AKL LITE unofficial FAQ thread#10 - I believe that's known as a 'Jambo Dozen'

[hemmie]

Also, sorry to monopolize!, but I am wondering if AKL is cool with us arriving before check in - say around 12 or 1pm - and using the pool or whatever until the room is ready. I don't care about early check in per se (as in, I don't want to forfeit a better room just to get one that is available the minute we get there). But I just want to be sure that we can do stuff at AKL before actually having access to our room. Thanks!

 

[Best Aunt]

Interesting responses - thank you! I am actually disappointed that the first bus of the day didn't pick up until 8:40am (or was that not the first bus?)... I was under the impression that buses started running an hour before park opening.

I'm getting my transpo times from a source I can't remember and the Unofficial Guide:
BUSES FROM ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE:
Magic Kingdom: 12 miles, 15-20 mins; UO: 36 is typical, 51 bad day
Blizzard Beach: 2.5 miles, 5-10 mins; UO: 27 is typical, 39 bad day
Epcot: 8 miles, 10-15 mins; UO: 29 is typical, 40 bad day
Hollywood Studios: 6 miles, 10-15 mins; UO: 26 is typical, 37 bad day
Animal Kingdom: 2 miles, 5-7 mins; UO: 10 is typical, 17 bad day

So I'm going on "worst case scenario" from MK (51 mins) so that I'll be pleasantly surprised if it's less. Our last 3 days we will be at AKL, the crowd levels will be high (Fri, Sat & Sun of Memorial Weekend), so I am bracing myself.

Thanks again - I would love any/all opinions on this!

Sorry to confuse you. I didn't mean that 8:40 was the first bus from Jambo House to the Magic Kingdom. I meant that it was the first bus from Jambo House after I got my butt down to the bus stop at 8:30. I don't know if there were earlier buses (although I assume there were ) because I was still in my room. I wanted to get to the Magic Kingdom around the time that it opened, but I wasn't determined to be one of the very first people in the park.

 

[DizDaD7]

Sorry to confuse you. I didn't mean that 8:40 was the first bus from Jambo House to the Magic Kingdom. I meant that it was the first bus from Jambo House after I got my butt down to the bus stop at 8:30. I don't know if there were earlier buses (although I assume there were ) because I was still in my room. I wanted to get to the Magic Kingdom around the time that it opened, but I wasn't determined to be one of the very first people in the park.

You are absolutely correct Best Aunt..There are buses a minimum of an hour before entry.... I think once was like 5 minutes before that even...

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Also, sorry to monopolize!, but I am wondering if AKL is cool with us arriving before check in - say around 12 or 1pm - and using the pool or whatever until the room is ready. I don't care about early check in per se (as in, I don't want to forfeit a better room just to get one that is available the minute we get there). But I just want to be sure that we can do stuff at AKL before actually having access to our room. Thanks!

Yes! Just check in and if your room is not ready when you arrive bell services can hold your luggage and you can enjoy the pool or other activities going on around the lodge. You will receive a text once your room is ready with the number. Just head there when you like and call bell services you deliver your luggage. Also if you choose to swim, there is a bathroom/locker room right next to Mara, near the pool for you to change.

 

[RachelTori]

Interesting! Thanks (from this newbie). So just to clarify, the bus to AKL leaves from right near the entrance to MK, but taxis leave from TTC, which is accessible by monorail?

Correct! The only vehicles allowed in the MK area are the park buses and emergency vehicles/security. All other vehicles go to the TTC, which is also the "parking lot" for MK guests arriving in their vehicles. From there, you take the monorail or ferry to MK.

Especially at MK, they're usually really good about running plenty of buses during peak times.

 

[hemmie]

Yes! Just check in and if your room is not ready when you arrive bell services can hold your luggage and you can enjoy the pool or other activities going on around the lodge. You will receive a text once your room is ready with the number. Just head there when you like and call bell services you deliver your luggage. Also if you choose to swim, there is a bathroom/locker room right next to Mara, near the pool for you to change.

Great! Thank you! This is good news I am really looking forward to AKL - it's fun to be as excited about the accommodation as about the parks themselves!

Correct! The only vehicles allowed in the MK area are the park buses and emergency vehicles/security. All other vehicles go to the TTC, which is also the "parking lot" for MK guests arriving in their vehicles. From there, you take the monorail or ferry to MK.

Especially at MK, they're usually really good about running plenty of buses during peak times.

Awesome. This seems like a huge "pro" in favor of taking the buses over other methods of transportation.

 

[Mrsjvb]

Also, sorry to monopolize!, but I am wondering if AKL is cool with us arriving before check in - say around 12 or 1pm - and using the pool or whatever until the room is ready. I don't care about early check in per se (as in, I don't want to forfeit a better room just to get one that is available the minute we get there). But I just want to be sure that we can do stuff at AKL before actually having access to our room. Thanks!

good gravy yes. hell you do not even have to be staying there at all to use any facet of the resort( EXCEPT the pools)

 

[AliceandAriel]

Hey all! Who here has munched at the Mara? Thoughts on breakfast and dinner?

I have my first upcoming trip to Kidani on 10/25, and it looks like the Mara and I are going to become good buddies by the time I leave.

 

[AddictedtoDoleWhip]

Does anyone know how long it takes to get to AKL from MCO? We will be landing at around 545 am, and are wondering what time we would arrive at the resort. I'm also kind of hoping that we will have a room ready then (I doubt it though, we're staying Concierge so idk if things are run differently with rooms.)

How good are the pools? We're either thinking of swimming for awhile or going to DTD... how long does it take to get to DTD from AKL by bus?

 

[DizDaD7]

Hey all! Who here has munched at the Mara? Thoughts on breakfast and dinner?

I have my first upcoming trip to Kidani on 10/25, and it looks like the Mara and I are going to become good buddies by the time I leave.

Maras food is very good, and quick too. Weve eaten all 3 times of the day. And each were just as good.

 

[DizDaD7]

Does anyone know how long it takes to get to AKL from MCO? We will be landing at around 545 am, and are wondering what time we would arrive at the resort. I'm also kind of hoping that we will have a room ready then (I doubt it though, we're staying Concierge so idk if things are run differently with rooms.)

How good are the pools? We're either thinking of swimming for awhile or going to DTD... how long does it take to get to DTD from AKL by bus?

Roughly a 35minute ride, which always seems to fly by. So sitback relax and enjoy the shirt video. Because in no time at all you'll be transported to a whole other place.

As far as your room being ready, depends really. On what time of year you are going,and how busy they are. That early I'm thinking probably not but you never know.

 

[medicgirl177]

Hi there! We are thinking of staying at AKL CL in Aug. We have only ever stayed at the YC and BC. I was thinking of requesting bunk beds instead of 2 Qs. If anyone has stayed at both AKL and BC/YC, how does the room size compare? Will the room have more space to move around in with the bunks vs 2 Qs? Also, totally ridiculous question .... The BC/YC smell so good as some kind of scent is piped in. Is it the same for AKL? TIA!

Moving this up.....

 

[la la limon]

Hi there,

A little off topic, but I'm wondering if it's a pain to go from the MK to the Contemporary for dinner, then back to the AKL after dinner. Thoughts?

Thanks!

Amy

 

[hill6]

Hi there,

A little off topic, but I'm wondering if it's a pain to go from the MK to the Contemporary for dinner, then back to the AKL after dinner. Thoughts?

Thanks!

Amy

It is a few minute walk only from MK to Contemporary. Not a problem unless it is raining.

 

[hemmie]

It is a few minute walk only from MK to Contemporary. Not a problem unless it is raining.

Related question. We are planning to take an afternoon break from MK back at AKL. We then have dinner reservations at 'Ohana. Should we just take a taxi from AKL to 'Ohana? And then from the Poly back to MK... ferry or monorail?

 

[Best Aunt]

Somebody asked this: "The BC/YC smell so good as some kind of scent is piped in. Is it the same for AKL?"

I've stayed at the Yacht Club once, and BCV 4 times (with numerous trips through the lobby even though my room was in BCV not BC). I've stopped into the Beach Club on trips where I've stayed at other resorts. I have allergies, so I am super sensitive to smells. And I have never, ever noticed this Beach Club scent that people have talk about.

I stayed at Jambo House a few weeks ago, and I didn't notice a scent there, either. Not a piped in pleasant scent, not an animal scent, not a wood burning fire scent. Nothing.

From my point of view, no smells is good smells.

But maybe somebody else smelled something.

 

[hemmie]

Somebody asked this: "The BC/YC smell so good as some kind of scent is piped in. Is it the same for AKL?"

I've stayed at the Yacht Club once, and BCV 4 times (with numerous trips through the lobby even though my room was in BCV not BC). I've stopped into the Beach Club on trips where I've stayed at other resorts. I have allergies, so I am super sensitive to smells. And I have never, ever noticed this Beach Club scent that people have talk about.

I stayed at Jambo House a few weeks ago, and I didn't notice a scent there, either. Not a piped in pleasant scent, not an animal scent, not a wood burning fire scent. Nothing.

From my point of view, no smells is good smells.

But maybe somebody else smelled something.

I can't comment on WDW resorts' scents, but I have been surprised by how many people love the idea of a plug-in scent for their room. To each his/her own, but (at the risk of me being a buzz-kill) it's not innocuous:
http://www.ewg.org/guides/categories/1-AirFresheners
(btw, there ARE some decent options that don't get bad grades )

 

[psac]

Hey all! Who here has munched at the Mara? Thoughts on breakfast and dinner?

I have my first upcoming trip to Kidani on 10/25, and it looks like the Mara and I are going to become good buddies by the time I leave.

We were just there two weeks ago. We found the pre-made salads and the burgers to both be very good!

Does anyone know how long it takes to get to AKL from MCO? We will be landing at around 545 am, and are wondering what time we would arrive at the resort. I'm also kind of hoping that we will have a room ready then (I doubt it though, we're staying Concierge so idk if things are run differently with rooms.)

How good are the pools? We're either thinking of swimming for awhile or going to DTD... how long does it take to get to DTD from AKL by bus?

The DME takes about 35 minutes as said, but we had to wait for the bus to load, and then stop at Art of Animation and Pop Century before going to AKL. I think about 90 minutes from landing time is a better estimate, to be honest, although you're getting in SO early, it might be really quick!!

For DTD, it was about 30 mins going, and maybe 50 back.

Enjoy!

 

[psac]

Somebody asked this: "The BC/YC smell so good as some kind of scent is piped in. Is it the same for AKL?"

I've stayed at the Yacht Club once, and BCV 4 times (with numerous trips through the lobby even though my room was in BCV not BC). I've stopped into the Beach Club on trips where I've stayed at other resorts. I have allergies, so I am super sensitive to smells. And I have never, ever noticed this Beach Club scent that people have talk about.

I stayed at Jambo House a few weeks ago, and I didn't notice a scent there, either. Not a piped in pleasant scent, not an animal scent, not a wood burning fire scent. Nothing.

From my point of view, no smells is good smells.

But maybe somebody else smelled something.

To me the Jambo lobby smells like Boma in the evenings, and that's a good thing. Love that smell! The rest of the day -- I agree, no particular smell.

 

[la la limon]

Moving this up.....

It is a few minute walk only from MK to Contemporary. Not a problem unless it is raining.

Great, thanks!