Akl

[belle46]

Please help. Has anyone got a free upgraded room at AKL when std room is booked? Also how bad is the commute to the parks from AKL?

 

[mom2aredhead]

We booked a standard room and were upgraded to Savannah...hoping that happens again for our upcoming May trip

I didn't find the transportation bad at all. Granted, it's nothing like staying at the monorail resorts, BUT the buses are dedicated to AKL only with no other stops. Longest we waited for a bus was about 15 mins and that was at the end of MNSSHP and I think everyone waited about that long. To me it's worth the extra 5-10 mins on the bus to stay there. I should say that I DID NOT take the bus to DTD, and from what I've heard, that is the longest one.

 

[dnoyes]

Stayed at AKL twice, free upgrade both times. Savannah the first time and pool view the next (pool view is more like tree view) but we only paid for standard each time.
No problems with the bus service at all. Never had to stand once and the longest wait was leaving Epcot late at night (about 15-20 minutes) The ride to DTD is a long one, I'd say about 30 minutes?

You are going to love AKL Have a great trip.

 

[angbuz]

For those who got upgraded, did you request that at check-in or was it just a surprise to you?

We're gonna be there at AKL on April 28th for 6 nights and it's our first time there. We booked a standard room and are really hoping for savannah view room or even a pool view (neither was available at booking time). Here's hoping!!!!!

 

[Magical JenK]

I'd like to know if you asked at check-in as well? We're going in September (right after Labor Day) for our anniversary. I'm surprising my husband w/the AKL...he thinks we're staying at CSR! I can't wait to see his face when we get there!! I booked a standard room & am excited to have any balcony, but an upgrade would be even more magical!!

 

[Ladybugsy]

We were upgraded when we stayed in '05 and evidently it was done before we got there. I think a lot of people get upgrades at AKL because they have more savannah and poolview rooms than standard rooms. Because of the way the resort is designed, it just works out this way. Good Luck.

 

[ksc37]

We were upgraded also...

on our first trip, it was standard to pool view
on the second trip, it was pool view (we booked pool view because we liked it so well on our first trip) to savanna view

We did not ask on either occasion, but we were told that the upgrades had been assigned prior to check-in. Like a previous poster said, there are many, many more savanna view rooms than pool or standard, so if there are many vacant rooms, I suspect that they will do upgrades (in the hope that on your next trip you will pay for an upgrade... this logic worked on us!).

 

[mickeysaver]

We just went ahead and booked my dream room aka a Savannah View. I can't imagine spending all of that money and then taking a chance and getting stuck in a standard view when it's my preferrence and not that much more money to have what I want.

Now, if someone wants to spoil me for my 40th and upgrade me to concierge level, well then go right ahead and make yet another of my dreams come true! Maggie

 

[TxRabbit]

Just got back today, missing it so much, I had to check the boards...

We booked pool view, and got pool view, were hoping for an upgrade, but traveling on spring break did not think it likely...

That said, our pool view was wonderful for us, with DS6, it was fast and easy to the pool from the room. The giraffe trail has a dedicated elevator with pool access right by the hot tub. Also, there is a side door exit that lets you out just around the corner from the bus stops, which is such a blessing when you are so tired after a day of walking, waiting, walking...

Bus waiting was generally not bad...On MK EMH am, we just missed the bus and watched it pull out...that was the longest wait, just under 30 minutes. Oh, we closed down Epcot one night. We were already in the Test Track line, when the ride broke down for a while, and we didn't even leave Epcot until 12:30ish with EMH. We waited for that bus for a bit too. That, or it just seemed like it. Like someone else posted, the buses are dedicated for AKL, so no stopping at other resorts.