AKL - Smells??

[Mr.Matt]

Long time lurker, first time poster. Several trips to Disney but never AKL. Wife's milestone birthday trip so trying to make it perfect! I really tried to find this answer before posting a question, but never really found a topic that answered this question. We have stayed at CBR a few times but considering staying at AKL this trip as older kids would love to be so close to animals like zebras and giraffes and with FD this time AKL is (nearly) affordable for us. We have sensitive stomachs and noses and are worried the scent of African food being cooked in the resort may cause a week long vacation sour. Can someone tell me if there are any strong/offensive scents from African food are offensive or linger into common areas? Does Maru or Boma smell of curry or indian spices? We like the smells of barbeque and grilled chicken and steak and all - but some of the menu items do seem a little nauseating to us.

***I certainly do not mean to offend... and this might walk a fine line with some... but I am hoping some people who may understand my question may be able to help clarify.

 

[richmo]

I don't think you have anything to worry about. We've eaten in Boma several times and I've never noticed any odor to it. I think they have a pretty good ventilation system there...I think you'll be fine.

 

[Mr.Matt]

Thanks Richmo! How about Mara? How does that restaurant smell? Anyone else have any feedback?

 

[Anthony1971]

There are no Spice smells animal smells etc. In fact what they consider African Indian is far from what you would expect. However Boma does have a wood burning grill just like the Poly and Ohana (except there is no comparison in the food quality) so you WILL smell a very light sort of burning smell at night. If you can take the smell of Rome in spaceship earth then you will be fine at AKL.... I would be bold enough to say if you can take the smells of real life you will have no issue at AKL. You also have the option of staying on the Kidani side which has no smells at all.

 

[TsLoveMickey]

I don't recall a strong cooking smell. However, the resort -- especially the hallways by the rooms -- has a "scent" that is kind of strong. Just like Wilderness Lodge ... my 5 year old actually sometimes tells me "I miss the smell of Wilderness Lodge."

 

[Grumpy247365]

I don't recall a strong cooking smell. However, the resort -- especially the hallways by the rooms -- has a "scent" that is kind of strong. Just like Wilderness Lodge ... my 5 year old actually sometimes tells me "I miss the smell of Wilderness Lodge."

I know what you mean, and the smells are awesome. I wish I could bottle the WL smell and bring it home.

 

[MrsHammer]

There are no Spice smells animal smells etc. In fact what they consider African Indian is far from what you would expect. However Boma does have a wood burning grill just like the Poly and Ohana (except there is no comparison in the food quality) so you WILL smell a very light sort of burning smell at night. If you can take the smell of Rome in spaceship earth then you will be fine at AKL.... I would be bold enough to say if you can take the smells of real life you will have no issue at AKL. You also have the option of staying on the Kidani side which has no smells at all.

I agree with this poster. We stayed there about 3 weeks ago. The main 'aroma' throughout the lobby area is just the smell of wood burning and sometimes roasted meat from BOMA. I thought it was wonderful..always made me so hungry when we walked through. The only smell I noticed in the room was just your typical 'hotel room' smell. Nothing out of the ordinary.

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

We have stayed there many times in the past and never smelled anything stinky at AKL. We love the smell of the lobby, it has a wonderful aroma!

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

We often smelled a wonderful grilled meat/cooking smell on our balcony at night- but we were very close to the main lobby. It smelled, as others have said, like grilling meat- not like any type of unusual spice.

If you are concerned about cooking smells, you could probably ask for a room far away from the lobby. AKL is a huge resort and some of the rooms are quite far away from the main lobby and restaurants. You could probably request a room where you would not smell the food.

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

A few years ago, we were going to stay there for the first time ever and I was concerned myself because I am allergic to the smells and such of spices such as curry etc. We stayed at Kidani and I didn't notice anything, absolutely loved it there. We visited the Jambo (main AKL) side and I even fell in love with the smoky wood smell of their lobby.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

Wife and I don't remember smelling anything from the restaurants in any part of the resort except near the restaurants. Even when we were in the restaurants themselves we don't think they smelled strongly of exotic spices. It just smelled really, really, really yummy and the food was fantastic.

 

[eeyore81]

There is definitely a scent of wood/roasting meat. We have stayed at AKL at least 10 times. It never bothered me until we stayed when I was pregnant. It was awful. I dreaded walking into the resort on our way back from the parks. We have stayed since and it doesn't bother me but it is noticeable.

 

[m3b]

AKL has one of the most amazing smells of any place we have ever stayed. It is the hickory wood they use in roasting chicken at Boma. We sometimes smell it other places and it makes us wish we were there.

 

[Jennasis]

No.

And for the record, what one person considers an "offensive" food smell may be considered appealing to another. I suppose only you would know what smells offensive to you. I think wine smells vile. Same with anything vinegar based (like pretty much all salad dressing), and most fruit (The produce section of the grocery store is gag inducing).

 

[nicolebridget22]

AKL is the most amazing smelling hotel! When I had to stay at POP I actually made a special trip to AKL just to smell it...but for some reason the smell I loved wasn't circulating or something. I think it's the smoked meats from the restaurant. So, yes, there is a smell to it but like someone else said...what's smells good and bad differs from person to person. I think it smells amazing in there.

 

[Babsy]

It smells like Africa. Only you can say whether or not it is nauseating to you. Most people like the aroma. If you think that you may not, perhaps you should stay elsewhere for this trip and visit the AKL for a meal or just a walk through. The you can decide if you want to consider it for a future trip.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I didn't notice a smell! It's a huge resort, I only think food would be smelled right outside the restaurants.

 

[vcjtx]

I didn't notice a smell! It's a huge resort, I only think food would be smelled right outside the restaurants.

Just wanted to say that I love your avatar & user name!

 

[Starclassic]

Yes, it smells...AMAZING!!! A warm, woodsy type of smell. We loved it and wished they had an air freshener so we could bring the scent home!

 

[Best Aunt]

Not quite on point, but when we were there, the van that runs between jambo and kidani smelled - like animal poop - every time.