? about AKL grounds

[eeyoresmom]

On our last trip to WDW,Dh and I stayed at POR and he LOVED walking around the property.This trip we are considering AKL.This is important to him so please tell me how the atmosphere is for strolling around outside TIA

 

[Sammie]

This is the main reason I do not care for the AKL for an extended visit. After a few days of viewing the animals, I missed the resorts with extensive grounds that one can walk, fountains, lakes etc.

Due to the animals, the only areas one can walk are either inside the building, the pool area or the viewing areas.

 

[Got Quattro?]

This is the main reason I do not care for the AKL for an extended visit. After a few days of viewing the animals, I missed the resorts with extensive grounds that one can walk, fountains, lakes etc.

Due to the animals, the only areas one can walk are either inside the building, the pool area or the viewing areas.

I agree 100%. I can only see the same zebra so many times before I want to shoot it!

 

[jacksmom]

If you enjoy animals, you will enjoy AKL grounds! There are some very nice areas for viewing animals! We always enjoy it! Very well kept and clean!

 

[ThatsMe]

We just got back from our Christmas trip. Our stay was between AKL and POR. IMO POR was much better. The only real walking at the AKL was from our room to the food court (I swear it was a mile round trip). There's not much walking around Arusha rock (central spot to view animals during the day and/or night). While you could walk between the savannah overlooks most of the walking is inside the hallways and not outside where you could enjoy the animals or sunshine.

This was our first stay at POR and I fell in love. We stayed in Magnolia Terrace and the walk along the river was beautiful to the main lobby/food court. It definitely beat my walk at the AKL between the room and main lobby, food court, pool and fitness center.

 

[LukenDC]

The AKL has expansive grounds, but most of it is fenced in for the animals. The interior of the lodge, however, is definitely worth exploring. The lobby is incredible and there are viewing areas on the various floors and wings of the hotel.

 

[dixipixi]

My opinion on AKL would be that it is very nice for a few days, but if you like to wander around I think you would run out of options in a short time.

The grounds are absolutely beautiful and I love to look at the vegetation and make notes for things I could do at home (our climate is the same as FL). If you're not into that or observing animals, you could run out of things to do very quickly.

I LOVED the AKL (but we only spent one night there). I would go back and stay in a heartbeat, but I don't think I would want to spend my entire trip there. I love to walk around also and I found the YC much more suitable for that. Every evening (sometimes as late as 1 am), I found myself walking around the Boardwalk. I felt very safe there and it was a perfect stroll.

Depending on how long you're going to be at WDW, I would consider a split stay and maybe just a few nights at AKL if you really like to walk around. Much more than that and I think you would feel confined.

 

[Ilovestitch]

I agree 100%. I can only see the same zebra so many times before I want to shoot it!

Wow... I hope that you don't have any animals at home then

 

[eeyoresmom]

okay....now I'm worried.We plan on spending a lot of time at the resort and have visited AKL many times to eat at Boma.We've stayed at POR and loved it.This will be a 4 day trip,we'll be visiting the parks each day but definately not commando.We're thinking,parks in am.break at hotel from lunch till about 4pm then back to a park for dinner.I was considering CSR,should we switch???
We've never stayed deluxe so don't know what to expect!!! I guess what's important this trip is convenience(no rental car this trip),and atmosphere of resort.One of the reasons we went with AKl was I assumed it would be much more convenient to get to pools and Mara but from a former post,that may not be the case.What should we do,I really need input TIA

 

[dixiedizfan]

POR is made for strolling around, it's so lush and beautiful. You can definitely do a lot of walking at CSR and CBR also. But as far as strolling the grounds at AKL, you're pretty much out of luck.

 

[Sammie]

okay....now I'm worried.We plan on spending a lot of time at the resort and have visited AKL many times to eat at Boma.We've stayed at POR and loved it.This will be a 4 day trip,we'll be visiting the parks each day but definately not commando.We're thinking,parks in am.break at hotel from lunch till about 4pm then back to a park for dinner.I was considering CSR,should we switch???
We've never stayed deluxe so don't know what to expect!!! I guess what's important this trip is convenience(no rental car this trip),and atmosphere of resort.One of the reasons we went with AKl was I assumed it would be much more convenient to get to pools and Mara but from a former post,that may not be the case.What should we do,I really need input TIA

For a 4 day trip I think you will be fine. I would not want to stay longer. Basically the first day is check in so that day is pretty lost. I think for the next 3 you will find enough to be interested.

The pool and Mara are on the ground level. From the lobby you have to go down one floor to get to both.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I pretty much agree with everyone else. Even my DD5, got bored with the zebras and giraffes after a few days - and she wants to be a vet!
They didn't do anything exciting (in her eyes). At our local zoo, that we attend on a regular basis, they put out enrichment toys, so the animals appear to be playing.
Its a beautiful place for a few days. Its wonderful to visit. An extended stay, I would think twice over - IMO.

 

[eeyoresmom]

thanks everyone