AKL - how far is it really?

[harperwi]

I started to read through the FAQ on the AKL, but it's very very long, and I haven't finished it yet. Apologies to everyone if this is addressed in there.

My question is this: People keep talking on this board about how far away the AKL is from the rest of WDW (well, except for AK). I want to know, since the AKL doesn't actually appear on the WDW maps, exactly how far is it???

I told my traveling companion that it was far, and I estimated it was "one mile" from the intersection of Buena Vista Drive and Osceola (for reference that's the intersection where you head south to get to the All Stars). Anyway, he looked at me like I had three heads when I told him one mile was "far."

I guess I tend to agree with him. What's a mile? We'll have our own car, after all.

So...can anyone tell me how far off I am with my estimate?

Thanks,
Jon

 

[daannzzz]

You are fairly close. If you are driving on BV Drive past Corronado Springs and turn onto Osceola Parkway it is a mile to a mile and a half. I think peoples idea of it being "so far" is that it is isolated off by itself. There is no lake with other resorts to walk to. There is no monorail and it isn't connected to another theme pakr. It adds maybe 3-4 minutes to the bus ride and less by car.

 

[susy]

Is it a WHOLE MILE from the All Stars??? It seems like just a minute away! We stayed at AKL and were VERY impressed with the transportation. It took about 5 minutes to get to AK, 10-15 to Epcot and MGM and 15-20 to MK (more like 15). The bus got me to my 8am Ps at Cindy's in PLENTY of time and that was Labor Day weekend! The nice thing is that there is only one bus stop at the resort and then you go straight to the parks (no sharing with another resort). AKL is a first class place all the way!

 

[soccer mom]

I think AKL has the BEST transportation! You don't have to share a bus with any other resort. All other resorts share buses with one or two other resorts. So maybe you're physically closer to things, but it takes you just as long to get anywhere because of the added stops.

Also, and more importantly, AKL's location is important to its theming. You can't have an African savannah in the middle of a city! (Can you tell it's our favorite?!)

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Our favorite resort too! I was concerned with this same issue but I didn't think the bus rides were long at all. It was so nice not to have to share the busses with any other resort. And we never had to wait for a bus very long either. Even after illuminations when it is so crowded at the bus stops. We had just missed a bus and another one came driving up about three minutes later. We were thrilled. AKL has to have the most efficient transportation service.

 

[Mainebound]

I love AKL too, and we had no problems at all with the busses (and with two little ones we came back to the lodge every day at noon for a rest). Clearly, it is not "far" from anything in terms of distance. I think what people must mean is that it feels more remote than the MK or Epcot areas -- you don't see the Castle, or the Boardwalk, or have a sense of being "where the action is". For us, that was a major plus. We actually believe there is such thing as "too much Disney" and we liked the ability to retreat to a more serene, sedate, calm environment. Others, though, would feel out of the loop. It's all a personal choice.

Good luck!

--Mainebound

 

[zulaya]

Not far. You aren't going to see fireworks from your balcony, but the theming is intact and you are not far from other parks.

 

[harperwi]

I think we'll be just fine then. In fact, last time we stayed at the All-Stars. I'm surprised I haven't heard the same thing about them. They feel pretty removed from everything too, imhol.

We'll also have our own car, as we're driving down, but we may use buses from time to time when it makes sense within our plans for the day (it is awfully nice to get dropped off right at the MK gates, for example!)

Also, because we'll be parking with our bags and stuff, I've read on many posts to drop things off at the sidewalk rather than tote them up the long hill. After all I've read on the many boards I subscribe to, I'm sure we'll be super strategists by the time we get there !

Thanks, everyone!
Jon

 

[susy]

Jon,

the valet is $6 a day. You can save this (if you choose) by dropping off the family and bags with bell services and then parking the car yourself. We had our car, but never needed it for the four parks . We were there over Labor Day weekend and never waited long for a bus and they were not at all crowded. We have a little one and had to use an umbrella stroller and came back for a break every day. Never a problem. I would take the car to Downtown disney and the water parks, since they often share buses and it can take a little longer to get around.

 

[harperwi]

We're too impatient for buses

The first time I went as an adult was in 1997, and we had a rental car. We started out the first morning taking the bus to the Epcot. After that we decided we didn't like waiting even a few minutes for the buses to arrive, when we could have been on our way already.

Ah well, I guess it all balances out. We drive, and those of you who ride buses benefit from our not adding to the bus stop crowd, right?

Jon