AKL Review

[Disney01]

Hi, we just got back and stayed 3 nights at AKL before moving on to BCV and WLV for the rest of our stay. I had booked two Savannah view rooms and had requested Arusha Savannah, Zebra Trail.

We arrived about 10 am on Sunday, April 17. Our rooms were not ready, but we were told we had the Arusha Savannah. We headed off to Epcot for the Soaring preview and returned around 1 o'clock. We had to wait until after 3 o'clock for our room, but Long Island Teas took care of that just fine.

We had rooms 3522 and 3524, connecting rooms, with one room having a bunk bed. BUT, we were not on the Arusha Savannah as told, but over the people pen on the Uzima Savannah, Zebra Trail. I was really disappointed, but my husband, Mom and son liked it. I did put in a room request to move, but was never contacted, nor did I pursue it other than putting the request in. We did have quite a few animals at all times to look at, they were just further away because of the people pen below our room. I didn't dislike it, I just had that nagging disappointment every time I saw a view of the Arusha Savannah and saw the Zebras and giraffes so close to people's rooms.

We ate at Boma for dinner, and enjoyed the resort. My husband thought it was just "okay" and prefers to remain at the DVC resorts in the future. My son loved it. I would try it again if we got another great discount like this time, but I really felt that the Arusha Savannah was far superior. If I hadn't gotten the discount, I wouldn't have felt it was worth the money. The thing is, I know they won't guarantee what Savannah you get, so I'll have to decide if it's worth the risk of not getting Arusha. The rooms were spotless, and I loved the smell of the resort. Everyone was friendly, with the exception of one extremely grumpy castmember who worked the cash register at Mara in the mornings. In a bad moment, I even called her "grumpy" to her face. Bad, I know, but after the third rude comment, she got the best of me.

 

[jcsbama]

Thanks for the info. We are staying there in June for three nights after four nights at WL. I don't really want to request a certain savannah. My only room requests are usually nonsmoking. Most of the time, I'm pretty easy to please. But, is there a way to request a room not over the "people pen"? I've read mixed reviews about AKL, which can be said about all resorts. I think I'm going to enjoy spending a few nights there just to experience it for myself, but I don't know if I could spend the entire week there. I may change my mind, tho' I'll give a report after my trip.

 

[PrincessPenny]

thank u for the review!!! we are staying there for 6 nights (28 days away!!! ) and i also keep reading mixed reviews. im surprised a castmember was so grumpy - they are usually all so nice!

 

[deefranco]

Our family will be there in September for 3 nights. I really wish I could make sure that our rooms will be perfect. I know...I can't..it's all up the room assignment gods. Just praying for good rooms. We have savannah view so we'll see. Hopefully, we'll get Arusha. It's also on our reservations that we are celebrating 2 bdays, so maybe they will be nice. Also, have 2 rooms booked and paying a lot for it, so I want to atleast have my money's worth. I won't rock the boat by creating a stink if I don't get what I want, besides, from what I have read here it sounds as though once you have gotten into your room and have a problem, they seem to ignore you. I'll just keep my fingers crossed!!

 

[Danvers]

I hope everyone knows that there are the SAME amount of animals in each savannah, and that giraffes are in each one of them. I have always found it bizarre that the Arusha is the "best" view.

 

[deefranco]

I guess it's just a personal preference and what you deem as a beautiful view. I have never been and therefore I can only rely on the opinions on those who have already experienced this resort.

 

[grumpyandbashful]

It's our family's favorite resort overall. That said, I always request Arusha Savannah, Zebra Trail, and we have gotten it twice at check in during our many stays. Arusha Savanna, Kudu Trail is also fine, just a longer walk to Mara and the pool. If it's a busy time of year, and the AKL is full, we've had to move a day into the stay. I just keep hounding the front desk (I drive my family nuts!).
It can be very hard to get exactly what you want if you have connecting rooms requested - we have done that with connecting rooms at CSR and the Beach Club, and always had to press (in a nice way, of course!) for a good room location.
We have encountered grumpy cast members at other resorts and parks, too - they are human beings, aren't getting paid very well, and probably getting tired of having to act super cheery all the time (I would - see my screen name, LOL).

 

[Disney01]

I wouldn't say I didn't like it exactly. Just always had that nagging disappointment that I wasn't on the Arusha Savannah. And, it is just a matter of personal preference. I would stay there again, with a code for a few nights. I liked Victoria Falls, the bar. Sometimes it takes a while for a place to "click" also. We bought at Beach Club (DVC) and our first visit I was a little disappointed. This time, I loved it. So, I would definitely try AKL again, and maybe be a bit more pushy for a room change.

 

[Alice Sr.]

I hope everyone knows that there are the SAME amount of animals in each savannah, and that giraffes are in each one of them. I have always found it bizarre that the Arusha is the "best" view.

When we went a couple of years ago we stayed concierge and we were on the Kudu Trail (our room was two doors down from the Presidential Suite) we didn't have giraffes outside our room but it was OK, there was plenty to watch. We paid $445 a night and absolutely fell in love with the resort. We had moved over there for the final 2 days of our trip after staying a week in a 2 bdrm at BCV. There were 4 of us and I was worried it would be a bust going from a the villa to just one room, but we never even left the resort We went back for a couple of nights in January with a AP ($139) rate and was given a room at the very end of Kudu Trail (a very long walk) there were giraffes outside our room then but it was like a holding pen or something. I felt bad for them, felt like I was at a zoo. I think at AKL you get what you pay for. If you get a great deal you are not going to get the best room, if you pay an arm and a leg for a night I would hope you could expect a great room. Although I must say I would love to stay concierge again but if I got pool view I would flip a lid so it's not worth it for me to try.

 

[snowwite]

We just got back 4/25/05.We had only paid for standard room with AAA discount and I had requested Queen bed w/bunks for my DD 17 and DS 13. At check in I reminded CM if bedding request and he told me that we had been upgraded to a Savanna view with the requested beding! We were given a rom on second floor directly in front of the giraffe feeding area.The kids loved it and took tons of pictures.Last yr we stayed in a room off lobby which overlooked walkway to bus stop but was a nice room and short walk to lobby,bus,pool and dining.In my opinion we spend so little time in the room that I would not pay for this on my own because the animals can be viewed from so many areas.I am going back with DD for Super Soap weekend in fall and am tempted to stay here again but have booked Coronado to try something different.My only complaint about AKL this trip was a waitress we had in Boma.My son has ADHD and is pretty fidgety and is also a fussy eater plus has multiple allergies.He tried a few dishes that he didnt like and ended up having PB & J Zebra sandwhiches and chicken for dinner.The waitress made fun of him and made him cry.She was just awful.She told me she used to be a teacher and she thought he was a "spaz" and reprimanded him for "wasting food". Boma is a buffet of African foods and I allowed him to sample,otherwise how do you know you will like it? I tried Quinoa and hated it but she didnt yell at me to clean my bowl.I wanted to omit her tip but hubby would not let me.I am still fuming and did fill out a comment card but it probably didnt get turned in.

 

[232271]

snowwite, how exciting, an upgrade!!
we are hoping for this too as it will be our DD 12th birthday.
My hubby is always so good at getting the right CM and getting upgrades.


June 9th cannot get here fast enough!
thanks for all the great opinions.

 

[snowwite]

We didnt get one last year but for some reason this CM was wicked nice.It was a nice surprise.Maybe if you mention the bday it would help.The lodge is so nice it really does not matter which room.Good Luck!