Animal Kingdom Lodge questions

[fuzzystone]

We've booked a couple of nights here at the end of the month as a special start to our holiday, and wonder if anyone can give me more info?
Do all the rooms have balconies? We could only get a standard room, so realise that we won't have a view from it. Is there a public area that gives savannah views?
How long does it take to get from there by bus to Animal Kingdom (the park that is!)
The kids love the idea of watching the animals at dusk using night vision - do you need to book that in advance, and is there a charge for it?
Is there a charge for the supervised activities at Simba's Cubhouse?
How easy would it be to get a reservation for dinner at Boma without an ADR?

Thanks y'all - I've been away from the Dibb for nearly a year, as I had no plans to go back to Disney, and was too sad about it to be able to read about others' trips. :blush: It's great to know you're all still there!

[loadsapixiedust]

All rooms have balconies, views vary, but you may still have a good view from a standard room.
There are lots of overlooks around the resort where you can get a great view of the animals.
AK is just a few minutes away by bus, really close.
The night vision viewings are a must do, we loved them and the keepers are so knowledgeable, no booking needed, just turn up at the allocated time which is posted daily in the lobby. We really enjoyed the storytelling around the fire pit too.
There is a charge for Simba's someone will know and post soon.
Boma is pretty much booked solid, it's very popular, we couldn't get a dinner ADR any night we stayed there, you really do need to book ahead.

AKL is fantastic, I'm sure you will love staying there.

[Dissuziq]

As above all the rooms have balconies, I have always booked a standard room, but have always managed to get a savanah room, it maybe good look, but I will keep my fingers crossed for you so I would not be too dispondant at only being able to get a standard room.

AK always seems to have the most buses going from the lodge, lots of people have boma booked together with going to AK, and it only takes a few minutes, the only other park near is MGM( or whatever it is now).

The lodge has organised activities for children every day and when you walk around the savanah walks they have guides to answer questions as well, to see what activities are on there is a board for whats on near the entrance to Boma. Sorry I am unsure what the Simas CLubhouse charges.

Boma is a very busy and walk up on the evening and expect to get in is hard to get but I have booked it on the morning for that evening and also booked the night before for breakfast, I think being flexible with times and dates often helps as our USA friends seem to want to eat at the same time each day. Dont forget also from your room you can use disney dining reservations and they could get cancellations right up to the evening (we got to eat at Chef Mickeys one evening using this method)

Hope you enjoy by favourite disney hotel, I love the themeing and the views, nothing beats waking up to coffee and watching the giraffes having breakfast outside your window

[jcjcjc]

some people get a car park view i once read on here, lets hope you get a good view, personally i was very disapointed when we went there to see about staying but thats just my views.
hope you enjoy it.

[pinkypominnie]

We will be there the same time for our honeymoon!! :D
We have 8nts in a standard room booked, followed by 8nts in a savannah view room - we were hoping that they might take pity on us and put us in the savannah view for the full 16nts, but they are fully booked when we are there so very unlikely! xxx

[TinTin]

We have been there a couple of times. We have had a Savannah view and then decided that we couldn't justify the cost the next time we went so booked standard. It was absolutely fine - on giraffe trail along at the end of the wing. The room was SW facing, so the sun just flooded onto the balcony in the evening. It was also very quiet with no through traffic and overlooked lots of trees and greenery. We also booked standard view for our last trip but were upgraded to Savannah - to be honest, i know we were really lucky to be upgraded, but the room was miles from anywhere right at the end of a trail - took about 10mins with a really brisk walk to reach it :pgig: and we saw very few animals. What a right moaner :d: I guess what i am trying to say, is the standard rooms are fine, the lodge is truly amazing and you will just love it :wavey: