That must have been some great view when you first checked in.
I can now give my two cents on the AKL. AWESOME!!! The resort is sooo beautiful - our one-bedroom villa was spacious and comfy! I was worried because we were using all available bed space and thought we may be cramped. Not the case at all! We stayed in the Jambo House - next time we will try Kidani Village. We liked Kidani's pool better!!
I read several times about how terrible the bus service to AKL was and we were worried - but didn't need to be. Buses ran frequently and we never waited more than 10-15 minutes for any bus.
We will stay at AKL again for sure! It was wild to walk into the room the first afternoon and look down on a giraffe having a snack!!
![]()
It's FALL?!? Already?!?!
Kate
That must have been some great view when you first checked in.
We spent 5 nights at AKL in January and I agree it was awesome. The theming in the resort was brilliant. Our room was spacious and very comfortable, also very well themed. But nothing really beats opening your curtain in the morning and seeing a giraffe walking around. We also had short waits for buses. We are going back in November for three nights at Kidani Village.
MY DISNEY TRIPS
April 1995 - Disneyland (offsite Park Vue Econo Lodge) Honeymoon
May 2004 - Disneyland (offsite Tropicana Inn)
October 2005 - WDW (All Star Movies); Disney Wonder (3 night Bahamas Cruise)
November 2005 - Disneyland (offsite Tropicana Inn)
September 2007 - Disneyland Paris (Hotel Cheyenne)
February 2009 - Disneyland Paris (Hotel New York)
December 2010 / January 2011 - Disneyland (Grand Californian Hotel); WDW (Animal Kingdom Lodge); Disney Wonder (15 night Panama Canal Cruise); Disneyland (Paradise Pier Hotel)
August 2011 - Hong Kong Disneyland (Hollywood Hotel)
Oct/Nov 2011 - Disneyland (Disneyland Hotel); WDW (Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk Villas & Polynesian); Disney Dream (4 & 3 night back to back Bahamas Cruise); WDW (Bay Lake Tower & Animal Kingdom Lodge); Disneyland (Grand Californian)
If you liked Jambo House, you will love Kidani Village!!! The rooms at Kidani Village are BIGGER and better in my opinion. We stayed at both during our trip last December. We booked the same type room (two-bedroom villa) at both resorts. As soon as I walked into the room at Kidani Village after having stayed at the room in Jambo House, I told my husband, "It is Kidani Village or not at all." It was that much better. Trust me, once you stay at Kidani Village, you will know what I am talking about. Why do you think it is cheaper to stay at Jambo House??????![]()
Jennifer
Bill (DisneyTaylors)
Will (12)
Emily (10)
Cole (7)
2004: CBR; 2006: BC ~ DCL(Wonder); 2007: BCV,YC,BC,SSR,ASMU ~ MVMCP ~ DCL(Magic); 2008: VWL,BCV,SSR,BC,POR,FW(cabin) ~ DCG, PPP,MNSSHP & MVMCP ~ DCL(Wonder); 2009: DLH(DLR), POR, SSR, BWV, POFQ; 2010: BWV (2xs), AKV (2xs) ~ ABD CA ~ GC (DLR) ~ DCL(Wonder); 2011: BCV, AKV (2xs) ~ MNSSHP ~ MVMCP ~ F&W ~ DCL(Dream); 2012: BWV, AKV, BLT ~ F&W ~ MNSSHP ~ DCL(Fantasy);
Upcoming Disney Trips:
2013:04/AKV, 05/AKV ~ Flower and Garden Festival & Expedition Everest Challenge, 12/VGC (DLR)
2014: 06/DCL ~ Alaska (Wonder), 10/DCL ~ Southern Caribbean (Magic)
![]()
![]()
"Sparkly"
We had no issues with bus service at either AKL or Kidani Village. Honestly, I think sometimes people talk about what they don't know. They assume since it is out by itself, the bus service is going to be terrible. Then again, some people just like to complain and harp on the negative.Disney Transportation has worked on logistics in the past. I think they know what they are doing.
![]()
Jennifer
Bill (DisneyTaylors)
Will (12)
Emily (10)
Cole (7)
2004: CBR; 2006: BC ~ DCL(Wonder); 2007: BCV,YC,BC,SSR,ASMU ~ MVMCP ~ DCL(Magic); 2008: VWL,BCV,SSR,BC,POR,FW(cabin) ~ DCG, PPP,MNSSHP & MVMCP ~ DCL(Wonder); 2009: DLH(DLR), POR, SSR, BWV, POFQ; 2010: BWV (2xs), AKV (2xs) ~ ABD CA ~ GC (DLR) ~ DCL(Wonder); 2011: BCV, AKV (2xs) ~ MNSSHP ~ MVMCP ~ F&W ~ DCL(Dream); 2012: BWV, AKV, BLT ~ F&W ~ MNSSHP ~ DCL(Fantasy);
Upcoming Disney Trips:
2013:04/AKV, 05/AKV ~ Flower and Garden Festival & Expedition Everest Challenge, 12/VGC (DLR)
2014: 06/DCL ~ Alaska (Wonder), 10/DCL ~ Southern Caribbean (Magic)
![]()
![]()
"Sparkly"
Another big fan of Animal Kingdom lodge here - it's my favourite Disney resort (next to the Polynesian) - we really hope to be able to stay there again soon.
Cara
@MissBounceUK
*** PROUD CHARTER-DAY GOLD MEMBER OF D23! ***
***DISNEYLAND ANNUAL PASSHOLDER***
MY DISNEY TRIPS:
October 2012 - Walt Disney World (Coronado Springs) Halloween, Food and Wine, Christmas Season ***UPCOMING TRIP***
August 2012 - Disneyland California (Quality Inn and Suites) D23 Destination D: 75 Years of Disney Animation ***UPCOMING TRIP***
August 2011 - Disneyland California (Quality Inn and Suites) D23 Expo
May 2011 - Walt Disney World (All Star Sports) D23 Destination D: Walt Disney World 40th Anniversary
November 2010 - Disneyland Paris (Hotel Cheyenne) Bonfire Night Celebrations and Halloween Season
September 2010 - Disneyland California (Disneyland Hotel and Quality Inn and Suites) D23 Destination D: Disneyland 55th Anniversary
February 2010 - Walt Disney World (All Star Music and Polynesian Resort)
May 2009 - Disneyland Paris (Hotel Santa Fe) Mickey's Magical Party
October 2008 - Walt Disney World (All Star Movies, Coronado Springs, Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans Riverside, Polynesian Resort, Animal Kingdom Lodge) Halloween and Food and Wine
January 2008 - Disneyland Paris (Hotel Cheyenne) Christmas Season
June 2007 - Disneyland Paris (Newport Bay Club) Disneyland Paris 15th Anniversary Celebrations
January 2006 - Disneyland Paris (Hotel Santa Fe) Christmas Season
September 2004 - Walt Disney World (Pop Century) Honeymoon
AKL is our favorite as well. DH never wanted to buy into DVC until they announced the AKV. We have yet to try Kidani as I love my pool view at Jambo, but know one of these days I'll have to give in.
Strangely enough, the first time we stayed there was after staying at the WL for a week. DH like AKL right away, I HATED it. I pouted for the first couple of days and even tried to get him to switch. Then something happened and I just really fell in love with it. Didn't want to leave a couple days later.
MeDH
Our pup
May 1995 - 1st Trip! Offsite --- May 2000 - Ramada Offsite & POFQ --- Oct/Nov 2004 - POFQ, 1st MNSSHP on HALLOWEEN! --- Sept/Oct 06 11 days!!! WL, AKL --- Sept/Oct 08 - First Trip Home to AKV --- Trip of New Phases, Friends & 40 - Sept 09 - CR/AKV --- Oct '10 BCV/AKV
We've stayed at Jambo House (in a studio I think) and we loved our room. It was simply awesome to walk out of your room and see animals at any time of the day. The mornings were very foggy when we were there, but we could still see the animals. We're animal lovers / nuts and would stay at AKL in a second.
My uncle stayed at Kidani Village but was not as impressed. He said there were no quick service locations except at the main lodge and he had quite a distance to go just to get a coffee. I know you can make coffee in your room, but doing so would have disturbed other family members. I don't think he had any other complaints except the distance between Jambo and Kidani.
Obviously, the resort is not for everyone, but we loved it and had a great time.
Tina Cole
I'd love to stay at AKL, pref. Kidani, esp. for kid-friendly amenities.
I'm really needing a Disney fix.....thinking Kidani Village this spring.....
It's FALL?!? Already?!?!
Kate
Animal Kingdom Lodge is my favorite resort and I stay there every winter. I much prefer Jambo House to Kidani Village, simply because it is a lot more convenient for grabbing a quick bite at the cafeteria or getting a nice drink in the evening. I wouldn't stay at Kidani Village again.
Read my latest DVC resort reviews
We're planning a trip for May and hoping to stay at AKL. We're not vacation club members, so any tips on what kind of room we should get for good views?
Thanks!
http://disneyrunnerchick.blogspot.com
This is my family. I found it, all on my own. Is little, and broken, but still good. Yeah, still good .-
The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing-Walt Disney
There is no one on the planet to compare with moi.-Miss Piggy
TEN Trips... And counting!
I have a question out of curiosity about AKL. My wife doesn't care for curry at all and I know that Boma has some curry dishes. Can you smell the curry dishes throughout the resort? I know that sometimes the curry fragrance can linger and I was just curious.
Previous trips: Disneyland '87, '88, '90x2
Disneyland Paris '94- Sequoia Lodge
WDW '95-Dixie Landings, '96-Disney Institue, '97-Caribbean Beach, '98-Old Key West, '99-Coronado Springs
http://disneyrunnerchick.blogspot.com
This is my family. I found it, all on my own. Is little, and broken, but still good. Yeah, still good .-
The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing-Walt Disney
There is no one on the planet to compare with moi.-Miss Piggy
TEN Trips... And counting!
© 2012 WDWRadio™ and Second Star Media™
Please note that WDW Radio, Lou Mongello, and Second Star Media are in no way part of, endorsed or authorized by, or affiliated with the Walt Disney Company or its affiliates. Visit Disney's official web site at Disney.com - As to Disney artwork/properties: © Disney - Disclosure.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.0
Copyright © 2013 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2