AKL: Pro/Con

[mrscoobs]

We are planning our next trip to disney with several different times of year in mind, but we are still trying to decide on which resort we want to stay at We have never stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and were thinking of staying there but still not sure. So...please give one Pro and one Con about AKL. Help us make up our minds!!

 

[HopperFan]

Pro - Awesome decor that makes us want to explore all over (sorry I have to add the animals for the second pro).

Con - If you want amenities such as water sports, bikes, jogging trails etc. this not for you. You enjoy the hotel, the animals and hang out at the pool. No other outdoor recreation.

Absolutely will be returning, everyone should experience it at least once !

 

[jimmiej]

AKL is our new fave!

PROS- The resort is beautiful!
- Animals!
- Boma! My fave restaurant in WDW.
- Good bus service (no sharing)
- Nice pool.

CONS- ??? Maybe price, although you can find discounts if you know where to look (Mousesavers, AAA, AP). I got pool view for $130ish in Feb. '05.

You can't go wrong with AKL.

 

[Harambe]

Pros:

You really feel like you are on a relaxing vacation, beautiful pool, grounds, rooms, lobby.

Jiko is an awesome restaurant.

CMs are wonderful.

Gift shop is top notch.

Giraffes, giraffes, giraffes, giraffes . . .


Cons:

You may feel isolated if you like a lot of action.

Bus rides can seem long.

 

[Kimberly]

Pro - The hotel is gorgeous, the views are spectacular, and the restaurants are great. I don't think there is really anything bad about the hotel but...

Con - It's very isolated from the rest of the Disney properties even if you have your own car. I am glad i never waited for a bus at this resort, even though i think they don't share them with anyone else.

Verdict - This is a great resort for the type of person that just likes to relax and be pampered, as well as for a person who can take thousands of photographs (animals all over the place). I would go back in a heartbeat.

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

We were there a year ago and we loved it too. So many pro's. All of which have been mentioned. The one con that hasn't been mentioned is that the hotel is huge and it is a bit of a walk to get to your rooms. This is not the only hotel with this "problem" but late at night after a full day in the parks you can be REALLY exhausted and it is a long walk home from the bus stop. Even given this particular con I would stay there again in a heartbeat.

 

[NYRN]

GREAT thread- we are thinking about staying there this December for part of our trip!

 

[Meezers]

Also think this is a great thread...see countdown for why!

 

[mrscoobs]

Thanks for the replies so far I had a feeling that AKL is a wonderful experience. All the pros seem wonderful, but the transportation seems like it would be a long walk to the bus stop and as mentioned, a pretty long ride to some of the parks (we never drive and utilize disney transport the entire time we are on property). I guess we just need a few more praises for AKL Decisions, decisions!

 

[cjsmom5]

We really like this resort. For us, the kids programs (which are free) are absolutely wonderful. Plus, we like the serenity at the resort after chaotic days at the parks. We didn't find the bus transportation a problem. At all the resorts we have had some long waits and some very short waits. For some reason, the longest wait we had was the bus from AK to AKL. Otherwise, in three years the average wait is 10 minutes or so. Keep in mind, if you just miss the bus, you can wait awhile. Due to the way the resort is designed, if you are in the far end of the U it can be along walk from the bus stop to your room ... but we found this to be true at some of the other resorts also. There is nothing more spectacular than to awake and find a giraffee outside your window. One year we sat in the hot tub and watched them eat just over our shoulders. Mara is also nice -- having a food court at a deluxe is very nice. Boma's wonderful ... haven't eaten at Jiko. If you stay concierge you have the sunset and sunrise safari. We will be trying for the first time this Nov/Dec. Can't wait. The viewing places around the resort are awesome but what makes it even better is that there is always a cast member there to answer questions. They are from Africa and if you take the time to talk with them, it is so interesting. We got quite an education into the geography, culture, animals, etc. And, they rotate so you can meet many people. The storytelling at the firepit is also very nice and they always have displays in the lobby with individuals who are from the country there to talk with you. If you are not a animal lover than this isn't the place for you.

We absolutely love this place but to get a flavor for other places, we typically do a split stay. This year we are doing POFQ and AKL. Next year we are going to do the Poly - I think - but that could change. But, this is one of our favorite spots.

 

[HopperFan]

Okay I tried to stick with the one pro and con but as you can see that is rather difficult to do with this resort - so many pros.

Regarding transportation, it is one of the few resorts we actually use the transportation because it is so good. It was a 10 minute ride from there to the MK, the farthest park, not what I would call isolated. I think it feels isolated because it is surrounded by landscape, making you feel "out there" and you can't walk to anything. But it is only minutes away from all. Of course with all resorts, timing is everything, especially if you stay at the parks till closing.

 

[Disney Fool]

Pros:
zero depth entry for pool
great pina coladas (poolside)
Boma--best soups on Disney property
viewing animals
firepit storytelling
viewing animals
tantalizing aromas wafting through the lobby
Victoria Falls bar
viewing animals
details, details, details in the decorating (including "fossils" in pavement
Concierge level is awesome
Sunrise safari and sunset safari
Jiko's (award winning restaurant)
viewing animals


Cons:
not enough time or money to stay longer

 

[dixipixi]

I agree that there are too many pros to list just one. I really loved the AKL. Found it to be a fantastic resort.

The biggest con I could see is the isolation factor and you may get tired of the dining choices after a few days.

I'm glad we split our stay between the AKL and YC. Once we moved to the YC, we were glad for a change of pace and wider selection of places to eat.

 

[CheshireVal]

AKL is my favorite resort, and even if I won a zillion dollars in the lottery, that's still where I'd choose to stay.

I don't think the distance from some of the rooms to the bus stops is any farther than what you might find at some rooms at every other resort. I've also never had transportation issues, though I do kinda wish there were a boat transport from AKL to somewhere.

 

[jimmiej]

Did I mention that I REALLY like Boma?

 

[CheshireVal]

Did I mention that I REALLY like Boma?

Me tooooooooo

 

[LukenDC]

I spent two nights at AKL last week in a room with a pool view.

Pros---Magnificently themed resort. The attention to detail and art collection are amazing. Cast members from Africa are a real plus. If you stay at AKL, be sure to speak to some of the cast members about their homelands.

Cons---The resort is isolated and this really detracted from our stay. We no longer felt like we were at WDW. The bus service was OK, but we did have a couple of 20 minute waits for buses. Room was somewhat small for deluxe category. Had an awful dinner at Jiko.

Unfortunately for us, the cons outweighed the pros and we will not be staying at AKL again.

 

[wendypooh]

You guys convinced DH, we are all booked, paid for, and now just waiting....................

We are so excited about going to AKL......... DH and DS LOVE animals, I do too, but they are almost fanatical about it.......... all I can say is in Jan. watch out if you are anywhere near the zebra domes!!!!!!!! LOL

AND, save some night vision goggles for my little one!!!!

 

[jcriket]

Pros: The animals, where else can you wake up to a giraffe.The theme is done so well that you forget your even at a resort.

Cons: If you get a savanna room, some are a very long walk from the lobby and the food court.

But the Pros really out weigh the Cons, its my favorite resort and worth going to if you like to watch animals.

 

[gaila]

Thank You from us as well - we have been dithering for 2 days about where to stay for one of our two weeks, AKL, CBR or POR. You guys have just sold it to us.

One question, how many animals are actually there on a regular basis? Do you have to be up at sunrise to see them before they dash undercover for the rest of the day. We can't splash out on an upgrade so what will we have to do to see the animals?

Thanks
Gail