Took my gf now wife to Disney for the first time. Booked pop century but they over booked and put us at akl no up charge and got a savanna view. Talk about a deal.
A quick, heartwarming story, relating to your mention about fussy eaters....several years ago, we booked dinner at Sanaa. We always do our research and communicate ahead of our visits with the restaurants, as our son is on the Autism spectrum and is very limited in what he will eat. In spite of having communicated ahead of time with Sanaa, when we arrived, the lady at the front desk had no record of our request, and was shockingly dismissive of the whole thing. We were visibly upset as we got seated (she was the least "Disney" cast member we had ever encountered) and were debating our options. Our waitress came over and I guess noticed we were upset.....we explained the situation, and she winked at us, and said "What does your little guy like, and leave it to me!" About 15 minutes later, a massive plate of chicken nuggets and fries was placed in front of our smiling son.....it turns out that the waitress had one of the kitchen staff ride over to the Mara on a bike, to pick the food up!!! (Suffice to say, this wonderful lady turned what was shaping up to be one of our worst Disney experiences, into a story I have told many people as one of our reasons why we go back to WDW all the time!)
A long time ago we went to Boma with my family. At that time, my son who was 6 years old and is also on the Autism Spectrum started a gluten free diet. There were not too many options in the breakfast “Menu” , but when we explain our situation to the waiter, he return from the kitchen follow by the chef in charge of the kitchen with a couple of gluten free pancakes made just for my son :-) the chef procede to explain how they made them, they were very emotional, you really can tell this was important for them! Imagine how blessed and gratefully we felt.
What a fabulous waitress! But I sincerely hope you complained to Disney about the hostess AND about them losing track of your communications. No excuse for either, and to their credit Disney will always try to make it right (or make it up to you) if they know.
To sum up: if you’re not interested in the animals, don’t go. If you are interested in the animals, get a savannah view. That’s not to say you can’t look out hallway windows to see the animals but, going out on your balcony at night and seeing a giraffe sleeping under the room next door is priceless.
@@chrissygerwitz520 yes is is high priced but worth it if you’re not a go to the parks every day type. Get a mobile order so you can go. Go at night if they still offer the infrared night glasses to look out over the savannah. They probably won’t have these until the fall or spring of 2022.
The Animal Kingdom isn’t for everyone. If you need walking or jogging trails, this is not the place for you. The grounds are small to accommodate the savannah. Children more interested with the oversized Disney statues and/or themed pools will be bored. I can’t speak to the family suites but, DO NOT EVER EVER EVER go to Art of Animation if staying in the Little Mermaid building. You will trip over a bed as soon as you walk into the room if there are two beds in your room.
I stayed here for a few days as a kid because it was my mom's dream to drink her morning coffee while watching a giraffe. And it was worth it for that. It was probably cheaper back then, but we only stayed a few nights and spent the rest of our trip in a cheap off property hotel.
My DVC member sister is sending me to Kidani Savannah View for my 50th birthday. There are NO drawbacks when you get 7 nights at a WDW Deluxe resort for free. I will enjoy every one of those long walks to breakfast!
Although it's pricey, we always stay at AKL with a savanna view room. It is incredible to wake up and see the animals out the window from bed. Also, Boma is our favorite restaurant!
No matter where I stay, at Disney or stay at my house I just bought there, My last Breakfast will Always be at Boma. THere was a time I never Missed Broadway at the TOP too. Hello Dolly!
This is our "home resort" through DVC and I couldn't be happier! Especially hearing how much a 1 bedroom costs per night! We've definitely gotten our money's worth through Disney Vacation Club! With small kids, we have stayed many times at AKL without visiting the parks. So. Much. To. Do! We could stay a week just enjoying the animals, the resort activities, the pool (and poolside games), the community hall, etc.
We are the same way!! AKL is our home resort and we stay there every time! It's so worth it and so much to do and in the middle of the day when the majority is at the parks, it's so calm and may I say peaceful.
I think the parking garage is a HUGE pro! It is so nice to have a car in the shade rather than out in the hot Florida sun. I wish that more of the Disney resorts had this parking arrangement!
I do honestly agree with you Michelle, but the garage SERIOUSLY needs some theming. Pulling into a grey cinder block garage isn't my idea of how to begin a stay at one of the most spectacular hotels in WDW.
Sometimes a nice option is staying at a value resort but booking a meal at a deluxe resort and experiencing some of the ambience. Book breakfast at Boma and take a sunrise stroll to watch the animals eat breakfast and then head over to AK park to keep the theme rolling!
I have done that pretty much every time we go - stay at the Pop Century and will eat at The Wave, GF Cafe, and had the Ohana brunch long ago ... and then would take the monorail to/from the park... Back with the Dining Plan, it got us out of the parks for a meal, too. Have not been to AKL yet, but would love it, I'm sure.
I’d love to stay in Animal Kingdom lodge with a Savannah view. I love the theme and it’s not everywhere you can wake up to see a giraffe 🦒 outside your window
I stayed in January and it really is a unique Disney experience. I think families would get the most out of it but anyone would find something to enjoy. Seeing the animals each morning is just beautiful and such a unique experience.
Our first stay at the Lodge ended up with a lucky draw for a Savannah view. It was a friggin' slog to get to our room in the back 40 of the resort. But it dawned on me on the third morning waking up to sitting on the porch watching the animals do their morning thing that it was well worth it. It was like a daily ticket to Animal Kingdom with a VIP safari ride. Every morning. Bucket list item.
MileVlogsYT. I stayed at Kruger Natl. Park in South Africa and awoke every morning to giraffes and other animals! Animal Kingdom Lodge will always be a poor substitute for an African safari!
I feel as if this hotel is a "vacation in the vacation" resort. You want to enjoy the food, the ambiance, and the animals. So maybe stay here on the weekends instead of going to the parks, then go to a resort that is easier to navigate when park hopping, etc... Still seems like a must do, if you have the $$$ for it
I literally RUN to your channel and drop everything I'm doing, going to take a shower? It will have to wait 30:51 while I listen to Aj on whatever she is talking about today.
I stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge for about 4 days and it was great. I could have gotten a lot more out of it had I wanted but wasn't in the plans but despite me not being a huge animal lover, I really enjoyed seeing animals outside my window waking up every morning and just going out to view them. If you're an animal lover it's definitely a great place to go, great food, and a ton to do.
As a former cast member, I can admit it, I actually enjoyed and appreciated this video. Disney's WOW factor is awesome but it can also be a very big distraction from other important details that might be important to the guest. This video comprehensively highlights these factors that many guests overlook and don't realize until they are in the resort experiencing these disappointments first hand. Great Job!!
I can remember when rooms at the contemporary were $96.00. same room as other Disney hotels, but that was the premium Hotel. Then again they doubled the camping sites prices in three (3) years 2018- 2021.
I love this video series. Please do the other hotels. Everything you've said about Animal Kingdom hotel is correct. We stayed in one of the big apartment style rooms and it took us forever to get to the elevator. Never again. We' re going again in February and trying to pick a hotel. Maybe the New Orleans themes one. That's where we're from.
Port orleans is absolutely beautiful. Coming from Louisianna myself its got a wonderful theme. I like riverside more than french quarter since it has more of those plantation style homes (which are my personal fave) and you have more options at riverside. French quarter seems really corney with the mardi gras theming its got
My hubby and I stayed here for 4 day weekend in October about 6 years ago and made sure to book a savannah room. For a shorter visit it was just in budget, but I can't say it would be in budget now for a longer extended trip though for us. It was definitely worth the money to see my hubby relaxing on the balcony with his coffee watching all the animals go by. Since it was in October the buses were fairly empty and while it did take a little bit to get to the parks it wasn't horrendous because we made sure to pick off hours to catch the bus and chose October when schools were in session.
On the parking lot at Kidani - We love it. You're under, as in out of the sun! We drive to the parks to avoid the buses at park closing, so having your car not baking in the Florida sun is nice. Admittedly it still bakes at the parks, but having elevators that are actually close to the car and not a huge parking lot away is another great plus.
Please do this type of video for the Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Boardwalk resorts! I think those 3 hotels get lumped together by a lot of people, and it would great to get a compare and contrast.
We stayed in a two bedroom villa for the first time in Kidani Village. I think I was more impressed with the room than anything else on our whole trip. This was near the main lobby and pool and with a savannah view. Since we had a car, it was also close to Chick Fil A, so that was handy.
We stayed here in July 2016 for only $250 a night! It was Amazing! We drive so the distance doesn’t bother us. One plus not mentioned is the music! There is just something about walking into Jumbo House and hearing that music for the first time! It is instantly calming! It is just so beautiful here with it without the animals. There is also a free hidden Mickey scavenger hunt they do.
It's pricey but I'd say it's definietely worth it if you can afford it just because of the architecture and the animals right outside your room. I personally have trouble deciding if I want to stay here or Wilderness Lodge as that resort is just as beautifully designed as well.
My wife and I spent 9 days at AKL for our Anniversary. We booked an Arusha Savannah Club-Level King room for the entire stay and yes, AJ, it was very expensive. However, the experience was nothing short of Magnificent! Add in that, at that time (I have no idea about now), Concierge Level at AKL was the only way to book the DAK Morning Breakfast Safari prior to Park Opening. That experience was also AMAZING! We both share a love of the animals, art and landscapes of Africa, so it was the perfect location for our Anniversary Celebration.... except for one thing, the flavor profiles at both JIKO and Sanaa were not to my liking... not their fault at all, but it was the 1st time in my life that I could not eat my Filet Mignon (JIKO). I'm sure that I didn't pay enough attention to the menu, but please be very aware as the flavor profiles can be very different.
I’ve stayed here 4 times in the last 10 years, it does not disappoint. With that said pop for the savanna view especially if you have kids. Club level, meh if you’re not on a budget pop for that. Parking garage is wonderful, especially in the south Florida sun. On-site dining is wonderful or go out in town which is a hop,skip and jump from this resort. Pools are excellent ✌🏼
I love love love this resort!!! It so beautiful and all the animals are so cool! It is nice to have a break in the day to just relax on the patio with some coffee and talk to the animals lol
You should do this kind of video for all the resorts! Its great information when looking at resorts you've never been to or learning something special about a resort you have been to.
My ex husband was a major reason the safari trips at the lodge started up in the early 2000s. He loved driving on certain nights as the program got started and they hired permanent safari guides
I stayed there last time. The hotel was beautiful, but the buses took forever. We were used to staying at another resort where Disney springs was in walking distance. That was my only complaint. We probably won’t stay there again, but we were happy we stayed there once! Waking up to animals outside was amazing.
We had savannah view & standard view in same trip. Wanted to try it out. Honestly, standard view was better for us, narrow fenced path along our room where they fed all the animals. They were always so close 🥰. Savanah view - animals where all far away. But overall loved the resort & going back!
Bucket list hotel! I have been privileged to travel to Southern Africa on work trips, and holidays to visit friends I have made there...and this place looks to be the closest you can come to that experience without the 24 to 30 hours of travel time (if you are in the USA). Also the cultural reps, when they return, are more than wonderful! (I have even been that bit of magic or pixie dust for them when they find out I have been to their home city or their university...or even can greet them in their first language (if it is Swahili, isiZulu, Setswana, or Afrikaans)).
I haven't been to Disney since 2012 but I still love to sit down and watch these videos. AJ has such a calming voice and I feel like in addition to being very informative, I can live vicariously through these videos. Lol
My husband and I stayed at Jambo House with a savannah view room on our honeymoon and it was amazing waking up with giraffes and zebras outside our balcony in the morning. Also ate at Boma and the Mara and we ate at Jiko when we did the Wanjama safari. food was delicious everywhere and the safari tour was incredible you get so close to the animals and learn a lot. we took rideshares to the parks though. would recommend AKL for a special occasion!
I’ve stayed at AKL 8 out of our 10 visits. I really don’t see the problem with buses. Maybe it’s because we go in the summer and buses are more frequent? Also we usually do standard view close to lobby, but we decided this last trip we will splurge for savanna view from now on. There’s just nothing like sitting on your balcony watching zebra.
Bounceback Offers! Just booked a resort view here for 327 a night, Savanah View was 460. Don't let rack rates fool you there are plenty of ways to get more affordable rooms at deluxe resorts.
I love the parking garage under kidani village because it means close parking out of the rain while we’re there. Our room last year was near the elevator, so we could park and get to our room in no time. Was perfect for us, as we drive to all the parks.
On my first trip back in 2006 we stayed in the All stars hotel for all of our nights except 1 and we had one night at Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was so amazing 😍 love that hotel.
We stayed in a Savanah Room in 2001 (when they first opened) and it was $400/night. Best experience ever. Only downside is that it is far from most of the parks (except Animal Kingdom). So its 20-40 min away from, say, Magic Kingdom..
I love Animal Kingdom Lodge! It's one of our DVC Homes. I wish you had focused as much on the positives as on the negatives. Perhaps the feelings of comfort and joy are to hard to capture. Glad I didn't see this before I went
AKL is our favorite resort. We book a std view and request the obstructed savannah view rooms and we have been very lucky with what we ended up getting all four times we have stayed there. We use ride sharing very often, because as you pointed out, the transportation has drawbacks. However, for us, the animal view and the ambiance of the resort make our stay ohh soo magical. And of course, the food!!!!
Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House is my families DVC Home Resort. We are practically every year vacationers that go big for Disney. Jambo house is amazing and totally worth using DVC points towards this resort. Its gorgeous! I count agree with AJ anymore than when she said she felt guilty for leaving the resort to go to the park. There is SOOO much to do. and yes, my family has always loved the restaurants here. Hands down our favorite! Yes, it was the worst trying to get to other parks. Especially if you wanted to hit your resort room before you park hopped and switched parks in a day. I still love it and highly recommend it to animal and culture lovers.
I just stayed there in January and yes, I’d recommend it. There are resorts I like a little better but it’s still an incredible experience. It’s a beautiful resort and the animals are truly majestic and a sight to behold. I think families in particular would be well served staying at AKL.
@@chadh9688 I usually go by myself or with 1 other person so I like something like PO:French Quarter or riverside, Coronado springs, or wilderness lodge. But if ur going with a family or significant other staying at AKL is probably worth it, at least once. Like I said, the animals outside your room every morning is pretty incredible.
@@stefanfilipovits21 Thanks for the response. I'm going with my SO and staying at AKL for 5 days but we want to go down early and stay at another resort for 2-3 days prior so I'm trying to figure out which one we should also stay at. One of our friends recommended Saratoga Springs? Have you ever been to that one, how does it compare to the other 3 you just recommended? Thanks again! This is our first Disney trip and we're excited but also a bit overwhelmed lol
Ty AJ for the real attitude about the price and accommodations. I enjoy other Dis channels bit sometimes they are so unrealistic about their opinions. It's like they feel they betray Dis if they honestly critique. I appreciate this review.
I always found Animal Kingdom lodge theming a little too dark in color palette. It is very nice, I prefer the bright at Saratoga Springs. I have points there at Animal Kingdom, but have not stayed there. Thank you for this vlog explaining the differences and locations in Animal Kingdom.
Something to add to the "perks" for this resort - my sons both love their water slide at the Kidani village pool! More than most other deluxe resort pools 😀
We love it there! I remember eating there on our honeymoon (or maybe 1st anniversary) and talking about how we wanted to make it a goal to stay there. It wasn't long before we rented DVC points and lived that dream! Now we're spoiled and save up to stay in deluxe resorts if possible.
I love AKL, but it is quite removed from most of the Disney World activities & Parks. When I want to stay at AKL, I book it for 2-3 days, then move to a more centrally located resort on property. At AKL, I make certain to visit Animal Kingdom park, enjoy the AKL restaurants & take part in many of the AKL activities. It is a wonderful way to enjoy this magnificent resort & then move to be closer to everything else. AJ, for years I took resort hopping trips to WDW, staying at 2 to 3 hotels over the course of a week to 10 days. Have you ever considered doing a multi-resort stay video?
I wish I had seen this a month ago! We booked a savannah room specifically so I can watch the giraffes in the morning. We decided to go to Epcot while we waited for our room to be ready, and when we got back from drinking through the countries I realized that Pembe doesn’t have giraffes....tears were shed 🤦🏼♀️ Considering it’s so far out of the way from the other parks, I was surprised with how little we had to wait for a bus & the ride didn’t feel long at all!! I would definitely stay there again, just have to make sure I get the right savannah lol
I'm so glad I read this comment bc I just switched from the Swan to AKL bc I rather stay in a Disney resort but lost the perk of the walking to the parks. That really is my only worry is that the busses take a long time to go to parks.
While you are reviewing resorts and all their amenities, I would love to see complete DFB review of the Fort Wilderness Resort: the cabins, the camping grounds, the restaurants, the shops, the horseback riding, hayrides, golf carts, hiking trails. transportation. Please, please, please. 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
Man, I wish I had seen your video prior to my trip! My husband and I recently stayed at Kidani Village and we were quite disappointed by this resort and the views especially. We scheduled way in advance and were excited to pay the premium for the "savanna view". However, most of the rooms with a "savanna view" are facing a bunch of trees with limited/distant visibility to the animals... Our first room assignment was to a smaller "savanna" that only included a subset of Okapi, birds, and deer -- it did not include giraffe, zebra, etc. Just not what was expected. The rooms at Kidani are quite dated, the beds are small and uncomfortable. We explored Jambo House also, and it seems the better building of the two at AKL as it is more lively and has a better angle to the savanna. I've stayed in 5+ Disney resorts, some much less expensive than Animal Kingdom Lodge, and this was by far the worst. The price and prestige doesn't match the quality and value. For anyone considering AKL, skip it, just plan to have breakfast or dinner at one of the resort restaurants and you'll get to see all of the animals. It's not a "bad" place by any means, but I really disagree with how Disney markets and prices this resort as a premium option. If you think you'll be sipping coffee on your patio while a giraffe is standing outside, this is not it.
We stayed as a family in 2003, we had a Savanna View and did Concierge, it was the trip of a lifetime. I don’t think it’s worth it unless your seeing the Animals off your Balcony.
I stayed at this hotel and you are not kidding about the LONG hallways to get to some rooms. I told my wife I wanted to catch a bus to get to our room.
We stayed at kidani in February and got a free upgrade to a 2 bedroom savanna view. Amazing!!! Seeing the animals from your room is so special. I didn’t want to leave.
Once again, AJ, a very thorough vid on the pros and cons of a top notch resort ... and I have been teetering on the AKL for years, even before Covid ... But I'm thinking that if we do get to eventually stay here, it will be after the resort is back to normal... And yeah, no judgement on the "room service" in lieu of walking! Totally feel you on that one! LOL
If your staying at Kodani village on the pool side of the building. You can take the elevator down and cut through the pool to get to the lobby, that will save you a lot of time. Learned that a couple trips ago we were in the grand villa on the very end of the building. It took us 25 minutes to walk the lobby. The 3rd day there one of staff members told us that trick. It worked perfectly.
This has to be my favorite video on this page! I love this resort. I have dvc at jambo house and was really excited to learn more about this hotel. I agree with the walk to the rooms. It feels like you walk forever to get to your room. The food is where it’s at. The bread service is our favorite meal on property. Thanks for making this!
My family and I love this place. We have the Disney Vacation club we only spend our time at the resorts becoming a DVC member has aloud us to get our disney on without having to visit the parks and not having to cough up a mortgage every time we visit Disney
we love it! I stayed there 2 trips in a row. Christmas time here is awesome! That amazing tree! I will say the walk tho sucks. and waiting for a bus does too. I can almost opt for a Value on the skyliner over it. can you believe that? It's just that the skyliner is so nice. I will say tho the customer service (at least what i've received) is a million times better at AKL than any other resort i've stayed at including Grand Floridian. I feel like Grand is slightly pretentious. Beautiful for sure and I loved staying there but I feel like AKL is far more welcoming. Also, compared to the other Deluxe resorts I feel like the buses run far more frequently to AKL than the others. I waited so long for a bus from Grand to Spring and to Epcot. Every time I have stayed at AKL they have accommodated my request of 3rd or 4th floor obstructed view. I will say I miss the bunkbeds. I really liked having those for my kids but they no longer have them in the rooms.
Great video! I can’t help but wonder if Disney will do a refurbishment and apply the same generic overlay the Polynesian & Contemporary are getting. It’s nice but it certainly seems like all the rooms are starting to look alike.
We love the tranquility, we don't mind the long bus rides, which in our opinion are not long at all. Also besides the animals there are lot of activities like the bead ones or the cultural ones. We spent many nights at different resorts however in 2014 spent our first night here and we immediately knew this was our WDW home. The Stable antilopes are our favourites, they guarded us during Hurricane Irma:)
We love Kidani- it is our favorite DVC resort. We especially love the 1BR because it has 2 bathrooms and sleeps 5. Plus the pools/ splash pad at AKL are some of the best on property. We did buses one time, and rented a car the other time we stayed there. Definitely getting a rental when we go back for 7 nights in September- too hard to catch rope drop when relying on the buses.
AJ, you’re 100% right on every point but this hotel is still my absolute #1. The best, loveliest, happy-place to be. I adore sitting in the lobby and journaling about my day with a hot chocolate in hand. Thanks for the great video, as always!
We love staying here when we do a split stay trip. We will do 2-3 nights here and hang out at the hotel or only go to Animal Kingdom Park. My kids love the pools! Especially the splash zone at KV.
Regarding the shuttle-that-is-really-just-a-van between Kidani & Jambo House: IF you're in a hurry (like you have dinner reservations) and IF the front desk isn't crazy busy, the hotel can and will dispatch the shuttle-that-is-really-just-a-van just for you! All you have to do is ask, with an emphasis on "we don't want to miss our reservations" and if it's doable, somebody will drive you. At least, that's what happened the last time we stayed (2019).
We booked a standard view room and requested a room close to the lobby. We ended up on the floor right above the main lobby with a view of the roof… BUT, we could stand up on the metal chairs and see the beautiful savanna. My partner is tall enough he could stand on his tip toes and see the view. For us, being that close to the exit and food was worth the obstructed view of the animals. We are going back in October and I’m hoping we can get a room with a better obstructed view, but still close to the lobby 🤞🏼🤞🏼
I'm not even going to Disney, but I watch the videos because her voice just sounds so genuine and happy.
I hope to go to disney, just because ill get to feel like a kid again
right these are my comfort videos 😭
AJ Asmr
Same! These videos relax me.
Haha, same!
Eating frosting out of a can while watching a giraffe baby awkwardly eat leaves...
...I told you that in confidence 😑
LOL
Hahaha I needed this
Took my gf now wife to Disney for the first time. Booked pop century but they over booked and put us at akl no up charge and got a savanna view. Talk about a deal.
WOW
When was this ? Lol
@@goofy58844
2006 lol
Nevermind lol
So lucky.
A quick, heartwarming story, relating to your mention about fussy eaters....several years ago, we booked dinner at Sanaa. We always do our research and communicate ahead of our visits with the restaurants, as our son is on the Autism spectrum and is very limited in what he will eat.
In spite of having communicated ahead of time with Sanaa, when we arrived, the lady at the front desk had no record of our request, and was shockingly dismissive of the whole thing. We were visibly upset as we got seated (she was the least "Disney" cast member we had ever encountered) and were debating our options. Our waitress came over and I guess noticed we were upset.....we explained the situation, and she winked at us, and said "What does your little guy like, and leave it to me!" About 15 minutes later, a massive plate of chicken nuggets and fries was placed in front of our smiling son.....it turns out that the waitress had one of the kitchen staff ride over to the Mara on a bike, to pick the food up!!! (Suffice to say, this wonderful lady turned what was shaping up to be one of our worst Disney experiences, into a story I have told many people as one of our reasons why we go back to WDW all the time!)
That’s incredible! I LOVE stories like that! Thank you for sharing
What an AMAZING story 😄
A long time ago we went to Boma with my family. At that time, my son who was 6 years old and is also on the Autism Spectrum started a gluten free diet. There were not too many options in the breakfast “Menu” , but when we explain our situation to the waiter, he return from the kitchen follow by the chef in charge of the kitchen with a couple of gluten free pancakes made just for my son :-) the chef procede to explain how they made them, they were very emotional, you really can tell this was important for them! Imagine how blessed and gratefully we felt.
Awesome!
What a fabulous waitress! But I sincerely hope you complained to Disney about the hostess AND about them losing track of your communications. No excuse for either, and to their credit Disney will always try to make it right (or make it up to you) if they know.
To sum up: if you’re not interested in the animals, don’t go. If you are interested in the animals, get a savannah view. That’s not to say you can’t look out hallway windows to see the animals but, going out on your balcony at night and seeing a giraffe sleeping under the room next door is priceless.
@Adam Efimoff And exorbitantly priced.
@@chrissygerwitz520 yes is is high priced but worth it if you’re not a go to the parks every day type. Get a mobile order so you can go. Go at night if they still offer the infrared night glasses to look out over the savannah. They probably won’t have these until the fall or spring of 2022.
The Animal Kingdom isn’t for everyone. If you need walking or jogging trails, this is not the place for you. The grounds are small to accommodate the savannah. Children more interested with the oversized Disney statues and/or themed pools will be bored. I can’t speak to the family suites but, DO NOT EVER EVER EVER go to Art of Animation if staying in the Little Mermaid building. You will trip over a bed as soon as you walk into the room if there are two beds in your room.
@@nancybilcheck6368 I was talking about Jiko, not Animal Kingdom Lodge.
@@chrissygerwitz520 the subject was “Is f Animal Kingdom Lodge worth it?” Jiko being a great restaurant has nothing to do with staying there.
I stayed here for a few days as a kid because it was my mom's dream to drink her morning coffee while watching a giraffe. And it was worth it for that. It was probably cheaper back then, but we only stayed a few nights and spent the rest of our trip in a cheap off property hotel.
Same here, stayed at AKL for 2 nights, then moved over to one of the value resorts. My stay was within a year or 2 after AKL opened.
It was my dream too, and I loved every minute of it. It was a great memory to get me thru the pandemic .
This is precisely my plan
My DVC member sister is sending me to Kidani Savannah View for my 50th birthday. There are NO drawbacks when you get 7 nights at a WDW Deluxe resort for free. I will enjoy every one of those long walks to breakfast!
When are you going, or did you go already?
Although it's pricey, we always stay at AKL with a savanna view room. It is incredible to wake up and see the animals out the window from bed. Also, Boma is our favorite restaurant!
Completely 100% agree, plus it is so beautiful 😍
Oh and love Sanaa 💘
No matter where I stay, at Disney or stay at my house I just bought there, My last Breakfast will Always be at Boma. THere was a time I never Missed Broadway at the TOP too. Hello Dolly!
This is our "home resort" through DVC and I couldn't be happier! Especially hearing how much a 1 bedroom costs per night! We've definitely gotten our money's worth through Disney Vacation Club! With small kids, we have stayed many times at AKL without visiting the parks. So. Much. To. Do! We could stay a week just enjoying the animals, the resort activities, the pool (and poolside games), the community hall, etc.
We are the same way!! AKL is our home resort and we stay there every time! It's so worth it and so much to do and in the middle of the day when the majority is at the parks, it's so calm and may I say peaceful.
Same! AKL is our “home resort” also and do not regret it for a moment! Love everything about it and definitely have gotten our money’s worth.
I love the videos, but you have an uncanny ability to make Disney World hotels seem highly appealing yet horrifying at the same time.
I love that she is listing the price between that really helps me decide thank you Disney food blog!!
Yes don’t stay there now
I think the parking garage is a HUGE pro! It is so nice to have a car in the shade rather than out in the hot Florida sun. I wish that more of the Disney resorts had this parking arrangement!
AMEN THE SHADE😎
To be fair she didn't say anything bad about it being there, just that someone said something about the decor of the garage.
I do honestly agree with you Michelle, but the garage SERIOUSLY needs some theming. Pulling into a grey cinder block garage isn't my idea of how to begin a stay at one of the most spectacular hotels in WDW.
I really like the parking too! You can park right near your room
Sometimes a nice option is staying at a value resort but booking a meal at a deluxe resort and experiencing some of the ambience.
Book breakfast at Boma and take a sunrise stroll to watch the animals eat breakfast and then head over to AK park to keep the theme rolling!
We have stayed at wilderness lodge and booked meals at the contemporary. We love the Wave.
I have done that pretty much every time we go - stay at the Pop Century and will eat at The Wave, GF Cafe, and had the Ohana brunch long ago ... and then would take the monorail to/from the park... Back with the Dining Plan, it got us out of the parks for a meal, too. Have not been to AKL yet, but would love it, I'm sure.
We do the same. It’s a great way to enjoy the animals and the theming.
This
I’m just impressed with 30 minutes of B-roll of a single resort! 😁
Wow, kudos for this comment
I’d love to stay in Animal Kingdom lodge with a Savannah view. I love the theme and it’s not everywhere you can wake up to see a giraffe 🦒 outside your window
I stayed in January and it really is a unique Disney experience. I think families would get the most out of it but anyone would find something to enjoy. Seeing the animals each morning is just beautiful and such a unique experience.
Our first stay at the Lodge ended up with a lucky draw for a Savannah view. It was a friggin' slog to get to our room in the back 40 of the resort. But it dawned on me on the third morning waking up to sitting on the porch watching the animals do their morning thing that it was well worth it. It was like a daily ticket to Animal Kingdom with a VIP safari ride. Every morning.
Bucket list item.
MileVlogsYT. I stayed at Kruger Natl. Park in South Africa and awoke every morning to giraffes and other animals! Animal Kingdom Lodge will always be a poor substitute for an African safari!
I feel as if this hotel is a "vacation in the vacation" resort. You want to enjoy the food, the ambiance, and the animals. So maybe stay here on the weekends instead of going to the parks, then go to a resort that is easier to navigate when park hopping, etc...
Still seems like a must do, if you have the $$$ for it
I literally RUN to your channel and drop everything I'm doing, going to take a shower? It will have to wait 30:51 while I listen to Aj on whatever she is talking about today.
I stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge for about 4 days and it was great. I could have gotten a lot more out of it had I wanted but wasn't in the plans but despite me not being a huge animal lover, I really enjoyed seeing animals outside my window waking up every morning and just going out to view them. If you're an animal lover it's definitely a great place to go, great food, and a ton to do.
you should make this into a series with all deluxe resorts!!! i love too see one at the yatch club as i’m staying there soon!!
Yes, I would love one on my dream Disney extravagance, the Polynesian.
@@amymormino3029 Me too! I'm considering the Polynesian and Contempo for my next trip.
As a former cast member, I can admit it, I actually enjoyed and appreciated this video. Disney's WOW factor is awesome but it can also be a very big distraction from other important details that might be important to the guest. This video comprehensively highlights these factors that many guests overlook and don't realize until they are in the resort experiencing these disappointments first hand. Great Job!!
I have just booked a reservation for AKL and after this video I’m more excited than I was before. Thank you DFB for keeping all of us informed.
We stayed there and loved it!!! Would stay there again. Love the animals roaming .
I can remember when rooms at the contemporary were $96.00. same room as other Disney hotels, but that was the premium Hotel.
Then again they doubled the camping sites prices in three (3) years 2018- 2021.
I love this video series. Please do the other hotels. Everything you've said about Animal Kingdom hotel is correct. We stayed in one of the big apartment style rooms and it took us forever to get to the elevator. Never again. We' re going again in February and trying to pick a hotel. Maybe the New Orleans themes one. That's where we're from.
Port orleans is absolutely beautiful. Coming from Louisianna myself its got a wonderful theme. I like riverside more than french quarter since it has more of those plantation style homes (which are my personal fave) and you have more options at riverside. French quarter seems really corney with the mardi gras theming its got
AJ: "You will probably spend more on your hotel that anything else on your Disney World Vacation."
Me: "Have you seen how much I spent on Souvenirs?"
I think you dropped this 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑 here you go. I know weird but your voice is literally like so happy it makes me happy! :)
As a DVC member, this is one of our top resorts. Love it- Kidani Village 1 bdr has 2 full baths! Without DVC, we could never stay here.
My hubby and I stayed here for 4 day weekend in October about 6 years ago and made sure to book a savannah room. For a shorter visit it was just in budget, but I can't say it would be in budget now for a longer extended trip though for us. It was definitely worth the money to see my hubby relaxing on the balcony with his coffee watching all the animals go by. Since it was in October the buses were fairly empty and while it did take a little bit to get to the parks it wasn't horrendous because we made sure to pick off hours to catch the bus and chose October when schools were in session.
Nope..when full services resume then yes..but at this time dont waste your hard earned money
On the parking lot at Kidani - We love it. You're under, as in out of the sun! We drive to the parks to avoid the buses at park closing, so having your car not baking in the Florida sun is nice. Admittedly it still bakes at the parks, but having elevators that are actually close to the car and not a huge parking lot away is another great plus.
AJ this is one of the best videos you've done in a long time. Awesome job!
I am obsessed with this please do this series for more hotels!!
Weird Disney trivia I recently learned:
Richard Nixon gave his famous “I am not a crook” speech at The Contemporary
Oh wow that is really interesting!
@@lillypea right?! I had no idea
Are you sure that wasn’t Walt?
I Love this type of video! It'd be great to see an entire series made out of this, from the contemporary to beach and yacht club!
Yes!! Same thought. So detailed, great information that's useful
Please do this type of video for the Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Boardwalk resorts! I think those 3 hotels get lumped together by a lot of people, and it would great to get a compare and contrast.
They are all great. Throw into that batch Dawn and Dolphin to consider
We stayed in a two bedroom villa for the first time in Kidani Village. I think I was more impressed with the room than anything else on our whole trip. This was near the main lobby and pool and with a savannah view. Since we had a car, it was also close to Chick Fil A, so that was handy.
We stayed here in July 2016 for only $250 a night! It was Amazing! We drive so the distance doesn’t bother us. One plus not mentioned is the music! There is just something about walking into Jumbo House and hearing that music for the first time! It is instantly calming! It is just so beautiful here with it without the animals. There is also a free hidden Mickey scavenger hunt they do.
my parents went to jiko on their honeymoon and liked it so much they named the cat after it
😆
It's pricey but I'd say it's definietely worth it if you can afford it just because of the architecture and the animals right outside your room. I personally have trouble deciding if I want to stay here or Wilderness Lodge as that resort is just as beautifully designed as well.
Please make this a series with other resorts! I like other resort videos you’ve done too but this super deep dive into one resort is super helpful!
My wife and I spent 9 days at AKL for our Anniversary. We booked an Arusha Savannah Club-Level King room for the entire stay and yes, AJ, it was very expensive. However, the experience was nothing short of Magnificent! Add in that, at that time (I have no idea about now), Concierge Level at AKL was the only way to book the DAK Morning Breakfast Safari prior to Park Opening. That experience was also AMAZING! We both share a love of the animals, art and landscapes of Africa, so it was the perfect location for our Anniversary Celebration.... except for one thing, the flavor profiles at both JIKO and Sanaa were not to my liking... not their fault at all, but it was the 1st time in my life that I could not eat my Filet Mignon (JIKO). I'm sure that I didn't pay enough attention to the menu, but please be very aware as the flavor profiles can be very different.
I’ve stayed here 4 times in the last 10 years, it does not disappoint. With that said pop for the savanna view especially if you have kids. Club level, meh if you’re not on a budget pop for that. Parking garage is wonderful, especially in the south Florida sun. On-site dining is wonderful or go out in town which is a hop,skip and jump from this resort. Pools are excellent ✌🏼
I'm sorry paying $1275 for a hotel room is kinda ridiculous 😂
I love love love this resort!!! It so beautiful and all the animals are so cool! It is nice to have a break in the day to just relax on the patio with some coffee and talk to the animals lol
I love the honesty in these videos! This is what makes me watch videos daily! Thanks DFB 💕
It would be cool if you did these Resort Profiles for all of the resorts
You should do this kind of video for all the resorts! Its great information when looking at resorts you've never been to or learning something special about a resort you have been to.
AJ, your voice sounds like a smile and I love it!
THANK YOU FOR ADDING CAPTIONS. 💜
My ex husband was a major reason the safari trips at the lodge started up in the early 2000s. He loved driving on certain nights as the program got started and they hired permanent safari guides
I stayed there last time. The hotel was beautiful, but the buses took forever. We were used to staying at another resort where Disney springs was in walking distance. That was my only complaint. We probably won’t stay there again, but we were happy we stayed there once! Waking up to animals outside was amazing.
We had savannah view & standard view in same trip. Wanted to try it out. Honestly, standard view was better for us, narrow fenced path along our room where they fed all the animals. They were always so close 🥰. Savanah view - animals where all far away. But overall loved the resort & going back!
this kind of video is super informative and helpful. more of these, please.
I'm not planning a Disney trip, but I love your channel. You got me through my arm day exercises while I watched. :)
Bucket list hotel! I have been privileged to travel to Southern Africa on work trips, and holidays to visit friends I have made there...and this place looks to be the closest you can come to that experience without the 24 to 30 hours of travel time (if you are in the USA). Also the cultural reps, when they return, are more than wonderful! (I have even been that bit of magic or pixie dust for them when they find out I have been to their home city or their university...or even can greet them in their first language (if it is Swahili, isiZulu, Setswana, or Afrikaans)).
AJ, I have never heard of the phrase "is the juice worth the squeeze?" and now that I have, my life has changed for the better!
I haven't been to Disney since 2012 but I still love to sit down and watch these videos. AJ has such a calming voice and I feel like in addition to being very informative, I can live vicariously through these videos. Lol
My husband and I stayed at Jambo House with a savannah view room on our honeymoon and it was amazing waking up with giraffes and zebras outside our balcony in the morning. Also ate at Boma and the Mara and we ate at Jiko when we did the Wanjama safari. food was delicious everywhere and the safari tour was incredible you get so close to the animals and learn a lot. we took rideshares to the parks though. would recommend AKL for a special occasion!
We love going to AKL for exploring on non-park days, but prefer staying at other locations for many of the reasons you listed
I’ve stayed at AKL 8 out of our 10 visits. I really don’t see the problem with buses. Maybe it’s because we go in the summer and buses are more frequent?
Also we usually do standard view close to lobby, but we decided this last trip we will splurge for savanna view from now on. There’s just nothing like sitting on your balcony watching zebra.
Bounceback Offers! Just booked a resort view here for 327 a night, Savanah View was 460. Don't let rack rates fool you there are plenty of ways to get more affordable rooms at deluxe resorts.
I love the parking garage under kidani village because it means close parking out of the rain while we’re there. Our room last year was near the elevator, so we could park and get to our room in no time. Was perfect for us, as we drive to all the parks.
One of your best videos. So honest and thorough. Well done.
On my first trip back in 2006 we stayed in the All stars hotel for all of our nights except 1 and we had one night at Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was so amazing 😍 love that hotel.
We stayed in a Savanah Room in 2001 (when they first opened) and it was $400/night. Best experience ever. Only downside is that it is far from most of the parks (except Animal Kingdom). So its 20-40 min away from, say, Magic Kingdom..
I love Animal Kingdom Lodge! It's one of our DVC Homes. I wish you had focused as much on the positives as on the negatives. Perhaps the feelings of comfort and joy are to hard to capture. Glad I didn't see this before I went
AKL is our favorite resort. We book a std view and request the obstructed savannah view rooms and we have been very lucky with what we ended up getting all four times we have stayed there. We use ride sharing very often, because as you pointed out, the transportation has drawbacks. However, for us, the animal view and the ambiance of the resort make our stay ohh soo magical. And of course, the food!!!!
Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House is my families DVC Home Resort. We are practically every year vacationers that go big for Disney. Jambo house is amazing and totally worth using DVC points towards this resort. Its gorgeous! I count agree with AJ anymore than when she said she felt guilty for leaving the resort to go to the park. There is SOOO much to do. and yes, my family has always loved the restaurants here. Hands down our favorite! Yes, it was the worst trying to get to other parks. Especially if you wanted to hit your resort room before you park hopped and switched parks in a day. I still love it and highly recommend it to animal and culture lovers.
I paid 350 a night one year ago for a regular room and they gave us a Savannah room.
Might be cheaper to just buy some zebras and let them roam around the backyard...
I just stayed there in January and yes, I’d recommend it. There are resorts I like a little better but it’s still an incredible experience. It’s a beautiful resort and the animals are truly majestic and a sight to behold. I think families in particular would be well served staying at AKL.
which ones do you like better
@@chadh9688 I usually go by myself or with 1 other person so I like something like PO:French Quarter or riverside, Coronado springs, or wilderness lodge. But if ur going with a family or significant other staying at AKL is probably worth it, at least once. Like I said, the animals outside your room every morning is pretty incredible.
@@stefanfilipovits21 Thanks for the response. I'm going with my SO and staying at AKL for 5 days but we want to go down early and stay at another resort for 2-3 days prior so I'm trying to figure out which one we should also stay at. One of our friends recommended Saratoga Springs? Have you ever been to that one, how does it compare to the other 3 you just recommended?
Thanks again! This is our first Disney trip and we're excited but also a bit overwhelmed lol
We were looking at renting DVC points at AKL and sometimes it was actually CHEAPER than a value resort!
Been here about 12 years ago when kids were young..... worth the wonga... will defo be goin back
Ty AJ for the real attitude about the price and accommodations. I enjoy other Dis channels bit sometimes they are so unrealistic about their opinions. It's like they feel they betray Dis if they honestly critique. I appreciate this review.
I always found Animal Kingdom lodge theming a little too dark in color palette. It is very nice, I prefer the bright at Saratoga Springs. I have points there at Animal Kingdom, but have not stayed there. Thank you for this vlog explaining the differences and locations in Animal Kingdom.
Something to add to the "perks" for this resort - my sons both love their water slide at the Kidani village pool! More than most other deluxe resort pools 😀
We love it there! I remember eating there on our honeymoon (or maybe 1st anniversary) and talking about how we wanted to make it a goal to stay there. It wasn't long before we rented DVC points and lived that dream! Now we're spoiled and save up to stay in deluxe resorts if possible.
I love AKL, but it is quite removed from most of the Disney World activities & Parks. When I want to stay at AKL, I book it for 2-3 days, then move to a more centrally located resort on property. At AKL, I make certain to visit Animal Kingdom park, enjoy the AKL restaurants & take part in many of the AKL activities. It is a wonderful way to enjoy this magnificent resort & then move to be closer to everything else.
AJ, for years I took resort hopping trips to WDW, staying at 2 to 3 hotels over the course of a week to 10 days. Have you ever considered doing a multi-resort stay video?
I'm a runner, and my route takes me through all four savannas. I don't think I'm supposed to be there, but the animals don't seem to mind.
I wish I had seen this a month ago! We booked a savannah room specifically so I can watch the giraffes in the morning. We decided to go to Epcot while we waited for our room to be ready, and when we got back from drinking through the countries I realized that Pembe doesn’t have giraffes....tears were shed 🤦🏼♀️
Considering it’s so far out of the way from the other parks, I was surprised with how little we had to wait for a bus & the ride didn’t feel long at all!! I would definitely stay there again, just have to make sure I get the right savannah lol
I'm so glad I read this comment bc I just switched from the Swan to AKL bc I rather stay in a Disney resort but lost the perk of the walking to the parks. That really is my only worry is that the busses take a long time to go to parks.
Loved this video! Like many others commented, please turn this into a series! Would love to see one on the Polynesian!
While you are reviewing resorts and all their amenities, I would love to see complete DFB review of the Fort Wilderness Resort: the cabins, the camping grounds, the restaurants, the shops, the horseback riding, hayrides, golf carts, hiking trails. transportation. Please, please, please. 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
Man, I wish I had seen your video prior to my trip! My husband and I recently stayed at Kidani Village and we were quite disappointed by this resort and the views especially. We scheduled way in advance and were excited to pay the premium for the "savanna view". However, most of the rooms with a "savanna view" are facing a bunch of trees with limited/distant visibility to the animals... Our first room assignment was to a smaller "savanna" that only included a subset of Okapi, birds, and deer -- it did not include giraffe, zebra, etc. Just not what was expected. The rooms at Kidani are quite dated, the beds are small and uncomfortable. We explored Jambo House also, and it seems the better building of the two at AKL as it is more lively and has a better angle to the savanna. I've stayed in 5+ Disney resorts, some much less expensive than Animal Kingdom Lodge, and this was by far the worst. The price and prestige doesn't match the quality and value. For anyone considering AKL, skip it, just plan to have breakfast or dinner at one of the resort restaurants and you'll get to see all of the animals. It's not a "bad" place by any means, but I really disagree with how Disney markets and prices this resort as a premium option. If you think you'll be sipping coffee on your patio while a giraffe is standing outside, this is not it.
We stayed as a family in 2003, we had a Savanna View and did Concierge, it was the trip of a lifetime. I don’t think it’s worth it unless your seeing the Animals off your Balcony.
I stayed at this hotel and you are not kidding about the LONG hallways to get to some rooms. I told my wife I wanted to catch a bus to get to our room.
We stayed at kidani in February and got a free upgrade to a 2 bedroom savanna view. Amazing!!! Seeing the animals from your room is so special. I didn’t want to leave.
Fairy Dust Magic! What was your reservation for?
@@99squinn originally we had a 1 bedroom savanna view.
Once again, AJ, a very thorough vid on the pros and cons of a top notch resort ... and I have been teetering on the AKL for years, even before Covid ... But I'm thinking that if we do get to eventually stay here, it will be after the resort is back to normal... And yeah, no judgement on the "room service" in lieu of walking! Totally feel you on that one! LOL
If your staying at Kodani village on the pool side of the building. You can take the elevator down and cut through the pool to get to the lobby, that will save you a lot of time. Learned that a couple trips ago we were in the grand villa on the very end of the building. It took us 25 minutes to walk the lobby. The 3rd day there one of staff members told us that trick. It worked perfectly.
This has to be my favorite video on this page! I love this resort. I have dvc at jambo house and was really excited to learn more about this hotel. I agree with the walk to the rooms. It feels like you walk forever to get to your room. The food is where it’s at. The bread service is our favorite meal on property. Thanks for making this!
My family and I love this place. We have the Disney Vacation club we only spend our time at the resorts becoming a DVC member has aloud us to get our disney on without having to visit the parks and not having to cough up a mortgage every time we visit Disney
we love it! I stayed there 2 trips in a row. Christmas time here is awesome! That amazing tree! I will say the walk tho sucks. and waiting for a bus does too. I can almost opt for a Value on the skyliner over it. can you believe that? It's just that the skyliner is so nice. I will say tho the customer service (at least what i've received) is a million times better at AKL than any other resort i've stayed at including Grand Floridian. I feel like Grand is slightly pretentious. Beautiful for sure and I loved staying there but I feel like AKL is far more welcoming. Also, compared to the other Deluxe resorts I feel like the buses run far more frequently to AKL than the others. I waited so long for a bus from Grand to Spring and to Epcot. Every time I have stayed at AKL they have accommodated my request of 3rd or 4th floor obstructed view. I will say I miss the bunkbeds. I really liked having those for my kids but they no longer have them in the rooms.
Great video! I can’t help but wonder if Disney will do a refurbishment and apply the same generic overlay the Polynesian & Contemporary are getting. It’s nice but it certainly seems like all the rooms are starting to look alike.
FOR ME, ITS ALL BOUT THE JUICE- I LOVE IT HERE
We love the tranquility, we don't mind the long bus rides, which in our opinion are not long at all. Also besides the animals there are lot of activities like the bead ones or the cultural ones. We spent many nights at different resorts however in 2014 spent our first night here and we immediately knew this was our WDW home. The Stable antilopes are our favourites, they guarded us during Hurricane Irma:)
We love Kidani- it is our favorite DVC resort. We especially love the 1BR because it has 2 bathrooms and sleeps 5. Plus the pools/ splash pad at AKL are some of the best on property. We did buses one time, and rented a car the other time we stayed there. Definitely getting a rental when we go back for 7 nights in September- too hard to catch rope drop when relying on the buses.
AJ, you’re 100% right on every point but this hotel is still my absolute #1. The best, loveliest, happy-place to be. I adore sitting in the lobby and journaling about my day with a hot chocolate in hand. Thanks for the great video, as always!
We love staying here when we do a split stay trip. We will do 2-3 nights here and hang out at the hotel or only go to Animal Kingdom Park. My kids love the pools! Especially the splash zone at KV.
Regarding the shuttle-that-is-really-just-a-van between Kidani & Jambo House: IF you're in a hurry (like you have dinner reservations) and IF the front desk isn't crazy busy, the hotel can and will dispatch the shuttle-that-is-really-just-a-van just for you!
All you have to do is ask, with an emphasis on "we don't want to miss our reservations" and if it's doable, somebody will drive you. At least, that's what happened the last time we stayed (2019).
Hands down, the best hotel in all of Disney. I whole heartily disagree with this. We have always loved our stay there and continue to return. :)
We booked a standard view room and requested a room close to the lobby. We ended up on the floor right above the main lobby with a view of the roof… BUT, we could stand up on the metal chairs and see the beautiful savanna. My partner is tall enough he could stand on his tip toes and see the view. For us, being that close to the exit and food was worth the obstructed view of the animals. We are going back in October and I’m hoping we can get a room with a better obstructed view, but still close to the lobby 🤞🏼🤞🏼