road from the theme park entrance. So, unlike the Rainforest Café, which is located outside of the entrance gates, but you still have to go through parking, you will not have to do so for the Lodge -- although you will still have to pass through security.

We stayed at AK last summer. We paid for a room by the pool because it was more affordable. They gave us a room overlooking the Savanna. I guess if they are booked, they will put people in the Savanna rooms. We sure lucked out! We sat on the balcony and saw the animals up close. We liked the nighttime activities that they planned, too. We made s'mores one night and used night vision goggles one night to view the animals. The pool was amazing! The movies in the pool at night were a lot of fun for the kids. After a day at the parks, it was fun to stay at AK in the evening. Lots of fun things to do!

Looking for feedback from other travelers: Is a "Savanna View" necessary, or is the AKL still a good value if in a Standard View room?