Animal Kingdom Lodge
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Reviewer's Name:
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John Singh |
Reviewer's Email Address:
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jjsingh@aol.com |
Rate / Night (for your stay):
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$145 (Your Other Guest Room Rate) |
Date(s) of Stay:
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9/19-9/24/2001 |
Accommodation Used:
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Standard Room / Studio |
Accommodations Review:
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The room was disappointingly -- almost disturbingly -- small. The
size of a standard savanna-view room is on par with a room at a moderate
resort. If you're looking for space, look elsewhere. If, however,
you are looking for unique beauty, almost-complete tranquility and
a resort visit you will always remember, do not overlook the Animal
Kingdom Lodge. Again, the room was very small, but functional. From
a service and amenity standpoint, however, the room has little, if
anything that a moderately priced resort doesn't have. The only major
exception is central air conditioning, but the system is VERY difficult
to figure out how to use. I was fortunate to get the room at a steep
discount, thanks to the special program for WDW cast members. Had
I paid full price, though, I probably would have taken a look at the
room, walked out and demanded to be sent to another deluxe resort
where my money would have been better rewarded. |
Why Did you Select This Resort for your Stay?
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It was our first choice -- a cast-member friend had no problem booking
it for us through the Your Other Guest Room program. |
Room # and Location Description:
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Room 3417, a savanna view room just off the main lobby. |
Room Location Pros & Cons:
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Very nice location, just off the main lobby. The staff should point
out to guests, however, that the lobby IS the third floor. We looked
for the elevator for a few minutes before realizing our room was just
up the ramp! The savanna was beautiful, and the location was perfect.
The ONLY nitpick is that the room was close to the main savanna overlook,
which meant our view was slightly obstructed. This room is PERFECTLY
situated between the main lobby and the pool elevators. Less than
a three-minute walk from the restaurants, too! |
Check-In / Check-Out Comments:
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Extremely nice and efficient. The staff was remarkably courteous
-- perhaps a result of our arrival soon after the World Trade Center
/ Pentagon attacks. I have never seen ANY resort hotel (Disney or
otherwise) as empty as I saw the Animal Kingdom Lodge upon check-in
on the 19th with the possible exception of our walk through the Grand
Floridian on the 20th! |
WDW Transportation Comments:
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Rented a car. |
Restaurant / Lounge Review:
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Boma is spectacular. Highly recommended; the later you can go, the
better, as access to the buffet will be easier. Reasonably priced
(by WDW standards) and fantastic food -- though you have to be a little
adventurous. We did not eat at Jiko, due to the cost. The Mara, the
poolside quick-service restaurant, is just fine, and gave us excellent
value for our $9.99 resort mugs! The lounge is very good, with a nice
selection of appetizers (all of which are delicious). |
Pool Description / Comments:
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Nice pool, though lacking in detail/theme. It's surprisingly (and
a little disappointingly) straightforward. |
What Suggestions Would you Give Anyone that is Considering This
Resort?
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Go for the view and the experience -- but do NOT go expecting true
luxury. The standard savanna view room was tiny by resort standards.
But the service and the experience are extraordinary. It would have
been nice if our schedule had permitted several hours to just explore
the hotel, too -- there is a LOT to see here! |
Other Comments:
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Disney needs to bring back direct-room package delivery! Remembering
to pick up your packages at the gift shop is a hassle in what SHOULD
be a "hassle-free" guest experience. (They must spend a small fortune
in shipping costs for guests who forgot their bags!) |
