It's NEVER Too Late, for Number 8 - the most UNOFFICIAL, 'official' AKL thread yet!

[kimmar067]

"WHAT??!?!? Are you kidding me??? How do I LOOK?? Are my ears straight?? Do my spots look okay?!? Well, get the frunch! Get the Zebra Domes! What are you guys waitin' for?"





AKL RESORT FAQ

Walt Disney World® Resort with African-themed lodgeWalt Disney World® Resort with African-themed lodge

33-acre savannah

2 miles west of Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park via complimentary shuttle, this resort with a thatched roof and African artifacts features its own 33-acre savannah, where exotic animals graze.

Giraffe in the grass

It's Africa in the middle of Florida at this unique resort. At Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, guests can swim in a pool or soak in spa tubs not far from giraffes and tiny gazelles.

African spirit

Guestrooms at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge have private furnished balconies and high-speed Internet access incorporating African-inspired decor that includes wood-paddle ceiling fans, imported tapestries, and hand-carved armoires from Africa.





Hotel Amenities

General


Two miles west of Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, this African-themed resort borders a wildlife reserve. Complimentary activities include flamingo and pelican feedings, games with savannah guides, storytelling, night-vision tracking, and a horticulture show-and-tell.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge has a large zero-entry outdoor pool with a 67-foot-long slide, a separate children's pool, and two spa tubs. There is also a kids' club (surcharge), playground, and game arcade on site. The Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center offers exercise equipment, personal training, and spa services (surcharge). The Zawadi Marketplace sells African-themed gifts and souvenirs. Two restaurants serve multi-cultural cuisine.

The resort offers complimentary transportation via motorcoach to the Walt Disney World® Theme Parks.

Smoking is permitted only in designated exterior areas.

Disney's Magical Express: Guests of this resort are eligible for complimentary Disney's Magical Express service. Motor coaches pick up guests at Orlando International Airport and drop off at Walt Disney World® Resort Hotels. Disney staff members pick up bags and deliver them straight to guestrooms (for arrivals between 5 AM and 10 PM). Guests arriving outside of these hours should pick up their baggage at baggage claim to carry with them on the motor coach.
* 24-hour front desk
* Air-conditioned public areas
* Airport transportation (complimentary)
* Arcade/game room
* ATM/banking
* Babysitting or childcare
* Valet parking (surcharge - $12)
* Bar/lounge
* Breakfast available (surcharge)
* Business services
* Coffee shop or café
* Complimentary newspapers in lobby
* Concierge desk
* Dry cleaning/laundry service
* Elevator/lift
* Fireplace in lobby/firepit in outdoors area
* Gift shops or newsstand
* Health club
* Free Wi-Fi
* Children's club
* Laundry facilities
* Massage - spa treatment room(s)
* Multilingual staff
* Number of floors - 5
* Total number of rooms - 1293
* Patio
* Poolside bar
* Porter/bellhop
* Safe-deposit box at front desk
* Sauna
* Security guard
* Shopping on site
* Smoke-free property
* Steam room
* Swimming pool - children's
* Swimming pool - outdoor
* Television in lobby
* Currency exchange
* Express check-in
* Express check-out
* Theme park shuttle (complimentary)
* Tours/ticket assistance
* Waterslide
* Valet parking (no longer free for DVC members)
* Room service (24 hours)
* Year Built 2001
* Number of restaurants - 3
* Self-parking
* Number of buildings/towers - 1 (its neighbor building, Kidani, is a dedicated DVC facility)
* Suitable for children
* Wheelchair accessible






Internet

Available in all rooms: Free Wi-Fi

Available in some public areas: Free Wi-Fi




Parking

Self-parking, Valet parking, Valet parking (surcharge) $12



Room Amenities

Air conditioning
Non-smoking only
ESPN
Ceiling fan
In-room childcare (surcharge)
Climate control
Clock radio
Coffee/tea maker
Complimentary weekday newspaper
Complimentary toiletries
Cribs/infant beds available
Patio/balcony
Direct-dial phone
Electronic/magnetic keys
Extra towels/bedding
Multi-line phone
Free local calls
Hair dryer
Daily housekeeping
In-room safe
Iron/ironing board
Microwave
Free Wi-Fi
Refrigerator
Private bathroom
In-room massage available
Voice mail
Wake-up calls
Desk
Electronic check-out
Blackout drapes/curtains
Speakerphone
Satellite television service
iPod docking station





Dining

Jiko - The Cooking Place - Stylish restaurant serving creative American cooking with a blend of multicultural influences from the Mediterranean coast, India, Europe, and Africa. Includes seafood, steak, chicken, and vegetarian offerings. South African wines. Reservations strongly recommended. Nightly dinner.

Boma - Flavors of Africa - Designed to replicate an African marketplace with open kitchens and a thatched roof. Buffet-style dining that includes salads, vegetarian dishes, grilled seafood, and roasted meats inspired by the varied flavors of over 50 African countries. Reservations strongly recommended. Breakfast and dinner.

The Mara - Quick-service food court. Light fare such as hamburgers, salads, sandwiches, and pizzas. Open from early morning to late evening.

Victoria Falls Lounge - Quiet bar overlooking Boma - Flavors of Africa. Specialty coffees, tea, and cocktails. Open from late afternoon to late evening.

Uzima Springs - Poolside bar adjacent to zero-entry pool. Cold beverages, frozen specialty drinks, and cocktails. Open from mid-morning to early evening, weather permitting.

Sanaa - African cooking with Indian spices. -located on the lowest floor of Kidani Villages main building. Its a table service venue serving lunch from 11:30am  3:00pm and dinner from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. The restaurant participates in the Disney dining plan (1 table service credit for lunch and dinner) and accepts the Tables in Wonderland dining card.


Room service - Available from early morning to late evening.




Recreation

The most popular activity at this Lake Buena Vista resort is observing the exotic animals who wander the savannah-like grounds. Guests can stop by viewing areas to catch glimpses of giraffes, ostriches, impalas, and zebras. The large zero-entry pool offers a gently sloping entrance accessible to young children and guests without full mobility, while a 67-foot-long slide zips swimmers into the center with a splash. There is also a children's pool, 24-hour playground, game arcade, and two spa tubs on site.

Supervised children's activities for ages 4-12 are offered at Simba's Clubhouse, and include Disney movies, computer games, and dinner (surcharges apply). Guests of all ages can venture on a safari or watch the animals roaming about the savannah from the resort public viewing spaces. Complimentary programs include flamingo and pelican feedings, games with savannah guides, storytelling, night-vision tracking, and a horticulture show-and-tell.

The Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center provides treadmills, stationary bikes, free weights, and complimentary use of a sauna and steam room. Guests can also receive a variety of spa treatments (surcharge).

Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course and Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park are both one mile from the resort. Complimentary transportation is offered. The guest services desk can assist with reservations on any one of Disney's five tour-caliber golf courses, all located on Walt Disney World® Resort property. A nine-hole course is also available.

The recreational activities listed below are available on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Golf - miniature nearby
Golf - driving range nearby
Golfing nearby
Sailing nearby
Tennis nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horse riding/rental nearby
Parasailing nearby
Bicycle rentals nearby
Bird watching on site
Playground on site
Swimming on site
Fishing nearby
Golf lessons available nearby




Accessibility

To make requests for specific accessibility needs, complete the Special or Accessibility Requests section of Trip Preferences when you book your hotel.
Accessibility equipment for the deaf
Accessible bathroom
Accessible path of travel
Braille or raised signage
Handicapped parking
In-room accessibility
Roll-in shower




Policies & Fees

Check-in time starts at 3 PM

Special check-in instructions:
Resort Airline Check-In Service allows guests to check luggage and receive boarding passes at the hotel. This service accepts one bag per passenger on JetBlue. Guests wishing to check multiple bags on JetBlue or any bags on AirTran, Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United, or US Airways must call 407-284-1231 (5 AM - 11 PM) to pay luggage fees prior to check-in, or guests can check bags at the airport. Guests must pre-book Disney's Magical Express, a complimentary transfer from the Orlando airport to the hotel. Visit www.disneysmagicalexpress.com/USA for registration. This service picks up and delivers luggage directly to guestrooms for those arriving between 5 AM - 10 PM. Guests must claim their own bags after hours.

Check-out time is 11 AM



Pets

Pets not allowed



Policies


Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on hotel policy.

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.



Fees

The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check-in, or check-out. Valet parking fee: USD 10 per night

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

[John's Mom]

Thanks Kim!

Eight is off to a great start.

[kimmar067]

EDIT:

Kindly refrain from getting off-topic, please.....

[dgbg100106]

Home sweet home...


Thanks Kim!!!! You are the greatest!

[RachelTori]

Originally Posted by dgbg100106

Home sweet home...


Thanks Kim!!!! You are the greatest!

Yep, she sure is!!

[BuzzLiteyear]

Thank you for keeping this going. We will be at AKV for Christmas this year.

[Minnesota!]

Staying here for the FIRST TIME EVER in 34 days! It's been on our bucket list for a few years and got a rate I couldn't pass up! I told DH this might not be a good thing, though, as we will LOVE it and then WDW will always be more expensive for us now b/c we will HAVE to stay here. I am so so so so excited!

[kimmar067]

Originally Posted by Minnesota!

Staying here for the FIRST TIME EVER in 34 days! It's been on our bucket list for a few years and got a rate I couldn't pass up! I told DH this might not be a good thing, though, as we will LOVE it and then WDW will always be more expensive for us now b/c we will HAVE to stay here. I am so so so so excited!

....congrats to you - you will not be disappointed!

[BuzzLiteyear]

Originally Posted by Minnesota!

Staying here for the FIRST TIME EVER in 34 days! It's been on our bucket list for a few years and got a rate I couldn't pass up! I told DH this might not be a good thing, though, as we will LOVE it and then WDW will always be more expensive for us now b/c we will HAVE to stay here. I am so so so so excited!

I know the feeling . We ended up buying at AKV because we love the place so much. Have a great vacation!

[kimmar067]

Originally Posted by BuzzLiteyear

Thank you for keeping this going. We will be at AKV for Christmas this year.

...you're going to really love the decorations!

[BuzzLiteyear]

Originally Posted by kimmar067

...you're going to really love the decorations!

WOW, that tree is amazing. Thanks for posting it.

[tiggrbaby]

Ahhh, it's back! Thanks, Kim!

[kimmar067]

Originally Posted by BuzzLiteyear

WOW, that tree is amazing. Thanks for posting it.

[BuzzLiteyear]

Originally Posted by kimmar067

I just got a chance to look at the picture on my computer (looked on the iPhone before, thought the guy in the chair was a pair of bird decorations!). WOW doesn't even begin to describe it. Now I'm really starting to get excited!

[swimchick1984]

Jambo everyone, what is everyone up to today? I am getting ready to go to bed but I had to say hello to everyone.