AKL complaints (long)

[Princess'Mom2]

I don't want you to get the wrong impression that the "cons" I noted for AKL ruined our vacation-- it did not. Our 4 nights at AKL were acceptable, but after moving from AKL to YC, we found out what a true "deluxe" Disney hotel was all about.

I knew the AKL was a trek to the Magic Kingdom and knew the buses take awhile, but it seemed like the trip to MGM was the major problem.

I guess I was more critical of the AKL after checking into the YC and getting the exact opposite. The YC staff were friendly, when we met a CM in the hallway at the YC, they smiled and said hello.

Our trip to Disney was good and AKL was part of that experience. We didn't cheap out on this vacation at all -- we tipped the maids, etc. It is just when comparing one Disney deluxe resort to another -- within the same week -- we were able to see where the AKL could improve.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Originally posted by MinnieGi
Wow - we stayed at AKL in Feb. 2003 and found it almost completely opposite to what you just experienced.

Same here. I cannot find one thing to complain about concerning this hotel. We were treated like royalty almost. It was our son in laws first trip to Disney and now I am having a hard time convincing him to stay somewhere else next trip. I'm so sorry you had a bad experience here and I hope our wonderful AKL isn't changing for the worse. I guess we all have unmagical things happen from time to time. Don't even get me started on the horrible experience we had at WL. At any rate I hope you will give the lodge a second chance someday.

 

[bytheblood]

I truly think that everybody has a unique experience. It depends on what type of person one is, the personality one has and what expectations one sets up.

An individual could go expecting the world and having a mindset on how things are going to be and could come back very disapponted. Another could go with the "anything goes" mindset and have the best vacation of their life.

They could deal with the same CM at check-in on the same day one after another and have two different experiences. They could have the same mousekeeping and still have different views of the job done. I personally try not to set high expecatations. I find that when I just take it moment by moment, I have an awesome time.

 

[Tigger Woods]

Originally posted by bytheblood
I truly think that everybody has a unique experience. It depends on what type of person one is, the personality one has and what expectations one sets up.

There are many hotels at which I have stayed multiple times. Although my personality and expectations are the same each visit, the experiences have not been. At the Poly, I have had one of the best vacations of my life. Also, at the Poly, I have had the vacation from hell. I have not stayed at AKL, but I have no doubt that much of the praise, as well as much of the criticism, is valid.

 

[Peter Pirate]

We've stayed at AKL 8 times (9 coming this weekend)...It is our favorite and I just have to laugh at the complaints...Not because I don't think these things can and do happen but because they can and do happen at every single Disney Resort. AKL has no monopoly on good behavior or bad behavior or good service or bad. But for my money it is the cream of the crop.

Also, Lewis, your point on the AKL being the only deluxe with ONLY bus transportation is valid...And I agree that it'd be very nice to have an alternative over to the AK, but it still must be remembered that AKL is also the only deluxe to not share its busses, for which I am extremely happy.

 

[Tigger Woods]

Originally posted by Peter Pirate
AKL has no monopoly on good behavior or bad behavior or good service or bad.

Well said. By the way, I love the Florida Keys. We spend part of the winter in Islamorada. My FIL owns a golf course in Homestead called Keys Gate. If you're a player, I highly recommend it. (plug .. plug)

 

[wendyl]

I read the very first post on this thread first and then jumped to the last page to reply. Then I started thinking, I had not read any AKL complaint threads lately, I wondered why the OP started it.....then I looked at the date the thread was started.

WOW--talk about digging in the archives!!!