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

[DizDaD7]

.....yeah, well hold yer horses....a certain someone has designs on going the same week....and I am not talking AspiringCindy.... great...3 siblings going and I pick the wrong week....

Uhm you mean DBr im guessing?

 

[YCFAN]

We no longer have the Royal Kuba Suite, just the Royal Assante Suite and two CL rooms. Thanks!!

 

[Nemo32]

DBF and I will be there May 11th-17th AKV Jambo House!!!

Quick question - our plane arrives super early. If our room isn't ready, is there a place to change, maybe shower, or at least freshen up? Thanks!

 

[kimmar067]

Uhm you mean DBr im guessing?

yup

 

[PrncJasmine]

I need suggestions for room request with online check in. We've never stayed at AKL and I'm unsure! Sunset view, trail view, near transportation, which floor??? Anyone help??

 

[hemmie]

I need suggestions for room request with online check in. We've never stayed at AKL and I'm unsure! Sunset view, trail view, near transportation, which floor??? Anyone help??

Depends on whether you booked a savannah or Arusha savannah view (more expensive). Regardless, this is a great resource (click room finder tool) - you can actually see the view from most rooms!
http://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/hotels/disneys-animal-kingdom-lodge

 

[hemmie]

Am getting a little anxious about the time consuming Disney transportation from/to AKL, especially if we end up staying for Wishes at MK or the special Star Wars fireworks at HS. Also for afternoon breaks or park hopping.

Are taxis worth budgeting in? Not for every time, but I'm thinking it may be worth peace of mind just to pay for a taxi from MK and back for an afternoon break, rather than spending up to almost an hour each way in a bus?

Also, are taxis readily available after the fireworks shows even when the hordes are all trying to leave at the same time?

Thanks!

 

[Best Aunt]

Am getting a little anxious about the time consuming Disney transportation from/to AKL, especially if we end up staying for Wishes at MK or the special Star Wars fireworks at HS. Also for afternoon breaks or park hopping.

Are taxis worth budgeting in? Not for every time, but I'm thinking it may be worth peace of mind just to pay for a taxi from MK and back for an afternoon break, rather than spending up to almost an hour each way in a bus?

Also, are taxis readily available after the fireworks shows even when the hordes are all trying to leave at the same time?

Thanks!

I was the opposite -- I didn't care about getting back to the hotel, I cared about getting from the hotel to the parks. The first day I was at the Jambo House bus stop at 8:30. Magic Kingdom opened at 9:00. Bus arrived at about 8:40, but there were only about 8 seats available -- and about 30 people waiting to board. I was not going to stand on the bus for 20 minutes, so I took a cab to the Transportation & Ticket Center. Cost: $26 including tip. From there, I took the ferry (although I could have taken the monorail).

If you leave the Magic Kingdom, I don't know if the cabs are there, or if you have to get to the Transportation & Ticket Center by ferry or monorail, and pick up a cab there.

My second day, I did the Sunrise Safari, so getting to the park wasn't an issue.

My third day, I wanted to get to Epcot around the time that it opened, so I didn't even try waiting for the bus. I just took a cab. Cost: $21 including tip.

The bus ride back from Magic Kingdom took about 20 minutes. I don't remember how long it took to get back from the other parks. I had no problem getting a seat at the Magic Kingdom (about 1:00 pm), Animal Kingdom (about 2:00 pm) or Epcot (about 5:00 pm).

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Am getting a little anxious about the time consuming Disney transportation from/to AKL, especially if we end up staying for Wishes at MK or the special Star Wars fireworks at HS. Also for afternoon breaks or park hopping. Are taxis worth budgeting in? Not for every time, but I'm thinking it may be worth peace of mind just to pay for a taxi from MK and back for an afternoon break, rather than spending up to almost an hour each way in a bus? Also, are taxis readily available after the fireworks shows even when the hordes are all trying to leave at the same time? Thanks!

I have stayed at AKL multiple times and the only time it's taken a little bit of time is at park closing to get back to the lodge and that can be expected at any resort you stay at. MK is no more then 20-25 mins away from AKL. Even with traffic it shouldn't take anywhere near and hour to get to or from.

 

[kimmar067]

I have stayed at AKL multiple times and the only time it's taken a little bit of time is at park closing to get back to the lodge and that can be expected at any resort you stay at. MK is no more then 20-25 mins away from AKL. Even with traffic it shouldn't take anywhere near and hour to get to or from.

....personally, I don't think it took even THAT long....besides, remember, an advantage of staying at AKL is that they don't share buses with any other resort....even GF does!

 

[hemmie]

I was the opposite -- I didn't care about getting back to the hotel, I cared about getting from the hotel to the parks. The first day I was at the Jambo House bus stop at 8:30. Magic Kingdom opened at 9:00. Bus arrived at about 8:40, but there were only about 8 seats available -- and about 30 people waiting to board. I was not going to stand on the bus for 20 minutes, so I took a cab to the Transportation & Ticket Center. Cost: $26 including tip. From there, I took the ferry (although I could have taken the monorail).

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!

 

[hemmie]

I have stayed at AKL multiple times and the only time it's taken a little bit of time is at park closing to get back to the lodge and that can be expected at any resort you stay at. MK is no more then 20-25 mins away from AKL. Even with traffic it shouldn't take anywhere near and hour to get to or from.

So after Wishes, there was no taxi shortage at MK? I hate the idea of feeling stranded with two very tired boys (10 & 8)....

 

[dgbg100106]

We no longer have the Royal Kuba Suite, just the Royal Assante Suite and two CL rooms. Thanks!!

July
Manicstreet, Jun 24th – 2nd, AKL
ColinCodyMom, Jun 25th – 2nd, AKL
Ah10is, 1st – 8th, AKL
Kanga1, 13th – 25th, AKL
Think-like-tink, 15th – 26th, AKV CL
MickeyT, 25th – Aug 1st, Jambo CL
YCFAN, 26th – 28th, Royal Assante Suite & CL
anjalee6, 28th – Aug 6th, AKL
jvattes, 29th – Aug 5th, AKL
AngiTN, 29th – Aug 5th, AKL

 

[dgbg100106]

DBF and I will be there May 11th-17th AKV Jambo House!!!

Quick question - our plane arrives super early. If our room isn't ready, is there a place to change, maybe shower, or at least freshen up? Thanks!

May
Caseytigger, 1st – 5th, AKL
The Yeti Guy, 2nd – 5th, AKL
Shaden, 2nd – 16th, AKL Jambo House
dolphigirl47, 2nd – 17th, Disney Wonder Panama Canal Cruise
suemom2kay, 3rd – 12th, AKL
Hill6, 5th – 8th, AKL Kidani
CupcakeKelly, 5th – 8th, AKL
RebelSoul, 5th – 11th, AKV Jambo
Cruzergirl, 5th – 14th, AKL
Jenbrewer, 6th – 8th, AKL CL
Hill6, 8th – 10th, AKL Kidani
DevonsDisneyMom, 9th – 17th, AKV Jambo
Zeldot, 10th – 14th, AKL CL
Nemo32, 11th – 17th, AKL Jambo House
jmetz1028, 13th – 18th, AKL
amazingact21, 14th – 15th, AKL
Wolfie68, 14th – 18th, AKL
CinderElsa, 15th – 18th, AKL
BelleChick, 15th – 22nd, AKL
Lelei, 16th – 26th, AKL
AddictedtoDoleWhip, 17th – 24th, AKL
Jeffbear, 17th – 24th, AKL
hemmie, 20th -26th, AKL
chocovrdmicears, 20th – 28th, AKL
Momto8, 23rd – 30th, Jambo House
Vital, 23rd – 31st, Jambo House
RachelTori, 24th – 31st , AKV-CL
Paula Sedley-Burke, 26th – 28th, ASMu
Paula Sedley-Burke, 28th – Jun 4th, SSR
franandaj, 28th - Jun 4th, VGF

 

[kimmar067]

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)....

…I've been to WDW many times and at different times of the year - NEVER has it taken us 51 minutes to get back to the resort.

 

[DizDaD7]

Hemmie , 51minutes may be time waiting for a 3rd or 4th bus after wishes, & including the ride back, & i dont believe that has ever happened. ..POR this is definitely the case .

AKL to MK is 19 minutes. ..
" " BB is 5 mins
" " HS is 9-10mins
" " Epcot 11 mins.
" " DTD. & back.........Now this is Hirrible...but honestly the only bad one out of all.

Aslo fwiw, I experienced much worse bus service from BWV to MK...

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

....personally, I don't think it took even THAT long....besides, remember, an advantage of staying at AKL is that they don't share buses with any other resort....even GF does!

So TRUE!!! AKL gets such a bad rap for their transportation and in all my stays there I never found it to be that bad. Yes there are times where you might wait for a bus or you may have to stand but I've experienced that at almost very Disney resort I've stayed at.

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

So after Wishes, there was no taxi shortage at MK? I hate the idea of feeling stranded with two very tired boys (10 & 8)....

I don't think you can get a taxi from MK. I've never seen them around the bus depot. My thought if you wanted to get a taxi it be easier to walk to the Contemporary and get one there back to AKL.

 

[PNO4TE]

So after Wishes, there was no taxi shortage at MK? I hate the idea of feeling stranded with two very tired boys (10 & 8)....

Let me preface this by saying that my information could be out of date, although I don't think so.

To take a taxi from the Magic Kingdom you will first have to get to the Ticket and Transportation Center OR walk over to the Contemporary. If it was me, I would rather just get a bus because there are going to be waits to get on the ferry or the monorail to get to T&T too.

But that is my opinion.

 

[hemmie]

Let me preface this by saying that my information could be out of date, although I don't think so.

To take a taxi from the Magic Kingdom you will first have to get to the Ticket and Transportation Center OR walk over to the Contemporary. If it was me, I would rather just get a bus because there are going to be waits to get on the ferry or the monorail to get to T&T too.

But that is my opinion.

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?