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Animal Kingdom Lodge staying next month - any tips?
Hi,
Our family of four is travelling to Florida in mid-March and tacking on a quick stay at Disney. We have reserved a standard room at Animal Kingdom Lodge. I'm wondering what is the best section to request for our room? We like to be not too far from a bus stop and close to food options.My kids (both age 11) and husband are animal lovers and I want to make sure we make the most of what this resort has to offer in our short stay. Any of your favorites from this resort I'd love to hear about!
We have stayed in DVC rooms on our past several visits to Animal Kingdom Lodge (including this past weekend), so I can’t help with location requests. With a standard room, it shouldn’t matter which savanna you’re on, so you may want to simply request a room near the main lobby. That will give you the easiest access to the bus stops (which are still a bit of a hike) and the restaurants.
You should receive a paper at check-in that lists the events each day. If you are in the resort at 4 pm, I recommend the tour of Boma and Jiko, which may include samples.
In the evenings, cast members are often at the overlooks behind the lobby with night vision goggles to help you spot animals.
There are special tours in the morning and evening that include meals. They are expensive, but sound great. (We haven’t done them because we couldn’t justify giving up park time.)
I agree with Melissa....request a room near the main lobby. You'll have much easier, faster access to food and buses. The layout of AKL can make the walk seem like an eternity after a long day at the parks.
I recommend the night vision goggles to spot the animals. I did this with my nephew (11yo) and he loved it! I also recommend a breakfast reservation at Boma.
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Beware the rooms on the path to bus stop. The ones on main floor right off the path to busses look really awful. Solid wall balcony, and as I said right above sidewalk. I’d ask for a high floor.
We love the pool, there’s a flamingo area behind pool. Walk around Arusha Rock. There’s always CMs stationed there to answer questions. There’s a board in the lobby that lists activities of the day and times.
The night goggles are fun. We really like the evening Cultural Safari. It’s very well done. Each night a CM gives a presentation about their country. Highly recommend.
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Giraffe trail is the wing that is near the pool and the buses. You want to ask for a high floor as 3rd floor is on the walkway (if I'm remembering right) and would be busy with people. We stayed in a queen/queen on the 4th floor near end and it was nice. We found if you run the ceiling fan it helps cover any noises from the buses. The elevator in that wing takes you down to the pool and near the restaurants. We thought it was a good section if you do a standard room.
Giraffe trail is the wing that is near the pool and the buses. You want to ask for a high floor as 3rd floor is on the walkway (if I'm remembering right) and would be busy with people. We stayed in a queen/queen on the 4th floor near end and it was nice. We found if you run the ceiling fan it helps cover any noises from the buses. The elevator in that wing takes you down to the pool and near the restaurants. We thought it was a good section if you do a standard room.
2nd floor is perfect. Rooms face the pool and no bus noise and you can walk out and in the stairwell exits for the bus. Saves going all the way through the lobby each time.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jtd771
2nd floor is perfect. Rooms face the pool and no bus noise and you can walk out and in the stairwell exits for the bus. Saves going all the way through the lobby each time.
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That is if they have a pool view. If they have a standard view...they are facing the drive and parking. Better to be up higher then.
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The original poster said she was getting a standard room, so I was letting her know which standard rooms were available and best bets. This is the map of the Giraffe trail. The standard rooms face the driveway. The lower level for standard rooms is floor 3...level with the walkway.
See this map. Down at the bottom is the Giraffe Trail with many of the standard rooms (which is what the OP has reserved....not a pool view). The 3rd floor is level with the walkway on the side with standard rooms. That's why I say it's best to try for floor 4 or 5. Standard rooms are also on the Ostrich Trail but those are less convenient to the pool, food, and buses.
See this map. Down at the bottom is the Giraffe Trail with many of the standard rooms (which is what the OP has reserved....not a pool view). The 3rd floor is level with the walkway on the side with standard rooms. That's why I say it's best to try for floor 4 or 5. Standard rooms are also on the Ostrich Trail but those are less convenient to the pool, food, and buses.
Missed the standard view part of the reservation. Very sorry.
This is a lovely resort so try to deficate some time to enjoy. As others have said, ask at check in about the scheduled events. And consider the Bona or Jiko tours- they are very interesting and you can sample the delicious foods.
This is one of the unique Disney resorts. The Savanna‘s are amazing and there is nothing like watching Giraffes from your balcony while sipping morning coffee. There is a lit to savor at this resort - a great place to relax and savor the moments.
Maybe try to visit AK Villas - it is a quick walk and is also lovely. Sanaa is an excellent restaurant if you can fit it in.
Enjoy!
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Last edited by thinkpink; 03-23-2018 at 07:16 PM..
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