AKL... Second Guessing Myself

[astag05]

We will be traveling in 14 days for our first trip to DW staying 8 nights and I'm starting to second guess myself on our resort choice.... Not due to price but mainly location, travel times, and some not so pleasant reviews recently. Should I be on look out for cancellations at POR,POFQ,or AOA? Or just stick with AKL? Travel party is 2 adults 3 kids(11,5,1). We are annual passholders and will be returning frequently but just not sure about AKL for our first visit now.

 

[mmmears]

My family loves AKL. I think it's normal to start second-guessing any hotel choice, but in this case my advice is to stay there. The buses aren't so bad, the pool area is fantastic, the theming is unique and detailed, the animals are wonderful to watch, and the food is good there. We really like AKL, though, and I know some people don't.

 

[Lisaloo]

I could understand if you were changing to a monorail/EPCOT resort, but your other choices are all bus resorts. I don't think their locations are better at all. We enjoyed our AKL stay in July. It was the best bus property we have stayed at, but not as convenient as BC, Poly or GF. We have also stayed at PO (both) and AoA and I would never swap AKL for them.

 

[greentea]

I think you should try it. What made you choose AKL initially?

I stayed there last year and it was great. The food is good. We didn't try Boma, but we loved Sanaa and Mara quick service was good, too -- they have some soups from Boma available, as well as zebra domes. We didn't have any problems with buses. We loved walking around watching animals and waking up to the obnoxiously loud birds outside (we were in a standard but it had a partial savannah view, mostly a few antelopes and birds visible, but still fun).

We are booked at Beach Club in November because we got a really good price and wanted to be near Epcot, and I'm sure we will like it a lot... but I think we will be going back to AKL next trip if budget allows for it.

 

[TeamSy]

I think AKL is a really unique themed property. Seeing the animals from our balcony was such a fun experience. However, I definitely understand your concerns. The buses were not great, however, as a pp suggested, I would understand more if you were changing to an Epcot or MK resort, where you have non-bus options. Where you're thinking of changing to are all bus options, so really, there's no difference on that end, and that's really the only reason I would personally switch.

 

[astag05]

I think you should try it. What made you choose AKL initially?

I stayed there last year and it was great. The food is good. We didn't try Boma, but we loved Sanaa and Mara quick service was good, too -- they have some soups from Boma available, as well as zebra domes. We didn't have any problems with buses. We loved walking around watching animals and waking up to the obnoxiously loud birds outside (we were in a standard but it had a partial savannah view, mostly a few antelopes and birds visible, but still fun).

We are booked at Beach Club in November because we got a really good price and wanted to be near Epcot, and I'm sure we will like it a lot... but I think we will be going back to AKL next trip if budget allows for it.

We chose AKL mainly bc the theme appealed to us more than anywhere else and my children will love seeing the animals. We also have ADRs there for 3 meals.

 

[mickeynut1]

My family loves AKL. I think it's normal to start second-guessing any hotel choice, but in this case my advice is to stay there. The buses aren't so bad, the pool area is fantastic, the theming is unique and detailed, the animals are wonderful to watch, and the food is good there. We really like AKL, though, and I know some people don't.

I agree with everything here. We love AKL and had no trouble with the location/transportation. Since the buses only service AKL and Kidani, there's no sharing with any other resort(s). In our experience, it took maybe 5 extra minutes to get around compared to other resorts. I wouldn't change as AKL is a great resort.

 

[greentea]

We chose AKL mainly bc the theme appealed to us more than anywhere else and my children will love seeing the animals. We also have ADRs there for 3 meals.

Ahh, then I do think you should stick with it! We loved the theme and the animals. The pool is really nice, too. I think your kids will have a great time there.

 

[sugarbobbin]

Originally, I didn't want to stay at AKL. I think I was concerned of the distance and the buses.

However, I loved AKL as soon as I drove up to the hotel. The theming is great for kids and there were so many things for them to do around the hotel. I often think now how silly I was thinking that I'd be disappointed. I never had a problem with the bus service nor did the distance ever seem that long even though people always say that about AKL.

I think it's all subjective. If you're not a patient person and was use to Epcot or MK area hotels, maybe it would be a huge difference.

 

[loves to dive]

I had the same concern for years and resisted staying there, we usually stay at Epcot resorts. I gave in because I got a really good price on a 1 bedroom for a 2 night split stay. It wasn't 2 minutes after seeing our room, I wished I had not done a split stay and just stayed there. We only took the buses to MK and AK but didn't have any problems with either one of them, it was only like a 5 minute ride to AK. Stay, you'll enjoy it.

 

[astag05]

I had the same concern for years and resisted staying there, we usually stay at Epcot resorts. I gave in because I got a really good price on a 1 bedroom for a 2 night split stay. It wasn't 2 minutes after seeing our room, I wished I had not done a split stay and just stayed there. We only took the buses to MK and AK but didn't have any problems with either one of them, it was only like a 5 minute ride to AK. Stay, you'll enjoy it.

We will also have our car so I thought about driving to epcot and HS. Glad to hear you enjoyed AKL!! Everyone is making me feel much better about our upcoming stay

 

[WIcruizer]

Yes, we just got back from AKL. DH always wanted to try it, so we finally chose AKL for this trip. We both really loved it. Mara is probably one of the best QS restaurants, but mostly we loved it because of the theming.

I would add, if time permitting, take a few minutes to check out some of the other resorts so you'll have an idea where you would like to stay in the future. Some people love staying at the same resort every trip, we like trying all of them. So far AKL is one of the best, better than the other choices you had in mind. (Not to say those are BAD by any means!)

 

[ellie05]

AKL is our favorite resort so far. Specially if you have a car. I don't think you should second guess your choice. Enjoy your trip!

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

Wife and I stayed at the AKL before our Dream cruise. It is a resort that I would highly recommend to anyone giving thought to staying there and one that I hope to get back to in the future. I can't figure out why so many people make the whole distance from everywhere (except Animal Kingdom Park) an issue. Once the bus is on the road is it really that much longer a ride than if you are driving your own car. My biggest complaint about the WDW buses is when we see multiple buses pulling in for a park before we finally see one for the park we are going to. But this happens at all of the bus only resorts.

 

[EMILAYLAY93]

I would remain at AKL because of the ages of your kids. AKL has a different feel to it and seeing the animals just tops it off. I think it's an experience that your family won't forget. Make sure to look into the other activities the resort has to offer as well.

 

[JennyDrake]

Dissecting opinion here. NOW IF you plan to have resort based vacation, you can't beat AKL! I don't know of any resort anywhere that offers the recreation and education that AKL does. Jiko and Boma are both outstanding and Saana holds its won. I found Mara to be dim, dark, overly complicated and WAY out of the way to be convenient--but the food was good.

The rooms and hallways are very dark and I found the rooms on the small side for the money paid. Bus service was sparse for me during all 3 visits.

Check in was a chore all 3 times, even with on line check in. One time it took 70 minutes.

_I_ would much rather be at POFQ or POR: lighter rooms, boat ride to DTD, horse drawn carriage rides, more pools at POR and POR has IMHO the best food court on WDW property.

 

[WIcruizer]

70 minutes!?!? Must have been a website issue, not anything specific to AKL? I have never waited 15 minutes at any wdw hotel, or any hotel anywhere for that matter!!

 

[chrisn]

AKL is amazing! Given the choice between those (and I love POFQ), no contest! AKL every time! Going in less than a month. It's stunning.

 

[aleh021]

I always second myself, and I did the same thing when I went to AKL the first time around but don't read the reviews to much, it just starts to mess the decisions you made! You have to see it for yourself first! You're kids are going to love it, there are so many activities going on, so much to see and explore, and in my opinion some of the best tasting food. Plus, seeing the animals in the morning before the parks at your own hotel is just one of the best experiences out there.

 

[lovesdumbo]

We love AKL. Your children will love the activities-be sure to check them out. I also think the remoteness is overstated.