Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort (Disney Deluxe/Deluxe Villas Resort) Reviews and Ratings - Page 4 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I just got back from this resort late last week. We stayed on the 2nd floor about 4 rooms from the middle of the Arusha Savanna. I loved it. I am a pretty cheap person but I actually felt the view was worth it. You can get the same view from the Arusha Rock Firepit\Overlook but you can't sit on your balcony and eat dinner like I did.
I did not care for the menus at the expensive restaurants but I thought the cafeteria restaurant was very good. The chicken pita was good. They also had a Cheese Flatbread pizza. That seemed sort of plain so I asked them to put grilled chicken, mushrooms, green\red sweet peppers and onions. They had to go to Boma to get some of those ingredients but they made it. It was really good and I am a picky eater partial to NY City pizza.
The pool was only 3 ft or so deep but it is very nice looking and my kids thought it was fine. The entertainment staff around the pool was great. They made my very shy 12yr old want to play pool side games which never happens. There are 2 hot tubs that are under shade and a small water side. It also has a small playground.
Lastly, the lobby is visually stunning. The also hold information stations during the day to learn about Africa. The employees that hosted these, as well as all the other employees, were very friendly and helpful.
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We love AKL! Everything about it. Whenever possible, we choose to stay here. We've had two stays this year - summer and fall. The theming of the entire resort is beautiful. Watching the animals is always a highlight. Breakfast and dinner at Boma or dinner at Jiko or any meal/snack at Mara is always welcome. And the pool is my favorite.
The only drawback is price. But by saving and watching for deals, that can even be worked out. That being said, AKL is worth the money!
Nice place to visit but I wouldn't want my "home" there.
I am sure I am in the minority but I don't think I would stay here with my whole family again. I picked Kidani because my kids (19 & 15) were getting tired of Old Key West. Points were right, zero entry pool for the 4 year old plus splash area, animals...all good.
The room was smaller than we are used to but I knew this going in. It was just so dark. I'm not talking about the woodwork but the lighting-it is terrible. Low wattage CFLs plus amber lampshades equals terrible lighting. The room was clean, the shower was fantastic. The food situation is similar to OKW in that there is not a lot but OKW has more to offer. We had to walk over to Jambo to eat lunch on our pool day. It is also far from everything and the bus rides took forever to everywhere but Animal Kingdom park. We also prefer not having an internal hallway. My husband felt like it was just a hotel room with a kitchen rather than the DVC room we are used to. I am staying her with my oldest in January but strictly for points value. It was nice for one family trip but we are going back to OKW next summer.
We stayed at AKL Jambo House on 2 different trips and have been in love with this resort since the moment we stepped inside the first time!
We stayed in a one BR Villa on both trips and will never stay in anything different if I can help it! I love having a full kitchen to have breakfast in before hitting the parks. Our last trip we had a savanna view and it was so amazing! Waking up every morning and sitting on the balcony with my coffee and watching so many gorgeous animals grazing below!
The staff at AKL Jambo House is phenomenal! Our first trip was for our DS's 6th birthday. Every single member of the staff we encountered treated him like a prince! As a Mom, I couldn't have been happier. Anything and everything we asked for or needed was taken care of.
The restaurants are exceptional. DH and I have dined at Jiko's on our last 2 trips for our "date night". Love it! And Boma's has become a family "must"!
We absolutely love the pool and fitness center too. No complaints whatsoever!
The bus service is fantastic as well - we never waited longer than 10 minutes for a bus. Even if we walked up just as one was pulling away.
I really cannot say enough great things about this resort. The only downside is that it isn't in the "spur of the moment" affordable range. In order for our family to stay at AKL for a week or longer (we stayed 6 nights or first trip and 11 nights our 2nd trip) it requires a good year of savings to stay in the one BR villa. But that's okay given that we don't have any opportunities for "spur of the moment" Disney trips. So, the only way we ever go is to plan at least a year in advance and save accordingly
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We adored our stay at Jambo House Nov. 14-21. It was lovely seeing the Christmas tree and decorations go up during that time. We booked standard view rooms but were upgraded to Uzima Savannah. I guess I can understand why people say the resort is dark, but I found the subdued lighting to be relaxing after a day in the parks. The resort is exotic but very welcoming. I love the wonderful smells that waft through lobby level!
We had multiple problems with our magic bands at check-in. A manager apologized and offered us fastpasses in any park, (think Wishes from the rose garden!) and all was quickly forgiven. We all agreed that we should have brought our own binoculars. I wish we could afford to stay at AKL every trip.
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Katydid
10/96 - All Star Sports, 11/03 - CBR
9/05 - Wonder Cruise, 7/06 - Disneyland
11/08-All Star Sports - 7/09 Ft. Wilderness
11/14- AKL Jambo House
I recently stayed at AKL Jambo House in DVC Deluxe Studio Villa with savanna view with my mom and nephew from October 6 to 11. We loved the savanna view and very easily could have spent our entire vacation on the balcony. We had daily views of all types of animals: giraffes, birds, wildebeest, deer, etc. We also loved the breakfast buffet at Boma. Our only complaint was the long walk from the lobby to the room. After a day in the parks of walking, coming back to the resort and making the long trek from the parking lot to the room, was not our favorite thing. If staying here again, I would request a room as close to the lobby as possible. Other than that, the cast members were great, the activities in the resort were awesome, and the pool was fun. My nephew is 12 and every trip, he judges the resort by the pool - rest assured this one is kid approved, but his favorite is still Polynesian.
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