AKL-Are animals the biggest draw?

[Threehearts]

We are seriously considerin the AKL for our next visit even though our kid's favorite park is the MK. My question is- Besides the animals what do you love about the Lodge? The reason I am concerned is that we live about 2 blocks from the National Zoo and our family walks down once a week to say "hi" to the pandas, the baby giraffes and the lion cubs. I just don't want to take the kids and listen to "we already saw these yesterday!" It's not that the children are spoiled rotten but they may be a little jaded. Any advice appreciated, especially from zoo people like us. Threehearts (I do realize that the AKL animals are out on the Savannahs but the kids here go to overnight birthday parties at the National Zoo for up close and personal visits with select animals).

 

[eller]

No seriously, this is likely my favorite resort and it has nothing to do with the animals.

Boma's is fabulous! Mara's is okay: good food, but on the pricey side for "fast food."

The lobby is beautiful and the fire pits are so cool.

The pool has a great slide and my little ones (3 and 5) like the zero entry. (Mom and Dad like the pool bar!)

DH and I like the dark lighting of the rooms because it's more relaxing.

Transportaion was always fine. (I'm not big on the busses, so fine is a compliment!)

The concierge staff is incredible. For me concierge is worth it just so I can relax. The TV is set for my children to enjoy and they can sit back, have a snack and watch a movie. And I can sit back, relax and have a snack. Too cool! That never happens when we are eating out.

It's also neat when you're out for a swim and you see the animals very close.

It's a wonderful resort.

Lori

 

[Threehearts]

Thanks, Lori. What type of room did you have and can you tell me if you would stay again without concierge. Thanks. Susan

 

[hmp2z]

Hi! For us, the animals are the big draw. The transportation is okay, but I guess I'm spoiled by monorail resorts - would rather not take the bus if I don't have to.
The rooms are pretty dark, which I don't like. I'm all for romance, but sometimes, I like my room to be bright, so I prefer resorts that offer you the option of cutting off a few lights to get the dim look, or turning on all the lights and having a bright room.
The lobby is fine, but very, very reminiscent of the WL (we moved from WL to AKL this past trip, so I thought it was pretty much the same resort, minus the concierge room that we had at WL, plus the animals at AKL). If you like the WL look, you'll probably like the AKL; they were designed by the same people, and are along the same style.
We really like Boma, so it was nice to have a restaurant that we liked in the resort. I disliked Jiko intensely, and my husband thought it was okay but not great, but we both found something to enjoy at Boma's buffet. On the other hand, lots of other resorts have good restaurants there - Beach Club, GF, etc.
I did think that it was neat having the animals out wandering around below. For me, it seemed very different from a zoo, just b/c the fences were less obvious, and it was such a juxtaposition - my hotel room, and a zebra out beneath the balcony!
Cheers!
Heather W

 

[Tinkbell]

I am a zoo member of our local zoo and I visit many times a year. I loved everything about this resort, ESPECIALLY the transportation. I had only stayed at MK resorts (Contemp, WL, GF) prior to my AKL trip. I found the transportation better at the AKL. They don't have a monorail or a boat, but we never waited more than 5 minutes for a bus to ANYWHERE. Since they don't share thier transportation with other resorts, the transportation was fast and we never had to stand on the bus.

The pool is huge. There is always room to swim around and always a chair to be found. The bar near the pool is a nice treat too.
I loved the lobby. I thought it had a very different feel than WL. The animals were really a "backdrop" for me. Like you, I can see all the giraffes I want at my zoo. Yet, it was still fun to explore this resort and visit the different viewing areas. It was nice to look off the balcony for a few minutes and relax before or after a busy day.
I only ate at Mara, but my family loved the place. The food was always tasty.
Go for it! You won't be disappointed.

 

[eller]

5421, I think was the room number. Fifth floor, very private, deluxe room--we need to sleep five.

Concierge: That's a tough call! Both times we stayed, we stayed in concierge and did the sunrise safari both times. I don't think I'd be able to talk DH into the safari again. He doesn't feel it's worth the money (for the all 5 of us). If it were just the two of us, he'd do it again. He didn't enjoy the first one because DS5 was a pain. Although both DSs (3 and 5) enjoyed the safari, just a little distracted at that age. DD12 loved it!

Yes, I would stay at the AKL without concierge. It's very peaceful and relaxing and the bunk beds are a real plus for our family. I would however miss going to the lounge before dinner to have a drink and snacks, but I could live without it.

Lori

 

[christophfam]

I'm definitely not an expert on the resorts, but if you have animals so close by why choose AKL? When I was looking at resorts, I ruled out the WL because we rent cabins in the mountains all of the time. I also didn't want a beach theme because we live so close to the beach. I want our trip to be something different. I choose AKL because of the animals and the African theme. Something you can't find in SC or NC. I've read the other responses and it sounds like there are a lot of other great things at AKL, but wouldn't the other resorts have them too? If you chose someplace else with a theme that would be different for your family, wouldn't it excite them more? Just something for you to think about.

 

[mirlow]

Hi Threehearst! I agree with Christophfam. I don't think of the AKL as a resort with a zoo. I really enjoyed it because of the African theme. The broadway production of the Lion King came into town and we were blown away. I knew I wanted to stay there after I saw it. I think you should try to look at as many pictures that you can and see if the theming appeals to you or not. Here is a good site for pictures. http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com/
I know you are worried about the rooms being to dark, but I didn't find them dark at all. Sure the wood in the rooms are dark, but the walls are bright. I was comparing the coloring of the rooms from our pictures. I did notice that the window at the Polynesian is much bigger and the curtains and the valance are wider at the AKL so there isn't as much natural light coming in as there is in the Polynesian rooms, but it didn't bother us a bit.
I know you like the convenience of the Polynesian, but I find that we have to do the parks a little different in the off season so that convenience of the Polnesian isn't such a big deal then as it is in the summer. The hours are shortned so we sleep in and then do the MK all day. There isn't time to come back and rest at the resort. Now the nice thing about staying at the Polynesian is that you have the monorail to go to the other resorts and check them out for a bite to eat. The AKL is out there all by itself and when you don't have a car it can be time consuming getting around especially to other resorts.
I think if you are going for a long weekend it would be great.
There is alot to do at the resort. The pool is awesome. Boma's is one of our favorite restaurants. I hear that Simba's Clubhouse is great.
I just love to hear the music that is played throughout the resort. The African artwork is incredible.
If we go back in January I'm pretty sure we will stay here. I think I could stay in a standard room after doing concierge. I love their concierge, but would only do it if I were hanging out at the resort to take full advantage of it. Good luck with your decision