AKL Help!!

[windsor]

All right guys, I seriously need some help. We are on the verge of booking our WDW trip and want to stay at AKL 10 nights. My concern is about the remoteness of the resort. I feel very strongly about the need to take mid-day breaks and a return to the room for rest and recuperation (DD’s 6 & 8). I don’t like the idea of wasting so much time on travel, therefore am considering staying at a more centrally located resort (i.e.: Poly or CONT). What should I do?? Help before my wife and I start talking to our lawyers!!

 

[720L]

We stayed at AK Lodge in June and took a mid-afternoon break every day. The buses were wonderful. They were never so full anybody had to stand and we didn't wait long at the bus stops. We didn't feel at all like we wasted time on travel. When we stayed at All Star Movies last year we felt like we wasted a lot of time with the bus system there. AK Lodge is BEAUTIFUL !

 

[Vanryan]

I have to agree with 720L. We stayed at AKL with our kids who were 3.5 and 5.5 at the time and I was 8 months pregnant with number 3! We took naps midday- I thought the bus ride was a help, my kids fell asleep a lot. Only hard thing was carrying my son to the room. AKL is just breathtaking!

 

[DisneyFreaks]

I whole heartedly agree too. We stayed at AKL last year and we went back to our rooms almost every afternoon. No problem at all. The bus service there was absolutely wonderful. Housekeeping was great too. Our rooms were always cleaned and ready by mid afternoon. We did not feel like we were wasting time at all. AKL is gorgeous. We loved it there and can't wait to return.

 

[Aisling]

My family also returned every afternoon to AKL for a break. It didn't feel remote at all, because of the excellent bus system.

 

[classicpooh]

Just back from AKL... The buses were so fast, we had no problems coming back to the hotel for breaks! You will be fine!

 

[DutchsMommy]

I had the same concern as you and we decided to split our stay btwn AKL and the Poly. That way we will use AKL bus service to MGM and AK and then move to the Poly for Epcot and MK - that way getting back to the resort mid-day should be quick and easy. Just a suggestion.

 

[#1hockeymom]

I have stayed at AKL four times now and have always come back to the resort in the middle of the day to nap or rest. Another plus to rest time is that there is always something to do or see at AKL which makes the "I wanna go back to the park nows" not be heard! I do believe our rest time has actually increased by staying at AKL, since we always want to go back and see what is going on outside our balcony!

Happy planning!
Debbie

 

[Pig Pen]

We actually looked forward to returning to AKL midday because the resort was so wonderful. We were there during slow season and don't recall long bus waits.

 

[Darian]

Hi Windsor!

There is a perception that AKL is waaaaaayyyy out in the boonies but really the bus ride is only about 12 minutes or so. Sometimes its a bit longer but not by much.

The place is designed to feel like you really are "away from it all" which makes the AKL so unique and desireable. The rooms are large, quiet, beautiful and elegantly appointed. Watching a giraffe move majestically across the "savanah" while I watch from my balcony sipping a morning cup of coffee is unbeatable. My DW and I are spending a week there in Oct 04.

We will then move over for another week at the BC - to be close to Epcot and the food and wine festival and all the seminars. Famous chefs, great food, extrordinary wine and the Beach Boys. How could I say no?

So Windsor, what kind of itinerary do you plan to have? When will you be going? Where you plan to spend most of your time can have an effect on where you stay.

Darian

 

[Jessica Grimes]

A few years ago when I was in the process of booking my resort for Walt Disney World the Cast Member on the phone said if I wanted really good transportaiton to book the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Boy was he right. The busses take you directly to the parks without stopping on a circuit of resorts like some of the Disney Resorts. I would definately not worry about travel time. This is my favorit Disney Resort. Where else can you find beautiful african animals roaming outside your window? Here's a little trick we found out about while staying at the resort. Most people think you have to travel the entire walkay back to the main entrance at the AKL. There's actually a slightly hidden door at the AKL just after the buss stop to your right. You need your room key to enter. This usually makes it quicker to get to your rooms. I will probably always stay at the AKL, I love it that much!

 

[Connor&Cody'sMom]

The bus service at AKL really is the best. Not having to share buses with other resorts more than makes up for the few extra miles you might have to travel. This is our favorite resort.