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Mother, Son, Giraffe, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Animal Kingdom, Savannah
  • On Jan 10, 2011
    Tina from CT Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Hello, staying at AKL May 20-28. First time in a deluxe. So concerned about bus issuses that im ready to change resorts. Hope going this time of yr will not be as crowded. Please any advise would be helpful. We have heard this is an amazing place to stay.

    Hi Tina:

    Rumors of the so-called "bus issues" at Animal Kingdom Lodge are greatly exaggerated. I love the AKL. So much so, that my family chose it to be our "home" resort when we joined the Disney Vacation Club. While I'm partial to the benefits and amenities of AKL, such as the savanna views, the fine dining, and the unique kid and family activities, the resort is sliiiightly further away from three of the parks than many other Disney properties. That being said, for me, the benefits of the AKL outweigh the extra minutes we may spend on the bus. Also, at any Disney resort, you'll need to factor in some commuting time for at least a couple of parks if you intend to visit all four major Disney World theme parks. Keep in mind that travel times to and from the parks vary depending on traffic, the time of day, and any unforseen circumstances.

    Disney buses are scheduled to run on average every 20 minutes from all Disney resorts. We've found that buses from the AKL run even more frequently and have rarely had to wait a full 20 minutes for the bus. The AKL is situated further away from the Magic Kingdom than many other Disney resorts. Not counting the walk from my room to the bus station, I budget 45 minutes, including waiting time and travel time, to get from the AKL to the Magic Kingdom, and I usually arrive ahead of schedule. Epcot is closer to AKL than the Magic Kingdom, and I budget between 30-45 minutes, including waiting and travel time, to get to Epcot. Disney's Hollywood Studios is even closer to AKL, and I budget 30-40 minutes for transportation to or from Hollywood Studios. Animal Kingdom park is close by to AKL. I usually budget 20-30 minutes for travel and waiting time to or from Animal Kingdom park.

    If you are travelling to the park for a reservation or event and want to ensure that you'll be on time, I would factor in an extra 10-15 minutes to your commute. Enjoy your visit.
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Meet the Panelist: Jonas, New York

I am a family man and huge Disney fan raising two awesome and rambunctious boys.  As Disney Vacation Club members, we travel to Walt Disney World often. Learn More About Jonas

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