Ashlyn Rimsky
We were promised an early check in at 3:30 AM after a 20 hour drive and did not get a room until about 3 PM (12 hours later), causing us to sleep uncomfortably/awkwardly in the lobby. The staff member we talked to basically shrugged her shoulders and said oh well. No pixie dust for us, I guess!
The hotel itself is nice and the rooms are large and clean. The animals out on the shared deck are beautiful. Outside of the check-in desk staff everyone was nice. Our room was right above the construction zone, so the noises and views werent what you'd imagine for animal kingdom. All of the staff for the bead activities were amazing, and that was a cool perk of the hotel. They have pottery painting which is reasonably priced and was fun. The pool and hot tub are nice. However they close promptly at 10 PM - we wish they were open a little later like the pools at Saratoga Springs. You have to pay for or sign into a Disney+ account to watch Disney shows and movies which felt crazy.
All in all it is a nice hotel and we enjoyed our stay, but the start of our stay put a bad taste in our mouth. We would have gotten a separate hotel for the first day if they had not promised an early check in over the phone.
Beanlene
My mother, brother, and I stayed at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge following my father's memorial service, and it was exactly the place we needed to be.
After an emotional few days, we were looking for somewhere peaceful where we could spend time together, recharge, and create some positive memories. Animal Kingdom Lodge provided that in every way. Watching giraffes and zebras from the savanna, enjoying the beautiful surroundings, and simply being together was incredibly restorative.
What makes this resort special is that it feels both immersive and calming. The cast members were kind, the atmosphere was welcoming, and there was a sense of peace throughout our stay that is hard to put into words.
One moment we'll never forget happened as we left for the airport before dawn. A large owl was sitting in the middle of the road. As we approached, it turned and looked at us before silently taking flight. Whether it was simply a beautiful wildlife encounter or something more meaningful, it felt like a memorable and fitting end to a very special trip.
Thank you to everyone at Animal Kingdom Lodge for helping my family find some comfort, joy, and healing during a difficult time. We will always remember our stay.
Meleah Pugmire
We came to the resort after taking a Disney cruise not anticipating going to the parks at all. We chose this resort because of its amenities and the animals for our children. We had a pretty subpar view of the Savannah. We overlooked the animals stalls but surprisingly we still had a giraffe and zebra outside of our room which brought a ton of joy to my children. The pools are very fun and beautiful. The staff were very kind. We got to the pools later in the evening to find out they closed them due to lightning. Our children were sad but the front desk were able to give us a later check out the next day so our kids could still enjoy the pools the next day.
I loved the free onsite parking. The hotel does seem old. You see it in the carpets and elevators. But overall it’s very clean and nice. One tricky part of the resort is there is a lot of walking even to just your room. If you want to use the pools on the other side of the resort you have to take a bus. But what can you expect it’s on a large piece of property so the animals have a place to roam. The staff were very friendly and just as excited as my kids to see the animals. I got the hotel at a very good deal so if I could get that deal again I would definitely stay here for at least the day we go to animal kingdom kingdom.
Ruth Terrell
Wow, this was truly a memorable experience of a lifetime. We dreamt of staying here years ago and finally booked for my birthday trip this year and it delivered plus more. Waking up to giraffes, elks, and so many incredible animals right outside our room is just a core memory I'll never forget. Room was a great size and clean. Would love to come stay here again!
Joe Anthony
Our booking was originally for the renovated Royal rooms at Port Orleans Riverside but due to some delays with renovation we were moved over to AKL. Was super excited to stay at this property after having visited Sanaa the year prior. We had planned this trip a year prior but it came at a time when a loved one became gravely ill. They passed the evening we arrived. Unbeknowst to me at the time, my wife had approached the front desk to see if there was anything that a castmember could do just to try and lift my spirits the day following. We arrived back at our room that evening to find they had left me a two AKL coffee mugs, a stuffed elephant and a card offering condolences. It is gestures such as this that give me unwavering confidence in humanity and I cannot thank the staff enough for helping to lift me when I was experiencing a low. You make a difference! Please keep being you.
The grounds and rooms are lovely as well. The hype around eateries at AKL is real as well. If you are a more adventurous foodie you’ll love some of the more exotic flavors on offer here.
