AKL is it worth it?

[firsttime]

It is our first trip to Disney and are trying to decided where to stay. We love the FT package. Trying to keep costs down some but would like this to be a very special trip. My kids 6 and 7 would love to see the animals. I am just wondering if the cost of a Deluxe is worth it.

Any input would be great!! I am trying to make this a trip to remember and hubby wants it comfortable.

thanks

 

[kdonnel]

We are at the AKL now and having a great time. We tend to have a great time at any of the Disney hotels.

We have stayed at Beach Club, Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, Allstar Sports, Polynesian, and now the AKL.

The animals are everywhere. We have a savannah view room and the giraffes have been outside our balcony everyday. They have a feeder located in a tree 20 feet from our room.

Go for it.

 

[Harambe]

I can't wait to go to AKL!!!

To answer your question - we have stayed at value and deluxe resorts (haven't done moderate yet). The value resorts have a certain charm and are fun, but they are just too darn small! You will be cramped in the room with the four of you. You have more room at the deluxe.

So, do you get more magic at a deluxe? Maybe not worth an extra 200+ a night, but the comfort of the room is a consideration.

If a value was the only way I could experience WDW - I'd stay at a value resort in a heart beat - but I'd prefer the deluxe!

 

[lalapodip]

I absolutely can't wait for our stay at AKL. We are surprising the kids and decided that the extra $$ would be worth it. Our other choice would have been FW Cabins (we have 3 kids and that's where we stayed last time) but AKL is "only" $500 more (and we don't have any credit cards, so this is really a big deal! ). Good luck with your decision - let us know what you decide!

 

[KathyFP]

AKL was the first place we ever stayed. If we had the money, we would stay there everytime!!!!

 

[DisneyFreaks]

I so agree with KathyFP. We love the moderates and usually stay in those but after having spent last week at AKL I don't think I ever want to stay anywhere else. And we had standard view rooms. This hotel is gorgeous. Every morning when I would get to the lobby and hear those drums I swore I was in the jungles of Africa. I can't sing the praises of AKL loud enough.

 

[TwoOldPoohs]

AKL is our absolute favorite resort! I think it's more peaceful and soothing than the others resorts at which we've stayed. The cast members are so friendly and helpful, and so eager to talk about their home towns and about the animals on the savannahs. Boma and Jiko are also two of our favorite restaurants.

We have also been perfectly happy staying at any of the All Stars resorts. We never take advantage of the recreational activities at the resorts, and we've never gone swimming in any of the pools. So for us, the additional amenities at a deluxe resort do not really figure in to our decision. There's just the two of us, and really all we need is a place to sleep at night and a place to keep our stuff.

There's just something about AKL that feels like home to us.

 

[firsttime]

Thanks for all the input. I think we will be staying at AKL. The kids are really excited about the animals. Ok so am I. Can't wait to go!!!!

 

[Gette88]

Like DisneyFreaks we love the moderate hotels, but our last visit we stayed at AKL. It was great. We also had a savannah view and we absolutely loved it. CBR is a good resort for kids and parents alike. There is a nice food court and a cool pool.

 

[MinnieGi]

AKL is really awesome!!! Just had to chime in also. We loved our stay at AKL - very friendly staff, wonderful restaurants, great pool area and of course the animals!!! We're thinking of booking AKL again for our next Feb. trip even though we usually like to try different resorts, but it was that good!

 

[tmbasuhre]

I can't wait until our trip to AKL. I hope we love it as much as everyone says we will.

By the way, you'll love halloween at the "world". MNSSHP is our best memory of all of our trips to Disney!!!

Maribeth

 

[giatocj]

We just got back in March from a stay at AKL and had an awesome time. Since this was my grandson's first visit to Disney we wanted to make it SUPER special so booked AKL Concierge. To me it was so worth it. Christian (my grandson) loved being able to watch the animals from our room and he just had an overall wonderful time. We all loved hanging out up in the lounge during our breaks from the parks and the pool was awesome, too.

We've stayed at mostly the moderate resorts up until this trip...it was our first deluxe stay and it was just wonderful.

Donna C.