A Few AKL Questions

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I'm really seriously starting to think about AKL for my next trip, and I have some questions.

1) How is the bus service? Specifically to the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom?

2) How is the pool? Does it get crowded in the summer, or is it large enough to hold everyone? Also, how is the slide?

3) What are the "standard view" rooms like? Any better locations than others? We'd like connecting non-smoking rooms, king in one and two queens in the other. Anyone know if this is possible?

4) Are the "water/pool view" rooms worth the extra? From what I've read, some are on the first floor and have no view?

5) Is it worth staying at AKL without a savanna view? The extra view is a bit more than we wanted to spend.

Any other suggestions or tip about the resort? Thanks!

 

[Selket]

We stayed at AKL in August '03 (myself, DH, and DS - 20 months and DS - 5).

1) The resort doesn't share bus service with other resorts so your busses are direct to any park. It took about 15 mins or so to get to the MK I'd say (enough time to slather on the suntan lotion for all of us) and time to the AK was much shorter - about 6 minutes or so. We didn't wait long for the busses coming or going for the most part. The bus stop at the resort is shaded with lots of seats. We generally had a seat on the bus.

2) No problems with crowding at the pool - we had plenty of room to swim around. The pool is huge and zero entry is nice for the kids. The slide isn't very big - my 5 yr old loved it and I did it too and compared to the ones at the water parks it is quite tame - but fun for kids. Not much wait to go down. Tons of lifeguards.

As for the rest of the questions: we had reserved a standard view room and were upgraded to savannah view without requesting it. The savannah view was very cool - no doubt about that - but I like the resort so well I'd happily stay there in a standard room. The standard rooms have the same amenities as the savannah view for the most part (I think there are some standard rooms without a balcony?). It was a wee bit of a hike from our room to the food court and pool area but I liked getting out and walking - there are many windows to view the animals on the way and the lobby is beautiful to walk through. There are activities all day long for children - you can easily spend a days at the hotel doing stuff there. They'll give you a list of those things at check-in.

I'm not nearly as fussy about my view as some folks - so I'd save the money and get standard view. Perhaps you'll get upgraded but that wouldn't make or break my vacation. If the view is that important to you the only way to guarantee it is to pay for it. Boma's is the most awesome place - but that goes along to your tastes for food. The fast food spot got a bit tiring after awhile (my kids didn't like anything on the menu!). We brought breakfast and had that in our room and got the refillable mugs for coffee and sodas.

Have fun!

 

[EEyorelover22]

We love AKL and have a standard room booked for our June trip. We liked the bunk beds so my kids could sleep alone and we were all so much more rested.

They loved the pool and we were there in June of 03 and there was plenty of room. We really like Boma and Mara and my DH wants a weight room to work out. I never thought we'd be going back, but DH said if we go to AKL again, he'd go. I am not too worried about the view. My DD and I were hardly ever there and frankly, the boys didn't care after the first few hours. Don't get me wrong, the view is GREAT, but I'm willing to go and stay standard. DD liked going out on Arusha rock better anyway and liked going to the look out points too to find different animals. She really liked the story time there too.

The bus service was great as well. On time and very little wait time. We were moved from POFQ and I looked mainly at a couple things....food, weight room, and bus service. I felt for our needs that AKL was a great fit. We could have gone Poly, WL, BC, YC and we went AKL after reading about the bus service because these others share with other resorts. My DH and DS spent tons of time at Disney Quest and getting them there fast by bus was a priority for me. That's why we had picked POFQ because of the boat to DTD.

It's just a cool place to stay. We cannot wait for our trip. DH liked it so much that he said when the kids are gone he'd come there and just veg, eat and work out. Works for me!!! I'd be at the parks though

 

[leighe]

CaliforniaDreaming - You asked the exact same questions I was getting ready to. We currently have ressies for March 27- April 3 at POR and are considering switching to AKL. However, as this is a last minute trip, standard AP rate at AKL is absolutely the highest we can handle this trip. I am really wondering if the extra $500 is worth it if we're only going to have a standard view. The view isn't that important, but it almost seems like a waste to go to AKL and not have a savannah view. Oh well - it's Disney, so wherever we are I'll be happy!

 

[DisneyFreaks]

We stayed in standard view rooms this past May and they were not bad at all. We were on Ostrich Trail lobby level and it was really nice and very quiet. We were moved there after checking into the rooms on the fifth floor that had no balconies. We weren't real close to the pool or restaurants but it wasn't that far to get there. Walking through this hotel is such a treat that it didn't seem far anyway. There are lots of viewing areas to see animals throughout the lodge that are very nice. The pool is huge and my family loved it. The restaurants are wonderful even the foodcourt type one called The Mara. As for the bus service we found it to be the best we've ever had on property. We cannot wait to go back to AKL. You'll love it there I'm sure.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Thanks for all the opinions. Sounds like AKL will be great?

So, there are standard view rooms without balconies? Does anyone know the room numbers to these?

Can't wait to hear more about the resort! Thanks!

 

[johnsonet]

I REALLY would not hesitate to get a standard view room at AKL if you're a family. Maybe for a couple who are there to relax (HUH?) or honeymooners, etc. But for guests who will be "up an at 'em!" I promise you any room is going to be great! It's the rooms themselves, the lobby, Arusha Rock all the MANY activities and amenities, the restaurants and the shop that make this place. I was going to book standard but because we're taking my niece (who is a big-time animal lover and first-timer at Disney) I thought I should go all-out and get a savanna view. I'm still tempted to change it back to at least Pool/Water view but for her sake, I'm doing it. If it were DD and myself only I'd be in a standard in a second! I think pool views would be awesome. The pool area is really gorgeous. This is the type of view we had from the Presidential Suite at the Hard Rock Hotel last summer and it was gorgeous - palm trees and a beautiful pool!!
Bus service was good. I had one worst-case scenario to MK but b/c you make no other stops it's fine. Bus to AK RULES!
We were there in October during the big media event and grand opening of Mission:Space, etc. and I was pretty overwhelmed by how mobbed the pool was in the evenings. It was wild! Since we're going the week before Easter I expect it to be just as bad, But, I don't go to Disney for the pools. I just have to keep remembering that...

 

[jennymouse]

Originally posted by CaliforniaDreaming
I'm really seriously starting to think about AKL for my next trip, and I have some questions.

1) How is the bus service? Specifically to the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom?

2) How is the pool? Does it get crowded in the summer, or is it large enough to hold everyone? Also, how is the slide?

3) What are the "standard view" rooms like? Any better locations than others? We'd like connecting non-smoking rooms, king in one and two queens in the other. Anyone know if this is possible?

4) Are the "water/pool view" rooms worth the extra? From what I've read, some are on the first floor and have no view?

5) Is it worth staying at AKL without a savanna view? The extra view is a bit more than we wanted to spend.

Any other suggestions or tip about the resort? Thanks!

The bus service is awsome. Way better than the Epcot resorts for sure. Straight there and back. No long waits for an already full bus.


Pool is big and roomy enough for all. My DGD8 says the slide is fine.

Never had the standard view but we would stay there in a standard if we had to. Last time I booked standard but was upgraded. I'm paying for savannah in June on our two days tacked onto BCV stay.

I think the pool view would be beautiful too.

Overall, we just really love this resort. We prefered it over the Poly that we tried last June. My DGD requested it again for this trip as she wants to show it off to her two friends that are joining us for the trip. There really isn't anything negative I can say about it.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hey!!

AKL is an awesome resort, now our very favorite - Poly has been demoted!! We stayed there last March in Sav. view, Zebra Trail, Arusha Sav. room 2437. This room was great, right next to the elevator and ice machine, good view. You went down one floor and out the door to the Mara and the pool, or continued a little ways to enter Boma and Jiko. One floor up and down the hallway to the lobby and out to the bus stop. Not too much of a hike to buses, for sav. view.

We are staying pool view this trip, as the view in our room was great, but there are many other places to view animals. We spend so much time at the parks, the extra $$ for the view was not well spent, IMO. My DD loves animals (wants to be a vet) and she agreed that pool view was probably the best way to go - save enough money for dinner at Jiko!!

The pool is huge, I can't imagine it being too crowded to enjoy, we have been there during Spring Break but not summer, so not sure about that.

As stated by PP's the bus service at AKL is fantastic! Since you do not make any other stops, it seems shorter and more pleasant than, say, the Epcot resorts!!

Bottom line, we would sleep in the lobby to stay at AKL!!!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Ooh, I'm getting so excited! Anyone have any pictures from their trips?

It seems that a lot of you have stayed standard or pool view, is the view of the pool worth $20-$25 per night extra? (in our case, with two rooms, $40-$40 per night extra) We do tend to get the upgraded view at the resorts (lagoon, water, courtyard, etc). From the standard view rooms, is it just the parking lot you see?

Thanks!

 

[Selket]

I wonder if they are as likely to upgrade you to savannah view if you book a pool view room. Just curious how many with pool views were upgraded to savannah. Seems common for standard view to get upgraded to pool or savannah if upgrades are offered.

The standard views must overlook the parking lot or the bus area. I did see one standard room as you walk down to the busses so it had an outdoor entry. You could see inside it somewhat because the curtains were open. Perhaps it had bunk beds too. It didn't appear anyone was staying there. I sent a fax to the resort asking for a balcony with my standard room. I know someone posted awhile back that he could see signs for businesses outside of WDW from the balcony of his standard room and he hated that. Perhaps that person will post on your thread to give you the rundown on why he would not go standard again.

If you aren't going during a busy time I wonder how it would work to see if you are upgraded and if not, then switch right then to pool view? I don't know how that would work with your connecting rooms though. If you plan on spending a lot of time in your room (we did spend some time there cause of the young kids so I know it happens!) then perhaps the nicer view is worth it. I don't think I'll pay for anything but standard though. I like saving my money for other stuff there!

 

[Gillian]

On my first AKL trip I booked a standard room and was given one on near the pool on the second floor. I'm not sure if this was considered an upgrade, as the view was of bushes, not the pool. It was around the corner from the laundry room and kids club.

It was a great location! Very convenient - just a short walk to the mara, the pool & the lobby. And even though there was no view, I love the music in the pool area and could hear it out on the balcony (which was actually ground level but still enclosed).

On our next visit we had a savannah view, and with a little one who napped it was great. But there are plenty of viewing areas around the resort and it's fun to talk to the CMs at the lookouts.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

The fifth floor rooms that do not have balconies are 503, 505, and 507. They have a door that opens into the room instead of the regular sliding balcony door. Outside the door is an area about the size of a small closet with a cut out of the thatched roof. You cannot see anything unless you lean out over the roof. There isn't even room for a chair out there. When we were moved to the rooms on Ostrich Trail we were facing the parking lot but it's down by the handicap parking and there was alot of folage and trees so we could not see any cars from any of the three rooms we had. I cannot remember the room numbers we had but it was on the third floor down the second section of the corridor. There was a huge window overlooking part of the savannah almost directly across from room 503. 505 and 507 were connecting and 505 had a king bed and a sofa bed whereas 507 had two queens. HTH.

 

[leighe]

Just booked AKL standard view for Spring Break! After all I have heard about this resort, I am so excited! Is there any particular room we should request?

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Thanks, DisneyFreaks. So, the 5th floor rooms would still have enough space to stand outside? That would probably be okay, but a real balcony would be better. From looking at the AKL map, I'm a little confused where these rooms are. There are rooms 5101-5106 over the Porte Cochere - would these be the location? And, I see 5002-5016 in the Giraffe Trail. Thanks again.

 

[Armadillo4]

AKL is my favorite WDW resort, although I have enjoyed every resort I've tried (value, moderate and deluxe!). In many earlier AKL-related threads, there seemed to be a decent percentage of DISers who were upgraded from standard view rooms to pool or savannah for free. I think, percentage-wise, the majority of rooms at AKL are savannah view, and that the chances of overbooking standard view rooms is not uncommon. This might result in guests receiving a free upgrade. Of course, I would NOT count on this if you are booking a standard view room, hoping to be upgraded, but you never know...

BTW, we stayed on the 3rd floor, zebra trail, arusha savannah. Two big thumbs up!!!!! But as many others have posted, there are plenty of animal viewing locations all over the resort. Don't limit yourself to just your room view (if you have a savannah view). Take the time to explore other savannahs and viewing locations. You won't regret it. This is one amazing resort!!!

 

[DisneyFreaks]

The rooms in question are on Giraffe Trail. The first ones to the right facing the front of the lodge on the top floor. Yes the "so called" balconies are big enough to stand in but you still cannot see anything except sky unless you lean out over the thatched roof. It was extremely hot while we were there and these cut out windows didn't even provide a breeze. LoL They were not like the enclosed balconies that the Wilderness Lodge has. We had those and we didn't mind them at all. The room numbers were 5003, 5005, & 5007. My DH went back to the check in desk the next day and asked if they could move us to three rooms with regular balconies and they did so with no problem at all. They were very gracious and even called our room later to ask if we had gotten settled and were pleased with our new rooms.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Thanks again!