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

[kimmar067]

Especially sweaty schlepping. Ammi right?

 

[kimmar067]

We stayed at AKL Jambo in June. We all said never again. The bus stop for magic kingdom one morning was so long that we took a taxi rather than wait for 2 more buses which is what I think it would have taken to load everyone. Another afternoon we waited 45 minutes for a bus to the magic kingdom. We usually stay at OKW so I am used to multiple bus stops. I have read a lot of bad things about OKW bus service however AKL was definitely worse. The actual time spent riding the bus wasn't bad; the trouble was getting a bus.

.....just curious - why didn't you report it? the WDW 'higher-uppers' don't look kindly towards bad publicity and that is something that they can definitely immediately change and rectify.. I am also confused about the 'multiple bus stops' at AKL. Actually, other than the bus going back and forth between the two buildings [Kidani and Jambo] they don't really make any other stops.... Truth is, GF is worse in that respect (they go to GF and the Poly!). Same with S/D. They share with BC/YC - talk about multiple stops!

 

[Miranda]

Same with S/D. They share with BC/YC - talk about multiple stops!

BWI too, unless that has changed in... ummm... wow it's been 13 years since stayed at BWI! I loved being able to walk to/from Epcot and MGM (it was still MGM then ), but boy, was that annoying the night that we went to the late parade and fireworks at MK and then had to pile into a bus with 4 other hotels, and it stopped at every one of those before it went to BWI. I think that was the only time we took the bus back from MK... every other time we just used the monorail and walked through Epcot.

We are usually pretty relaxed about catching the bus in the mornings (i.e. we are usually never trying to get there by a certain time), so the time issues at AKL didn't bother us too much. The last time we stayed at AKL it was Labor Day week though, so the parks were not too busy in general... I expect it will be different the first week in December. We did have one time where a bus went missing or something, I don't know... whatever bus it was that we were waiting for, we saw like 2-3 each of the buses for all the other parks come and go... finally one of the bus drivers called back and got us a bus and they sent 2 because after waiting so long there was a pile up of people waiting for that one. When we head back out in the later afternoon/evening from the hotel, we just leave about an hour before we are supposed to be wherever we are going.

 

[kimmar067]

....oh yes, I forgot about BWI!

 

[EeyoreIsMyName]

I'm hoping some of you with AKL experience can help me. We are looking at staying here for the first time (we usually stay at POR).

We'd like a savannah view that would include giraffes and zebras.

I would like a room without obstructed views of the savannah in order to see the animals better and was thinking about halfway down originally. But, I have read that the hallways are LONG (I have some handicapped individuals with my group).

I usually try to keep the lobby and restaurants close for the handicapped individuals.

Is Arusha View the best or would Sunset Savannah be okay?

What would you recommend and why? I appreciate your help!

 

[jeffbear]

We stayed at AKL Jambo in June. We all said never again. The bus stop for magic kingdom one morning was so long that we took a taxi rather than wait for 2 more buses which is what I think it would have taken to load everyone. Another afternoon we waited 45 minutes for a bus to the magic kingdom. We usually stay at OKW so I am used to multiple bus stops. I have read a lot of bad things about OKW bus service however AKL was definitely worse. The actual time spent riding the bus wasn't bad; the trouble was getting a bus.

Not to minimize your legitimate complaint, but I will say that this has happened to me at more than one deluxe resort over a 20+ year period, and can happen virtually anywhere on property should something go haywire in the bus sequencing on a given day. I mean, heck, it happens to the monorail trains at the big three resorts too. I just regulated itself more quickly.

Again ... the extended distance between the AKL and the most common destinations simply makes it more sensitive to delays. Because they are exacerbated by the simple mileage involved.

 

[MidnightParade]

Has anybody tried the DPART app with the AKL buses?

Its an app where you pop in where you going from and where you are going to and gives you the bus schedule. I'm sure there is a bit of +/- within a few minutes but just curious if anyone has tried it on here. A friend who stays AKV recommended it.

 

[grkmbee]

This may seem like an odd question but: Do the CL staff have a stapler I can borrow while I'm there? My husband and I are cruising after our stay at AKL and I have to put on our cruise luggage tags. I don't want to put them on at home as I don't want them falling off on the flight, DME, etc. So I was thinking of bringing them, taking off the DME tags, and stapling them on before we leave for the cruise. Any ideas?
On a very happy note, my countdown is in the single digits!

 

[abbydancer]

This may seem like an odd question but: Do the CL staff have a stapler I can borrow while I'm there? My husband and I are cruising after our stay at AKL and I have to put on our cruise luggage tags. I don't want to put them on at home as I don't want them falling off on the flight, DME, etc. So I was thinking of bringing them, taking off the DME tags, and stapling them on before we leave for the cruise. Any ideas?
On a very happy note, my countdown is in the single digits!

I can't specifically speak for the CL, but we cruise a lot and the front desk at every hotel we've ever stayed at has been willing to lend us a stapler to attach the tags. So, I'm sure one or the other can help.

 

[grkmbee]

I can't specifically speak for the CL, but we cruise a lot and the front desk at every hotel we've ever stayed at has been willing to lend us a stapler to attach the tags. So, I'm sure one or the other can help.

Awesome! Thank you! This is our first time cruising and I'm trying not to overlook any details.

 

[ebonyeyes]

Are there club level room at Kidani or only Jambo? Prefer Kidani...but really want to try CL.

 

[dgbg100106]

nice new Tags Kimmar...

 

[aaarcher86]

This may seem like an odd question but: Do the CL staff have a stapler I can borrow while I'm there?

 

[kimmar067]

nice new Tags Kimmar...

no. comment.

 

[kimmar067]

 

[sndral]

Oops didn't intend to post - but since I'm here - in answer to the question up thread about which Savannas have giraffes and zebras - Sunset has had several zebras for awhile and has giraffes. Arusha has giraffes and usually a couple of zebras. Uzima has giraffes and rarely zebras. They move the animals occasionally so what is where now or in the past may not be the same when you arrive.

 

[disney meema]

Too funny ... Love it!

 

[kimmar067]

.....see? This thread is so friendly that folks can even ask a question about a stapler!

 

[Sherrkel]

Hi Everyone
Dropping in to see if I can get some help!
My in-laws have generously offered to "upgrade" our resort (from moderate to deluxe) for my family's vacation in February - including ML/FL, myself/DH, and numerous BIL's/SIL's and children - 22 of us needing 7 rooms.
We are planning to book Standard view, as that is what ML has offered.
I know very little about ALK - I have been to dinner at the resort twice during vacations over the past few years.
I'm confused as to what the "standard view" room options are; I've visited touringplans.com room view finder and there appear to be a lot of standard view rooms, but not many of them offer the nice picture view.

Do you all have some recommendations?
I don't know if we should be looking for something closer to the lobby, closer to the pool , etc. Not knowing the resort room layout is challenging . . . and my family is looking to me to make some recommendations.

Thanks for any help you all can provide!

 

[shakes]

Hi all, quick question. Does Sanaa do takeout and is this where the room service comes from? Staying at kidani with very picky eaters but I love indian food! Yes I know they have a few other options but heaven forbid they don't have chicken nuggets! Lol. Thanks!