Disney Animal Kingdom hotel.........anybody been? (or any other disney hotel)

[tiredemma]

off to florida in june- really want to stay in animal kingdom hotel, any experiences of this hotel or any other disney hotel?

thanks

Have you looked at www.tripadvisor.com?. They would have the up to date reviews on there.

i have but i value the opinions of mnetters more!!!!!

Get yourself a book called The Unoffical Guide to Walt Disney World, excellent book full of loads of tips and shows room layouts for all the Disney hotels.

Stay in a Disney hotel to get early/late entry into the parks but you won't get much room space for your money unless you stay somewhere like Old Key West.

There are lovely views of some animals like giraffes at the hotel but you don't need to be a resident to see them. There is also a wonderful african restaurant there called Boma, well worth a visit.

Make sure you book either a Cinderella dinner or a breakfast with Mary Poppins and friends, both are at the Grand Floridian Hotel and wonderful, the dinner is better in our experience, both buffet style. Or/and Chef Mickeys breakfast on the 4th floor of the Contemporary resort. All phone numbers are in the book I recommended, you can book up to a year in advance I think.

Have you been before do you need more advice?

thanks SHR, first visit for me and boys - although dp has been to florida before.

any does and donts? boys are 3 and 5

thanks

Oww, lovely, give me a minute then.

ta x

Don't know how long you are staying but you must visit WDW, Animal Kingdom and Seaworld. In fact I would go to WDW twice. When you arrive for the first few days you will all be waking between 4-5 in the morning. Make the most of this, go to Dennys (open 24 hours) for breakfast and be at the gates of the park when they open. Bear in mind it is 30 minutes after you park your car before you get to the WDW entrance.

Hire a stroller and run like the wind to Fantasyland, up main street, through the castle (don't stop to look at it til later) and you are at Fantasyland. In the book I recommmended there are some great ideas for what rides to go on and when.

The boys should also love Buzz Lightyear ride in Tomorrowland and also Adventureland for Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean may be a bit scary depends how brave they are and remember when you get on P of the C it is dark and then there is a slide (be prepared).

Universal Studios, Epcot and MGM are all for older kids in my opinion and if you want a rest too don't do them this trip. I would suggest you go to Busch Gardens in Tampa, brilliant mix of rides and animals and lovely water play area so take trunks and towels.

Want more?

that is fantastic SHR, im getting all choked just reading it. My Ds's are so excited and will LOVE it there.

thanks for your advice about not bothering with epcot etc, want to just do the real kiddie things this year.

will get that book though, looks interesting.

thanks again ( cant wait to get it booked now!!!)

We've stayed at both Key West and at Floridian.

KW was like a mini apartment with a small kitchen area, sitting room, bedroom, bathroom with the HUGEST bath that we could all sit in. Balcony overlooking swimming pool.

Floridian was just gorgeous from the moment you see it. We were lucky to be on a concierge floor, which meant that there was food and drink appropriate for the time at the reception area on the floor. The rooms looked over the pool and then onto MAgic kingdom. The monorail stops at the hotel and it is only one stop to get to MK. This meant it was easy to come back for a break then return in the evening. There is also a boat which goes back and forth and takes about 5 mins. Obviously further away from the other kingdoms, but a regular bus service runs. There is a beach too.

We did the Mary Poppins breakfast which was lovely for the kids. Lots of great photos. You don't need to stay at this hotel to do this though.

Look at allears.com for lots more information. That's where I got all my info (some of it is weird tho'!)

And you can get into the parks earlier, and later too- there are special late evening run after the parks close for guests to enjoy- we never did it but are a lot quieter.

Visit the parks when they open their gates, they don't get really busy until early afternoon at that point leave (don't forget to get your hand stamped), get lunch and let the boys sleep for an hour or two. Hopefully they'll be fresh to go back later on.

in WDW do not watch fireworks or the electrical parade (wonderful) anywhere except near the exit otherwise you'll be trapped in a bottle neck stampede of people trying to get out. It is hell getting out, the kids are tired and the monorail is heaving. Make sure you are in Main St square right by the exit.

Buy souvenirs on the way out.

If you get time visit Gatorland, Cypress Gardens is good too and not too busy (about 40 mins south of Orlando new park) and there is a new waterpark there too.

If you decide to rent a house go to Windsor Hills, Windsor Palms, Formosa Gardens,Rolling Hills or anyone local to them they are the nearest resorts to Disney. Many housing estates/resorts say they are only a few minutes away but they aren't.

Outlet shopping at Premium Outlets is great, lots of bargain designer labels.