AKL .... is it too far from everything?

[chrismartinique]

probably staying MK resort this time but a little intrigued by AKL. Is it too far out? Did you feel like bus commute took too long because of this?

We stayed BC last couple times and I love the ease of getting to EPCOT and the studios. I am afraid AKL will seem soooo far away. Just wonder...may be its not so bad.

 

[mickeynut1]

probably staying MK resort this time but a little intrigued by AKL. Is it too far out? Did you feel like bus commute took too long because of this?

We stayed BC last couple times and I love the ease of getting to EPCOT and the studios. I am afraid AKL will seem soooo far away. Just wonder...may be its not so bad.

Everyone's opinion on AKL transportation is different, but with that said, we didn't find it bad at all. Since the buses only go to Kidani and AKL, there is no sharing with any other resort(s). We found it to take maybe 5 extra minutes getting to the parks compared to other resorts. AKL is out away from everything, but we thought the buses were fine and wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. One advantage, IMO, with AKL being away from everything is that it's a quiet resort. We do like the hustle and bustle of Disney, but it's also nice sometimes to have peace and quiet.

 

[GrumpyBelle]

This is our favorite resort to stay at. As pp said, it does not share transportation with other resorts so we do not find it to be too bad. Since you mentioned probably staying at an MK resort this time, maybe take some time to go from the parks to Animal Kingdom Lodge and see how it may or may not work for you. Everyone's opinion seems to be different on this topic.

 

[Perditamarie]

AKL is beautiful and really a destination itself. Also, really enjoyed relaxing pool time. I thought the bus transportation excellent both times we stayed there---i love BC, but bus transport is quite tedious - they share w/like 5 resorts right?! It is really nice know when the bus rolls up you will have a seat and won't have to tour numerous other resorts before you are actually on your way to your destination.

 

[Tinkerboy00]

I remember that we did think that AKL seemed so far away, but again as mentioned the buses were never crowded so that was nice.

We really love going to Epcot the most, so we prefer Boardwalk now so we can just walk in.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Are you getting a rental car or just using disney transport? We usually stay at SSR as it's our home resort so although we loved the theme of AK we were worried it was remote. However we didn't feel that during our first stay in May this year at all. The bus times felt similar to the parks ( apart from to DTD ) . But we did have a rental car we used also which reduced the remote feeling maybe. But we really enjoyed our stay and even if the journey times are a little longer. Totally worth it! Beautiful place, friend CM and the animals! Well you won't want to leave anyway

 

[stargazertechie]

The bus only takes about 5min more each way to MK/EP.
About the same distance from MK resorts to DHS


What I love most is that it doesn't share buses, and it's like a vacation in a vacation

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

One thing I did notice was the ME took a lot longer as it dropped off at multiple resorts and AK was the last. Kidani being the very last.

 

[mrsp1030]

We rented a car when we stayed at AKL and loved it b/c there is also a great side road that takes you out near a super target we hit up for groceries. To me, AKL and WL are my two favorites simply for theming and variety of food options.

 

[tarak]

One thing I did notice was the ME took a lot longer as it dropped off at multiple resorts and AK was the last. Kidani being the very last.

This might be luck of the draw. When we used ME this past January, the first stop was AKL.

 

[Spunky946]

We loved the resort. The worst ride is to mk, but honestly what's a few extra minutes when you are at Disney instead of at home?

 

[Funky Chicken]

We love AKL. It's nice to get away from the faster pace of the monorail resorts-it's like a sanctuary for us and as other posters stated its like a vacation within a vacation.

 

[MYD714]

AKL is beautiful and really a destination itself. Also, really enjoyed relaxing pool time. I thought the bus transportation excellent both times we stayed there---i love BC, but bus transport is quite tedious - they share w/like 5 resorts right?! It is really nice know when the bus rolls up you will have a seat and won't have to tour numerous other resorts before you are actually on your way to your destination.

This!

 

[mmmears]

We always stayed on the monorail or at an Epcot resort but were also intrigued by AKL, so we went there for dinner one night. We really loved the place (the theming, atmosphere, the animals, all of it). So we decided to give it a try (like you, we were worried about the distance to the parks) and did a split stay with a monorail resort. We LOVED it! So now our compromise is to stay part time at AKL and then move to a more convenient resort for the end of the trip. Honestly, the buses at AKL aren't all that bad (IMHO they are better than the buses we've tried at YC/BC/GF/Poly) but they aren't as convenient as that short walk to Epcot from the YC.

 

[disd55]

AKL is beautiful and really a destination itself. Also, really enjoyed relaxing pool time. I thought the bus transportation excellent both times we stayed there---i love BC, but bus transport is quite tedious - they share w/like 5 resorts right?! It is really nice know when the bus rolls up you will have a seat and won't have to tour numerous other resorts before you are actually on your way to your destination.

They only share with 4 other resorts in DD. Its just BC and YC most times, such as AKL and KV. And BC is last stop so then it is right to the parks!

I'm sure the buses aren't very crowded at AKL and the ride isn't terrible but could be better, such as if you stayed at other resorts. I just like staying at resorts that give you the option of more than one transportation option, such as Epcot Resorts (Boat, Walking and of course bus) and MK resorts (Boat, Bus, Walking, Monorail).

 

[pigletto]

We rented a car when we were at AKL but the place is so beautiful and relaxing that I'd happily stay there without one.

 

[guinea pig]

Just got back from Kidani a couple weeks ago. Was prepared for long bus rides but it really didn't seem another longer than the bus rides to other resorts I have stayed in. The busses do pick up at Kidani first and the go to Jambo House