IMHO, what you go to the AKL for is the animals. The whole attraction is waking up with a giraffe out of your window and going to bed watching zebras on the savannah. There are some legitimate problems with the AKL that are a function of the lodge's primary attraction. A pool view or a standard view IMHO spoils the magic of the experience.
Don't get me wrong, DW and I love this resort, but I think it is a total waste to stay there if you're not in a savannah room. The following lists some of the shortcomings that the resort has, and that you might want to consider:
1.) The resort has no quiet pool. I know that this isn't important for a lot of people, but for DW and I, the quiet pools afford a lot more...well...quiet. The AKL pool is one of the most crowded we have experienced, and it is not a relaxing place to spend a warm afternoon.
2.) The resort is very remote. While this is part of the appeal, it causes a problem when it comes to nightlife and dining out. For a lot of people, Jiko and Boma aren't their cup of tea (I love them, but DW isn't as adventurous as I am). Of course, any other resort may have restaurants that don't appeal to you too, but they have one huge advantage over the AKL; they are close to other resorts. From WL, you can take a boat to FW or CR and sample the restaurants their, or take a monorail to the GF or Poly from the CR and try their restaurants. At the Epcot resort area, you have more than 25 restaurant choices within minutes of your resort, and that's walking. At AKL, when you want to try and go somewhere else to eat, you better drive, or you may spend more than an hour waiting on busses. Also, there is only one lounge and no special shows, like EWP and FIS at the MK resorts, or Illuminations at the Epcot resorts. It also doesn't feature the kind of entertainment you get at the BW area.
3.) The jogging trail is something that is important to DW and me. We run 5-7 miles most days, and while you can do it on a treadmill in a nice gym at the AKL (for a fee) you can't do it outside (for free). But that isn't the only recreational option missing from the lodge. There is no boating (obviously), no bike rentals, and no tennis courts. This resort is
not the place for active people. It simply doesn't cater to them. (Of course, this is also part of the charm of this resort. It really is a vacation within a vacation.)
4.) Transportation is sort of a grey area. I find the busses to be efficient, though not fast. You often times do wait more than the ten minutes you hear bantered about on this board, but heh, you're on vacation. Chill out. All in all the transportation is fine...but, there is nothing special about it either. It doesn't have the excitement or thrill of the monorail or even the boats. In the most imaginative place on the earth, you are transported by the least imaginative mode of transportation. I think that this, more than anything else, leads to guest's dissatisfaction with the AKL's transportation. Practically speaking, it isn't a valid complaint, but it sure does fall short in the magic department.
O.k., so now I sound like I hate this resort. I don't at all. DW and I almost always split stays at this resort
because it is so remote. It is like being on an African Safari (ok, sort of). But to me, I don't want the safari without the animals. If I were you, I'd probably change my ressie to the WL, or cancel some flowers at the wedding
, and pay the little bit extra for the Savannah room.
LOL (My husband still teases me about me whining that at times during ours when something wasn't going my way - like the airline not giving us seats next to each other on the plane and that kind of stuff). I had a bare bones wedding myself because we were paying for it (my parents were deceased) so I understand the need to conserve the moola!
