AKL complaints (long)

[currycook]

As I have gone through the posts I have seen many of the same complaints against the ALK repeated. From reading the board one gets the feeling that many have a love/hate relationship to the ALK. The surveys on the board indicate the AKL is the number one choice of many. Yet, others cannot understand that and are not fond of the resort. I would like to address some of the repeated complaints in hopes that those who are thinking of staying at the AKL may be helped. Please note that some of these complaints are generic to any other deluxe resort.

1) Complaint: “The ALK is in the middle of no where”. The whole point of the place is that you are in the middle of a reserve. How else are you going to have African animals outside your window. People complain to Disney about the congestion so they build the ALK which does not have the congested feeling and what do people do – complain that its in the middle of no where. It has to be where it is if it is going to be what it is.

2) Complaint: “Transportation – it takes longer to get to MK, MGM and EPCOT”. So you add another five minutes to get to MK, EPCOT or MGM. I do not understand this complaint. Why – because many of the same people that make this compliant are willing to wait 45 minutes to an hour for a ride at a park. Wait for food, wait to get into the park, wait for a monorail ride, wait for an ice cream cone, wait to go to the bathroom, wait at a restaurant to be seated, wait forever to see a guy in a mouse costume with big ears. We wait for all sorts of things. If adding an extra 5 minutes to your travel time is going to ruin your day then why not chose one of the great Disney resorts that have monorail access?

3) Complaint: “Disney charges $6. for valet parking or I have to walk to my car”. In most cases the walk is only 50-150 yards from the valet service. If Disney hires more people so they have valet parking for everyone then the price of the room goes up. I would much rather have the choice to pay rather than to have the price of the room go up. Going to WDW means walking. If we wish instant access to our car may I humbly suggest that one goes to the Red Roof Inn. You can park your car right outside your room.

4) Complaint: “The food at the ALK”. Yes the food at AKL is African/Asian oriented. It is certainly understandable that type of food will not appeal to all. However, Disney is great when it comes to variety and they have great restaurants all over the place. One can eat at any park or go to any other resort. Disney has great food - find what you like and make the trip there an adventure. When you are done eating tell the family, “well its time to go back to our African Safari.” Enjoy the magic.

5) Complaint: “Its costly”. Yes, Yes and Yes again. The magic is not free. However, everyone knows up front what it will cost. Deluxe is the most costly, then moderates, then the AS value resorts. (If you still can call it a resort ). If cost is the issue then check out the budget boards. There are many ways to cut costs. One of the best ways to cut cost is NOT to stay in a deluxe resort. For many years we could not afford the delux resorts and we stayed off site at the Red Roof Inn. Great value the Red Roof Inn. (Bob Sehlinger's Unofficial guide lists it as the #1 deal in his 30 best deals of places to stay). And you can go right out your door to your car and actually drive yourself very quickly into the parks. I have great sympathy about the costs because Disney is expensive. However, I don’t have sympathy for those who complain about the costs as if there was nothing they could do about it. There are many choices one can make to cut costs. Disney is not forcing any of us to spend our money there. I know many families that cannot afford the deluxe resorts. They stay at places like the AS or the Red Roof Inn and have the time of their lives without a complaint. Its seems the more money we spend the more we have a right to complain.

6). Complaint: “The Pool”. Its been listed by some as too small for a deluxe resort. I believe this is just a wrong perception. The AKL pool is one of the larger pools for a deluxe resort at WDW. Again, it comes down to a matter of choice. If you are looking for a pool why stay at the AKL? Two better choices – stay at the Beach Club. The Storm-along-Bay pool is the best. It’s so good they had to put up a fence around it to keep all the other guests from sneaking in. Second choice, stay at a moderate resort or my old favorite the Red Roof Inn and go to a water park. Blizzard beach – now that is some watering hole!

CHOICES: Most of the complaints come down to choices we all have to make. Many people that are unhappy at the AKL simply made a wrong choice for themselves in staying there. They would have been much happier if they choose a different resort. Or they would have complaints no matter where they stayed. If transportation is your number one issue and five or ten more minutes in your ride time twice a day is going to ruin your day - then please choose wisely another resort. If you are looking for a pool to spend a lot of time in, then again choose wisely and choose the BC. If food is a top priority on where you will be eating then plan out your meals carefully before you ever get to WDW and make PS. If cost is the most important issue to you than do your research and plan on where you can spend your limited dollars wisely. Disney has done a great job at providing us a wide variety of choices to fit our specific desires as individuals. However, when we choose something that does not fit us as individuals I don’t believe its fair to blame Disney. We should blame ourselves for making that choice. We all live and learn. Have fun and choose wisely Grasshopper.

 

[Girls Scout Leader]

Bravo! Bravo!!

Many times it is just that....choices! People make it sound as if they are hog-tied and dragged there.

Research and plan...that is the key. Check your priorities and know before you go.

 

[Gillian]

Well, I appreciate hearing others' experiences at the different resorts. I can read a post and figure out which of the "complaints" will be an issue for me and which will not. For example, I know that food will not be a problem (because we like to eat in a variety of places), nor will the distance to the parking lot (because we won't use our car much).

It's really important to me to hear the good and the bad. I know that in many cases it's just an opinion, but it is all helpful in making my travel plans or advising my friends and family. If someone is disappointed in their experience, I'd like to hear about it. Maybe we can guide them to a different resort next time.

 

[bridgettesmom]

You tell them ...currycook!!!
Our first visit to the AKL was last month and we are already making plans to go back in a few months. WE LOVE AKL!!!

To be honest we fell in love with the AKL for the reasons you just listed.
1-Location- We loved been in the middle of nowhere after been in the parks all day with thousands of people, it's great to come "home" to the solitude of the AKL.
2-Transportation- Like you said, what are we talking about 5 or 10 minutes?? Come on..
3-Valet- Trust me we have paid up to $15 a day for valet ,so, $6 is a bargain.This is also your choice,you can always park your car at the lot for free and trust me if they wanted to charge to park your car overnight they could.Again, we have paid up to $10 to selfpark at many hotels.
4-Food- It is my believe if I'm staying at an african theme hotel I want to try african food.This is part of your whole experience.You could also eat at the Mara ,which has a pretty good selection of "american" food or like currycook said you could visit other resorts and eat at their restaurants.
5-$$$- Well, staying at a deluxe was your decision ,of course, you will be spending money.If you are on a budget stay at a moderate or an All star.We spent a few days at Asmu to be with some friends who were staying there and you know what?? we liked it.If budget was tight,that's where I would stay.
6-Pool - Again, the pool is part of your whole African experience it was built to resemble a "waterhole".Now, let me ask you..where else can you stay with a pool that simulates a water hole??...Plus, where in the world can you sit in the whirpool while watching giraffes??....that's right you either have to be in Africa or you can experience this at the AKL.

 

[dmfuru]

This stuff goes in cycles. Sometimes you'll see multiple posts about the Polynesian, then the All-Stars, then Port Orleans, etc. etc.

 

[latenthart]

I absolutely agree, you must decide what is important to you.
As an animal lover I let my love of animals rule my choice. However looking back I now realize Ease and convenience are what makes my trip more enjoyable. I am glad that we get a choice between valet and self parking, however some folks with health issues or little ones might not want to self park. It truly may be worth the 6-10 dollars a day to valet park. However if you arent going to be using your car a lot it may not make a difference. YOU HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT YOU NEED.

As for costs, yes you must know what is in your budget. Maybe to stay at AKL you are willing to eat on a budget because you have to make every dollar count.

Or perhaps you can stay moderate and eat at nicer places. It all a matter of what is important to you.

I myself was not thrilled with AKL, but I am not blaming disney for my choices, just felt I should share so someone else can make the right choice for them. See my report http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=302697
I myself prefer the more centrally located resorts. Sure I could make everything an adventure at disney including dinner but do I want to? Not really, I wanted relaxation and easy. Simple is better to me. Not everyone realizes that in order for AKL to be the resort it is, it has to be remote. I didnt think about before I went, I just saw all those beautiful animals and signed on the dotted line. Now I think I would visit AKL on my vacation but perhaps not stay there. I am not out to bash Disney just wanted to give back something to a board that has given me so much.

 

[Muffy]

Well said Currycook!

 

[imbe@aol.com]

Bravo, bravo, bravo!! Excellent, well thought out post that echoed many of our feelings here, I'm sure - I know it's the way *I* feel too!

 

[taylor1293]

Very good post Currycook. I agree with most everything you said.

However, I also want to add that I enjoy reading the complaints. It gives me different perspectives on a specific resort. It also informs me of issues I may not of otherwise thought of.

Teresa

 

[BrianD]

Originally posted by dmfuru
This stuff goes in cycles. Sometimes you'll see multiple posts about the Polynesian, then the All-Stars, then Port Orleans, etc. etc.

dmfuru,
You're right about that. Isn't it about time for another round of "The Polynesian smells like mildew" posts?

currycook,
Good post! I agree with your point. That's why there are so many different types of resorts at WDW!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Probably the same san be said for any of the resorts. All Stars -- POR -- etc. They would have to pay me to stay at POR again. To some it's their favorite resort.
People either seem to love a certain resort or hate it.
Which makes it good really. Aren't we glad we don't ALL love the same resort?

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Excellent post currycook.
I am always amazed when people say AKL is in the "middle of nowhere" It's very near All Stars and I don't hear very many people complain that the AS Resorts are in the middle of nowhere.
I believe Disney has taken great pains in making the drive to the lodge look like you are in the middle of nowhere and somewhere in Africa. Check out the different plants and greenery upon entering. (Hence doing what Disney does best - altering our perception of distance and space once again!)
I loved your statement - "it has to be where it is to be what is it" - bang on!!
As with most things - it comes down to personal perference.

 

[JennSaint]

I agree too!! Many of the complaints people post about AKL are exactly why I love this resort. I love that it feels remote. At the end of a park day it so relaxing to return to AKL.

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Great comments CurryCook.

I just stayed on my own at AKL and absolutely loved it.

Sadly I never got time to eat at Jiko's but I ate at Bomas for Breakfast and a dinner and loved the food, so different, sooo scrummy yummy.

I was expecting it to be a real long way from every where but really it wasn't that much further to MK as going from any other resort that isn't on a monorail.

Obviously it was less than a 5 minute bus ride to AK itself and yeah I had to wait a while for a bus from MGM to AKL but if I was waiting for one to the Y&B you can betcha life 2 would have come along for AKL....murphy's law

I loved the hot tubs and the pool at AKL and every cast memeber that I encountered was real friendly.

I really hope I get a chance to stay here again with my better half so that he can appreciate what a magical stay I had.

 

[Jen D]

I am always amazed when people say AKL is in the "middle of nowhere" It's very near All Stars and I don't hear very many people complain that the AS Resorts are in the middle of nowhere.

True, but I think some people equate a deluxe resort with better transportation access. People accept the isolation of AS because it is the budget-level option.

While I appreciate the spirit of the thread, I think some of the items termed as complaints can be more neutrally labeled cons or drawbacks. The isolation of the resort may be a drawback for some who want to be closer to parks and dining choices; for those who love being away from it all, it is a positive.

Costly can apply to just about any WDW resort and I think in the long run it comes down to the bang for your buck issue.

However, when we choose something that does not fit us as individuals I don’t believe its fair to blame Disney. We should blame ourselves for making that choice.

Agreed! That's why it is great that we can do as much research as possible here on the DIS and elsewhere.

Personally, I can't wait to try AKL, but I'm glad I have all the information so I know what kind of resort experience we're getting. AKL sounds fabulous, but since our next trip will likely be with an infant we're going to go with the Poly this time for larger rooms and monorail access, and plan for the AKL for the next trip.

 

[currycook]

In my post I did not mean to dissuade constructive criticism. Constructive criticism on these boards helps us in making decisions on what we want to do at Disney. I did want to give a reply to some of the common criticisms that I have seen concerning the AKL, that at least for myself, I don’t feel are valid. Others however may disagree. If I gave the impression that I don’t think we should have constructive criticism then by all means I wish to change that. And even apologize for it.

 

[Jen D]

If I gave the impression that I don’t think we should have constructive criticism then by all means I wish to change that. And even apologize for it. [/B]

Not at all, didn't mean to give that impression!

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

Great points made in the original post as well as the many replies.

All resorts have their individual pros and cons, and IMHO it's variety that makes WDW so appealing. Choices are GOOD things!

 

[hallie]

I totally agree with you! I honestly don't understand anyone complaining(about the examples you gave) about a resort if they're an active member of these boards because there's SOOO much info here and all over the internet. To come home and complain about these things, it seems to me that AKL wasn't a good choice then.

Same goes for when people complain about the POR being too big, the All-Stars being noisy etc.....those things are discussed over and over, they're aspects of each resort. If you don't like those things then why stay there in the first place?

We've stayed at all resort levels at WDW. Yes, the All-Star rooms were smaller, it was noisey but it's a high energy VALUE resort, I didn't expect it to quiet and peaceful. Yes, the POR is very large but I knew this BEFORE I reserved there, plus it's size contributes to lovely walks, beautiful gardens etc... Yes, the AKL is a way from things for a deluxe BUT it's suppose to feel like an African Lodge, if it had views of fireworks and was near all the other stuff it certainly wouldn't feel like Africa, right?-lol.

My main point is with all the info out there why would anyone reserve a resort if they know ahead of time there are aspects they won't like and will in their minds *spoil* parts or all of their vacation?

Personally we've loved all our stays at WDW in values through deluxes but I don't compare them, I appreciate them for there own strengths and individuality.

JMHO-lol.

 

[Ricola]

One thing to add:

Depending on the time of day, even the vaunted Monorail resorts can require a QUITE a wait for transportation.