AKL??? Tell Me About AKL Pool View

[Stitch Inside]

Just booked with AP rate for Pool View. This will be our first visit to AKL. Since we'll be arriving on a Friday afternoon and not doing any parks, what are some "must do" things for 6 year olds at the Lodge? Also, does it get loud around the pool?
Any other info and tips will be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Stitch Inside

 

[Stitch Inside]

Bump

 

[niks81]

I figured I'd reply since 1) I've stayed there and 2) Everyone else is talking about codes all the friggin time

As far as "must do's" I just say walk around the resort. That in itself is a must do. It is very neat there and it's a fun resort to walk around...we never got sick of it. One thing we got lucky with was totally by chance. Our room happened to be overlooking Arusha Savannah, but on our way out, a CM was across the hall which overlooked another one. She took us out and showed us that other savannah--we didn't even know there were others at the time. She told us some interesting facts about the animals in this other savannah too. It was neat.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

On our last visit we had Savannah view but this visit we are doing pool view. I'm hoping I like it as much as i think we will.
I hear it is very pretty at night and nice since it is close to everything. I know when we had our Savannah view we were way down on the end and it was quite a walk after a day at the parks.

 

[Stitch Inside]

Which pool view building/room should we request? Is there a "perfect" pool view?

 

[Stitch Inside]

Hasn't anyone stayed at AKL with a pool view?

 

[webray]

We have always had a savannah view until our last visit a month ago..only pool views were available..so we said what the heck, lets try it.

We loved it..and guess what..there is a very small savannah behind the pool..lol, and we could see animals in the morning...can't remember the name, it will probably come to me after I type this.

Either way..we loved the pool view and would not hesitate to have pool view again.

 

[Stitch Inside]

Thanks webray,
Do you remember which building/Trail you were in?

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Hasn't anyone stayed at AKL with a pool view?

Yes, yes...we had a Deluxe pool view room (5th floor on the northeast side of the pool overlooking the wading pool and pool bar) when we stayed there last month, Feb. 4-11. As far as finding the perfect pool view, I would have to say that they are pretty much all alike. There are no retaining ponds or feeding areas that might get in your view so you're safe anywhere around the pool. I enjoyed the pool view, and would take the paper out on the balcony and read it every morning. Our room was very convienient because the laundry and Simba's Clubhouse was on the 1st floor of our wing and we only had to take the elevator straight down. The rooms were very quiet and we noticed no pool noise at all. AKL's pool atmosphere is nothing like the other resort pools at WDW. It's very laid back and pretty quiet, even when filled with resort guests. The lifeguards rarely raised their voices, they didn't have to. The rooms have the same relaxed vibe as the rest of resort. You'll love it!

 

[leighe]

My MIL and FIL stayed in a pool view room last spring and they LOVED it. I actually preferred their view to our savannah view- but then I really, really like water views and I'm not a huge animal person. They never said anything about it being too loud, however, we were away from the room most of the day. I can't for the life of me remember which "trail" we were on - maybe Zebra? - but our rooms (we were on one side of the hall and MIL and FIL were on the other) were on the third floor, very conviently located to everything - pool, lobby, elevators, and it was very quiet. We loved coming back to AKL after a long day in the parks and feeling so away from all the noise.

Definitely don't miss the storytelling around the firepit and stop by Guest Services and pick up night-vision binoculars for watching the animals - so cool! The CM's are great - they can tell you all about the animals. Try out Boma - even my picky DH (who I tease because he really does eat like a 5 year old) loved it. We're hoping to try Jiko this summer. Mara always had a nice selection of salads, wraps, fresh fruit - if you get tired of "food court" hamburgers and chicken nuggets. The pool is awesome! I think your 6 year old will really enjoy the slide.

AKL is my favorite resort. Have a great time!

You are going to have a great time!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Thanks webray,
Do you remember which building/Trail you were in?

If I may step in: All the pool rooms are on the other side of Zebra Trail. The little savannanah on the other side of the pool doesn't have a name, I don't think, but they fed the flamingoes there every morning.

 

[Stitch Inside]

If I may step in: All the pool rooms are on the other side of Zebra Trail. The little savannanah on the other side of the pool doesn't have a name, I don't think, but they fed the flamingoes there every morning.

Are there not pool view rooms on the Giraffe Trail?

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Are there not pool view rooms on the Giraffe Trail?

Yes there are...the Zebra Trail and Giraffe Trail rooms surround the pool. We stayed on the Zebra. I always forget about the Giraffe wing probably because it's AKA the tightly held, tough to get, Parking Lot View rooms (across the hall from Pool View)!

 

[Dolphin_Girl008]

We had a pool view room on the Zebra trail when we were there in October. We're going in May and have again requested a room on the Zebra trail.

 

[jecarter]

Thanks for the great info on the pool view rooms! I have a pool view room booked for Dec 05! A few questions though, when I booked the pool room I asked what room # we will be in. The CM told me that the resorts do not actually get the ressies until 24-48 hours before check in. If that is the case, do they ever overbook so you won't get the view you requested? Can you request certain rooms? When do I request a bunk bed in the room?

I thank everyone on this board for their valuable information. If it wasn't for you all I would be staying off Disney probably at a Motel 6!

 

[buckeye]

Jecarter,
You can call now and have them add your bunkbed request to your reservation.

Good luck!

 

[roozlilone]

Yes, yes...we had a Deluxe pool view room (5th floor on the northeast side of the pool overlooking the wading pool and pool bar) when we stayed there last month, Feb. 4-11. As far as finding the perfect pool view, I would have to say that they are pretty much all alike. There are no retaining ponds or feeding areas that might get in your view so you're safe anywhere around the pool. I enjoyed the pool view, and would take the paper out on the balcony and read it every morning. Our room was very convienient because the laundry and Simba's Clubhouse was on the 1st floor of our wing and we only had to take the elevator straight down. The rooms were very quiet and we noticed no pool noise at all. AKL's pool atmosphere is nothing like the other resort pools at WDW. It's very laid back and pretty quiet, even when filled with resort guests. The lifeguards rarely raised their voices, they didn't have to. The rooms have the same relaxed vibe as the rest of resort. You'll love it!

WE also had a deluxe pool view room when we stayed 2 summers ago. It is by far our favorite resort. We had actually booked a standard view room and were upgraded twice! We loved the pool view! We were on the 5th floor with a beautiful view of the pool. We practically lived on the balcony, it was so nice. It was not noisy at all. We had two little ones taking naps everyday and didn't have any problems. Plus pool view rooms are closet to the laundry and Simba's Clubhouse and the food courts. Have a great time. You can't go wrong!!

 

[coachYO & my 3 girls]

We had a pool view room last June. I wanted a patio and not a balcony, plus we needed bunks. We got exactly what we wanted. We were in the Giraffe Trail part on the bottom floor. We had a small patio and bunks. The patio was mostly surrounded by vegetation, so the view out wasn't unobstructed. I liked that. They had small speakers in the vegetation playing very soothing african themed sounds. It was very nice & cool every time we where out there. I liked that much more than I would have with a balcony and over looking the pool. We were 2 or 3 doors down from the elevators and the doors to go out to the pool. It was great.
Good luck, YO

 

[Stitch Inside]

Thanks for the info YO.
But I think we'd like to see the pool from our pool view room. Plus, I just like being as high as possible wherever I stay.

 

[kimmar067]

Yes, yes...we had a Deluxe pool view room (5th floor on the northeast side of the pool overlooking the wading pool and pool bar) when we stayed there last month, Feb. 4-11. As far as finding the perfect pool view, I would have to say that they are pretty much all alike. There are no retaining ponds or feeding areas that might get in your view so you're safe anywhere around the pool. I enjoyed the pool view, and would take the paper out on the balcony and read it every morning. Our room was very convienient because the laundry and Simba's Clubhouse was on the 1st floor of our wing and we only had to take the elevator straight down. The rooms were very quiet and we noticed no pool noise at all. AKL's pool atmosphere is nothing like the other resort pools at WDW. It's very laid back and pretty quiet, even when filled with resort guests. The lifeguards rarely raised their voices, they didn't have to. The rooms have the same relaxed vibe as the rest of resort. You'll love it!

...AJ said!! Actually, there are kudu, bongo, wildebeest, ankole cattle, and, of course, the pink flamingos!