AKL-I want to know everything!!

[NJ2Boardwalk]

Hello,
We just made a reservation at the AKL, and are looking forward to our vacation in august. We have never stayed there before but we are excited to try something new!! I want your opinion on everything there. I have a few questions though...
-how is the main pool?? (my DD are 13 and 14)
-how is the 'african food selection'?? and Would they be accommodating to my DD who is lactose intolerant??
-what are the busses like?? (i know how disney busses are, but we have never stayed at a "bus only transportation option" resort)
-is a savannah view really worth it?? (we have a pool view booked with bunk beds)
-how is the quick service place?? is it 24 hours??
Well thanks for your help...looking for replies!!
P.S. - Don't be hesitant to add any pictures you would like!!

 

[JPTexan82]

The main pool there is great, there is only one pool though. Its the second biggest at wdw, there is a pool bar. The views there are great, pool view is fun the pool there is open 24 hrs so it can get loud, but the music is nice.
Boma's is different my wife didnt like it, never tryed jiko;s, the MARA is fine its a chicken finger mix with african food place. Do get the mugs. Its a big long hotel from end to end more than a 1/3 of a mile long tip to tip, there are no grounds to wonder, but the overlooks, so there is people every where.

 

[Knavey]

There is some information in this thread of my AKL review.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1712874

The pool is great. Its enormous and heated and I think your kids will love it.

Can't say for the food selection...we were doing character dining at the parks so did not eat at the main restaraunts at AKL.

The buses are fine. Direct runs to all the parks, rarely crowded (unless you get on one at the end of the day), and the longest ride was 20 minutes.

We did do quick service...I don't remember if it was open 24 hours. It was OK food...about what you would expect at a quick service place.

 

[RachelTori]

Check out the information on post #1 of Kimmar's thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1636333


If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them on that thread - lots of AKL experts there!

The Mara (quick service) is not open 24 hours - it closes somewhere around 11pm to midnight (probably depending on the season) and reopens at 6am.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

We have stayed there 3 times, Savannah View, Pool View and CL savannah view. All three times we loved it. The pool is wonderful and it is the largest pool on WDW property. It has zero depth entry which is nice for little ones. 2 hot tubs are right near the pool and the Mara (CS) is connected to the pool area the food is typical CS with a grab and go section. Great gift shop with snacks. We love Boma and eat there every trip. If you are staying CL book the sunrise safari it is awesome and the breakfast is out of this world. There are alot of things to do at night around the lodge. Storytime by the firepit, nightvision googles, music parade for the kids in the lobby. During the day I think you get a tour of Boma and cookie decorating. If you book the kids camp they get to do alot of things around the lodge and paint ostrich eggs (which you can ship home) I could go on and on. I found alot of info on the faq thread here and allearsnet. Have fun plannning!!!!!

 

[conmama]

The pool is incredible, both you and the kids will enjoy it. In my opinion, it's the best thing about the hotel.

I would have liked to try Boma's, but I could tell that my kids wouldn't have really liked alot of the offerings, so we didn't. You can go and check it out before deciding. I had made ADR's and then just canceled them when I took a look at the buffet.

WE did the Savanah, thinking the kids would think it would be oh so cool! They took one look out, *yeah, cool*, and that was it. So, for us, it didn't turn out to be worth the extra $100/night or whatever it was. Plus, we were never in our room for that much time. You can see the animals from different points thruout the hotel. Also...okay, I know I'm in the minority, when I sit out on my balcony, I like it to be beautiful aesthetically. And the savanahh just isn't. I would have much rather looked out at the beautiful pool.

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

The buses are fine. Direct runs to all the parks, rarely crowded (unless you get on one at the end of the day), and the longest ride was 20 minutes.

REALLY??? I was kind of worried about AKL/AKV being so far away and needing to come back for naps with the kids, but 20 minutes is nothing! We'll be there in late September so hopefully that will be true for us too!

 

[Cindie-rella]

I loved this resort and absolutely recommend savanna view. Others may disagree but to me its all part of what makes this resort so unique. We would wake each morning and run to the window to see what animals were hanging out. And each time we came back to the room...would talk about it on our way back from the parks and couldn't wait to return. I spent each morning on my balcony with my coffee watching the animals gather around the watering hole. Very nice way to start your day. After all, aren't the animals the main attraction to this resort? At least in my opinion they are. The buses were never crowded, to or fro. The pool never felt crowded either but then again I never went in the summer months. The food at Boma is so good! Your DD will find plenty I'm sure. Hadn't tried Jiko and the Mara was just so/so. It wasn't bad, but I always prefer table service or buffets. I feel the same about all the resorts counter service's anyway. But Boma was wonderful. I can't wait for our upcoming trip, my mouth waters just thinking about it! Such different selections...such a different kind of resort. It's a wonderful experience all around. Enjoy!

 

[NJBILL]

Savannah View is worth extra $$$
Pool Is great..kids loved it..very large.
Concierge also very nice...
Transportation no problems

 

[Knavey]

REALLY??? I was kind of worried about AKL/AKV being so far away and needing to come back for naps with the kids, but 20 minutes is nothing! We'll be there in late September so hopefully that will be true for us too!

I have a 2.5 year old and we do naps every day. Get up in time to go back to the park we want to eat dinner at and spend the rest of the evening there. It's not bad at all.

 

[mojara]

We just returned from 5 days there - we booked a savannah view room and I was glad we did. The pool and jacuzzis were great and my 9 year old loved them - we spent at least and hour or two each day at the pool. The Mara food was varied and yummy - the pizza was especially tasty. We ate at Bome three times and loved it every time - there are so many choices that I can't imagine anyone not finding plenty they could eat and enjoy. The animals were terrific, the theme is great, the buses were mostly greay - except the few times we had a kind of long wait until one showed up - and sometimes at park closing the buses were packed and we had to stand all the way back. I'm not sure I would pay that much to do it again but it was wonderful and if I could afford a deluxe, I would certainly go there again.

 

[Knavey]

Park closing was the only time I ever stood...the rest of the rides were not full at all, and no side trips to other resorts.

We normally leave about 20 minutes before closing to catch the bus that is not full. The next one will be standing room only.

 

[stellablue]

Here is my trip report from staying at AKL just last week (see post #9):
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1713965

I included some pics!

We loved it here and will definately be back!

 

[angeleigh]

NJ2Boardwalk- We are also going to the AKL in August. I had exactly the same questions as you. I am a little worried about the resort being so far away from the parks. But my dh and children have their hearts set on staying here. My son (3) asks everyday if it is time to leave to go to Mickey Mouse's house. If you see a woman with 3 kids carrying the camera, everyone's bag, pal mickey, and refillable mugs while everyone else is empty handed say hi because it is me.

 

[dbarker]

We've stayed at AKL 3 times--1) pool view, 2) savannah view and 3) standard view. Our favorite was the pool view. We were on the 3rd floor each time. The pool view had lots of foliage, so we had the illusion that we were isolated from everyone else, but could still see and hear them from our balcony seats. It was very peaceful and relaxing.

The pool is awesome. There are lots of activities both day and night. The kids can help feed the flamingos in the mornings. There are lots of areas to view the animals. Bring your own binoculars. You will be glad you did.

The buses are fantastic. The trips to the parks seem very quick.

 

[splashmtnman]

We stayed there December 06 and loved this resort. The savannah view was def. worth it. My DD woke me up our first night there at about 4:00 am and pulled me to the balcony. There stood beautful giraffes that looked like you could touch them they were so close. The pool is nice, waterslide and even though it was cold out the pool was still comfortable. Boma is decent but Jiko was unbelievable. The food was so good.The kids loved it also. My DS had a child's beef tenderloin.Probably our favorite meal yet. You won't be disappointed. Buses were no problem either.

 

[NJ2Boardwalk]

Thanks everyone for the replies, and keep them coming!!! We are looking forward to staying here, and now everyone made me very excited!!
Angeleigh - We will definately keep our eyes out for you. We are going 8/19-8/26. When are you going??

 

[angeleigh]

We are going the Aug17 -Aug 24.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

There's a hidden Mickey on one of the shields if you look up in the lobby. It's on near the bottom. There's another one in the stonework near the bridge. Often you'll see someone looking for it. There are several out front. the CM's may help you find them. There is another one in the in the stone work near Boma - near the stairs.

the main pool is great. So are the hot tubs.

If you ask at Boma, they awill have a chef come out and escort your daughter down the line and tell her what foods she can have. You can do this at any WDW buffet. Also, it is good to call ahead and tell Disney about this ahead of time. CRO will give you individual numbers ofr all your restaurants (or at least TS one) and if you give them advance warning (48hrs, I think) they will best be able to help you. If you have an epipen - ALWAYS CARRY IT AT WDW!!!!!

In terms of "African" foods, I've never been to Africa, but I think most of the food at AKL is pretty American-ized. Or maybe at most exotic -South African (British influenced). They do serve great soups, fresh fruit, fresh salads, carved beef, pasta for the kids.
The Mara is quite good, IMO, if smallish. The soups are the same ones they have at Boma, and most are very good. The chicken pizza took a long time to cook. EVeyone one else in my family was eating their food, and I was still waiting for it -and I was the first to order my food! I guess the chicken takes a while to cook. It was pretty good though. Next time I'd just get cheese pizza though. I don't think it's open 24hrs, but I think you can get room service same as any deluxe - 24hrs.

Never had problem with buses. They are like most other WDW resort buses, except thatthe wait times are usually pretty short. Usually they weren't packed like some other resorts, but we weren't there during peak times. They also go directly tothe parks, so that's a plus over most mods and some other deluxes.

We had pool view when we stayed. Pool view was actually quite nice, IMO. (At WL , isn't pool view considered the top view?) We could see the animals at an observation deck almost across the hall from us, so that was pretty nice. WE don't spend much time in the room though.