AKL, would you recommend it?

[Jess4WDW]

I have read bad reviews about the bus service from AKL. Has anyone stayed here that would recommend the resort? Thanks!

 

[mickeynut1]

I have read bad reviews about the bus service from AKL. Has anyone stayed here that would recommend the resort? Thanks!

We love AKL and have had 2 great stays there. During both stays, we thought the buses were fine. The resort is out away from everything, but it only took about 5 extra minutes to get to the parks compared to other resorts. Since the buses only service AKL and Kidani, there's no sharing with any other resort(s). With that said, I think AKL is an amazing resort and I think it's worth a try. Good luck.

 

[mirage0306]

I really wouldn't let the bus service dissuade you. It's not that much longer to the parks (besides AK). Honestly, we had worse bus service at the Boardwalk and at Caribbean Beach.

 

[mevelandry]

The bus service was excellent while we stayed there.

 

[PixieJenna]

We loved AKL! If we didn't have a toddler that likes to be carried at night, we would of stayed there for out upcoming trip. I have stayed in a lot of other resorts not on the monorail, and AKL bus service was better than some! You definitely feel like you are on another continent. It is beautiful, peaceful and can be very relaxing!

 

[RevKjb]

I have read bad reviews about the bus service from AKL. Has anyone stayed here that would recommend the resort? Thanks!

Despite running in to a CM who didn't know that there is a DVC laundry room on the 5th floor, AKL is a great place to stay. Yes! Do it. Highly recommend it.

 

[rbenn81]

Our family loves the AKL! As others have said I wouldn't let the bus service alone keep you from staying there. The lobby is awesome and the animals are great. It's great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the parks. It's so relaxing there. I look at it this way, at least I'm not driving and having to deal with that after a day in the parks. We love it so much, we're planning on staying there in Jan. before our cruise. We thought about staying elsewhere, but just can't imagine staying anywhere else but the AKL. I'm kinda biased in my opinion. Can you tell??

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

AKL is my favorite resort and has so much to offer. I thought the bus service was fine - and I loved the secluded feel of the resort.

 

[Mynamewastaken]

Sorry to hijack but do you feel that renting a car is a good option? I ask because we are staying there in Feb and I thought about renting a car. I may not need to....

 

[chocovrdmicears]

We have stayed at AKL 3 times - Once using the bus system and twice with a car. I would HIGHLY recommend it either way. People talk like AKL is in Tampa when it comes to the distance to the Parks....it might be a 5 or 10 minute longer bus ride, but it is so worth it. It is like a vacation within a vacation. With the exception of the early morning or dinner visitors for BOMA or Jiko, you don't get a ton of traffic like the monorail resorts do. It is such a beautiful resort. We only now travel to the World using a car, regardless of where we stay...we just prefer it.

 

[Jess4WDW]

Sounds like everyone loves AKL I will definitely be considering staying here for our next trip. We ate at Boma last year and I thought the resort was beautiful. Thanks everyone!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

We loved AKL and wouldn't dismiss it because of the busses, but be prepared for some fairly long transportation times....
As for renting a car, we didn't and managed pretty well. We did call a cab a couple times tho - especially when going to other resorts.
We found the busses to be extremely good in the mornings. Towards evening/night, not so much.

 

[Sherrkel]

Thanks for posting Jess4WDW. I haven't stayed at AKL - yet - but my inlaws offered to upgrade us for our next visit (from a moderate).

Can anyone comment on the STANDARD room category at AKL . . . where are the different standard rooms located and how are the views?

Thanks!

 

[DisneyObsessed87]

Loved AKL. It is a great resort, as there is tons to do. I enjoyed being able to see the animals from our balcony and my DS loved the pool. The busses ran fine when we went. Yes it takes a few minutes longer to get to the parks, but we never had to wait long for a bus to come.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Thanks for posting Jess4WDW. I haven't stayed at AKL - yet - but my inlaws offered to upgrade us for our next visit (from a moderate).

Can anyone comment on the STANDARD room category at AKL . . . where are the different standard rooms located and how are the views?

Thanks!

We typically book a pool view room (which I believe is not a lot more $$$ per night than a standard view). We love pool view rooms because of the location - super close to everything. We were upgraded to a savanna view once, and while we loved the view, it was a looooong walk to the main lobby and pool.

 

[JoeA]

It's a great resort and the buses aren't bad at all. As a PP mentioned, I think they are far worse at BW. People do act like AK is in the middle of nowhere but if you think about it - how far away can a park or resort really be? It's not like you have to travel to the next city!

I have only stayed at the Savannah view (we are DVC here and have stayed a lot) and it's great waking up and seeing the animals. Worth the walk, to me!

 

[Sherrkel]

We typically book a pool view room (which I believe is not a lot more $$$ per night than a standard view). We love pool view rooms because of the location - super close to everything. We were upgraded to a savanna view once, and while we loved the view, it was a looooong walk to the main lobby and pool.

My FIL does have some walking issues; so I think rooms in Jambo house would be most convenient. I don't think we'll be upgraded as we'll be booking 7 rooms in total: all my inlaws and our friends too.

 

[ZehnJahren]

I can't speak to the buses, because I had a rental car when I stayed here. But I would recommend this resort; it's so gorgeous and relaxing and the food choices are great. I had a savannah view room and it was amazing!

Driving was no problem; it seemed so close to everything. I also left the Disney bubble a few times with my car and it was so easy since there was so much nearby!

 

[MissouriPrincess]

We started out staying at Kidani for our family vacations, and now I don't know if we can stay anywhere else when we go to Disney!

We've had a standard view both times. The first time we overlooked the area near the entrance. It was not a long walk to our room at all. We stopped by to look at the animals on our way to the room every time, so we didn't miss them from our balcony. We drove and used the buses, especially to MK and AK. Avoiding a tram ride at MK when you have a stroller is nice.

The second time, we booked a standard view and got a partial savannah view. It was nice to see some animals from our room, but I would still book the standard view next time. We make time to see them from other areas in the resort.

The best part--it is so quiet and peaceful there! I'm talking "you seldom see other people in the hallways" quiet. Loved it!

 

[jendahl12]

Yes, it's further away on the map than any of the other resorts but unless you're really counting every single minute and spending the trip in complete silence you shouldn't really notice. The bus is dedicated to the Lodge and Villas and I've had worse service even waiting at the Boardwalk; everyone's experience is going to vary and sometimes there are are just bad times or days where Disney tries to re-deploy buses to make up for demand. Such things happen on occasion, but I definitely wouldn't call it any worse than the other resorts.

The resort is beautiful and we made it our home as DVC members.

Cheers,
--john