Pros & Cons of Animal Kingdom Lodge | The DVC Show | 12/30/19

[@fordadam7851]

My family and I ate at Boma the week of Dec. 11, at check in I was talking to a young native hostess, but later she came to our table to just talk and we had many questions about her homeland and family there, it was very informative and unexpected , she was a joy, a highlight

[@andersomyh]

last trip to Orlando, i had a non park day. I was not staying at AKL, but went there for 5 hours to sit and watch the animals. I sat and chatted with the CM from Africa telling me about the animals, but more important about their culture and why they came to Disney. It was the best day ever!

[@paulkrieger]

AKL is one of my home resorts! Love being able to go out on the balcony in the morning and watch the animals while having a cup of coffee. :)

[@matthewboschert7199]

It was ~10 years ago but we took my wife's family to WDW, staying at a grand villa in Kidani ; 10 of us total... But my sister-in-law served in the Peace Corps In Lesotho (le' soo too), Africa. She and I visited the savannah area outside of the lobby, and there was a native African from Lesotho. They chatted a bit even in his native language (clicking) and it was just a very special moment, I'll never forget.

[@mariafurari7638]

We really enjoyed chatting w the CM’s at Kidani especially at the gift shop. This resort is definitively completely different from all others. And their deluxe studios are larger than most.

[@yankeesusa1]

This is the only resort/hotel that makes me want to work in. It's just a different experience. You walk in and it's WOW

[@debrakrook1045]

Love AKL! The long hallway is not an issue if you have a car. They will give you a car spot right below your room. You take the elevator down and your there! Kidani is very, very peaceful! Much quieter than Jambo. Sanaa is our favorite restaurant on property! The value rooms at Jambo are awesome for the points.

[@AbbyV1820]

AKL is our favorite resort. My kids beg to stay there. The remote location doesn't bother us at all. But when staying at Kidani the room we had was the last stop. If you could go further you would be on the Savannah. We refilled mugs and by the time we got to our room we needed a new refill. But AKL is still an amazing place

[@dismom3197]

John is a great addition to this team - invite him more often :)

[@disnerdfamily9570]

AKV is my home resort and absolutely love it there! Never had a bad experience. The Mara is my favorite resort QS on property.

[@hashtagheadies6594]

spent 5 days at the resort. only day out was a H20 night at typhoon and Disney springs . great time.

[@LARKXHIN]

"You're BOILING AWAY YOUR GRANDCHILDREN." lol

[@confessionsofamainstreetmo5040]

I love AKL! The theme is great and so cohesive throughout the whole resort!

[@BJ-pe1jg]

Confessions of a Main Street Mom Vlog me too!

[@littletokyo6537]

Me and the family just became members. We bought direct and our home is Boardwalk but our first trip in June will be at Kidani Village. My question is our we doing it wrong by staying at AC before our home resort? I still believe that we will love it either way.

[@fantasticendeavors]

Great show!! FYI: Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House and Kidani Village are in Orange County, FL. All Disney owned resorts at Walt Disney World are in Orange County except for the All-Star Resorts complex which is Osceola County and a higher lodging tax rate.

[@wild_spice]

We just stayed here for our honeymoon and we LOVED it so much!

[@debrakrook1045]

To comment on the dark rooms. The last refurb they painted the walls white and it really helped lighten up the rooms! 👍🏼

[@lizpope467]

We are heading down in April and staying at AKL for first time. This will be a resort only trip and we are so excited, even more excited after hearing all the wonderful things you guys have to say about the property.

[@jessif.]

So many pros. It just feels like home! And I’m not even an owner (yet). The only “con” I can possibly think of is that none of the studios or 1-BR can sleep 5, and the rooms are among the smallest for Disney’s deluxe resorts.

[@miida3412]

One of my home resorts and I love it! Pool at Jambo is beautiful too.

[@hairdresser1300]

I so have to agree about the long hallways. Near the elevator yes. I had no idea about the private safari! I had a beautiful interaction with the two girls,last Feb, that had held the drum circle. We discussed their life back home after the circle was done

[@veromikes]

AKL needs the gondolas!

[@markmontuori7003]

just bought 220 points at $110 a point. First stay in May. Cant wait.

[@alexsandrakelly7586]

This is an awesome panel for this topic. Really appreciate your opinions and thoughts! Thanks!

[@Parkhopper1985]

Hello DIS Unplugged. Happy New Year. We love AKL - we just stayed at Jambo in August with 12 guests --- wow - fantastic trip - we got a plaid and so many great memories, We went to Jiko for for the 1st time and it was awesome. take care.

[@iKnowAguy4]

Wait is this John the AMAZING photographer & incredible guy!!! ?

[@WilsonFlyer]

I've said this a thousand times in posts. Kidani is home on the savannah. Jambo is a hustling, bustling ,and arguably a 5-star all-inclusive resort destination with two of the best restaurants on-property if not all of LBV. Kidani is quiet and is home, and a 5 minute walk to Jambo when we're in the mood or need anything over there. I wouldn't trade my DVC points at AK for any other points in the system. Period. (We also own at BLT and love it for totally different reasons, obviously.)

[@tracylally1780]

Great show as always! Look forward to watching these episodes!

[@Adamhitt]

I think I may be the only one... I love AKL, but can’t stand the brown painted cabinets in the kitchen! Is it just me? Makes the whole room feel a little cheap in my honest opinion.

[@mnb9162]

I think its one of the things which Disney should have had as a Top priority from day 1 that the resorts be connected via a transportation system. It was a strange decision not to have AKL better connected. As a minimum it would have been nice to have had it integrated into Animal Kingdom Park similar to the Grand Californian at Disnyeland. Its the only thing holding it back from being a complete homerun of a resort. Although thats probably why they take greater care with the quality of the Dining.

[@sharonweaver2631]

Love. Kidani! Pete you need to stay there, it is so relaxed.

[@kkristian8350]

Animal kingdom Lodge is an experience. It's one of the most unique resorts in the world. It was created to be a conversation starter. The attention giving to detail in this place is breath taking and the service is World Class. 2 miles to Animal kingdom Park. 4.6 miles to Disney Hollywood's Studio. 6 miles to Epcot and 6.7 miles to magic Kingdom. Not bad travel times at all to experience this affordable world class resort.😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎

[@melissaclark79]

We stayed at AKL early December. I fell in love with the resort.

[@wendyward4227]

My favorite place to stay on property - the Starlight Safari is also amazing

[@nickm1587]

If AKL is so great, why are the points going for the same price as Saratoga on resale?

[@GinEric84]

Because it is on the far side of the middle of nowhere

[@billjanetcsu]

Four of the best restaurants in each category. Boma, Sanaa,

[@andyclark3611]

Question for those that are non DVC owners but rent points. Can you call DVC guest services ?

[@paulrobinson1458]

My second and favorite home resort.

[@keithandrobyndavis8023]

Sorry, folks! Kidani is our least favorite DVC property: long march back to room, transportation not good, pool cute but tiny and too jam-packed, no food options after 9 or 10. We didn't have great luck with the shuttle to JH (which has a nice pool and better dining options). Admittedly, among the best rooms if you're not hitting the parks; animals and theming are wonderful. Night-owls such as ourselves adore late swimming and grazing... Give us BCR, Poly, SSR, Bay Lake Tower, OKW, or even GFR before Kidani Village. We love the whole DIS cast!!

[@LARKXHIN]

I've never been to AKL but it's still my favorite.

[@carries.213]

My con would be location. So far from everything

[@lorrifrench4460]

Great informative Video. I really want to stay there sometime. Our home resort is Saratoga Springs. Have a safe and Wonderful Nee Years Eve . And a blessed New Year.

[@sentwistle4325]

Animal Kingdom Lodge is a wonderful resort.

[@barbarafritsche1686]

Being away from the parks doesn’t bother me. I just don’t like all the walking within the villas. It’s the same but not as bad as Saratoga Springs.

[@vincentparisi2644]

I think it has the most beautiful lobby and Boma is great but those hallways are beyond depressing and are longer than a walk across the Asian continent. There's always more and even adults are known to say 'Are we there yet?'

[@tillyspuppytraining8429]

Love Jackie

[@margaretd3710]

I love the Animal Kingdom Lodge. BUT I've had a number of conversations with the African students who are there for a year and once you really get to talking to them, you find that Disney doesn't treat them very well. I realize there's a longing for home but even after factoring that in, it seems that Disney really could do a lot more to make their experience - and their viewpoint of America - a lot more positive. So when I talk with these young people, I encourage them to get away and see some of the country, meet Americans in their home settings, and not to think that Disney corporate policy = America.

[@kevinmedeiros7765]

Negative for me is no place to run or walk a distance outdoors in the morning

[@katherinechrisman5362]

Yup she needs to be closer to the coffee cart hall to king.....NAILED IT I KNOW MY HOME GIRL!

[@FlahertyEquipment]

What about the smell????

[@chrishintz1077]

Does magic candle have an akl scent? ;)

[@yankeesusa1]

Being long hallways isn't that big a deal, it's just so nice to walk that property.

[@beckypiel8795]

Correct, Pete.....hot tubs are not for kids!

[@caruso2922]

Really don't like the green screen they film the show on now.

[@katherinechrisman5362]

Pete you crack me up

[@AndreOutlaw]

Animal Kingdom is the first Disney resort that my wife and I stayed at. I'd been to Disney before when I was a kid but we didn't stay on property. AKL has been one of our favorites despite it not being close to anything. If they could put the Skyliner there then it would be perfect.

[@cristinafanego5821]

You're right about children in hot tubs.

[@LeoTheShortGuy]

Whoop whoop

[@multidayticket]

In real estate: location, location, location. This is not a good location.

[@yankeesusa1]

That is true, but they have a whole zoo in their backyard and being away from things is not all that bad

[@veronicareitherreese6671]

Let Jackie talk.

[@JC-ct7wp]

Why ?

[@katherinechrisman5362]

I know what’s Jackie’s gunna say re con

[@fana740]

First