sunset7132
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 29, 2013
that is where we put our luggage to
Jambo! The newest AKL Information thread
- Thread starter kimmar067
- Start date
sndral
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2008
Assuming you are having DME handle your luggage and you don’t have to wait at the luggage carousel for it, deplaning, taking the 1 min. faux monorail at MCO, & walking down to DME should take 10-15 minutes. Boarding your DME bus and waiting for the bus to depart is variable, but shouldn’t take more than another 15 minutes.
Once you are on your way the DME bus will usually stop at some combination of AKL and/or the value resorts (all stars/pop/AOA) and/or the moderates CBR/CSR - others report the bus has stopped at AKL first - but I’ve never been that lucky and AKL has always been the last DME stop for me
.I assume I’ll be at AKL about 90 minutes after wheels down at MCO. A quick trip would be more like an hour, a long one 2 hr.s.
Can’t help w/ the pix thing - my tech savvy son did mine for me.
DISNEY FIX
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2007
Did you guys run into any of the refurbishment that is going on?
dansdad
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2011
The actual drive time once you leave MCO will be about 35-40 minutes if you go directly to AKL. You will most likely have to add time for the following.
Waiting to board the bus
Waiting on the bus for it to fill up
Dropping off at other resorts before AKL
Irish_Mike
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2010
A bit odd that they're announcing it as new when the painting activity started last August. But yes, it is a lot of fun and I highly recommend if you're looking for something to do on a non-park day.
SUSAN O'BRIEN
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2019
I am very new to this and forgive me if I am not properly responding or asking a question. Thank you for your patience. I am currently booked for a Value Studio and Deluxe Studio Standard View at Jambo House via WDW, not DVC or rental points. The Deluxe Studio is $88.00 more. My dilemma is... I can only stay 1 night because of budget. Thus, the Value booking breaks up a stay (on a Wed. night) and does not provide me with any "free" transport (because it is the middle of my stay not beginning or end), however $88.00 less. The Deluxe Studio provides me with "free" transport back to MCO and ultimately does not disrupt my accommodations elsewhere (stay is a Friday night). I am splurging on this 1 night thus wish to keep the reservation that will service me best. I would have to do alot of checking out and checking in and transport should I do a mid stay at Jambo House (willing to do if other patrons think a good idea). Although less expensive, curious as to what others think about this? I will be staying predominately at the resort if that helps (no parks during Jambo visit). I have always wished to go and would love to experience as much as possible. My return flight is late at 9 pm so not sure how accommodating they are to late stays using their storage and amenities beyond check out. Additionally, I might add upon early check in if a mid stay. Wish to utilize what seems to be an outstanding resort, educational opportunity and dining experience.
pepperandchips
[melinda]
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2014
Hi Susan! You asked perfectly, no apologies or patience required. If it was me I would save the special one night stay at Jambo House for the end of my trip. Even though it is a little more expensive, you still have a late enough flight that you will be able to enjoy two full days at the resort. You can absolutely use the resort amenities before official check in time and then again after official check out. Depending on where you are flying home to on check out day, you may also be able to use the Resort Airline Checkin service to check any luggage you wish at the resort that morning - you won’t even see it again until you arrive to the baggage carousel at your final destination. (I believe for US flights only). No matter whether you take advantage of the Resort Airline Checkin, you can certainly have bell services hold your bags while you enjoy the resort.
The reason I suggest leaving your AKL stay for the end of your trip is so that you have something to look forward to all trip, and when it is time to leave Animal Kingdom Lodge, you won’t have the possibility of disappointment in moving to another resort that might not be as wonderful!
If you have other questions feel free to ask.
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2014
We often like to stay in an upper floor Room. In the AKL it is not necessary to request a upper floor room, because all starts at floor 2? Or are there any rooms at ground floor?
We have booked a standart view room
We have booked a standart view room
SUSAN O'BRIEN
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2019
Pepperandchips: Thank you for your sound advice. When you have stayed, does it make sense to call them and make a request for any particular view? I just feel lucky to be there and don't want to jinx my luck at getting a room in the first place. If you think that makes sense, what would your recommendation be for a nicer view from the balcony?
Last edited:
PollyannaMom
I was a click-clack champ!!
- Joined
- May 16, 2006
I think you just have to have 10 posts before you can use certain features ("PM"-ing other posters, changing your avatar pic, etc.)
Once you've replied to a few more threads, try again by clicking on your name near the upper right, and there should be a drop-down menu.
Spencer Wright
Constantly craving a zebra dome...
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2017
From my experience AKL is extremely accommodating, which is why so many people love it! I think the end is the best. It will also give you the chance to relax before you head home.
ninafeliz
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2001
IIRC at the AKL the Lobby Level is actually floor 3, so if you have a second floor room you actually go down a floor to get to your room. You still aren't on the ground floor, though, since none of the rooms facing the savannah open right to the savannah, even the second floor is raised. If you are pool or standard view you could get a ground level room. There are people who actually prefer the lower floors at AKL, since you are closer to the animals. Others like to be higher and get a more sweeping view of the savannah. I've been on 2 and 4 savannah view, and liked them both, I don't think I have a preference. I think anything above the 4th floor is DVC, so the 4th is the highest for a resort room.
wickedgood
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2013
Just booked a trip for me, my husband, and 1-year-old. This is our first time to Disney with a baby and our first time staying at AKL. I booked a pool view with bunk beds (the only available room in my price range) and have some questions:
1. We don’t need the bunk beds (or a pool view for that matter.) Any chance we could switch to a king at check- in, or a Savanna view?
2. I’ll need a pack n play and I’m not sure how this room sharing will work for the 3 of us. If we stick with the bunk beds, would there be enough space for the pack n play between the bunk beds and the wall? I’m wondering if I could hang a blanket off the top bunk to create a room divider for me to hide behind until baby falls asleep ( I don’t think he’ll ever fall asleep if he can see me sitting in the room with him)
3. How noisy are the pool view rooms? Wonderingly if I might be able to sit on the balcony while he falls asleep but don’t want the outside pool noise to wake him when I open the door. He’s a terrible sleeper. Ugh.
Thanks!
1. We don’t need the bunk beds (or a pool view for that matter.) Any chance we could switch to a king at check- in, or a Savanna view?
2. I’ll need a pack n play and I’m not sure how this room sharing will work for the 3 of us. If we stick with the bunk beds, would there be enough space for the pack n play between the bunk beds and the wall? I’m wondering if I could hang a blanket off the top bunk to create a room divider for me to hide behind until baby falls asleep ( I don’t think he’ll ever fall asleep if he can see me sitting in the room with him)
3. How noisy are the pool view rooms? Wonderingly if I might be able to sit on the balcony while he falls asleep but don’t want the outside pool noise to wake him when I open the door. He’s a terrible sleeper. Ugh.
Thanks!
ninafeliz
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2001
1. Those are bookable rooms, so it’s unlikely that you will be able to change to them at check in unless they just happen to have a new opening in one. I would expect you would then have to pay the price difference, unless they just did it to be nice. Openings pop up all the time, keep checking frequently and change room types of one opens up.
2. Pack n plays will fit into all of the rooms, the bunk bed rooms do have a bit more floor space so it might be a tad preferable to 2 queens. I think the bunk beds are nearly against the wall, so no space for the pack n play there. We always have put a pack n play near the balcony door, or at the foot of the beds. The AKL rooms are smaller than most deluxe rooms, so a little less space to work with but it still works. We had 2 pack n plays in a POR room recently and it worked.
As for you hiding in the bunk beds- I guess you could sit on the bottom bunk and hang a blanket from underneath the top mattress to hide yourself, but that doesn’t sound fun! It is a fairly small space, but you could lay back and read a book or something (well, you might need a book light). What about going onto the balcony?
3. Not sure, I’ve never stayed pool view there. But at other resorts where facing the pool would seem just as “bad”, like the Poly, it was never a problem at all. I guess if he’s that light of a sleeper opening the door during the afternoon pool party could be loud. If he’s that bad of a sleeper you might be in trouble in general since sleeping on vacation is all different to start with! But he also might be exhausted, so that could help.
JoJoGirl
Riding the Hydrolator to SeaBase Alpha
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2015
We stayed in a pool view room in 2017. I really loved the room and the location, so convenient, and the view was lovely! I did find noise to be a consideration, but not a deal breaker.
The regular pool noise isn’t too bad most of the day. However, if your son is a light sleeper, you may want to plan his naps (easier said than done, I know) for times other than the afternoon pool party. The bass/beat from the pool party music does penetrate into the rooms even with the balcony door closed. Also, the CM running the party uses an amplifier or bullhorn to run the games, which is pretty loud too. Some people won’t mind this at all, but I prefer things a little quieter and would not have wanted to sit on the balcony or have the door open during the pool party.
One other issue during our stay was unsupervised teens shouting around in the pool courtyard area late in the evening after the pool had closed. I think they were hanging out at the outside tables near the Mara. They were just having fun and not trying to cause trouble, but they had NO idea how loud they were being, and how every shout echoed around the whole courtyard at night. This only happened a couple of nights during our stay — and someone must have called the front desk, because a CM eventually came out and either quieted them or shooed them away. But it was loud enough to prevent my from enjoying my wine and book on the balcony one evening. Most nights and mornings though, the balcony was a great peaceful retreat.
If you are very worried about noise, a savanna view would probably be better, if you can snag one. But for the most part, you should be just fine in a pool view room as long as you plan around the pool party hour. Keep in mind that Disney is very stimulating and exhausting for little ones — your son may well sleep through anything once he’s back in the room. I love AKL, hope you do too!
VicarJT
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2017
A personal snooze fan is the greatest thing *ever.* Especially if you start using it with your baby now so that he’s used to going to sleep to the white noise. They can be pricey, but I bought ours almost three years ago, and we’ve used it nightly - it’s still going strong.
Last edited:
OHVolunteer
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2011
No we didn't see or hear any refurbishments while we were there.
DISNEY FIX
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2007
Great, thanks! Only like seeing one type of crane on the savannah.
pepperandchips
[melinda]
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2014
Hi Susan! Yes, as someone else mentioned, I have had very good luck making requests at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I try to be as generic as possible with my request - something like "I would love to see animals from my balcony" would probably work well. Make sure you mention to the cast member on the phone that this is your special one night splurge and how excited you are to try the resort! I think that helps with pixie dust.
Share this page
-
Tokyo Disneyland to Replace Buzz Lightyear with Wreck-It Ralph Attraction
-
Does Anyone Have Disney Jollywood Nights 2024 Predictions?
-
Top 4 Reasons to Stay at Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
-
A Brief History Of Disney: Disneyland's Matterhorn Bobsleds
-
Signage Revealed for Pixar Fest Marketplaces at Disneyland
GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE
Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.
Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!
Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.
Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!
