AKL questions

[mom2redheadgirls]

HI,
I really want to do the AKL but are only going to be able to afford the standard room. How likely is it I will get bumped to a pool view in off season? We are going either early December or early Feburary. How easy is it to see the animals in the winter? Are they hidden most of the time? We also read in an unofficial WDW book that the minimum amount of time to get to MK is 25 mins! Anyone experienced the transportation at AKL in off season and can otherwise? Mu DH is not keen on this resort only because of the transportation issue. Thanks!
Steph

 

[HopperFan]

First time in July - booked standard - was bumped to Savannah - looking right at the giraffes and a few others.

Second time, after enjoying Savannah too scared to book Std so I booked Pool View. Not that wonderful a view and never used the balcony like before. Heard lots of folks get bumped from Std so I would chance that again............especially since we never used this balcony (that I paid more for). (I would request as high as possible if you get standard to get away from parking level.

I wouldn't think time of year would matter in seeing animals, may be better. Our last day there this May was hot - mid 90's - and there was not an animal in sight. Guess they all went to the shade. Animals are all over and very close. At night you can see them with night goggles.

First trip - drove all over. This trip we decided to try bus. Bus to MK was about 15 minutes or so. Bus to MGM was maybe 10 minutes. Great part was you did not share the bus with another resort. I would have even gladly added minutes to the ride to stay in such a great hotel.

 

[heatherj]

Steph

We just returned from AKL in May. We have booked a pool view room and were upgrade to Pool View Deluxe. You can see the animals from many many different places both inside and outside the lodge if you don't get a savannah view. As for transportation, we really didn't have any problems. I can't say we actually timed the trips - but in the same breath I can say we ever noticed it being long enough to even wonder about. (did that make sense). One nice thing about the transportation is that AKL doesn't share a bus with another resort - so no stopping elsewhere to load or unload people. Thats a nice benefit.

Heather

 

[litlpixie]

We were at AKL during Easter week, and the busses were uncrowded and only took about 20 mins to get to MK. It was awesome!!! We LOVE AKL!!!

 

[Castlebound]

We booked a standard view room in late Sept. and got a standard view room. We were happy with our room and didn't have any problem seeing animals at the many viewing areas of the resort. I think the key to being happy with the room is booking a room that you know that you will be happy with. If you get upgraded then that is just a bonus. If you book a room that you are not going to be happy with because you have read that other people have been upgraded for free, and you don't get upgraded you are going to be disappointed. I have read many times on this board where people book a standard room believing that because they are going off season they will get upgraded. Only to be disappointed or down right mad that they were not upgraded or "only" upgraded to a pool view. I don't mean to harp I just want you to be happy with the choice that you make.

I would have to agree that it took about 15 minutes to get to MK. Several of the other resorts have to share bus service, and this sometimes means that the bus gets full and people are left waiting for the next bus. Which mean a wait that is much longer than 15 minutes.

We decided to stay at AKL because it was more secluded that some of the other resorts. We felt that we needed time to relax and get away from all of the excitement of the parks. Being at AKL and not seeing the castle all the time helped my kids relax at night and get some much needed sleep.


Christal

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

We have always booked Savannah view...we didn't want to risk it. However, I have read on Many..Many occassions that people were bumped up to a SView from a standard view.

We have found the transportation to be among the best at WDW. Perhaps due to the many dedicated routes.

Enjoy!

 

[mom2redheadgirls]

I too agree, Castlebound. I am fine with a standard room, I think it might be nice to have a savannah room but I know you can walk out and see the animals even without the savannah room. I actaully thought the standards might be closer to the bus station and since we have 3 kids(one in a stroller) that would be nice. I have heard some people complain that the walk is too far from some savannah rooms. I just want to experience this resort, if I get a savannah room than that is just a bonus for me!
Thanks for the help!
Steph

 

[bunnyfoo]

I booked a standard view last December and was upgraded to a savanah view. It was a little unexpected but it was a nice surprise There are a ton of places around AKL to look at the animals so if you're not upgraded don't worry about it.

I thought the bus service was great! I think it was about a 15 minute ride to MK. The buses ran regularly and they were never crowded.

HTH

 

[Castlebound]

Our room was on the third floor which is where the entrance and lobby are located. When we reserved our room we asked for nonsmoking, away from the elevators, and bunkbeds. We didn't want to be next to the elevators because our DD is a light sleeper and there is more traffic near the elevators. We suffered through a sleepless night because of this once and it was enough! We loved the location of our room, which was a little less than half way down the wing opposite the elevators. It was perfect for us and we didn't feel like the walk to the buses was that bad at all.

As far as viewing the animals we saw them several times during our stay at different places in the resort. Our kids loved doing the night vision goggles. The CM was very informative and great with the kids.

Christal

 

[cdrn1]

We stayed at AKL in September. We reserved standard but were upgraded at checkin to pool view, which we enjoyed very much. It was nice to sit on the balcony in the morning enjoying our coffee before heading to the parks. We are going again in September but I will again reserve standard because there is a $75 difference in the price per night and we got plenty of opportunities to see the animals without the Savannah view rooms. The atmosphere is so pleasant at AKL, and we were in our rooms very little. I really don't think it will matter to us what our room view is, based on past experience.

 

[ciera321]

We booked standard in June 2002 and at check in were given savannah deluxe. I think it's just luck sometimes, but we loved the room!! I would have been satisfied with the standard because there are SO many beautiful places around the resort to sit and watch all the animals. You'll love it no matter where you're at!! Have fun!!

 

[MinnieGi]

We stayed at AKL the first week of Feb. 2003. We had reserved standard view on the AP rate and were upgraded to pool view. We loved this resort! There are viewing areas all around the resort to see the animals. Make sure you walk around to the different areas b/c some animals are only kept on certain savannahs. Transportation was great from this resort - probably the best we have experienced at WDW. It is great that no other resort shares its transportation.

 

[Anxious in BR]

We have a pool view reserved. What is the difference of a pool view deluxe room vs what we have reserved?

I am actually looking forward to the pool view as I will bring our 4 yo DS back to the room for a nap and DH will take 9 yo DD to pool. I invision sitting on the balcony and watching them while DS sleeps.

 

[Nathan's Grandma]

You get a bigger room at AKL.

The standard rooms are on floors 1-4 and are 344 square feet. Deluxe rooms are on floors 5 and 6 and are 381 square feet. All rooms have balconies.

Kathy